YouSaid · the spoken record

BONGO

lines on the record: 401
first: 1976-09-24
most recent: 1993-09-24
sittings or episodes: 15
sources: un-general-debate

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“Once again, we are gathered here to discuss the major problems of our time and together to seek ways and means to help strengthen international peace and security and consolidate multilateral cooperation in a way more in keeping with reality. The climate of generalized insecurity which we are experiencing, compounded by a frenzied arms race, indeed demands that peace and detente be given a new chance. It is m this context that the Gabonese delegation, going along with the general consensus, supports all efforts to enhance the Organization's effectiveness and enable it better to discharge its primary responsibilities, namely, the maintenance of peace based on justice, on the one hand, and the contribution of all to the strengthening of international security, on the other. 124.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“In the same vein, the exemplary dedication to duty and the pragmatism of the Secretary-General guarantee that the questions submitted for our consideration, no matter how sensitive, will be tackled with the determination needed to find solutions to them in the appropriate framework and through negotiation. 122. Finally, I take this opportunity to welcome most cordially the sovereign State of Brunei Darussalam as the 159th State to become a Member of the Organization. I pay a whole-hearted tribute to the delegation of that country, and to the delegations of all the other States that champion the noble ideals of the Charter of the United Nations. 123.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“You have earned the admiration and support of the international community as represented here by your unswerving dedication to the principles of the self- determination and independence of peoples and your personal contribution to the efforts to bring about lasting world peace—particularly peace in southern Africa—and the independence of Namibia, notably in your capacity as President of the United Nations Council for Namibia. 120. I should like to include in these congratulations Mr. Jorge Illueca, President of Panama, for the way in which, as President of the thirty-eighth session of the General Assembly, he conducted our work. His constant availability and the qualities he demonstrated in fulfilling his responsibilities, despite his difficult and important duties, enhanced his personal reputation and his country's prestige. 121.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“Allow me to extend to you, Mr. President, on behalf of the Gabonese Government and people, as well as on behalf of Mr. Omar Bongo, President of the Republic, the warmest congratulations of the Gabonese delegation on your unanimous election to preside over the thirty-ninth session of the General Assembly. You are a worthy son of Zambia, a friendly country with which Gabon has the most brotherly relations, and your election does us honour.”
1984-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 39 (1984)
“We are already assured that under his presidency the Organization will have even more outstanding successes and that even more important steps will be taken along the road of the permanent quest for the peace and security which mankind so desperately wants. 99. These congratulations are also addressed to the other members of the General Committee, whose collaboration will be most valuable to the President. It is also a pleasure for me to assure the President of the complete co-operation of the delegation of Gabon in ensuring that the work of the thirty-eighth session will conclude successfully.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Imre Hollai, Deputy Foreign Minister of Hungary, for the selflessness and competence with which he fulfilled his duties. 98. And, finally, how could I not take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Illueca on his election to the presidency of the thirty-eighth session? His election is testimony not only to his outstanding talents as a statesman but also to the great esteem and respect which the international community as a whole has for his country, linked to my own by that same determination to pursue the useful work already begun by his predecessors with admirable courage and determination, in order to contribute, within the great family of the peoples of the United Nations, to the safeguard of the ideals of peace, freedom and independence.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Nevertheless, we have no doubt but that this thirty-eighth session of the General Assembly will harness its energies above all in order to achieve substantial progress in the areas of political and economic relations, disarmament and the settlement of open or still-brewing conflicts which threaten collective peace and security. That, in any event, is the deep conviction of the Government of Gabon and its head of State, Mr. Omar Bongo. 96. I could not finish this address without paying a sincere tribute to the Secretary-General and to all those who, like him, are devotedly contributing to the achievement of the noble ideals of the Charter of the United Nations and to the safeguarding of its fundamental principles. 97. May I also express my delegation's wholehearted appreciation and thanks to Mr.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Faced with that obstinate desire of some countries to freeze the North-South dialogue, the developing countries must understand that in order to fight poverty and seriously develop their economies they must strengthen their unity and mutual assistance, increase their self-sufficiency and promote South-South co-operation. To enable the developing countries to achieve those goals the developed countries are duty bound to honour the commitments they have made in various international forums as part of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade. Thus, their agreement to the rapid relaunching of global negotiations would significantly contribute to implementing that Strategy. 93. The task, we agree, is immense and difficult.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The developing countries are calling for international economic relations based on equal rights, with priority being given to joint efforts and multilateral agreements. 94. The present impasse in the global negotiations and, even more striking, the failure last June of the sixth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development once again demonstrate the industrialized countries' negative attitude and their inability to take urgent joint measures to overcome the general crisis and to strengthen the world economy in the interest of all.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“At the same time, we must not lose sight here of the necessity for, on the one hand, strengthening the resources of IMF by urging the United States Congress to agree on 30 November this year to increase United States contributions to the Fund and, on the other hand, closer co-operation between the Fund and the World Bank when a country has trouble coping with its structural deficiencies and with the current excessively high interest rates. Naturally, this requires reworking the structures of the Bank, as well as broadening the role of the Fund, which up to now has limited itself to assisting in the rescheduling of balances of payments rather than acting as an arbiter of the world monetary system. 93. Hence, the proposals and solutions advocated in the common interest should be global.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Thus, the diversity of the channels used to ensure the transfer of real resources necessitates joint efforts by developing and developed countries. The need for large-scale action to restructure the debt of the developing countries, such as the establishment of some financing facility or the partial or total cancellation of the debt of the least developed countries, is based on the idea that the disequilibrium in the developing countries' balance of payments arises not so much from an excess of demand as from basic rigidities, the elimination of which implies accelerated growth and diversification of the productive structure. 92.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It is both integrated, because it seeks to co-ordinate the financing of various policies for the stockpiling of commodities, and global, because in addition to price stability it meets the concern for managing the supply of commodities by greater participation in processing, marketing and transport. These aspects account for the innovative nature of the Fund. 90. As for manufactured and semi-manufactured products, everything must be done to establish a new international division of labour based on the necessary complementarity between countries at different levels of development. 91. In respect of monetary and financial problems, the present indebtedness of the third world countries requires a redefinition of assistance.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“And there cannot be the slightest doubt that it is the industrialized countries of the North which have this responsibility; their sole watchword must be: to trade a bit more with the third world in order to bring about the complete integration of the South in international trade. 88. In this regard, many readjustments must be made in the world economy, in the general interest. That requires a global approach to the problems between the developed and the developing regions, in order to draw up the blueprints for joint action in the areas of commodities, manufactured goods, currency and finance. 89. With regard to primary commodities, we are convinced that putting the Common Fund for Commodities into effect is still the driving force for the implementation of the Integrated Programme for Commodities. This is a body based on a new concept.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The perpetuation of the present crisis situation is a serious obstacle to the economic independence of these countries and works against their self-sustaining and self-reliant development, as defined in 1980 in the Lagos Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Monrovia Strategy for the Economic Development of Africa and in the Final Act of Lagos. Thus, if the crisis is to be overcome and the world economy to be started up again, it is important not only to promote the idea of the creation of a new liquidity to make profound changes in the present international economic system, but also to determine where the responsibility lies.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The deterioration in the terms of trade resulting from the fluctuations in the prices of raw materials has gravely compromised the savings and investment capacities of the poor countries, thus increasing their indebtedness, which now amounts to more than $600 billion. At the same time, the servicing of their debts has suffered the blow of too-high interest rates. At present it amounts to more than $100 billion—a figure clearly higher than the capital now coming into their economies. Moreover, there has been a net decrease, in real terms, in the official development assistance. 87.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“As a result, their economies are extremely vulnerable to fluctuation in the prices of their export products. Indeed, since the end of the last world war, relative commodity prices have dropped by over 14 per cent, falling to their lowest level ever. One ton of coffee or one ton of cotton, for example, now permits the purchase of only half the capital goods that could have been purchased in exchange for them 20 years ago. 85. The present crisis is so serious that the developing countries are forced to postpone implementation of their programmes for economic and social development or purely and simply to give them up. 86.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Beyond the circumstantial aspects, the Gabon delegation believes that this crisis is above all structural because of the rigid positions systematically adopted by the wealthy countries in refusing to adjust their economic structures to the new requirements of today's world economy. 84. The slowdown in world trade, more particularly between North and South, is such that many developing countries, especially in Africa, are seriously affected by this crisis because of the precariousness of their economic structures, which are very dependent upon a small number of commodities, or even on a single commodity. In 1980, for example, of the 32 non-oil producing countries deriving more than 50 per cent of their export income from a single one of the 18 products listed in the Integrated Programme for Commodities, 20 were African.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Nevertheless, in a spirit of optimism, my country endorses the work already being done in disarmament with hope of inducing the parties to adopt a much more conciliatory and positive attitude. 82. Unfortunately, it is not just political problems with which we are concerned. Indeed, the international economic situation, characterized by a world-wide depression whose well-known causes are both circumstantial and structural, is, especially for the third world countries, a continuing cause of anguish and anxiety, fully justified recently by the annual report of the World Bank, which emphasizes the bleak prospects for our economies. 83.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Furthermore, the lack of a clear political will on the part of the major Powers with regard to such a vital question for mankind means that the development of new nuclear and conventional weapons continues uninterrupted and the negotiations on disarmament in the United Nations have not led to any agreement. 81. It is clear that this widespread arms race and the need for the developing countries to devote large amounts of money to their own defence increase the political and economic dependence of those countries on the more militarily powerful States and deprives them of substantial resources which could have been devoted to improving the living standards of their peoples.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The escalation of the arms race has taken on a new dimension, both quantitatively and qualitatively, because of the lack of will of the major Powers who have the technology and capital. 79. In 1982 the military expenditures of the United States and the Soviet Union alone, with their respective alliances—the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Warsaw Pact—accounted for close to two thirds of all the military expenditures recorded in the entire world, or over $700 billion. That money would have been better spent on the pressing development needs, thus contributing to banishing the spectres of poverty, misery and hunger which even today are still causing the deaths of thousands and thousands of men, women and children. 80.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The same is true of Afghanistan, which should be left free to determine its own destiny, and of the Korean peninsula where we have always hoped to see the peaceful reunification of the country without foreign interference. We accordingly endorse the steps taken by the Secretary- General to resolve the crises which are disrupting these regions, in particular by obtaining guarantees on the non- use of force against the political independence of any of those States. 78. It goes without saying that the world is following with concern the various tensions and conflicts which are becoming an increasing threat to the future of all mankind. We might well ask whether detente and disarmament are now mere illusions.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“With reference to the situation in Lebanon, in the same region, we call upon all the parties to exercise statesmanship and good will and to examine the situation realistically, in order to put an end to the martyrdom of the Lebanese people, who should be the sole master of their own destiny. We also support the efforts of President Amin Gemayel to enable Lebanon to recover sovereignty over the whole of its territory, free from any foreign military presence of any origin. 76. In South-East Asia, peace remains linked to the solution of the problem of Kampuchea. The solution to this problem must involve respect for the principles of territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of other States and the non-use of force. 77.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It must be remembered that the right to independence and self-determination implies taking into account the direct aspirations of the peoples involved. No just and lasting peace is possible in this part of the world until Israel realizes that the use of force will never be able to shake the determination nor the will of a people seeking self-determination and independence. 73. Gabon, for its part, reaffirms its total support for the relevant resolutions of the United Nations concerning the rights of the people of Palestine. 74. I would reiterate that peace in the region remains closely linked to the negotiated settlement of the Palestinian problem, and it also involves the recognition of the right of each of the peoples in this region to live in peace and security within secure and internationally recognized boundaries. 75.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Moreover, we hail all those who are concerned with and aware of the need for establishing a climate of peace in these two countries and who work untiringly to that end. I refer in particular to the Islamic Peace Committee for its sustained efforts to reach a just, honourable and definitive solution to this conflict. We also commend the tireless efforts of the Secretary-General to achieve that solution. Similarly, we congratulate the International Red Cress Committee which, in spite of many obstacles, is continuing to carry out its humanitarian mission. 72. In the Middle East, Israel's systematic refusal to recognize the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people constitutes an inadmissible hindrance to the process of detente in the region.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“I hope that, thanks to the structures already established by the Organization of African Unity, the parties to these conflicts will finally agree to sit at the same table to settle these problems through dialogue, in order to bring peace and security to the whole of the African continent. 71. Two brother countries, Iraq and Iran, with which Gabon has excellent relations, are still fighting. This means an indefinite prolongation of the suffering of the peoples in that region. Once again we solemnly appeal to the leaders of those two brother countries to put an end, through a negotiated solution, to this war which is a dangerous threat to peace and security in the entire Gulf region and which contains the seeds of a world conflagration.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“My country remains convinced that peace in Namibia can be achieved only within the framework of the strict implementation of the United Nations settlement plan. That is why my delegation rejects any linkage between the accession of Namibia to national sovereignty and the departure of Cuban troops from Angola. Those troops are in Angola under bilateral agreements concluded in complete sovereignty and in conformity with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. 70. Still speaking of Africa, my country continues to be concerned over two hotbeds of tension there, Western Sahara and Chad. In this connection I shall leave it to others to recall the efforts made by the head of State of Gabon, Mr. Omar Bongo, concerning negotiations in these disputes.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Finally, we have the selfishness of partisans of the present economic order, and that is not the least of the causes of the crisis situation which the world is experiencing today, whether in southern Africa, especially Namibia, Iraq and Iran, the Middle East or South-East Asia, to mention just the main areas. 68. In southern Africa we note with regret that interference by the major Powers and their attempts to impose solutions in keeping with their own strategic interests are complicating and delaying the settlement of the last colonial questions, particularly the question of Namibia. 69. Regarding Namibia, we note that in spite of Security Council resolutions 435 (1978), 439 (1978) and 532 (1983), this problem remains at an impasse because of the introduction of matters which are totally unrelated to the process of decolonization.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“They destroy the universal dream of the development of the whole of mankind and the flourishing of the human person in the enjoyment of fundamental rights. 67. The deep tensions and murderous conflicts which thus characterize international life make us aware, first, of the hegemonistic struggles undertaken by the major Powers which, under the pretext of strengthening their security, ceaselessly pursue the arms race despite their public statements in favour of detente and peace. These tensions also testify to the persistence of the other scourges of colonialism and that most repugnant and barbaric form of racism.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Since that time the Organization has constantly and untiringly worked to create a political and economic framework which would be better for mankind. In spite of that noble ideal, the certainty of living in peace is still beyond our grasp today. Indeed, a review of recent years shows that the principles laid down in the Charter have not been respected, just as certain achievements have remained inconclusive. Violence, conflicts with no declaration of war, the temptation to resort to the threat or use of force, the unbridled pursuit of selfish interests by certain Members of the Organization—these are all irreconcilable with the restraint and moderation which should be the dominant characteristics of our time.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“63. As has become customary each year at this time, the general debate gives us the invaluable opportunity to summarize the political and economic situation in the world as it has developed since the last session and thus to assess together the progress achieved by the Organization in the interval. 63. We wish first to welcome very warmly the delegation of the republic of Saint Christopher and Nevis on its admission as the 158th Member of the Organization. We offer that brotherly country a welcome to our midst, and we know that we can count on its contribution in the common search for the advent of a better world of solidarity and peace. 66. When the Charter of the United Nations was adopted 38 years ago the most urgent task given to the Organization was the establishment of peace in a world devastated and exhausted by a great war.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In the view of the Gabonese delegation, the United Nations must enjoy increased effective support from its Members if it is to become an effective instrument in the service of the community of nations in the consolidation of the independence and sovereignty of all States, the safeguarding of international security and the strengthening of world peace.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“which have a profound awareness of their common identity. That is why in the cultural field -again on the initiative of President Bongo-the representatives of the States of the Bantu world, which embrace some ISO million persons,' met in Gabon to attempt more closely to identify the cultural dimension of development and to examine the possibility of creating an international centre for Bantu civilizations, a project agreed upon by the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies, known as MONDIACULT, held last July in Mexico City. 162. In the face of all these problems, all these difficulties both economic and political, one question naturally arises: how to create a more favourable climate for international relations and hence how to propose solutions likely to satisfy the aspirations of States and peoples. 163.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“In our own sub-region, for example, on the initiative of El Hadj Omar Bongo, President of the Gabonese Republic, 11 heads of State and Government met this year in Libreville, Gabon, and, in keeping with the spirit of the Lagos Plan of Action;5 laid the foundations of an economic community -of Central African States, an organization that should provide us with structures to expand and promote trade and economic development among member States and stimulate and. consolidate regional solidarity and co-operation. 161. This need for solidarity and co-operation, noted in the economic plan. has also been felt on the cultural• level with just as much force. It is clearly a vital imperative in the fight for development, fulfilment and assertion of the identities of the peoples of these States.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Co-operation and Development at Cancun, which was supposed to launch the process of global negotiations. Unfortunately. those negotiations have not yet got under way. and millions of people who are calling for the establishment of a new international economic order fail to understand how this year again 'We have been unable to reach an agreement that would make it possible for the negotiations to begin. . 160. It is in order to mitigate the effects of this momentary failure in the North-South dialogue. a failure we all deplore, that the developing countries have been trying to organize regionally and sub-regionally.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“It is to deal with this situation, pending a restructuring of the world economy, that we have found it necessary to call for an increase in bilateral aid, particularly official development aid. Similarly, multilateral institutions should adopt more flexible methods in this regard. It would, for example. be desirable that the share of the resources of the Inter-national Monetary Fund [IMF] allocated for co-operation for developing countries be granted on more favourable terms and for the World Bank to increase Hs loans to those countries, which of course presupposes a strengthening of its means of intervention. 159. In my statement to the General Assembly at its thirty-sixth session [27th meeting]. I said that I placed great hopes in the International Meeting" on .”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“the decline in the terms of trade, which is reflected in the increase• in the prices of capital goods and the decline in the prices of commodities, the malfunctioning of the inter-national monetary system engendered by the abandonment of fixed parities and the increase in interest rates, which has now placed an intolerable burden on debt servicing, do not give grounds for optimism; they are all reasons for the general economic recession we can see in the developing countries. 157. The industrialized countries do not seem to be concerned about this situation. On the contrary, they are multiplying protectionist measures in the name of their national interests, in flagrant violation of the international norms, which are in any case unfavourable to the developing countries. 158.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The slowing down of economic expansion has spared no region no group of countries whatever the level of development or economic structure. This slowing down has been particularly clear in the' developing countries where we have witnessed a sizeable increase in unemployment and a significant and constant decline in national income. 156. It is unlikely that the international economic situation will make possible any revival of growth in the developing countries in the next few years. The export of these countries will continue to decline until there is a clear revival of the economies of the industrialized countries. Similarly.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Gabon believes that we should not lose hope and that the efforts already begun should be continued, to prevail upon the great Powers to adopt a more co-operative attitude towards the United Nations which must be in a position to play its full and proper role in disarmament negotiations. 154. General and complete disarmament is a vital necessity. not only because it will put an end once and for all to the ever-growing risk of a planetary conflict but also because it will free the huge sums of money now being swallowed up in the arms race and enable them to be used for reviving the world economy which. as we can see is today in a state of general collapse. 155. Indeed many studies undertaken recently both by the World Bank and by UNCTAD present a very gloomy picture of the economic situation in the world.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The failure of the second special session of the General Assembly on disarmament, held here last June, is a sad example of that blindness. At that session representatives of the non-nuclear-weapon States as at the first special session on disarmament, vigorously denounced the mad arms race and the wastage of resources and urged the great Powers to put an end to the policy of over-armament, to abolish weapons of mass destruction and to embark on a process leading to general and complete disarmament. We must recognize, unfortunately. that that appeal fell on deaf ears and at that session the Assembly was unable to come up with any positive measure. 153. Nevertheless.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The continuance of the manufacture and accumulation of increasingly sophisticated nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction and the development of biological and chemical weapons with terrifying effects are leading inexorably to a wholesale conflagration. 151. This real danger of a planetary catastrophe, although everyone is aware of it, is. Unfortunately, not sufficient to halt the arms race in which the great Powers are engaged. It has become commonplace to describe the vast sums spent on armaments, just as it has become commonplace to denounce the wastage of all the resources spent in that way-resources which could have been devoted to development needs-but, such is man's nature that, blind to the obvious, he pursues his course imperturbably, even if it is a path that leads to the abyss. 152.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Africa-indeed the whole international com-munity-demands that South Africa withdraw from Namibia so that the people of that country, fighting so heroically, can exercise freely its right to self-determination and accede to national sovereignty with territorial integrity. 149. The United Nations will thus have succeeded in putting an end to an anachronistic colonial situation that is unacceptable in the world today, where all men, all peoples, all countries must be free, equal and sovereign. 150. The violence, conflict and war which trouble peace and security in the world are all part of the absurd logic of man's self-destruction, to which the folly of the arms race is inexorably leading-an arms race which is assuming a pace and proportions that are more and more alarming.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The manoeuvres of Pretoria to justify its illegal occupation of Namibia by the presence of its forces on the territory of Angola cannot possibly deceive anyone, and blackmail aimed at establishing a link between the withdrawal of its troops from Namibia and the presence of Cuban troops in Angola is inadmissible and must be rejected. Indeed we are all aware that South Africa is illegally occupying Namibia, an international Territory under the sovereignty of the United Nations, while the Cuban troops are in Angola on entirely legal grounds, by virtue of agreements negotiated and concluded in full independence and liberty by two sovereign States. Consequently, there can be no question of linking the two facts, and the Governments of the five States of the contact groups must make the South African government see this.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The South African army, which is meeting with heroic resistance from the valiant people of Namibia, is not only sowing terror and desolation among the innocent civilian population but also attacking, now openly, neighbouring countries, particularly Angola. It is inadmissible that the great Powers, which bear responsibility for peace in the world, should countenance this arrogant policy of aggression, which is a violation of international law and flouts international morality. The Governments of the five Western States of the contact group must impose on the Pretoria Government the settlement plan contained in Security Council resolution 435 (1978), which is the only valid basis for negotiation. 148.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Once again we call upon those Governments to cease all co-operation with the racist Government of Pretoria, in accordance with United Nations resolutions, and to exert on that Government all appropriate pressure to prevail upon it to abandon its apartheid policy and to permit the black majority finally to occupy in dignity and equality of rights and duties its proper place in national life. 147. With regard to Namibia, the South African government does not appear to wish to give way and to comply with the will of the international com-munity. The independence of Namibia, which should have been achieved long ago, is constantly being postponed from year to year because of the refusal by Pretoria to put an end to its illegal occupation of that country.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The arsenal of unjust laws is constantly being strengthened and ever more sophisticated in order better to neutralize and subjugate the black people, whose sons, within the African National Congress and the Pan Africanist Congress, are being imprisoned, tortured, martyred and murdered every day in their heroic resistance struggle. 146. This heinous policy, which everyone has utterly censured and condemned, can be carried on only thanks to the massive support of major international capital and the proved complicity of the Governments of countries which possess in South Africa powerful and varied interests.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Are we to believe that the problems of Africa arouse only secondary interest and that compassion and fraternal solidarity are aroused only by what happens outside the black continent? 145. Nevertheless, in Africa people are dying by the thousands and continuing to die in the south of the continent-in Namibia, Angola and elsewhere-because of the aggressive acts of the South African racists dictated by their inhuman policy of apartheid. In spite of the unanimous censure of the inter-national community, in spite of the appeals and condemnations of the United Nations, the racist Government of Pretoria continues imperturbably and I with impunity its disgraceful policy of segregation and continues to subject the black community to terror and violence. Expeditious methods of physical elimination have now become common practice.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“This position was recently once again reaffirmed by the Gabonese head of State, El Hadj Omar Bongo, who stated: "It is through dialogue and dialogue alone, in the spirit of the joint communique issued on 4 July 1972 whereby the two Koreas announced to the world their wish to work peacefully for unification, that the peninsula will achieve this end in the interest of peace and security, rot only in Korea but also in the world at large. 144. The violence of the conflicts which we have just described b s its consequence, it would appear, that of polarizing and attracting the concern of the international community, which gives the impression of being less attentive to what happens in Africa.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“With regard to the Korean peninsula, the division of the country into two distinct antagonistic States because of differences in the political options of the present regimes is a sequel of the cold war of a bygone era, a time of confrontation of the rival ambitions of East and West. Faithful to its motto-dialogue, tolerance, peace-Gabon has always recommended that the two parties should sit down at a negotiating table and together, without foreign interference, seek ways and means of permitting the reunification of the country.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“It is only after that withdrawal that the peoples concerned will be able freely to express themselves and to determine the regime of their choice, which alone can guarantee the sovereignty of Afghanistan and safeguard its non-alignment. 142. The same applies to Kampuchea, where the legal, internationally recognized regime is not able to exercise its authority throughout the territory because of the presence of foreign troops. We wish to encourage the initiatives aimed at restoring legitimacy and democracy to Kampuchea taken by the free political forces of that country as well as by the independent States of the region. 143.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“On the strength of its close and friendly relations with the two States in question, Gabon once again appeals to the sense of responsibility and real-ism of their leaders to put an end to that fratricidal war so that dialogue and negotiation may commence, in accordance with the spirit of the Charter and the principles of non-alignment to which both countries have subscribed. 140. The situation has become even more explosive in that part of the world through the existence on the borders of Iran of another source of tension: Afghanistan, a country rent by a terrible internal war. 141. The United Nations must continue its past actions and its efforts to secure the withdrawal of foreign troops fighting in that country.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)