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1. “Such a solution can never be based on force and must there-fore be accepted by all, because it has become clear that there can be no solution to the Middle East crisis if it fails to take account of the interests of all parties. This entails the restoration by Israel of the Arab territories occupied in 1967, the participation by Palestinians in the peace negotiations, and, of course, all necessary international commitments guaranteeing to all the right to existence within secure and recognized borders. 138. Furthermore, Gabon is profoundly concerned over the bloody and prolonged conflict between Iraq and Iran which is jeopardizing peace and security in that so sensitive and vital part of the world. 139.”

   1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)

2. “The recent massacres committed in the Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut have filled us all with shock and horror. The international community has unanimously condemned that odious crime, which sounds the death knell of a certain morality which hitherto had compelled respect for non-combatants' right to life. Let us hope that that criminal act will not open the way to a new cycle of blind and murderous violence, whose first victims are liable to be more innocent people. 137. The situation in the Middle East has now become so serious that the United Nations, with the total support of the great Powers permanent members of the Security Council, must more than ever before do everything in its power to halt war and to look for a comprehensive, just and durable solution that will restore peace to that sorely troubled region.”

   1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)

3. “The right of peoples to decide on their own destiny, although universally recognized, is far from being accepted and applied by those Powers which hold sway over them. 134. New forms of political and economic domination are emerging and developing, aggravating injustice and imbalances, a source of tension and conflict which imperil international peace and security. 135. There is no denying that international relations are now going through a difficult period and the persistence of these tensions and conflicts is subjecting the Organization to a considerable ordeal and exposing the international community to new perils. 136. In the Middle East the recent invasion of Lebanon by Israel with all its disastrous consequences has even further complicated a situation that was already explosive in that region.”

   1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)

4. “The thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly has opened in a very dramatic climate, marked by the tragic events in Lebanon, the fratricidal war between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the aggression against Angola by South Africa, the presence of foreign occupation troops in Afghanistan and in Kampuchea not to mention other sources of tension which imperil security and peace in other parts of the world. 132. The peaceful settlement of conflicts through negotiation, the very basis of detente and inter-national co-operation, is increasingly giving way to the use of naked and blind force, a phenomenon that is becoming more and more frequent and indeed seems now to be the rule in diplomatic practice. 133.”

   1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)

5. “r wish here to repeat our profound satisfaction at his appointment, which is an honour not only to Peru but also to the whole third world, and to assure him once again that he can always count on the Gabonese Government for the necessary understanding and support in the accomplishment of his difficult and delicate task. 130. There is now a well-established tradition that we, the representatives of Member States, should meet here each year to review the international situation. By evaluating the accomplishments since the last session and exchanging views on future prospects, we attempt to define together the objectives to be attained and the tasks to be performed for the coming period. 131.”

   1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)

6. “Kittani, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iraq, President of the thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly, I wish to say how highly we esteem his judiciousness, effectiveness and sense of moderation which he demonstrated throughout a tenure of office during which he had to deal with many difficult and delicate questions within the framework of a seriously declining international situation. The Government of Gabon has already had occasion to convey its official congratulations to Mr. Perez de Cuellar, the new Secretary-General, on his election to the chief office of the Organization.”

   1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)

7. “It is an honour for me to convey to Mr. Hollai on behalf of the Gabonese delegation and on my own behalf, our warmest congratulations on his election to the presidency of the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly. Aware as we are of his wealth of diplomatic experience and his brilliant qualities, to which all previous speakers have paid a tribute, I am convinced that under his enlightened, fair and balanced guidance, our work will be conducted in an atmosphere of calm and dignity and will yield useful results, thus living up to our expectations. I should therefore like to assure him at that the Gabonese delegation will always be ready to co-operate with him in any way he wishes, to assist in achieving his goals. To Mr.”

   1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)

8. “Nevertheless, it is comforting to note that the Organization, however well founded criticism of it may be, has since the last war provided a privileged framework for the safeguarding of peace throughout the world and the definition of new strategies for multilateral cooperation. 47. Let us transcend our selfish interests and bear in mind only the interests of mankind as a whole by translating the decisions of the Organization into political and economic facts so that this new world order for which we tirelessly call may finally be established.”

   1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

9. “The industrialized countries and international organizations must concentrate on finding sources to finance programs to promote and develop new and renewable sources of energy recognized as indispensable for the world economy. This is a matter that was left in abeyance at Nairobi. 43. I do not wish to conclude my statement without referring to the serious question of the food and agriculture situation throughout the world, particularly in Africa, where the food outlook appears to be extremely grave. 44. The international community must actively contribute to solving this extremely important problem and to defining new directions regarding food and agriculture. 45. It must be recognized that the picture of the international situation that we have just drawn, both politically and economically, is hardly a matter for rejoicing. 46.”

   1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

10. “In any case, it hopes that the high-level officials participating in that conference will take that opportunity to establish a new atmosphere that will make it possible for global negotiations to be initiated as speedily as possible. 40. If there is a problem that is of particular concern to my country it is that of new and renewable sources of energy, a problem which was taken up at the conference held last August at Nairobi, under the aegis of the United Nations. 41. On that occasion, Gabon, which has several sources of energy, the most important of which are water energy, solar energy, biomass and wood, and which has therefore always attached particular importance to the post-oil period, demonstrated its interest in the advent of this new era. 42.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

11. “This evolution has led to a wide-ranging awareness among all peoples of the fact that the current international economic situation is inequitable as far as the benefits of economic relations between the developed and developing countries are concerned. 38. The structural changes that we seek must be made with regard to production, consumption and world trade so as to enable the developing countries to exercise effective control over their raw materials and to participate fully in the international decision-making process. 39. Gabon places high hopes in the International Meeting on Cooperation and Development, to be held soon at Cancun.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

12. “That is why we are pleased to note that the developed countries accepted what is self-evident when they stated their readiness to increase their bilateral and multilateral aid to the least developed countries, by doubling their contributions in order, as they emphasized, to avoid any increase in the international economic imbalance. 36. Moreover, it must be recognized that the desired return to normal growth has not taken place and there has been a general disorganization of the world economy, thereby confirming the urgent need for a structural modification that would be in the interests not only of the developing countries but also of the developed countries. 37.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

13. “The substantial slowdown in economic activity, the increased deterioration in terms of trade, runaway inflation and the rising costs of the foreign debt of the third world countries surely point to an extremely disturbing situation; at least that is true of most of us and some of us are already familiar with the critical phase of zero growth. 34. That is why Gabon was particularly interested in the United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held in Paris in September this year, which endorsed the concerns expressed by those countries. 35.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

14. “That is why we consider that the question of disarmament is closely linked to the question of development; it is so true that the maintenance of the status quo consolidates inequalities, is a factor of tension in the world and also of deterioration of the world economic situation. 32. The economic development of States remains the best guarantee for general and lasting security and true and total freedom. 33. It must be noted that the world economic crisis has assumed unprecedented dimensions. No one can doubt that the world economy is currently experiencing the most serious crisis since the Second World War.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

15. “The huge sums so far devoted to weapons could be allocated to financing humanitarian activities, that is to say, the advancement of the developing countries, the improvement of health and education and a reduction in social inequalities. 29. That was the principal aim of the Disarmament Decade decreed in December 1969 by the General Assembly [see resolution 2602 E (XXIV)]. 30. Since it is now time to prepare a balance sheet, let us at the outset say that this decade has been a negative one. This year, according to the best informed sources, more than $500 billion have been devoted to military expenses, that is, an expenditure of approximately $1 million per minute. At the same time, thousands of men, women and children continue to die every day of hunger and poverty, in the face of almost total indifference. 31.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

16. “The establishment of peace in these regions of tension and upheaval should reinforce the process of generalized detente that the world seeks and should put an end to the arms race, a race of increasingly sophisticated and lethal weapons. The senseless accumulation of weapons may at any moment provoke a planetary cataclysm. In a world of anxiety and intolerable, destabilizing pressures, a simple error or thoughtless action may lead to a nuclear apocalypse. 28. In such circumstances, we must all strive to put an end to this accumulation of weapons, so as finally to eliminate this danger. The matter is to be considered at the second special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, which is to be convened soon.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

17. “In addition to the problems that we have mentioned, we have in mind in this connection, the following: the situation in Cyprus, where talks between the communities should continue; the Korean problem, with regard to which Gabon Supports any action leading to reunification of the peninsula by peaceful means, without any foreign interference; Kampuchea and Afghanistan, where the peoples must be able to express their views freely to decide the system of government they desire; and, finally, Iraq and Iran, two fraternal countries at war, to whom we renew the appeal that the Head of State of Gabon, Hajji Omar Bongo, made to them to put an end to their conflict. 27.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

18. “That is also why Gabon will continue to condemn the Hebrew State as long as Israel which, it must be recognized, does have the right to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized boundaries refuses to abide by Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). . 25. At this point it seems quite appropriate to refer to the bloody and prolonged tragedy in Lebanon. I should like to state here that my country vehemently condemns foreign aggression and acts of intervention, of whatever form or on whatever pretext, which would threaten the integrity, independence and sovereignty of that State. 26. These principles are valid wherever tensions or conflicts exist.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

19. “The atmosphere of violence, as well as Israel's refusal to recognize the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, frequently reaffirmed by relevant resolutions of the United Nations, are hardly conducive to settling the conflict by peaceful means. Gabon believes in the virtues of dialog as a privileged weapon for the settlement of conflicts among States and will continue to encourage any initiative to achieve a settlement of the Palestinian problem by means of negotiation. 23. That is why it considers that the search for a just and lasting peace in that part of the world requires the effective participation of the Palestinian people in any peace process, as well as the full and unconditional withdrawal by Israel from the Arab territories occupied in 1967, and the exercise by the Palestinian people of its national rights. 24.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

20. “With regard to an improvement of the situation in Chad, my country considers that this is a problem which should interest all of us. It hopes very much that the international community will rally to support this fraternal country to help it to rebuild its economy. 21. Unfortunately, Africa is not the only part of the world in which confrontation continues, or where efforts to achieve the peaceful settlement of conflicts, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter, have as yet been unsuccessful. 22. The situation in the Middle East appears to be a matter of increasing concern since the continuing tension in that part of the world, which in three decades has experienced three lethal wars, constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

21. “That extract from the message from the President of the Gabonese Republic, addressed to the President of the International Conference on Sanctions Against South Africa, on Africa Liberation Day, on 25 May last, demonstrates the extent to which Gabon stands in solidarity with the fraternal people of South Africa in its struggle for liberation. That is why my country considers that the international community should support the legitimate struggle of the freedom fighters, while continuing to seek any peaceful solution which may lead to the rapid eradication of the shameful system of apartheid. 19. In central Africa, the situation in Chad, by reason of a long fratricidal war, concerns us deeply. At Nairobi, OAU once again considered this problem and Gabon responded to the appeal for solidarity which was made at that time. 20.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

22. “That is the meaning of the appeal which, on behalf of the Head of State of Gabon, I would address to the Assembly. May this appeal be heard in the interests of safeguarding peace and security in Africa and in the world. 18. In South Africa itself, "our brothers ... are continuing to be afflicted by domination, oppression and humiliation imposed upon them by the Pretoria regime which has inscribed in its institutions in letters of gold the fact that apartheid is the best way to organize economic, social and political space, and the recent electoral consultation constitutes it's latest shameful demonstration.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

23. “It is in the interests of the entire international community for this to be the case, because there can be no doubt whatsoever that the problem of Namibia carries the seed of generalized conflict which brings to bear upon mankind the threat of nuclear war. While it may be comforting from some angles to note that the Western countries have never opposed resolution ES8/2 adopted at the eighth emergency special session of the General Assembly, convened here in September of this year, none the less, those countries must respond positively to the request made of them by the broad majority of the international community by imposing against South Africa the mandatory global sanctions stipulated in Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. They must exert upon that country any other pressure necessary to ensure that it will comply. 17.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

24. “By allowing the South African Government to impose its delaying tactics and its policy of refusal and procrastination, the countries of the contact group are bearing a heavy responsibility, both in the tragedy in Namibia and in the invasion of Angola by South African troops. That is why they must pull themselves together and proceed actively to have Pretoria agree to implement the United Nations settlement plan so that the Namibian people can freely exercise its right to self-determination. 16. For its part, Gabon, which has, in an official statement by its Head of State, Mr. Omar Bongo, strongly condemned the invasion of Angolan territory, reaffirms its unreserved support for the United Nations plan and remains convinced that on that basis Namibia will soon achieve independence in its entirety, including its vital port of Walvis Bay.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

25. “In truth, throughout this year, at New Delhi in February at the Conference of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of NonAligned Countries, at Nairobi in June at the eighteenth session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity, at Algiers in April at the Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of NonAligned Countries on the Question of Namibia, and in Paris in May, where, under the aegis of the Organization of African Unity [CMC/] and the United Nations, the International Conference on Sanctions against South Africa was held in short, everywhere Africa and the nonaligned countries have unanimously supported resolution 435 (1978). 15.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

26. “As long as Namibia remains under the domination of South Africa and as long as the racist and fascist Government of Pretoria continues to impose upon the black majority its regime of apartheid, the work of decolonization and the liberation of Africa will not have been completed. 13. We cannot repeat often enough that the key to a rapid solution of the problem is firmly in the hands of the SoufE African Government and the countries of the Western contact group and that the basis thereof is Security Council resolution 435 (1978), which endorses the plan for the settlement of the question of Namibia. 14.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

27. “Unfortunately, the balance sheet of the world situation forces us once again to note that the current session of the General Assembly is being held at a moment of particular concern in the history of mankind, one marked by serious tensions and conflicts as well as by economic disorders which generate the poverty of which the third world in general and Africa in particular are the principal victims. 11. In Africa, one of the main subjects .of concern for our States, above and beyond any other, remains the situation in southern Africa, particularly in Namibia, a Territory still under colonial domination in spite of relevant United Nations resolutions which the racist authorities of Pretoria continue to defy. 12.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

28. “We should like to welcome these friendly countries to our midst and wish them full success in their efforts to contribute to our joint search for the advent of a peaceful world, a world of solidarity, a better world. 555 A/36/PV.27 10. To be sure, the principal aim of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security and to achieve cooperation among nations, all the while providing a center in which joint efforts may be brought into harmony.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

29. “Riidiger Von Wechmar of the Federal Republic of Germany, a talented diplomat, for his outstanding services to the international community, thanks in particular to the farsightedness, effectiveness and devotion with which he discharged his important responsibilities. We should also like to pay a well-deserved tribute to the SecretaryGeneral of the Organization. My Government is particularly grateful for his tireless efforts to find answers to the many questions which remain before the community of nations. 9. Lastly, we should like to extend a warm welcome to the delegations of Vanuatu and Belize upon their admission as the one hundred fifty-fifth and one hundred fifty sixth Members of the Organization. The membership of the Organization has thereby been strengthened and brought closer to universality.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

30. “Hie Gabonese delegation is convinced that under your presidency the Assembly will steer the work of the present session towards the successful results which the entire international community is seeking. 7. I should like to assure you that my delegation will give you its full support in the discharge of your weighty but ennobling and delicate mission. Our congratulations are extended also to the other officers of the Assembly, who, we are convinced, will contribute together with yourself to the success of our deliberations. 8. It is a pleasure for us to avail ourselves of this opportunity to thank your predecessor, Mr.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

31. “The Gabonese delegation, for its part, is participating in the current session, as it has in previous sessions, imbued with the firm desire to make its contribution to the construction of peace, justice and human dignity in order to ensure a better world. It is this meaning that we intend to impart to our statement. 6. However, at the outset I should like to convey to you, Mr. President, on behalf of my delegation, our warmest congratulations upon your election to the presidency of the thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly. It is an indication of our trust in you, which is wholly in keeping with your outstanding qualities and with the competence, each of us is pleased to recognize in you.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

32. “This is owing to the wide range of subjects and their fluidity. 3. In the past, we have had the opportunity to take up such enduring items as the deterioration of the international situation, security, detente, the persisting tensions among nations, the deterioration in the terms of trade, the growing inequality between rich and poor and the need for the establishment of a new, more just and more humane world order. 4. This is why, in the face of increasing risks of conflagration in a world that is prey to crises and turmoil, it is incumbent upon all of us gathered here to find appropriate ways and means to avoid the irreparable. This is a responsibility which we cannot shirk. 5.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

33. “1. Each session of the General Assembly of the Organization, whose universality remains its underlying moral justification, provides us with the opportunity to question ourselves about the political, economic, social, cultural and human future of our planet on the basis of the balance sheets of the international situation which, one by one, we each draw up. This is perhaps why the general debate may give an impression of repetition, not only year after year but also speaker after speaker. This is, however, only an impression. 2. In my own case, although this is the sixth time I have had the signal honor to speak, on behalf of my country and its Head of State, Mr. Omar Bongo, to the Assembly, I do not in any way feel that I am repeating myself. Even less do I feel that I am listening to the same litanies.”

    1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)

34. “At all those abortive meetings, the developed countries consistently played the part of a blocking minority whenever that power existed, and struggled to achieve it when it did not, as in the case of the negotiations within the framework of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. 116. However, to conclude on a positive note, let us hope that at the dawn of the third United Nations Development Decade those partisan and selfish demonstrations which we have denounced will give way to a growing awareness of the ideals and principles of the Charter, the only guarantors of the peace and security to which mankind so fervently aspires.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

35. “That is the price that must be paid for the establishment of a new, more just and more equitable international economic order, the idea of which the developed countries accept in word but not in deed, as is proved by the failures or semi successes—we do not quite know what to call them— of all international economic conferences from the fifth session of UNCTAD, held at Manila in 1979, to the eleventh special session, which was devoted to development, and including the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development, held at Vienna in 1979 and the Third General Conference of UNIDO, held at New Delhi in 1980.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

36. “For their part, the developed socialist countries should change their approach to aid to the third world and no longer take refuge, in order to justify their attitude, in the argument that it is the responsibility of the former colonizers alone to help the developing countries and thus redress the injustice done to them. 115.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

37. “But, before that energy crisis, what did those countries do for the industrial development of the countries whose natural resources they were exploiting? They did nothing, or virtually nothing. 113. I should like to stress here that for the third world countries the search for relative self-reliance requires a true change in mentality, which means no longer considering as valuable only the products marketed by the former metropolitan countries. It is even more necessary that the North South dialogue proceed on the basis of such a change in the collective mentality of the developed countries and the abandonment of their policy of economic domination because, I repeat, agreement must prevail over confrontation. 114.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

38. “We know that in connection with development aid the members of OPEC have by far exceeded 0.7 percent of their gross national product and that they intend to devote $4.4 billion to that end by 1982, through the OPEC special fund, which is financed by voluntary contributions. 111. But, while some denounce the "excessive profits" in foreign exchange made by oil producing countries, they ignore or knowingly conceal the exorbitant profits made by the foreign companies that exploit that resource and that turn many developed countries into oil producers whose importance is equal to if not greater than that of certain OPEC countries. 112. It is true that the industrialization of the developed countries, long based on the shameless low-cost exploitation of energy sources, experienced a certain slackening because of increases in the cost of oil.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

39. “On that occasion, with just a few exceptions, the representatives of the two blocs developed their usual reasoning, some casting blame on the countries members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries [OPEC] for the present world economic crisis and thus for the decline in aid, the others invoking the colonial heritage to justify their own negative attitude to development aid. But we know that, as far as the OPEC members are concerned, there is really a skilfully orchestrated campaign by the media in the developed countries to find a scapegoat for the economic crisis.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

40. “Indeed, not only has the target accepted for the First United Nations Development Decade of devoting 0.7 per cent of the gross national product to development not been reached, but that percentage was as low as 0.31 per cent in 1977. This is clear and unassailable evidence of the indifference and selfishness of the developed countries that we denounced just a moment ago and which we witnessed during the eleventh special session, devoted to development and international economic cooperation. 110.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

41. “The problem of food in the developing countries has not in any way lost its seriousness since the World Food Conference, held at Rome in November 1974; unfortunately it has worsened. Any analysis of that question brings us to the need for increased and effective efforts, both in connection with food production and with malnutrition, efforts without which there can be no prospect for peace and stability in the world. 107. Thus the activities of FAO, especially its programmes of technical cooperation and food security, deserve further attention and increased support by all. 108. While all developing countries are endeavouring, relying on their own meagre resources, to step up action to increase agricultural production, foreign aid in real terms shows a disturbing decline. This is not a groundless statement. 109.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

42. “All those initiatives are a demonstration of the political will of Africa to denounce the mimicry and extroversion of a recent past and to assume its own identity, its own personality, rather than having them imposed on it from abroad. In this way, Africa has resolutely declared itself in favour of an endogenous development aimed particularly at guaranteeing food self-sufficiency. 105. What can be more logical than granting priority to rural development? Indeed, although the objectives of the developing countries should not be confined to "the attainment of certain minimum thresholds", especially in the area of food, the essential priority in the life of man is, after all, to meet his nutritional needs, hunger in the world being the main scourge of mankind. 106.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

43. “In that connection we are gratified that after the Buenos Aires Conference in 1978, devoted precisely to that question, the African countries in particular have become aware of its importance. Indeed, following the Monrovia Declaration of Commitment of the Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity on Guidelines and Measures for National and Collective Self Reliance in Social and Economic Development for the Establishment of a New International Economic Order, those countries met first at the highest level in their second extraordinary session, held at Lagos on 28 and 29 April 1980, where they adopted the "Lagos Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Monrovia Strategy for the Economic Development of Africa". They then met again at the ministerial level at Nairobi last May.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

44. “Unfortunately, at the international level, certain countries seem to get carried away by their ideology and to seek confrontation rather than agreement, even with those that, in spite of undeniable ideological differences, have proved to be excellent partners at the bilateral level. It is true that many States give the singular impression that they have real respect only for those who vie the most with them. 103. The indifference, even the selfishness, of the rich countries should prompt us in the third world to redouble our efforts to attain that collective self-reliance which seems to have established itself as a mode? within South South technical cooperation. 104.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

45. “That is why we condemn Israel and urge it to understand that it is in its own interest to work towards the restoration of peace in the region. 100. Indeed, be it in sub-Saharan Africa, the Maghreb, the Mediterranean, the Arab Gulf, western Asia or South-east Asia, be it a regional conflict or a conflict between countries that are far apart, law and dialogue must prevail over force and violence, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and that of OAU, so that we can prevent the establishment of the law of the jungle. 101. I should like to recall here that my Government's stand on questions of international policy stems from the fact that Gabon has made dialogue a fundamental principle of its internal policy and a choice tool for the solution of conflicts among States. 102.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

46. “That is precisely why we intend to support any initiative taken, in particular by our Organization, with a view to restoring peace wherever armed conflicts have arisen and wherever the freedom and dignity of man are trampled underfoot and existing tension has degenerated into or might become open conflict. The list of such conflicts is very long: from Africa to the Far East, via the Middle East where the Arab people of Palestine continues to be denied its right to self-determination and to existence as a nation and where it sees its cultural and religious values trampled on, as is borne out by the attempts of the Zionist State to annex the eastern part of Jerusalem. We cannot remain insensitive to its cry of despair.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

47. “Allow me to dwell a little on this aspect of North South relations, the relations between those that die of hunger and those that die of opulence; between those that die of boredom, disgusted because they have nothing further to wish for since the world in which they live has willed everything to them, and those that die of despair, aware that they will never be able fully to realize their aspirations because of a lack of means. These are just a few of the sad contradictions of our world, contradictions that I should like to place before you for reflection. 99. I should also like to state that, faithful to our policy of dialogue for the establishment of peace, we believe that any initiative likely to promote or consolidate peace is commendable, as long as it makes it possible to alleviate hardship in our world.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

48. “There is reason to believe that racism, underdevelopment, poverty and many injustices are in fact but the different facets of one and the same evil, that is, lack of consideration by wealthy peoples in the East and the West alike for the peoples of the third world, because with any sense of logic, one would endeavour further to reduce and then eliminate the scourges that afflict and decimate our mankind, scourges such as war, hunger, disease and poverty and thus save life rather than destroy it. 98.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

49. “And we, as defenceless guinea pigs, have no alternative but to voice, in confusion, anguish and fear, our protest in the face of the catastrophe towards which we are irremediably headed, as new weapons, ever more sophisticated and deadly, are produced. 96. Interplanetary satellites are being placed in orbit day after day to monitor our every movement and to prepare holocausts, while thousands of men, women and children are dying of hunger and poverty each day. It is true that for the most part the victims belong to the third world and that their death makes it possible to reduce the population explosion which some believe to be at the root of all our ills; however, these same individuals do not attempt to reduce other explosions, namely nuclear ones. 97.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

50. “Likewise it must grant to the South African people, and I am speaking of the black majority, the rights inherent in the very nature of human beings, which continue to be denied them because of their colour. 93. How many resolutions must international forums such as ours adopt, how much longer must nations that cherish justice and peace be patient before the Pretoria Government comes to its senses? 94. This question is addressed to the Government of South Africa, a sector of whose white population does not necessarily approve of the policy of apartheid, as well as to the Governments of countries that would have us believe they are in a position to induce it to see the light. 95. More than ever before, evil seems to have taken hold of the human race.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)