Romania, 1982

Sir, it gives me particular pleasure to extend to you the heartfelt

congratulations and best wishes for success on your election to the

lofty post of President of the thirty-seventh session of the General

Assembly.

44. I should also like to take this opportunity to express the

Romanian Government's appreciation for the activities engaged in by

the Secretary-General and to assure him of our Ml support in the

discharge of the mandate of great responsibility entrusted to him.

45. The General Assembly at this session is called upon to take

up particularly serious problems and questions of vital importance

for the cause of peace and international co-operation and the

independence and progress of all peoples. ,

46. International life is charged with extreme tension. Conflicts

are raging in various parts of the world. We see an intensification

of the imperialist policy of domination, of spheres of influence and

of violation of the sacred right of nations to freedom and

sovereignty. The arms race, in particular the nuclear arms race, is

being pursued at an unprecedented rate and there is an increased risk

of seeing a nuclear war break out, thereby imperilling the very

existence of human civilization. The world economic crisis has been

exacerbated and the gap between the developed and developing

countries is widening. That gap between rich and poor countries is

ever more acute and wider in scope, thus increasingly becoming the

fundamental contradiction of our times.

47. On the other hand, there is in international life the growing

will of peoples to put an end to the imperialist policies of force

and diktat, to put an end to the arms race and to proceed to

disarmament, primarily, nuclear disarmament. Never before have the

aspirations of millions throughout the world to lead a life of

dignity, freedom and independence and to co-operate in peace and

goodwill been so obvious and achieved such scope. Never before have

the protests of world public opinion been so vigorously raised

against the arms race, against acts of aggression and interference,

against inequity and inequality between States and, in particular,

against war, which is the most abnormal way of dealing with

international disputes. This awareness of the peoples, their refusal

passively to accept a foreign policy doing great damage to their

interests and eagerness with which they demand their right to life,

freedom, peace and progress constitute a remarkable positive factor,

a source of optimism and hope that a better future will dawn and that

there will be a more equitable and reasonable world.

48. The solution, in the interests of peoples, of all problems

constituting a heavy burden in international life which have caused

serious tension in inter-state relations requires that all

Governments and peoples unite their forces and co-operate more

closely to halt the dangerous course of events in order to resolve,

by political means, situations of war and tension and resume and

strengthen the policy of detente, co-operation, independence and

peace.

49. The highest duty of conscience for all heads of State and

Government, for politicians of all persuasions, is to identify with

the vital aspirations of their own peoples and of mankind as a whole,

to devote their energies to serving them, to become faithful and

active interpreters of the peaceful ideals of mankind, to prove

themselves dynamic activists for the attainment of those ideals. That

is the highest reason that should guide the statesman and politician

in their task. It is also their chance to stamp their personalities

on the destiny of our age, to go down in the history of these

tumultuous times as shining examples of humanism and progress.

In the spirit of those major requirements of the contemporary world,

Romania and President Nicolae Ceaugescu himself are persevering to

improve the international climate, to resolve by political means, in

the interests of all peoples, the enormous problems confronting

mankind, seeking to establish relations between States on the basis

of new, democratic, equitable principles. The frequent meetings and

talks by the head of our State with the leaders of other countries

and politicans of all persuasions, and Romania's whole foreign

policy, are constantly aimed at achieving better co-operation and

understanding among States, at combining the efforts of all nations

to eliminate force completely from relations among States, and at

defending the freedom and independence of peoples and the fundamental

right of and nations to live in peace in a world of co-operation and

understanding, free from weapons and wars.

33. The course of events has clearly shown that the outdated policy

of the use of force and the threat of force, of domination and

diktat, of "might is right', is the cause of phenomena which have led

to and now maintain the present state of tension in the world, as

manifested in various aspects of international affairs. Resort to

force is the origin of hotbeds of tension and conflict, of all

actions which disregard the legitimate rights of other peoples and

the independence and sovereignty of States. It is one of the main

reasons for confrontation and armed conflict and for the

intensification of the arms race, and one of the main obstacles in

the way of economic and social progress and the establishment of a

new international economic order.

54. Resolving the major problems of mankind, ending existing

conflicts and preventing new ones, therefore demands firm action to

eliminate from international life the use of force or the threat of

force, and the establishment of a new system of inter-State

relations. Any strategy for tackling the problems of today, for

striving to establish peace and bring about a new international

political and economic order, must be based on the requirement that

the use or threat of force must be completely renounced.

55. The complete rejection of the policy of force for the

solution of international problems is deeply rooted in the traditions

of the Romanian people. The great Romanian diplomat Nicolae

Titulescu, Foreign Minister of Romania between the two world wars,

whose centenary is being celebrated in many countries this year,

said: "War is never, absolutely never, the solution to a conflict."

That conviction led him to urge that the "force of law" replace the

"law of force".

56. Today more than ever the use of force is a double- edged

weapon. Apart from the human losses and material damage that it

causes, as well as the opprobrium of world opinion and the vigour

with which peoples unite in solidarity with the victims of acts of

aggression, the very results of the acts of force turn against those

who have perpetrated them. It is true that no people will any longer

allow itself to be oppressed and that the brutal external policies of

a State and the violation of the norms of international law and of

the Charter of the United Nations in the end redound against the

nation concerned. Therefore, the saying that a people that oppress

other peoples can never be free is still valid, always and in all

circumstances.

57. Today, in a period of profound revolutionary transformation,

of broad changes and the reshaping of relationships on a world scale,

of the establishment of a new balance between States and groups of

States, the new system of international relations must be based on

the principles of equality, of respect for national independence and

sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of other

peoples, and the settlement of all international problems and

disputes by exclusively peaceful means. We firmly believe that there

are no problems, however complicated, which cannot be resolved by

peaceful means, by negotiation, if the starting-point is respect for

the right of each people to develop in full freedom and independence

and in accordance with the general interests of world peace and

security. The Romanian Government also advocates, and acts resolutely

in favour of, the settlement of all disputes and states of tension

and conflict between States solely by political means, through

negotiation; the total elimination of the policy of force and

interference, and efforts by the States concerned to stifle a

conflict as soon as it emerges in order to avoid new military

confrontations likely to increase the dangers to world peace and

security. As President Ceausescu recently emphasized, no matter how

difficult and hard the negotiations, those are the means, and no

others, that must be used to solve problems, completely renouncing

military solutions and acts of force, which always bring about loss

of human life and material damage, causing heavy losses and great

suffering to peoples.

58. The talent and genius of statesmen in this field should be

proved at the negotiating table, in the subtle and rational analysis

of ways to eliminate conflict and promote understanding among

nations, in seeking mutually acceptable solutions; there should be

compromise between the parties, elimination of factors that provoke

confrontation, and the safeguarding of understanding, friendship and

co-operation between peoples. That was, is and always will be the

great vocation of the real politicians who are destined to go down in

history. Negotiations are preferable to even the smallest military

conflict, and we must therefore everywhere and in all circumstances

follow the normal path of starting negotiations with a view to

preventing military actions, not begin peace talks after force has

already been used, after blood has already been shed and after

serious human and material losses have already been caused.

59. At this period so crucial for the fate of mankind, and for

peace, the United Nations should carry out the task entrusted to it

by the Charter and make good use of the possibilities open to it in

terms of its purposes and principles and its universal character. It

should support with its full authority the independence and

sovereignty of States and the right of each people to decide its own

destiny, as a central pillar for building new international

relationships in which the non-use of force or threat of force should

become an effective rule in international life.

60. In the light of these considerations, we believe that we must

act without further delay, and as resolutely as possible, to resolve

all conflicts between States by political means, through

negotiations, in order to prevent new disputes and military

confrontations.

The grave situation in the Middle East, in particular that resulting

from the aggressive actions of Israel against Lebanon and the

Palestinian population in that country, is a cause of the utmost

concern. The Romanian Government has strongly condemned the military

invasion of Lebanon by Israel, and in particular the atrocities

committed against the civilian population in the refugee camps of

west Beirut, following the occupation of that part of the city by

Israeli troops. We are strongly in favour of the prompt withdrawal of

Israeli troops from Lebanon, of the guaranteeing of that country's

independence and national sovereignty, and its unity and territorial

integrity, and of a broad-based reconciliation of all political

forces in Lebanon, in order to permit the reconstruction of the

country and to bring about peace and tranquillity.

61. It is now imperative that we step up political and diplomatic

efforts to bring about a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement

of the situation. in that area, on the basis of the withdrawal of

Israel from the Arab territories occupied as a result of the 1967

war; the solution of the problem of the Palestinian people through

the recognition of its right to self- determination, including the

establishment of its own independent State; and the guaranteeing of

the integrity, independence and sovereignty of all the States of the

area. In view of its conviction that the settlement of the

Palestinian problem is the key to peace in the Middle East, Romania

considers that a Palestinian State must be created alongside the

independent Israeli State, and that everything must be done to ensure

the peaceful coexistence of those two States and of all the countries

of the region, each of them enjoying appropriate guarantees of its

security and independence.

62. Romania and its President believe that it would be necessary

and useful to convene an international conference under United

Nations auspices and with the participation of all interested States

and parties, including the PLO as the legitimate representative of

the Palestinian people, as well as other States which could make a

positive contribution to the establishment of peace in that region,

including a contribution to the solution of the Palestinian problem.

63. A series of proposals has recently been made for the

resolution of the conflicts in the Middle East. These contain new

elements and positive approaches and set forth a basis for the

intensification of political and diplomatic activity in order to

achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting solution of the situation

in that region.

64. Romania, which maintains relations of friendship and

co-operation with both Iran and Iraq, considers that it is necessary

to put and end to the fighting between those two neighbouring

countries, which has already caused great losses of human life and of

property for both parties, and that their troops must be withdrawn to

the international boundaries which existed before the outbreak of the

war. It is necessary to move on to a political solution of the

problems between the two countries.

65. I take this opportunity also to reaffirm Romania's solidarity

with and active support for the position and initiatives taken by the

People's Democratic Republic of Korea aimed at the peaceful and

independent unification of Korea.

66. While working for the elimination of existing conflicts, it

is necessary to act resolutely and to adopt measures to forestall the

appearance of new conflicts States must renounce all acts of force

and settle all their disputes by peaceful means; the United Nations

must make a greater contribution in this field. In this connection we

have followed with interest, and we support, the Secretary-General's

efforts to strengthen the role of the United Nations in the

maintenance of international peace and security, which is an

objective of vital interest for all States.

67. At this session the General Assembly is to take a decision on

a draft declaration on the peaceful settlement of international

disputes, which has been negotiated over the last three years. We

believe that the adoption of that text by consensus would constitute

an important concrete step towards strengthening the ability of the

United Nations to make an effective contribution to the prevention of

conflicts and to the peaceful settlement of disputes among nations.

68. Romania considers that, in order to prevent the appearance of

new military confrontations and to find viable solutions to existing

conflicts, it is necessary to create in the United Nations framework

a special body for good offices, mediation and conciliation, which

would act closely with the Security Council to organize talks and to

resolve differences among States, exclusively by peaceful means.

69. Romania's initiative regarding the strengthening of

good-neighbourliness between States is aimed at the same goal of

consolidating international peace and security by stimulating the

development of relations of co-operation and understanding between

neighbouring States. We hope that the consideration at this session

of the Secretary-General's report on ways of strengthening

good-neighbourliness will constitute a step forward towards the

attainment of this important goal.

71. Three months ago it was my honour, on instructions from President

Ceausescu and on the basis of the mandate handed down by the Grand

National Assembly, to stand at this rostrum, at the 22nd meeting of

the twelfth special session, and set forth Romania's position and

proposals regarding disarmament problems.

72. That second special session of the General Assembly devoted

to disarmament highlighted the demand of the world's peoples to put

an end to the arms race and to proceed to specific disarmament

measures. Halting the arms race and moving towards disarmamentóin the

first place, nuclear disarmamentóare the central problem facing

mankind. The very existence of life on our planet, and of a

civilization which has been built up over thousands of years, is

threatened. Never before has the burden of the arms race weighed so

heavily on the shoulders of all peoples, on the economies of all

States, including the most powerful and highly developed; never

before has the impact of the incredible military expenditures on

economic development been so sorely felt.

73. Weaponry is a tragic and absurd waste of the resources of our

plane and of the work of mankind, a terrible factor in the

impoverishment of peoples, and an obstacle on the path of

civilization, at the very time when two thirds of mankind can barely

subsist. Nuclear catastrophe has become a world-wide obsession, a

source of terror for all, and has left its gloomy imprint on future

generations. It is high time for all men of conscience throughout the

world to unite to put an end to this anomaly, this absurdity.

Although at that special session the representatives of States came

of strongly against the danger looming over mankind, the Assembly was

unable to adopt decisions leading to concrete measures for

disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, on the basis of a

comprehensive programme. We consider that especially important

proposals were put forward during the special session and that those

proposals should be taken into consideration to identify common

elements which could form the basis for the elaboration of the

comprehensive programme of disarmament and which should be taken up

by the working bodies on disarmament.

73. Romania is expressing the unanimous will of the Romanian people,

which has taken and continues to take broad action for disarmament

and peace, by continuing to struggle for the achievement of the vital

aspiration of mankind to live in a world free from weapons and free

from war. At the special session, my Government for its part put

forward a set of specific proposals on disarmament, the stronger for

being subscribed to by 18 million of its citizens.

76. We believe that the highest priority must be given to nuclear

disarmament and, first and foremost, to halting the manufacture of

nuclear weapons and to moving forward to the gradual reduction of

existing stockpiles to the point of their total elimination, and to

banning completely all nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass

destruction. That process should begin with the significant reduction

of nuclear weapons by the two great Powers, for example a 30 per cent

reduction in an initial phase, as a step towards the total

elimination of nuclear weapons.

77. in order to halt the arms race, Romania has proposed a freeze

on military expenditures at 1982 levels, and their subsequent

reduction by 40 to 13 per cent by 1983. A portion of the funds thus

released would be used to support the efforts of developing

countries, the remainder being devoted to the economic and social

development of the countries which have made those reductions.

Romania intends to act in that direction at the present session, to

encourage efforts towards the freeze and reduction of military

expenditures and towards the enunciation of principles which could

govern the activities of States in this field.

78. Also of particular importance for the maintenance of

international peace and security would be the adoption of effective

measures for the substantial reduction of conventional weapons and

for building confidence among States. Romania is in favour of the

establishment of a common agreement on the part of the two blocs and,

in general, between the two sides, on as low a ceiling as possible

for the principal weapons: aeroplanes, tanks, warships, missiles,

heavy guns, and so forth.

79. The implementation of a set of measures for halting the arms

race and proceeding to disarmament should be carried out in

conditions of reciprocal trust and equal security for all countries,

through the achievement of a military balance at levels as low as

possible and under suitable international control.

80. To this end, we are in favour of the creation within the context

of the United Nations of an international body having the right to

inspect and monitor the implementation of agreed disarmament

measures. To make real progress towards disarmament it is necessary

to do everything to dismantle opposing military blocs.

81. Given the particularly serious situation in Europe, we are

resolutely in favour of a halt in the stationing of new medium-range

missiles in Europe. We favour the withdrawal and destruction of

missiles already installed and the elimination from the continent of

all nuclear weapons. In this spirit Romania welcomed the negotiations

between the Soviet Union and the United States of America on

medium-range nuclear missiles as well as those on strategic weapons

and expressed the hope that those negotiations would yield positive

results. Since the problem of medium- range missiles is of direct

concern to all European nations, we expressed the opinion that in one

way or another all States of the continent must participate in the

Geneva negotiations. The bringing about of urgent agreements on these

questions is of vital importance for all States, since missing this

crucial opportunity would mean the opening up of a new long phase of

military competition, with incalculable consequences for Europe as a

whole and indeed for all mankind.

82. As a European country Romania is constantly endeavouring to

bring about security and co-operation on the continent so that when

it resumes its work the Madrid session of the Conference can proceed

fruitfully and constructively and agree on the convening of a

conference on confidence-building and disarmament in Europe and thus

contribute to the full implementation of the provisions of the Final

Act of Helsinki and ensure continuity in the proceedings of the

Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.

83. As part and parcel of its policy of peace, security and

disarmament in Europe, Romania is striving for the comprehensive

development of relations among the States of the Balkans so as to

transform that region into a zone of friendship, co-operation,

good-neighbourliness and peaceful coexistence and a

nuclear-weapon-free zone.

84. By its very structure and functions, and because it is a

forum for all States, the United Nations must play a particularly

important role in an authentic disarmament process. In view of the

primary responsibility of the United Nations for the maintenance of

international peace and security its role and its contribution to

disarmament must be strengthened by bringing about, under its

auspices negotiations and the adoption and monitoring of disarmament

measures.

The extensive demonstrations for peace and disarmament that have

taken place recently, and which continue to take place in a number of

countries, including Romania, eloquently prove the strength of

peoples and their ability to bring about, by acting in increasing

unity, the transition to effective measures of disarmament that would

stave off the nuclear danger. We believe that these movements must

enjoy full support, including support from the United Nations,

because in the present circumstances the role of the peoples of the

world as a whole is really decisive in the bringing about of

disarmament, in guaranteeing the national peace and independence of

all States. In this regard a particular role and responsibility

devolve on scientists, who know better than anyone the destructive

capacity of modem weapons and the catastrophic consequences of a

nuclear war. Through United Nations studies and research on

disarmament, and conferences, symposiums and seminars organized with

the broad participation of non-governmental organizations and the

mass media, and with the help of scientists representing world public

opinion, the United Nations can make a signal contribution to

ensuring effective support for the struggle for disarmament.

85. Broad dissemination, within the framework of the World

Disarmament Campaign, of the latest report of the Secretary-General

entitled economic and social consequences of the arms race of

military expenditures will help to emphasize the extremely harmful

consequences of the increasing stockpiling of weapons for the

economic and social life of all peoples and for world peace and

security.

86. Still within the framework of the World Disarmament Campaign,

Romania recently hosted at Mamaia an important meeting of

representatives of public opinion with the participation of

representatives of non-governmental organizations from the majority

of European countries, the United States and Canada. They had a

constructive and fruitful exchange of views on specific ways to halt

the arms race and to bring about disarmament. In the same spirit,

Romania proposed the convening of a world conference on the role of

the mass mediaóradio, television, the pressóin promoting a climate of

understanding, confidence and co-operation that could contribute to

peace and disarmament.

87. The present division of the world into rich and poor

countries, a result of the long policy of imperialist and colonialist

domination, and the persistence of unjust and inequitable economic

relations among States have engendered grave economic anomalies and

tension in international life and have reduced, sometimes to nothing,

the results of efforts at the economic and social level made by

developing countries, worsening the economic gap between the

developed countries and the developing countries. Unfortunately, the

conferences and meetings that have taken place in recent years on the

new international economic order have yielded virtually no result.

Urgent actions are necessary to bring about the adoption, through

international negotiations of effective measures to speed up the

economic and social progress of the developing countries, to

revitalize economic activity at the world level and to bring about

new relations among States on justice and equity and mutually

advantageous economic trade through ensuring that the developing

countries have broad access to modem technology.

88. In this regard Romania believes that it is particularly

important to embark on global negotiations without delay within the

framework of a United Nations conference to examine and resolve basic

problems concerning international economic cooperation. This is

especially important and necessary since the world economy is now on

a particularly dangerous slope.

89. The arms race and the economic policies followed by certain

developed countries, far from opening up prospects for the overcoming

of crisis phenomena and instability, which are proliferating, merely

aggravate the situation, with extremely negative consequences for the

developing countries. The recession in the capitalist developed

countries, the high cost of energy, the excessive interest rates, the

protectionist policies

and the drop in the price of raw material, coupled with increased

prices for manufactured goods, have created obstacles in

international economic relations and severely damaged the developing

countries, thwarting their efforts to develop their human and

material resources.

90. Given the growing interdependence that characterizes the

world economy there is a real danger of being plunged into a crisis

of devastating proportions. In one way or another, all the peoples of

the world are affected by the world economic crisis. All nations are

paying for the upheavals which have taken place in the world, and the

effects of the continual slide of the economy are unforeseeable. It

is in the interest of all States, irrespective of size, social system

or degree of development, to act together in joint efforts to

eliminate factors that artificially heighten the crisis, to find

reasonable solutions to economic conflicts and contradictions, to

bring about new and equitable relations among States so that the new

international economic order may be established.

91. This present session of the General Assembly must also be

availed of to launch comprehensive negotiations, and the sixth

session of UNCTAD must be used to translate into reality the

programmes of action adopted under the auspices of the United Nations

and in general to produce a radical change inthe state of affairs

that characterizes the world economy. Proceeding to disarmament is a

major imperative in the maintenance of international peace and

security, and the establishment on a new basis of economic relations

among States is just as vital in the safeguarding of the prospects

for progress of all the peoples of the world.

92. In recent years we have witnessed the intensification of the

developed countries' practice of recruiting qualified personnel from

the developing countries. The exodus of skilled people to the

developed countries, which in fact represents an important transfer

of human resources, only perpetuates and aggravates the imbalances

and difficulties in the economies of the developing countries, with

grave economic and social implications. Since it deprives these

countries of an important part of their skilled labour forceóan

essential factor in economic growth, for the training of which those

countries made great efforts, expending important material and

financial resourcesósuch an exodus of skilled people acts as a brake

on economic and social development and thus contributes to widening

further the gap between the developed and the developing countries.

That is why Romania considers it necessary that the United Nations

assume a greater role in extending international co-operation aimed

at stopping this practice, encouraging the return to their countries

of origin of qualified personnel settled in developed countries,

compensating the developing countries for the expenses they have

incurred and assisting the developing countries in training and

retaining qualified personnel in accordance with the requirements of

their national economies.

In present circumstances, we believe that we must expand and

intensify efforts staunchly to defend the supreme fundamental right

of peoples and nations to life, peace and a free and independent

existence. This right should be more forcefully and more Clearly

reflectea in the debates and documents of the General Assembly.

Priority attention should be given to the solution of problems as

important to the human condition as the guarantee of the right to

work for all members of society, the effective exercise of the right

to education and the assurance of living conditions which permit the

full flowering of the human personality.

93. Romania, the Romanian people, affirm their active solidarity

with the Namibian people in their struggle under the leadership of

the South West Africa People's Organization [SWAPO] to accede to

complete national independence, and act consistently to ensure the

elimination of the policy of and racial discrimination in South

Africa, condemning acts of aggression committed by that country

against neighbouring States. We must most resolutely combat the

activities and ideologies which foster hatred and violence, while

taking every care to protect the younger generations from their

baleful influence.

94. The problems facing youth will be thoroughly examined by the

General Assembly in the framework of the preparations for

International Youth Year, which will be celebrated id 1985 under the

motto "Participation, Development, Peace". At its second session, the

Advisory Committee for International Youth Year made substantive

recommendations concerning the implementation of the Specific

Programme of Measures and Activities to be undertaken prior to and

during that Year. It is our view that activities undertaken during

International Youth Year should be directed at strengthening

international co-operation in the solution of the specific problems

which are today of concern to the younger generations. We attach

great importance to the proposal to draft a declaration on the rights

and responsibilities of youth.

95. An important role will also be played by the Organization in

1983 in five regional meetings devoted to youth, including a meeting

that the Romanian Government has offered to host in Romania. We

believe that all these meetings will provide opportunities thoroughly

to consider the specific problems of the younger generations on all

continentsand will make a valuable contribution to the preparation

for and successful celebration of International Youth Year. The

Romanian delegation, aware of the ever greater interest of States in

problems relating to youth, expresses its conviction that the General

Assembly will approve all the recommendations drawn up by the

Advisory Committee for International Youth Year at its second session.

96. If the complex problems confronting mankind today are to be

solved it is more than ever necessary to strengthen the role that the

United Nations is called upon to play in the maintenance and

consolidation of peace and security, the promotion of international

law in relations between States and the democratization of

international life.

97. In the view of Romania and of President Ceausescu, the United

Nations can and must play a more active role in resolving the major

problems of the contemporary world in the interest of the peoples. It

must act resolutely to establish relations between States on new and

democratic bases which guarantee the participation in conditions of

equality of all

States, irrespective of their system, size or potential, in solving

the problems confronting mankind. It is particularly necessary to

ensure conditions that will enable small and medium-sized countries,

the developing countries and the non-aligned countries to play an

increasingly active role in the debate on and the settlement of all

problems arising in relations between States. We must not forget that

the balance of power has changed radically, that a diversification of

the centres of power has occurred, that the so-called third-world

countries represent the great majority of the world's population and

that, consequently, they must have an important voice in all world

policies, in the consideration of controversial issues and in the

search for new solutions which meet the interests not only of a group

of States but of the international community as a whole. In this

respect, we attach particular importance to the drafting and adoption

of a universal code of conduct concerning the fundamental rights and

obligations of States.

98. In order to obtain those goals, it is necessary to improve

the activity of the United Nations, democratize its organs,

structures and functions, increase its effectiveness and adapt it to

the present and future requirements and realities of the

international community. The United Nations must become a dynamic and

effective forum for the political settlement of international

problems, conflicts and situations of tension among States and for

holding multilateral negotiations.

99. In order to enhance the role and the contribution of the

United Nations in resolving international problems, it is imperative

that each State strictly respect the decisions of the Organization

and that the obligations and commitments undertaken during the

negotiating process be fulfilled in good faith.

100. In conclusion, the Romanian delegation wishes to reaffirm

from this rostrum its determination to co-operate closely with all

other delegations in the search for the best way of achieving all

those objectives, so that the present session may by its results

discharge the great responsibilities with which the United Nations is

entrusted in the fulfilment of the aspirations of all peoples to

peace and progress.