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
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