YouSaid · the spoken record

Molina-Orantes

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS MOLINA-ORANTES

lines on the record: 94
first: 1974-09-24
most recent: 1977-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“It reads as follows: "The delegation of Guatemala enters an express reservation to sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph 3, section B, of the trusteeship system to the effect that this system cannot apply to territories belonging to the Republic of Guatemala even though such territories may be the subject of claim or disputes or at present in the possession of another State." The delegation of Guatemala has frequently made reference to this reservation in the General Assembly and in its Committees. 84. My country has energetically and invariably supported the process of decolonization set in motion by the United Nations as one of its primary purposes, a process which has promoted the birth of many independent States seated in this Assembly today.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“For the same reason, we opposed the idea that Belize might be placed under the International Trusteeship System, and on 26 May 1945 the representative of Guatemala entered a reservation to this effect, which appeared in the report of the Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee of the Second Commission, and thus constitutes an official document of the San Francisco Conference.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“At all international meetings, delegations of my country have explicitly and repeatedly raised the matter of this dispute and have made it clear that the rights of the Guatemalan nation over its Territory of Belize cannot be relinquished. When, in San Francisco, we signed the Charter of the United Nations in 1945, Guatemala accepted all the principles and obligations of the Charter, including that of the self-determination of peoples, a principle upon which our very existence as a sovereign State is based. However, we were compelled to place on record the dispute over the Territory of Belize which we have always considered to be an integral part of our own national territory and, as such, falling outside the principle of self-determination.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“The obstinate refusal to fulfill this obligation and the rejection of several proposals of the Government of Guatemala that the case be taken to arbitration and that an international judicial solution be sought was the reason why the Congress of Guatemala in 1946 declared the 1859 Convention invalid because of the failure of Great Britain to fulfill the compensatory obligation it had contracted, and that is why in 1963 the Government of Guatemala broke off diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom. As a consequence of this situation, the parties never reached agreement on the demarcation of the territory in dispute, which remains un-demarcated today. 83.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Great Britain had previously possessed no rights over three quarters of that area. 81. This Convention cannot but remind us of the notorious "trinket treaties" imposed by the colonialist Powers in various parts of the world in circumstances of glaring inequality because of the weakness of the other contracting party. 82. Nevertheless, the British Government never discharged its sole obligation contracted under the 1859 Convention, in spite of the continuous claims submitted by my country, claims which today still remain frustrated.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“It took the combined efforts of the Central American States, acting jointly both diplomatically and militarily, to recover their sovereignty over the Bahfa Islands and the Mosquitia Settlements in Nicaragua and Honduras, to defend Nicaragua against the raids of filibusters and slavers, and to protect Central American sovereignty over the islands and waters of the Gulf of Fonseca. After repeated attempts to prevail upon Great Britain to put an end to its increasing incursions into Guatemalan territory, in 1859 Guatemala and Great Britain signed a Convention which, although it contained the word "limits" in its title, actually entailed the ceding of territory under coercion covering a total area of 8,598 square miles, the equivalent of 23,000 square kilometers.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“In 1821 Guatemala won its independence from Spain and on the basis of the principle uti possidetis, which is the rule generally applied in the countries of America and, more recently, by the new African States, the territory of the State of Guatemala was the same as it had been under Spanish sovereignty within the administrative limits existing at the time of the proclamation of independence. 80. Shortly after becoming a sovereign State Guatemala began to pursue its claim against Great Britain, whose subjects not only continued to exploit the concessions granted by Spain, but were penetrating further into neighboring Central American territories.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Already in the sixteenth century under Spanish domination Belize formed part of the political entity of Guatemala and it was not until the middle of the seventeenth century that for the first time bands of buccaneers descended upon its coast and, in the intermittent periods of peace between Spain and England, engaged in the cutting of log-wood, which at that time was widely used in British industry. This anomalous situation was regularized by peace treaties between the two Powers in 1783 and 1786, whereby Spain authorized the presence of British subjects in the area of Belize for the sole purpose of cutting timber and building houses within an area of approximately 2,581 square miles, over which Great Britain expressly recognized in these treaties the full sovereignty exercised by Spain. 79.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Ever since Guatemala became a Member of the United Nations it has been explaining at this rostrum to the conscience of the world that for more than a century and a half we have been making claims against the United Kingdom for the return of the Territory of Belize, over which my country possesses sovereign rights because it is an integral part of our national territory and with it forms a continuous and indivisible unit, the historic ties of which go back to times before Columbus when Guatemala and Belize were part of the ancient Mayan Empire. These ties were maintained throughout the period of Spanish colonial domination and continue to exist today in spite of the territorial usurpations of the last century. 78.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“The unresolved disputes which have persisted for many years over the occupied territories of the Malvinas Islands, Gibraltar, the Panama Canal and the Guatemalan territory of Belize, usurped by the United Kingdom, are sources of discontent which cast a shadow over relations among States and interfere with the harmony which is essential to peace. 77.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“The delegation of Guatemala also hopes that by means of negotiation solutions will be found for other conflicts which are damaging friendly relations between neighboring countries or frustrating the desire for the peaceful reunification of divided nations, as in the case of the two Koreas, or which are endangering the territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries like Cyprus. We firmly hope that through negotiations and other peaceful means just solutions for the problems created by the continued existence of foreign enclaves, which infringe the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States, will also be found.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Recent experience has shown that perseverance, mutual understanding and goodwill between the parties can bring them "step by step" towards a possible honorable settlement of their disputes. We cannot fail to express our satisfaction at the preliminary agreement between Egypt and Israel, the product of patient and tenacious negotiation, and the world is anxiously hoping that this preliminary step will gradually lead to a settlement in the Middle East in peace based on justice and human brotherhood. 76.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Foremost among the problems which most poison relations among peoples are without doubt those which entail the infringement of territorial integrity, since territory is one of the fundamental elements of any State and all nations consider it a sacred and inviolable heritage for which they have always been ready to shed their blood. For this reason, a just solution of territorial conflicts by the diplomatic and judicial means provided for under international law is one of the imperatives of peaceful coexistence among States. 74. Negotiation and mediation have demonstrated their effectiveness as a means of achieving detente in international situations which have become explosive. 75.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Unfortunately, in the 30 years of the life of our international Organization dark storm clouds of war have not disappeared from the world horizon. Nor can it be claimed that within the Organization total harmony prevails among its Members, for they are today divided into powerful, opposing and combative political blocs. 72. Guatemala, however, maintains its firm hope that, in this new stage upon which we have embarked, we shall strengthen and completely fulfill the purposes and principles of the Charter and that the peaceful solutions provided by international law to solve disputes among States will allow us to prevent confrontations arising from the injustices and inequities inflicted upon countries solely by the use of force. 73.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“70. The faith which the great majority of nations have placed in the effectiveness of the world Organization in its fundamental task of protecting mankind from the scourge of war compels us to strengthen its foundations and to promote international co-operation in the fight against another equally damaging scourge, namely, under-development, as well as against other ominous dangers which threaten mankind, such as the proliferation of nuclear arms, the growing pollution of the environment, the shortage of food, and social discontent, which in an increasingly interdependent world are creating the enormous economic and technological gap which divides the developed from the under-developed countries. 71.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“69 Guatemala, one of the 51 nations which signed the Charter in San Francisco at a time when the gunfire of the Second World War had not yet died away and when mankind was anxious to ensure for future generations lasting peace based on respect for law and fundamental human freedoms, wishes to pay a tribute to our Organization on its thirtieth anniversary and derives great hope from the significant fact that the number of peace-loving States which today make up our Organization has risen to 141, with the inclusion of the new Members which we are most pleased to welcome to this Assembly-Cape Verde, Mozambique and Sao Tome and Principe. The delegation of Guatemala wishes to extend to them its brotherly greetings of welcome and pledges its broadest co-operation in any endeavor designed to achieve our common objectives in this universal forum.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Those purposes must take precedence over secondary political considerations which sometimes divert our debates from the primary objectives of the Charter the maintenance of international peace and security the promotion of friendship and co-operation among the peoples of the world and, above all, the settlement of disputes by peaceful means and in accordance with the principles of justice and the provisions of international law, and the prevention of situations which may endanger world peace.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“68. The delegation of Guatemala wishes to congratulate the President and at the same time to express its pleasure on his well-deserved election to the lofty post of the presidency of the thirtieth session of the General Assembly. His recognized qualities as an experienced statesman, his broad knowledge of international relations and, particularly, his distinguished gifts as a jurist and his balanced and wise judgment which have proved so valuable in the process of integration which has taken place among the countries of the European Economic Community [EEC] are a guarantee that the decisions to be adopted in this solemn forum will always be imbued with the greatest fairness and the strictest justice and, above all, will serve the lofty purposes of our world Organization.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“In concluding the statement, I should like to express my Government's hope that the deliberations of the Assembly, with the goodwill and mutual understanding of the States here represented, will lead to the solutions so urgently required for world peace and to meet the serious economic and other problems confronting our peoples today, and for the achievement of the aspirations to freedom, security and well-being of all the inhabitants of the earth.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“In the meantime, until there is such an understanding that will permanently ensure the peace of the region, Guatemala once again expresses its definite reservation with regard to its sovereign right over the Territory of Belize, at present occupied by the United Kingdom. 189. In its traditional spirit of international brother-hood and solidarity, Guatemala views with satisfaction the possibilities of attaining greater harmony and understanding among the countries of the Central American region and of speeding up the process of integration of the countries of the regional common market, an essential factor for its development. All efforts aimed at attaining these objectives will have our entire sympathy and support. 190.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“In the last 10 years new roads have been zealously explored, and numerous formulas have been tried in an effort to reconcile the just claims of the Guatemalan nation, as well as its legitimate rights over the territory which was taken from it, with the most honorable aspirations of the people of Belize, who also are interested in freeing themselves from colonial domination, and to whom my Government reiterates its feelings of sincere friendship and of respect for their local traditions and institutions. 188. We trust that the dialog will continue between the parties to this century-long dispute, with no efforts spared that might lead to a solution which would satisfactorily reconcile Guatemala's territorial rights with those of the people of Belize.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“The obsolete, anachronistic system of colonialism still persists in the Americas and in some enclaves occupied by Powers from outside Latin America, despite the fact that sovereignty over them legally belongs to American States. Such is the case of the Guatemalan Territory of Belize, the restitution of which by the United Kingdom has been demanded by my country for more than a century. This claim has been maintained uninterruptedly, based as it is on unimpeachable legal principles and all kinds of efforts have been made, within the canons of international law, to find a solution.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“In the same spirit, Guatemala took part in the work of the group of countries that drafted the supremely important resolution 1514 (XV) of the General Assembly, which included a paragraph stating that "any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and the territorial integrity of a country is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations". 186. With that single reservation, which excludes the secession of territories from its scope, Guatemala continues to maintain its anti-colonialist position unwaveringly and its firm adherence to the principle of the self-determination of peoples. In that spirit it will support every Assembly resolution aimed at freeing peoples that are still under colonial oppression. 187.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“As is well known by the States represented in this Assembly, the position of Guatemala has always been in solidarity with that of the countries of Latin America and other continents in the struggle to attain the liberation of all peoples under the yoke of colonial regimes and particularly to eliminate that system from American territory. There are numerous proofs of this attitude in the records of various committees of the General Assembly, particularly the Fourth Committee, as well as of the plenary meetings of the Assembly. 185.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“Since we are interested in recognizing the personalities who through philanthropy and their actions have contributed to establishing suitable living conditions for man, we consider the United Nations as a proper forum to pay a tribute to Fray Buiivume de Las Casas, since five centuries after his birth his thoughts are still with us, among them one of the great aspirations of this Organization, the protection and defense of the essential rights of man, to which the illustrious bishop of Chiapas and Verapaz in the former captaincy general of Guatemala devoted his most noble endeavors as a true pioneer of the declarations of human rights we have today. 184.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“However, we recognize that there are still centuries-old limitations which interfere with the social equality of women, but we trust that legislation and the action we have taken will open the way to an ever-increasing degree of development and that these national efforts will be considerably increased by the promotion of support which the United Nations may provide. 183.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“In connexion with the proclamation of the International Women's Year, during which the merits of women will be extolled, and as a consequence of which the path to full equality will be opening up to women, I am happy to say that my country, in this regard, has encouraged the greatest possible participation of women in political, professional, educational and working life. It is thus that more than 50 per cent of the posts in the public health and education sectors are occupied by women, and there is no legal discrimination whatsoever with regard- to their electoral and civic rights or their right to free access to culture. In the educational system we see an ever-increasing number of girls and women attending school, with the result that the illiteracy rate among them is falling.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“The mixture of races, the biological value of which is also found in the social environment, has been a natural catalyst, but, even where there is no racial discrimination properly speaking, there is need for a greater integration of sectors of the population; with lower economic and cultural resources, in regard to which timely assistance could promote higher levels of living and better living conditions. Accordingly the Government of Guatemala supports all measures adopted by the Organization against discrimination of all kinds and at this time expresses its satisfaction at the fact that the United Nations has opportunely proclaimed the year 1975 to be International Women's Year [resolution 3010 (XXVII)]. 182.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“In celebrating the first year of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, as undoubtedly will be noted in the report* requested from the Economic and Social Council by the Assembly, in resolution 3057 (XXVIII), sincere interest has been noted, if not absolute adherence to this campaign. All States have expressed their willingness to co-operate in the implementation of the Program prepared in 1973 and annexed to the resolution; the directives of which may be a guide for more effective action, since the vigilant attention given has emphasized some grave and dramatic events, vestiges of discrimination or results of dislocation in the social integration of some regions of the world, to which the influence of the United Nations must be extended.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“It defended as fundamental premises the principles of respect for the dignity and freedom of man and respect for the sovereign decision of each State on the basis of its particular circumstances. That is why, in general terms, we have given our approval to the world plan prepared at that conference, since it included recommendations which coincide with the policy my country follows, which is aimed at improving the quality of life of its inhabitants, at economic and social development and at affirming the independence of peoples. 181.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“Furthermore, the United Nations has given capital importance to protecting the environment, sponsoring to that end various meetings and the establishment of an organization to deal with this question. We consider that environmental policies must be adopted in accordance with the needs of economic growth in order to safeguard health and the possibilities of improving the standards of living of the peoples and to provide that competent national bodies in the various countries share their knowledge, experience and documentation. 180. Guatemala participated with the utmost interest in the World Population Conference which was recently held in Bucharest, as well as in the preparatory activities which have been undertaken at the regional level, with the awareness that the problem is a justifiable concern for mankind.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“Such basic principles of international coexistence are contained in the Draft Charter on the Economic Rights and Duties of States which is to be considered during this session of the General Assembly and which is destined to become one of the basic documents in the future international legal order. Among its most important provisions we must emphasize those regarding the promotion of collective economic security and the economic development of States and, with regard to the latter, those providing for general disarmament and the utilization of the resources thus released for application to the needs of developing countries. Equally important are the provisions giving each State sovereignty over the wealth and natural resources within its land and maritime jurisdiction. 179.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“Our adherence to democratic principles is inherent in our national character and will in no way depend on the granting of preferences or on external conditions. 177. We are convinced that, regardless of political, economic and social differences among them, the States have the duty to co-operate among themselves to obtain mutual benefit from their economic relations in order to attain the objectives of their national development. 178. Within this spirit of understanding, of tolerance and of universal bonds an order of stable peace may be attained, which is the supreme aspiration of the United Nations.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“The problems of food shortages as well as of shortages in raw materials, inputs and services which most severely affect developing nations are an indication that, despite the exhausting efforts made by the peoples of these countries, a greater spirit of co-operation and understanding will be needed on the part of the others who enjoy more favorable conditions, especially as regards an appropriate treatment of international trade relations, the timely and inexpensive supply of the goods that contribute to the stability of the economy and the broader availability of technological and scientific advances. 176. This decision, it must be understood, is based on ethical and just principles which in no way may be interpreted as a condition of adherence to political blocs of any type.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“We must also counteract the trend towards the stagnation or reduction of the real prices of basic commodities; we must promote the production of primary materials in the under-developed countries that produce those commodities and agree on the inclusion of those countries in a system of trade preferences in accordance with their degree of economic development. 175.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“In Latin America; 'particularly, the joint action of the countries of the region is aimed at a just channeling of their trade relations with highly industrialized nations, strengthening the inalienable right of developing nations to have access to suitable technology and to adopt a policy of defense of the basic export commodities of a great number of American States, such as coffee, sugar, cotton, beef and bananas among others. 174. The United Nations, through its competent bodies, is called upon to play a most important role in this field at the world level. A priority task for the developing countries is to ensure a just and equitable relationship between the prices of raw materials and of manufactured goods exported by our nations and the prices of the products they import from the industrialized nations.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“For this purpose, we require from countries the understanding, solidarity and co-operation which have so often been mentioned as imperatives for the present community of nations if it is to attain a just world order, since the circumstances of contemporary living throughout the world impose a closer and more equitable relationship among States. To this end it is essential to undertake an in-depth revision of the economic models prevailing in relations among States.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“My Government, concerned to bring about effective, social justice, has undertaken specific programs aimed at raising the standard of living of the people of Guatemala, and is devoting what resources are available to improving the levels of living of the less fortunate classes and to attempting to find a solution to their vital requirements, despite the difficult circumstances obtaining in the national economy as a result of growing inflation and the energy crisis which today is affecting most of the countries of the world. Nevertheless, we are determined to fulfill, in so far as possible, the legal and moral undertakings to which we are committed in accordance with the norms prevailing in the international community today. 173.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“The international law of the United Nations, which enshrines the fundamental principles of the equality of States, non-intervention, self-determination, respect for the territorial integrity of States, good faith in the discharge of contractual obligations, the prohibition of recourse to the threat or use of armed force or aggression against another State for the settlement of international disputes, respect and protection for the rights and fundamental freedoms of the human person these will be the unswerving laws followed by the new Government of Guatemala over which General Kjell Eugenio Laugerud Garcia is now presiding and whom I represent today in this Assembly . 172.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“The course of events and the evolution of world politics in recent times lead us to cherish well- founded hopes that, day by day, the relaxation of tension will become more marked, which will enable States to resolve their fundamental problems through friendly dialog and conciliatory negotiation and to avoid explosive confrontations and an escalation of violence which feeds on nationalistic passions. We hope that it will put an end to acts which today strew terror and death in various regions of the world. 171.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“In coming before this Assembly, Guatemala repeats once again its unswerving faith in the effectiveness of the efforts we are making to maintain throughout the world a peace founded on justice and the attempts to attain and guarantee the maximum of well-being for all of mankind. 169. This faith that the peoples of the world have placed in the world Organization is the reason why, year after year, the number of its members grows, and as of this session we are gratified to count in our midst Bangladesh, Grenada and Guinea-Bissau. My delegation extends a warm word of welcome to these new Member States. 170.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“I shall pay him a sincere tribute of admiration and respect for his great talent, his brilliant qualities as a statesman and the very valuable contribution which both he and the members of his delegation have always made to the achievement of the purposes and principles of the world Organization. I should rather congratulate the General Assembly for the wise decision that it took in choosing him as President for such an important and delicate task, a choice which I am sure will be the guarantee of the success of our deliberations at the current session..To that end, I offer the loyal and resolute collaboration of the delegation of Guatemala. 168.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“I should like from this rostrum of the United Nations to convey the feelings of brotherly solidarity on behalf of the people and Government of Guatemala to our neighbors in Honduras at this tremendous catastrophe that has struck them, and may our voice be joined With those of other countries which, from this same rostrum, have appealed for international co-operation to assist the people of Honduras to overcome the serious emergency which it is confronting today. 167. I am not going to convey to the President, Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika one more congratulation on his well-deserved election to the presidency of the General Assembly.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“First of all in addressing this Assembly I should like to express the sorrow of the people and Government of Guatemala at the tragedy which at this time has thrown the Republic of Honduras into mourning and, with that Government, the entire family of Central American Nations. The devastating storm which raged through the Caribbean Sea has caused tremendous material losses in various countries of Central America and has strewn death and desolation in that sister country, to which we are bound by very close historic ties and a common destiny. These relations cause us to feel in our own flesh the sorrow that has afflicted the people of Honduras.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)