unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (10/03/89)
Somalia supported the Palestinian struggle for
self-determination, freedom and independence, under the
leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)
their sole and legitimate representative. He urged the current
session of the General Assembly to undertake a decisive course of
action in support of the peace process in the Middle East.
Affirming Somalia's commitment to the cause of the oppressed
people of Namibia and South Africa, he welcomed the commencement
of implementation on the United Nations independence plan for
Namibia, but warned against "manipulations and manoeuvres by the
racist South African regime."
If the Pretoria regime continued its policy of internal
repression and external aggression, the Security Council should
impose comprehensive and mandatory sanctions.
He urged continued efforts for a peaceful settlement in
Afghanistan, emphasized the need for dialogue and intercommunal
talks on the question of Cyprus and said the conflict in
Cambodia should be settled on the basis of withdrawal of all
foreign forces, and guaranties of the right of the people to
determine their destiny without outside interference.
ANISUL ISLAM MAHMUD, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, said in the
recent months the credibility of the United Nations had not only
been enhanced, but the confidence of the global community in its
institutions had also increased. There was widespread belief
that the United Nations had the unique potential and capacity
not only to adjust and accommodate, but also to fashion a
concerted response to multi-dimensional contemporary problems
through co-operative approach and management.
Following last year's devastating floods in Bangladesh
"unparalleled international response, together with the courage
and resilience of the people, helped avert the famine, epidemic
and negative growth that were predicted", Mr. MAHMUD said.
Although his country would do all that was possible nationally,
disaster control involved co-operation beyond its borders, and
resources beyond its modest means. Special emphasis had been
paid to conducting studies for a durable solution. An
international conference on floods in Bangladesh was scheduled
for December this year in London convened by the World Bank.
Many of Bangladesh's serious economic problems, he went on, such
as severe development constraints and environmental degradation
were shared by other least developed countries as well. In the
1980s, the gap between the developed and developing nations had
increased. "Although richer nations were able to pull out of a
serious economic recession to enjoy the longest period of
economic expansion since the Second World War; the crisis in a
vast majority of the developing countries has continued
unabated", he stated.
He called for substantial increases in concessionary financial
flows to developing countries to meet their investment needs.
Further, a growth- oriented debt strategy should be directed
towards reduction in interest rates, lowering of interest
payments, a decisive and substantial reduction of debt
obligation and outright cancellation of debt of the least
developed countries.
Other urgent measures, he added, should include finding ways to
improve the export earning potential of developing countries
ensuring food security, including emergency measures to expand
food production in the least developed countries, and harnessing
and mobilizing human resources development with emphasis on the
disadvantaged segments; women, children and the handicapped.
Mr. MAHMUD then said the improved international political climate
was very comforting. "Guns have fallen silent in the Gulf
region, and the bloodletting that eight years of fierce
fratricidal war between Iran and Iraq involved has finally
ended." Bangladesh was proud to be a part of the United Nations
Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG) which today was
helping keep the peace. Bangladesh soldiers and civilians were
also in Namibia as an integral part of the United Nations
Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG). The leader of the military
observer group had died in Namibia in a tragic accident, while
performing his duties.
ANISUL ISLAM MAHMUD, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh went on to
say that some problems still remained intractable. In the
Middle East, Israel's continued occupation of illegally acquired
territories had created an explosive situation. "The valiant
intifadah of the Palestinian people today serves as a clarion
call to mobilize world public opinion against a brutal
suppression of freedom." He reiterated his country's support for
the early convening of an international peace conference, of
which the PLO must be an equal and integral part. He also
endorsed the call for comprehensive mandatory sanctions against
the racist regime of Pretoria.
While nuclear disarmament was a priority item, he said further,
a restraint in conventional arms was both urgent and necessary.
Work towards a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty must be continued.
The United Nations role in monitoring compliance and
verification must be strengthened. Naval arms limitation must
be resolutely pursued. A convention on the non-use of nuclear
weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States should be concluded.
Of vital importance was the need to strengthen security
assurances, both positive and negative, to non-nuclear-weapon
States. The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones across
the globe should be encouraged.
On the issue of the environment, he said that poverty and
ecological degradation were inextricably linked. The proposed
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
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