unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (10/25/89)
racist apartheid regime of South Africa aimed at subverting the independence of Namibia, and called upon the international community to "increase all efforts to stop the violence and intimidation against SWAPO and the people of Namibia" CHARLES SCHEINER of the National Mobilization for Survival, said the activities of the United States and France continued to cast a shadow on the yearning of the Pacific people to control their future. Regarding New Caledonia, he urged the United Nations to continue scrutiny of the process started during the last two years. Although the Matignon Accords had divided the Melanesian people of Kanaky, they had provided the possibility for an independent nation in nine years. Only the continued oversight of the international community, he went on, could prevent the Accord from becoming "one more step in the legitimization of colonial rule". Mr. Scheiner said if Kanaky were to be independent, or even self-governing by 1998, there had to be major changes in the economic and political structures. The massive civil service bureaucracy must be reduced and transformed into a system appropriate to a microstate of 150,000 people, he added. The economy, particularly related to nickel mining and import/export businesses, had to become locally controlled. That would be the only way to achieve economic self-sufficiency which was a necessary prerequisite for political independence. He emphasized that there could be no true independence until nuclear activities by outside forces were banned from the region. It had been no coincidence, he added, that the United States and France had refused to sign the Protocols of the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty. Fifteen months ago, he added, the Nuclear-Free and Independent Pacific Movement had chosen a Kanak, Louis Kotra Uregei, to present their position before the third special session of the General Assembly dedicated to disarmament. Statements Made in Debate HOSEIN SHEIKH ZEINELDDIN (Iran) said peaceful trends in the resolving of questions such as New Caledonia, Western Sahara and the commencement talks on the Falklands/Malvinas Islands had all been reassuring developments during this decade. But, he said, one of the major factors which had contributed to the perpetuation of colonial domination had been cultural deprivation. It was therefore appropriate that greater attention be paid to making educational facilities available not only for the advancement of general knowledge, but also for political awareness. CHEICK SIDI DIARRA (Mali) welcomed the co-operation of those administering Powers which had submitted information on Non-Self Governing Territories to the Special Committee on decolonization. However, he said, some colonial powers had used as an excuse the pretext that the inhabitants of the Territories were satisfied with the status quo, in order to hold back the decolonization process. The Special Committee could not accept such arguments. Nothing should be allowed to impede the decolonization process. In recent developments in Western Sahara, Mali welcomed the fact that both factions had accepted proposals made by the Secretary-General and the Chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Difficulties still remained, but his country believed they could be overcome if the dialogue already begun was allowed to continue. Mali was convinced that the two parties to the conflict would display the necessary political will to arrive at a peaceful settlement. PHAM NGAC (Viet Nam) said the Declaration on decolonization represented a clear expression of the will of the world to accelerate the emancipation of colonial peoples. It was necessary that colonialism be eradicated in order to build a world of peace, independence, equality and development. Some 20 territories still remained on the agenda of the Decolonization Committee. The long history of colonial domination resulted in the dependency on the administering Powers in the economic, political, social and cultural fields. Many countries were being used as bases. Such a situation was not in the interest of safeguarding world peace and security and the welfare of the inhabitants. He said that as a result of South Africa's policies the process towards Namibian independence continued to encounter many obstacles. The international community should stand alert to ensure South Africa's compliance with resolution 435; the * Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501) --- Patt Haring | United Nations | Screen Gems in patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information | misc.headlines.unitex patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange | -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-