unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/19/89)
UNITED NATIONS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
Posting Date: 09/18/89 Source: UNITEX Network, Hoboken, NJ, USA
Host: (201) 795-0733 ISSN: 1043-7932
SECRETARY-GENERAL REACTS TO NON-ALIGNED COUNTRIES STATEMENT ABOUT
UNTAG
In a letter earlier this year to the President of Zimbabwe, then
Chairman of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries,
Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar discussed the
operation of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group
(UNTAG), which is overseeing the independence process in Namibia.
In the letter, made available as a document of the new session of
the General Assembly which opens next Tuesday, the
Secretary-General said he had always welcomed the close support
of the non-aligned Movement in resolving global issues, and in
maintaining international peace and security. The relationship
had been helped through frank and regular exchanges of views
whenever the occasion required them.
Unfortunately, said the Secretary-General, the Political
Declaration adopted by a ministerial meeting of the non-aligned
countries in Harare, Zimbabwe, was a departure from this
relationship. In part, its content and wording "cast unfair
aspersions on the integrity of UNTAG", which had been
established under the authority of the United Nations Security
Council.
The Secretary-General said he must note that it was the
prolonged disagreement among United Nations Member States over
the size of the military component of the United Nations group
in Namibia that caused the "unfortunate delay in the ...
decisions necessary for the timely establishment and deployment
of the Force". Moreover, said Mr. Perez de Cuellar (in a
reference to armed actions in northern Namibia shortly after a
cease-fire was due to
take effect), had the cease-fire arrangements and related
undertakings been scrupulously observed, as required by the
United Nations plan, the tragic events that occurred in April
could well have been avoided.
The Secretary-General said he must reiterate that UNTAG did not
have powers of enforcement. To be successful, it had to rely on
the full co-operation of all parties, who must fulfil their
obligations to adhere strictly to the agreements and
understandings to which they had committed themselves. He said
one paragraph in the declaration of non-aligned countries
ignored those "key facts" and it would be remiss of him, as
Secretary-General of the United Nations, if he remained silent
on the matter.
The Secretary-General said the international community should
concentrate on facilitating the speedy and meticulous
implementation of the Security Council's resolution for bringing
Namibia to independence. He intended to do his best to bring to
a successful conclusion the historic mission in which the United
Nations was engaged, and he was confident he could count on
President Mugabe's personal support, as well as that of the
non-aligned Movement, in that undertaking.
UN STAFF GIVEN "RENEWED SENSE OF MISSION AND COMMITMENT" BY
SEC.-GENERAL
Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar said today that the United
Nations was now at the forefront of international efforts in a
variety of areas, and this was something which had renewed the
sense of commitment and mission on the part of the staff.
Addressing a meeting to mark observance of the annual Staff Day,
traditionally held before the start of a new session of the
General Assembly, the Secretary-General said he would do all in
his power to resolve all instances of injustice to staff
members, and he would urge Member countries to extend to staff
members not only the protection needed, but also the treatment
to which they were entitled by virtue of their being
international civil servants.
At a time when the United Nations was being called upon to
undertake greater responsibilities in various parts of the
world, he said, it was essential that its personnel be able to
perform their duties with a full assurance that their legal and
human rights, as well as those of the Organization, would be
fully respected. It was intolerable, he said, that United
Nations staff remained under arrest or detention, or had died in
captivity.
Mr. Perez de Cuellar also stressed that Member countries should
make every effort to meet their financial obligations; as long
as the financial crisis of the United Nations was not addressed
and effectively resolved, the best efforts of the staff would
remain at risk.
The Secretary-General noted that in the past year four new
peace-keeping operations had been mounted, compared with 13 in
the previous 40 years, and others were in the planning stage. He
has been greatly impressed and
encouraged by the way staff members had volunteered for service
in overseas missions. While the United Nations could be justly
proud of its accomplishments, it still faced vast problems which
would need continued courage, creativity and commitment. "With
the necessary support", he concluded, "I am confident we will
respond fully to the challenge ahead."
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