Mongolia, 1982

Mr. President, I take special pleasure in

congratulating you, the representative of

fraternal Hungary, on your election to the

presidency at this thirty seventh session of the

General Assembly. Your unanimous election to this

high post is an expression of the general

recognition of the international authority and

prestige of socialist Hungary and its peace

loving foreign policy. At the same time it is a

tribute to your outstanding personal qualities.

On behalf of the Mongolian delegation, I wish you

every success in the discharge of your

responsible mission. Your great experience in

international affairs, and especially in United

Nations circles, will no doubt serve as a

valuable factor in the successful completion of

this session. At this thirty seventh session the

Assembly faces the urgent tasks of lessening

international tension and reducing the threat of

nuclear war. The world situation has acutely

deteriorated as a result of adventurist actions

of the most aggressive circles of imperialism,

which have set their narrow selfish aims against

the onward march of history. In particular, the

military industrial complex of the United States

of America is seeking to impose the domination of

American imperialism over the whole world and to

establish everywhere an order solely to its

liking. The arms race is being intensified on an

unprecedented scale with a view to upsetting the

existing military and strategic balance to the

detriment of the interests of universal peace and

security. Designs are being nurtured for waging

limited or protracted nuclear wars. Detente and

the principles of peaceful coexistence are being

renounced outright. Force and sanctions have

become the principal instruments of foreign

policy. Attempts are being made to undermine the

very fabric of international relations. Resort to

blackmail, deceit and hypocrisy have become all

too common. Rhetorical statements about peace and

stability camouflage the actions taken to

destabilize the situation in various regions, to

sow distrust and enmity among peoples and States.

Under the pretext of safeguarding vital interests

and national security, blatant interference in

the internal affairs of States, as well as acts

of aggression and even genocide by proxies, are

being perpetrated. I should like to note here

that such tricks are also practised by certain

circles on our Asian continent. In order to

conceal their expansionist ambitions, some offer

assurances that their country would never become

a super Power. In order to divert the attention

of the public from their own country’s increasing

military potential and from its reviving

militarism, others assert that their country

would never become a military Power. The

rewriting of textbooks and historical documents

in order to whitewash the past criminal acts of

the militarists is another case in point. But the

main thing is that the militaristic circles of

imperialism are covering up their attempts to

strike at the socialist community by coarse

slander directed against the peaceful nature of

the socialist system. The clamour about the

nonexistent Soviet military threat is designed to

justify the organization of a crusade against the

real socialism. History knows such tactics.

Immediately after the victory of the October

Revolution, an armed intervention of 14

capitalist States under the slogan of fight

against the communist threat was launched against

the young Soviet Republic. And nowadays attempts

to undermine the very foundations of the

socialist system in the countries of socialism

are not abandoned, which is evidenced by the

aggressive intrigues against the Polish People’s

Republic and the Republic of Cuba. But socialism

has withstood imperialist assaults and invasions

and has now become so strong as to exert a

decisive influence on world events and to serve

as a stronghold of peace, national independence

and the social progress of nations. This is an

historic gain of lasting importance for the

future of mankind. The Union of Soviet Socialist

Republics, which celebrates its sixtieth

anniversary this year, is thebulwark of all the

peace loving, democratic and revolutionary

forces. The peace loving policy and constructive

initiative of the socialist community have a

favourable and stabilizing impact on the world

situation and actively promote United Nations

activities for the maintenance of peace and

international cooperation. Here I should like to

note also the influential role played by the

nonaligned movement in consolidating peace and

security and in restructuring international

relations on an anti imperialist and anti

colonialist basis. We give due credit also to the

realistic approach of sober minded statesmen in

Western countries who stand for the maintenance

and development of mutually beneficial relations

between East and West and for the preservation

and strengthening of detente. The intensified

mass antiwar movement in the world is an

important factor that promotes the objectives of

the United Nations in maintaining international

peace and security. Meanwhile the following

striking example reveals the attitude of major

imperialist Powers these objectives of the United

Nations. At the very moment that the first

special session of the General Assembly on

disarmament was under way in 1978 here in New

York, a long term programme of an arms buildup by

NATO was adopted nearby in Washington. And this

year that programme was again reaffirmed in Bonn,

at the highest level of the NATO alliance, during

the second special session devoted to

disarmament. The peace programme for the 1980s

put forward by the Soviet Union and the

constructive initiatives of socialist countries

envisage practical measures to curb the arms race

and to remove the threat of a nuclear holocaust.

Under the present circumstances, the extremely

far reaching and bold step of the Soviet Union is

the obligation, unilaterally assumed by the

Soviet Union at the second special session of the

General Assembly on disarmament, not to be the

first to use nuclear weapons. We believe that at

the present session the Assembly should call upon

other nuclear Powers to do likewise. We consider

that the new proposal submitted by the Soviet

delegation at this session rightly supplements

the aforementioned initiative of historic

significance. The proposal and the relevant

document on the immediate cessation and

prohibition of nuclear weapon tests seeks to

speed up the stagnant negotiations in this field.

The new draft of basic provisions of a treaty on

the complete and general prohibition of nuclear

weapon tests constructively reflects the views

and observations of other States on this matter,

in the verification issues, and thus undoubtedly

improves the chances for a positive outcome of

negotiations. The proposal to set a moratorium on

any nuclear explosions, starting from an agreed

date until the treaty is concluded, can create

favourable conditions for achieving this vital

goal. The same goal is then pursued by the Soviet

Union, which clearly expressed its readiness to

ratify at any time, on a reciprocal basis, the

Soviet United States treaties on the limitation

of underground nuclear weapon tests and on

nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes, as well

as to resume tripartite negotiations. This

position of the Soviet Union is in glaring

contrast to the recent decision of the United

States Administration not to resume tripartite

negotiations, which has given rise to concern in

the world community. The carrying out of a

comprehensive ban on nuclear weapon tests is of

special significance in putting an end to the

technological arms race, preventing the

production of new types of nuclear weapons,

including neutron weapons. The Government of the

Mongolian People’s Republic regards as timely and

important the new initiative of the Soviet Union

on intensification of efforts to remove the

threat of nuclear war and ensure the safe

development of nuclear energy. It is essential to

block firmly a new channel which could result in

incidents of nuclear catastrophe. The General

Assembly, in the spirit of its Declaration on the

Prevention of Nuclear Catastrophe, should, as

proposed by theSoviet Union, declare the

destruction of peaceful nuclear facilities, even

by means of conventional weapons, to be

equivalent to an attack carried out with the use

of nuclear weapons. Such an action, as we know,

would be termed a crime against humanity. The

talks between the Soviet Union and the United

States on the limitation and reduction of

strategic arms, as well as medium range nuclear

missiles in Europe, are of decisive significance

as regards a wide range of disarmament problems.

Those talks, which concern the very core of the

global strategic situation, will be successful

provided that the two parties strictly observe

the principle of equality and equal security.

Attempts to evade that principle in particular,

manoeuvres such as the zero option are the main

obstacle to reaching mutually acceptable

agreements. The problem of the elimination of

chemical weapons has of late become especially

acute. It stems from the decision adopted by

Washington to accelerate the development and

manufacture of new types of this barbaric weapon

including binary weapons. The Mongolian People’s

Republic is in favour of intensifying the efforts

of the Committee on Disarmament so as to complete

the elaboration of an international convention on

the prohibition of chemical weapons and on their

destruction. Actions aimed at spreading the arms

race to outer space are becoming more and more

ominous. The Mongolian People’s Republic is

endeavouring in every way possible to bring about

an early start of the work of the Committee on

Disarmament on the elaboration of the text of an

international treaty on the prohibition of the

deployment of weapons of any kind in outer space.

Among the measures for strengthening universal

peace and security, the Government of the

Mongolian People’s Republic attaches great

significance to the Vienna Talks on Mutual

Reduction of Forces; Armaments and Associated

Measures in Central Europe. The achievement of

positive results in those talks would have a

favourable effect on the improvement of relations

between East and West and on the international

situation as a whole. A realistic approach is

required of the Western partners to the

constructive proposals of the socialist countries

so as to pave the way for achieving progress in

this field. The same stand is taken by the

Mongolian People’s Republic in its approach to

the Madrid meeting of the participants in the

Conference on Security and Co operation in Europe

which was held at Helsinki in 1975. My Government

commends the efforts by the neutral and

nonaligned States taking part in the meeting that

are aimed at working out a generally acceptable

final document. It hopes that the meeting will

succeed in adopting a decision to convene a

conference on confidence building measures and

disarmament in Europe and taking other towards

consolidating the spirit of the Helsinki Final

Act. My delegation believes that a settlement of

the Cyprus problem on the basis of the relevant

United Nations decisions and the principles of

respect for the national independence and

territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus

is of great importance for the cause of peace and

stability in Europe. In Asia the largest number

of hotbeds of tension and armed conflicts

continue to exist. Developments: the Middle East

during the past several months prove that a delay

in the settlement of so called local conflicts is

fraught with dangerous consequences for the cause

of universal peace. The armed aggression against

Lebanon and the massacre in west Beirut are the

direct aftermath of the Camp David deal and of

the so called United States Israeli strategic

cooperation. The Government of the Mongolian

People’s Republic in its statement of 22

September this year resolutely condemned Israel’s

acts of aggression and genocide in Lebanon and

stated anew that the responsibility for the

atrocities must be borne by Tel Aviv and its

United States patrons. The Mongolian People’s

Republic demands the withdrawal of Israeli forces

from Lebanon and from all occupied Arab

territories. The Mongolian Copies Republic, like

the overwhelming majority of States, advocates a

comprehensive settlement of the Middle East

problem with the participation of all the parties

concerned, including the PLO the legitimate

representative of the Arab people of Palestine on

the basis of ensuring its right to create a

national State of its own. Therefore my

Government supports the proposal made by the

Soviet Union on 15 September this year, which

takes into account the latest developments in the

Middle East. The Government of the Mongolian

People’s Republic regards as positive the

declaration of the Twelfth Arab Summit

Conference, held at Fez, and regards it as a

basis which would contribute to uniting the Arab

world in the interest of settling the Middle East

problem. For many years the situation in South

East Asia has remained highly tense. The reason

for that, we strongly believe, lies in the policy

and practices of the imperialisms and their

accomplices, who, in pursuance of their so called

parallel strategic interests, seek to alter which

emerged in Indo China as a result of the

triumphant struggle of the peoples of Viet Nam,

Laos and Kampuchea against imperialist

aggression. At the same time attempts are being

made to incite the countries of the Association

of South East Asian Nations to engage in

confrontation against the three countries of Indo

China and to have ASEAN transformed into a

military political bloc. Quite recently a new

manoeuvre concerning Kampuchea was undertaken. A

so calted coalition Government of nonexistent

Democratic Kampuchea was knocked together and

serves as a camouflage for attempts to revive the

Pol Pot regime, on whose conscience lies bloody

genocide against its own people. This is a new

machination not only against the peoples of Indo

China but also against peace and security in

South East Asia as a whole. The Mongolian

People’s Republic firmly believes that all the

problems of South East Asia should be resolved by

the States of that region themselves, through

constructive dialogue and without any outside

interference. The initiatives taken by Viet Nam,

the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the

People’s Republic of Kampuchea in July of this

year at the conference held in Ho Chi Minh City

are constructive and directed to that end. Those

proposals and steps demonstrating good will are

conducive to the creation of a spirit of mutual

trust and of favourable conditions for

strengthening peace and security in the region

and for developing good neighborly relations and

peaceful cooperation between the countries of

Indo China and those of ASEAN. The Mongolian

People’s Republic has consistently supported the

just struggle of the Korean people for the

peaceful and democratic reunification of its

country, and for the withdrawal of United States

troops and nuclear facilities from South Korea.

At present the situation in Asia is being

aggravated still further by the fact that the

expansionist and militarist circles of certain

major Powers of that continent are being drawn

more and more into the orbit of United States

military and political strategy. That calls for

the active involvement of Asian States in the

struggle for strengthening peace and security on

that continent. My delegation notes with

satisfaction that a number of Asian countries are

advancing constructive ideas and proposals. The

proposal made on 24 August 1981 by the Government

of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan points

the way to the solution of the situation which

has arisen around Afghanistan on the basis of

respect for the sovereignty, independence and

democratic achievements of the Afghan people. In

that context the Mongolian People’s Republic

welcomed the meetings between the representatives

of Afghanistan and Pakistan, held through the

good offices of the Secretary General. Against

the background of the present situation in the

Far East, the proposal made by the Soviet Union

concerning the drafting and implementation of

confidence building measures in that region is of

great importance. The proposal made by the Govern

ment of the Mongolian People’s Republic on the

conclusion of a convention on mutual

nonaggression and nonuse of force in relations

between the States of Asia and the Pacific is in

keeping with this and other initiatives. The very

purpose of our initiative is to proscribe the use

of force in interState relations, which would

strengthen mutual understanding and trust in

order that all disputes can be settled by

peaceful means alone. We consider that dialogue

and negotiations constitute the only reasonable

way to solve problems of peace and the security

of States. I should like to stress here that the

Mongolian proposal is not a mere repetition of

the obligation not to use force undertaken by

States in accordance with the Charter. It has as

its aim the realistic implementation of that

principle, with due regard for the multifaceted

practices and the specific features of interState

relations in Asia. In spite of some assertions,

the existence of many unresolved problems in Asia

proves that our proposal is timely. It is clear

that efforts for the peaceful resolution of

conflict situations between individual States or

in different regions specifically require the

adoption of measures to exclude the use of force.

We in the Mongolian; People’s Republic hope that

the efforts of the representatives of nonaligned

States, which deserve encouragement and support

will bring about a peaceful securement of the

conflict between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of

Iran and create conditions for the establishment

of peaceful relations in that important part of

western Asia. Naturally, we realize that the

implementation of cur initiative will require

time and painstaking efforts. My delegation, on

behalf of the Mongolian Government, wishes to

express its gratitude to all Governments which

support our initiative. The Mongolian People’s

Republic has consistently supported the efforts

of nonaligned countries to turn the Indian Ocean

into a zone of peace, and we favour the convening

of an international conference on this issue in

1983. We consider as timely the appeal to refrain

from any steps likely to complicate the situation

in that region. A danger to international peace

is posed by remnants of colonialism and by the

neocolonialist intrigues of imperialist forces.

The racist Pretoria regime, relying on the

support of imperialist circles, is seeking to

perpetuate in one way or another its domination

in Namibia, and it systematically commits acts of

aggression against neighboring countries. In our

view, the Assembly at this session should once

again speak out in favour of the imposition of

comprehensive sanctions against South Africa.

Like other countries, the Mongolian People’s

Republic is in favour of the immediate granting

of independence to the people of Namibia through

its legitimate representative, SWAPO, on the

basis of United Nations resolutions. There should

be no artificial conditions or linkages. In that

connection, the Government of the Mongolian

People’s Republic most emphatically condemns

Pretoria’s aggressive intrigues against the

People’s Republic of Angola, Mozambique and other

frontline States. The events in the South

Atlantic have vividly demonstrated the danger

posed to peace by the continued existence of any

colonial possessions, even the smallest and

remotest. At the same time, those events

emphasized the urgent need to complete the

process of decolonization. My delegation

considers that the problem of the Malvinas

Islands should be solved only through

negotiations and on the basis of the relevant

United Nations resolutions on the decolonization

of that Territory. The Mongolian People’s

Republic supports the granting of independence to

Puerto Rico. Moreover, it is opposed to making

Micronesia a colonial possession. The Mongolian

people condemns the growing intrigues against

revolutionary Nicaragua and the patriotic forces

of El Salvador. Imperialism’s neocolonialist

strategy assigns an important place to attempts

at splitting the OAU, which plays an important

role in the struggle for peace, freedom and

independence on the African continent. The

Mongolian delegation expresses the hope that the

Tripoli declaration of 8 August 1982 will promote

the cause of consolidating the ranks of the OAU.

The pernicious effects of neo colonialism are

clearly shown in the economic policies of

imperialist Powers towards developing countries.

Economic relations between imperialist Powers on

the one hand and developing countries on the

other are characterized by exploitation and

plundering of the latter. That is the main reason

for the constant deterioration of the social and

economic situation in newly liberated States. The

leading Western Powers disregard the just demands

of developing countries for a restructuring of

international economic relations, and they are

preventing the implementation of progressive

provisions of such important United Nations

documents as the Charter of Economic Rights and

Duties of States and the Declaration and

Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New

International Economic Order The Mongolian

People’s Republic is in favour of the democratic

reshaping of international economic relations and

of economic decolonization. The Government of the

Mongolian People’s Republic condemns the attempts

of imperialist Powers to use trade and other

forms of economic ties as instruments of their

aggressive policy. Such a course undermines the

very foundation of international economic

cooperation and results in increasing tension in

the world. My delegation believes that the

comprehensive United Nations Convention on the

Law of the Sea meets the interests of all

countries and can contribute significantly to the

cause of strengthening peaceful cooperation among

States in the vast space of the world’s oceans.

The Mongolian People’s Republic advocates the

signing of the Convention by all States and its

speedy entry into force. We resolutely reject any

actions and deals directed towards arbitrary

utilization of the world’s oceans and their

resources in evasion or in violation of the

provisions of that Convention. In conclusion, the

Mongolian delegation wishes to emphasize once

again the urgent need to adopt measures on the

implementation of the Declaration on the

Strengthening of International Security enhancing

the effectiveness of the principle of

renunciation of the use of force or the threat of

its use in international relations. In the same

spirit the Government of the Mongolian People’s

Republic reiterates its stand in favour of

stimulating the activities of the United Nations

and its principal organ the Security Council,

which bears the main responsibility for the

maintenance of collective security on the basis

of strict observance of the provisions of the

Charter. My delegation will be guided by this

policy in its participation in the work of the

present session.