unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (08/24/89)
immediately put an end to all the violations of the provisions of the
settlement plan.
AGUS TARMIDZI (Indonesia) said South Africa could not hide behind the
ploy of demanding impartiality on the part of the international community as a
means to silence international condemnation over its gross violations of the
terms of the transition process. He commended the constructive attitude of
SWAPO, particularly its peaceful and orderly nation-wide mobilization
campaign, despite the continued existence of repressive and discriminatory
laws, in order to ensure that they understood the electoral process. The
rights of SWAPO to engage in political activity must be safeguarded.
L. YVES FORTIER (Canada) welcomed the recent announcement of plans to
remove former Koevoet personnel from the territorial police in northern
Namibia and recalled that at the Commonwealth Committee of Foreign Ministers
meeting last week on southern Africa, Canada had pledged to supply UNTAG with
additional police if the need arose. As a means of quickly reaching practical
solutions to incipient electoral problems, he recommended the formation of a
body similar to the all-party Election Council which had proven valuable
during Zimbabwe's transition period.
FRANCISCO VILLAGRAN DE LEON (Guatemala) said there was concern among
countries of his region, as well as in the Non-Aligned Movement, at what was
happening in Namibia. He supported the Secretary-General and his staff in
UNTAG and asked that they continue their efforts despite the obstacles being
placed in their way by South Africa. The Council must ensure that South
Africa comply with all its obligations under resolution 435. He expressed
confidence that the Council would respond to the concerns of the African Group
and take a stand on attempts to distort the electoral process.
CHANRASHEKHAR DASGUPTA (India) said that while his Government looked
forward to the successful culmination of the long-drawn struggle of the people
of Namibia, it was seriously concerned that present conditions in the
Territory were not conducive to holding free and fair elections. It was
particularly disturbing that SWAPO supporters had been subjected to
intimidation and even murder by Koevoet thugs. Fears that a large number of
South Africans would cross into Namibia to participate in the elections must
be set at rest immediately by making suitable amendments to the Voters
Registration Law.
A.H.G. MOHIUDDIN (Bangladesh) said the events which were rapidly
unfolding in Namibia tended to belie the world's trust in the assurances by
South Africa. Pretoria could not be allowed to carry on its odious conduct
with impunity. He urged the Council and the international community to do all
possible to strengthen the hand of the Secretary-General in his efforts to
implement resolution 435. In the interest of peace, he appealed to Pretoria
not to place needless impediments in the way of change. For, in that case the
regrettable result would be what the representative of Egypt had called, "a
precarious form of independence".
JONATHAS NIYUNGEKO (Burundi) said that if the complaints eminating from
Namibia were to go unchecked by the Council, there could be dire consequences
not only for the people of Namibia but for the whole region. The Council must
not tolerate South Africa's disregard for the letter and spirit of resolution
435. He endorsed the remedial steps called for in the declaration recently
adopted by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and called upon the Council
to adopt a resolution which could ensure that the Namibians could aspire to
participate in an electoral competition free of all trickery.
(A MORE DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE MEETING APPEARS IN TAKES 1-8 OF THIS RELEASE)
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
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Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations
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