YouSaid · the spoken record

MOLAPO

lines on the record: 188
first: 1977-09-24
most recent: 1983-09-24
sittings or episodes: 6
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

“One of the primary goals of the founding fathers of the Organization is nearing achievement. I refer to the decolonization agenda. While many countries have gained independence in the years since the founding of the United Nations, we are still waiting for Namibia to accede to independence. Namibia is a test case which should give the United Nations the image of an international arbiter. If it does not, the United Nations continues to be characterized by cynics everywhere as a connotation of uselessness and inaction. When the glorious day of independence finally arrived in Namibia, a sad chapter in the struggle of a people to rid itself of foreign domination will be closed.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“To him we have entrusted for the next five years the future of the United stations. We are convinced that, as the son of a third world country, he is better able than anybody else to articulate the concerns and aspirations of the developing world. It is also fitting at this stage warmly to thank his predecessor, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, who steered the Organization through many a difficult time over the past 10 years. The success of the United Nations during those 10 years is clearly demonstrated in the; increase in the membership of the Organization, the marked decline in the suffering of the South East Asian refugees and the high priority accorded by the United Nations to various international problems. Regrettably, there have been setbacks in the operation of the Organization, as evidenced in the case of Namibia.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“In congratulating the President on his election to preside at this session, I should like also to assure him and the other officers of the Assembly of my delegation's firm support and co operation. We are convinced that, as a distinguished statesman of the Hungarian People's Republic, he will be able to steer our deliberations to a successful conclusion. Permit me to congratulate the President of the thirty sixth session, Mr. Kittani, who discharged his obligations honourably. Since this is the first regular session of the General Assembly at which we have the benefit of the services of the new Secretary General, I should like to congratulate Mr. Perez de Cuellar on his elevation to the high office of guardian of international law and order and mentor to the world's leaders.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The multiplicity of the problems with which the United Nations has to contend is clearly reflective of its universality. Yet in the 37 years of its existence the Organization has shed light unto many. Within this forum, great hopes have been realized, misery and despair have been averted and a new generation of man has been moulded a generation that recognizes the value of diplomatic intercourse over the perils and degradation of warfare. It would not be wrong, therefore, to suggest that the current worsening international climate, characterized by grave economic imbalances and world wide political turmoil, presents but simple trials which this world body can readily contain. I trust that our unity of purpose, bold determination and serene statesmanship will help us through the heavy agenda ahead of us.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The lesson of Zimbabwe has proved, more than any other lesson in recent history, that racial bigotry and colonialism are myths which have no place in the community of free nations. Thus we also wish to associate ourselves with the congratulatory words already addressed to the new State of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. We are confident that the world community will respond to any request that this new State may wish to make for assistance in its reconstruction and development. 329. I wish this Assembly success in the consideration of the serious agenda items before us.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“It is our wish that Governments will reconsider their position on this expensive but vital project and become involved in it. So far only a few Governments of the European Economic Community and the Arab world are involved in it, with the Lesotho Government shouldering the biggest share of the funding. 328. I should like to observe, in conclusion, that we have reached a critical point in the struggle for the liberation of the rest of Africa. Heavy sacrifices have already been made and will continue to be made. To assist any of the frontline States or any of the independent African States neighbouring Namibia and South Africa is also to contribute to the final elimination of apartheid and alien occupation in southern Africa. This is a task to which we must direct our united force and energy.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“We are indeed greatly indebted and we are glad to acknowledge such gracious assistance. 327. Notwithstanding this, the pledges, grants, loans and technical assistance extended still fall short of targets set four years ago. South African and Namibian students are still with us and continue to arrive in Lesotho. The need to remedy our geographical isolation still exists. We thus earnestly reaffirm our commitment to the international airport project to which Lesotho attaches great importance. In this connection, I should like to express my delegation's gratitude to those countries which have made modest contributions to our current efforts towards the construction of our one and only international air bridge. This was one of the leading projects recommended to and subsequently approved by the Security Council in 1977.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“I cannot leave this rostrum without conveying to the Assembly the Lesotho Government's gratitude for the support our people have received since 1976 following the Soweto upheavals and the closure of some of the border posts between Lesotho and South Africa. The assistance was aimed at expanding educational facilities in the country to create rem for displaced South African students who had fled to Lesotho and to improve Lesotho's economic viability, to enable it to withstand external coercion and lessen its dependence on South Africa. The latest review report by the Secretary General on the fourth review mission to Lesotho is before the Assembly. It will be noted that we have been the recipient of massive aid from a variety of sources, but mainly from some Governments represented here.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“It is against this background that a distinction should be made between their efforts and South Africa's brand of cooperation, styled "Constellation of southern African States". 325. South Africa's so-called constellation of States, consisting of itself and its Bantustans, which it wants to sell to the independent African States, is nothing but a political mirage. In our view, it is yet another attempt by South Africa to bring about the recognition of her Bantustan creations, which have so far been rejected by the international community. Through this strategy South Africa hopes to win support and respectability for her grand apartheid, which fragments southern Africa into weak black satellites dominated by a strong white State. We reject this constellation while it is operated within the framework of apartheid. 326.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“To the extent that we cannot escape unscathed from a conflagration in South Africa, we are an interested party. We should be caught in the crossfire if anything were to happen. Hence our concern over South Africa's apartheid policies, which are the root cause of the economic and political instability in southern Africa. 324. Economic cooperation among States of any region is always a good thing. In Africa, both the OAU and the United Nations regional commissions have encouraged such cooperation. The independent African States of the southern sub region recently concluded a conference in Salisbury aimed at such cooperation and at reducing their economic dependence on South Africa.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The world has seen enough human suffering. Our collective efforts should thus be directed at the final solution of such problems. How otherwise can we talk of progress and development in the midst of so much human suffering? 322. Under agenda item 28, entitled "Policies of Apartheid of the Government of South Africa", sufficient time will be devoted to consideration of the very lucid report of the Special Committee against Apartheid, and I do not intend to take any more of the Assembly's limited time by going into that item. 323. The simmering crisis inside South Africa itself is a matter of great concern to us. Because of our geographical and political situation, we cannot watch the escalation of disruption and violence in South Africa with equanimity.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The continent of Africa is plagued by three more critical spots: the Horn of Africa, Western Sahara in the north and Chad in the west. The OAU is seized at the moment of these serious issues and my delegation wishes to register its support for its endeavours. We urge great vigilance and honest counsel in approaching these issues. My delegation notes with appreciation the humanitarian assistance being extended to the displaced persons and refugees in these sub regions. We appreciate the efforts of the Secretary General of the OAU, as documented under item 23 of the agenda of the Assembly. May goodwill prevail on the part of all concerned in efforts to normal the situation in these areas. 321. We should also like to express concern for the speedy resolution of the Cyprus problem and the situation in Southeast Asia.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“One might mention Security Council resolutions 385 (1976), 435 (1978) and 439 (1978) and clearly discern a constant pattern of refusal to comply with the Security Council's decisions and of the promotion of bogus arrangements aimed at creating a neo colonial puppet regime. 319. We should like to register our support for the struggle of the Namibian people for freedom. By now, South Africa should have learned that no amount of distortion, intimidation or oppression can stifle a people's desire to achieve freedom, independence and human dignity. SWAPO is a force with which the South African Government has to reckon. Nobody can afford to brush it aside in any negotiations on Namibia and act as if it did not exist. 320.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“In its resolution 2248 (SV) of 19 May 1967, the Assembly established the United Nations Council for Namibia as the legal Administering Authority of Namibia until that international Territory's independence. It is a matter of common knowledge that South Africa has frustrated the Council in the fulfilment of its mandate. What is even more unacceptable is that Namibian patriots continue to languish in South African gaols. Apartheid and bantustans have been introduced into Namibia and an internal settlement built on the Turnhalle groups is being pursued relentlessly, if not insidiously. Namibian resources continue to be illegally exploited. South Africa has thus far flouted all Security Council decisions on Namibia.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“We call upon all parties to the conflict seriously to map out a negotiating strategy to resolve the Middle East deadlock. 317. Southern Africa continues to constitute another major area of tension in the world today. Not long ago the Security Council and the OAU had to consider atrocious bombings and ferocious attacks by South Africa on the people's Republic of Angola. A few weeks earlier, South Africa troops had committed acts of aggression in Zambia, thus displaying unrestrained contempt for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of its neighbours. The attacks on Angola are a ploy to disguise South Africa's intention to deny the people of Namibia their right to self-determination and independence despite the numerous resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly and the Security Council. 318.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The position of Lesotho with respect to this tragedy has not altered since it was clearly set out from this and many other rostra by various spokesmen of the Lesotho Government. We should like to reaffirm that for a lasting and peaceful solution to come about, all parties should be involved in the peace efforts. The inalienable right of the Palestinian people to its own State is not negotiable. The Palestinian territory alienated and expropriated by force of arms still belongs to the Palestinian people and should not be considered as permanently alienated. This land should be returned to the people of Palestine. All parties must accept each other and then negotiate meaningfully. The Israelization of the international city of Jerusalem is an affront to efforts to bring about a solution to the Middle East problem.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Open clashes have broken out between neighbouring nonaligned States on the Persian Gulf. We appeal to the two States for a ceasefire and a return to talks and fraternal and amicable relations, and to solve the crisis through meaningful dialogue. 315. The peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula still remains elusive. We firmly believe that unification can only be achieved through a direct dialogue between North and South. Such a dialogue should not be prejudiced by demands that may threaten the security of the parties concerned. We call on the parties to resume their dialogue based on the South North Joint Communique of 4 July 1972. 316. The Middle East remains an area of great tension and instability. At the centre of the problem is the Palestine question.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Mankind has evidenced unprecedented excellence in scientific feats over the forces of nature in the field of technology. Since the first man was launched in a manmade spaceship, cooperation among nations in conquering outer space has been without comparison in other spheres of human endeavour. We thus call upon the Member States of this Organization to display similar goodwill and cooperation in facing the challenges confronting mankind. These challenges are clearly demonstrated by our heavy agenda. This agenda underscores the need for universal cooperation in order to make our one world a better place for posterity. The issues are intricate and contentious. Since my delegation will be discussing some of them in depth in the various relevant committees, I shall limit myself to only a few comments. 314.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Coastal as well as landlocked States, under articles 22 and 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of 10 December 1948 owe their peoples the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. We rely on this historic Declaration as well as on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Optional Protocol and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights—which entered into force in 1976—the solemn commitment of States in 1979 to the promotion of equality between men and women, the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, adopted in 1960 by this Assembly, and other decisions of this Assembly, in order to enjoy the freedom to move on the high seas, in air space and on earth, as common heritage of all mankind. 313.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Fifteen years ago, this Assembly urged States to become parties to the Convention on Transit Trade of Landlocked States of 8 July 1965. This Convention laid down exhaustive guidelines and programmes designed to alleviate the disadvantaged geographic position of the landlocked developing States. All of these remain empty promises and documents as yet to be implemented. 312. As the United Nations strives to achieve the effective implementation of Article 1 of its Charter, namely, the achievement of international cooperation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, it has also to guard jealously against external forces that are aimed at infringing these rights and freedoms on grounds of geography.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“This we regard as a demonstration of a genuine disposition on the part of the international community towards the plight of those extremely disadvantaged countries that lack the basic infrastructure for development. 310. It is hoped that these resolutions will not merely swell the number of those which have been passed but which still remain largely unimplemented. 311. This Assembly endorsed the need for financial institutions, both national and international, to accord special attention to the needs of these countries by extending adequate financial and technical assistance to projects and programmes designed for their economic viability and the improvement of their infrastructures. Not much, if anything, has been done.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“While we are grateful that a consensus on the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade has been reached, we remain concerned by the failure to launch the global round of negotiations which is intended to be an instrument for implementing the agreed international development strategy. We are encouraged, nevertheless, to note that the door is still open to further negotiations, and it is hoped that if it pleases the Assembly to reopen the negotiations all the negotiating parties will adopt a spirit of compromise in order to facilitate the launching of the global round of negotiations. 309. The unanimous adoption of the two most important resolutions in favour of the least developed countries and many other disadvantaged countries is a source of great satisfaction.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The tragedy of the present imbalance in economic relations is clearly demonstrated by the fact that while much of the world's population is barely scratching out a living, a tiny minority is overfed and alienated by the luxury of choice. 308. The establishment of the New International Economic Order demands a great amount of political goodwill throughout the world. It is regrettable to note that this General Assembly has not been able to solicit a general political goodwill, as is evident from the results of the eleventh special session.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Seven years ago, on the initiative of the nonaligned movement and many third world nations represented in this Hall, this Assembly, under the chairmanship of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, adopted resolutions 3201 (SVI) and 3202 (SVI) of 1 May 1974. It is indeed with regret that we are forced to acknowledge that the ills that faced the world then remain with us today, despite a clear-cut plan and action programme to substitute a more equitable world economic order for the current unjust economic order. 307. Towards that end, certain concrete decisions were taken in the special cases of commodities, the external debts of developing countries and the transfer of technology, to name but a few. Not all of these decisions have been implemented, to the dismay of millions in the developing world.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Ironically, we are told that the world is safe, and that its security depends on a system of mutual deterrence controlled by those who have the maximum military potential for destroying life. 305. We have said before, and we repeat today, that it is those nations that have nuclear weapons that can effect disarmament. If we are not so vocal on this grave issue, it is not out of acquiescence. We have no nuclear weapons and desire to have none. As we move towards the close of 1980, with one Disarmament Decade having ended, we continue to look with great expectations to those who have nuclear arms to live up to their verbal commitment to the need for universal disarmament. 306. Recently, the General Assembly concluded its eleventh special session, devoted to the establishment of the New International Economic Order.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“At each session, this Assembly adopts numerous resolutions urging Member States to reduce their military budgets, to destroy chemical and bacteriological weapons in their possession, to respect various regions of the world as zones of peace or denuclearized zones and to prohibit the development and manufacture of new types of weapons with massive destructive potential. The number of resolutions has increased; more members have been admitted to the nuclear club; guarantees for nonnuclear power States have become meaningless while monies spent on armaments have trebled, to the neglect of millions who live in poverty, in disease, in hunger and without shelter. 304.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“As we commemorate its thirty-fifth anniversary this year, we cannot but note with satisfaction and contentment that the world has for three and a half decades been continuously without a global war. In making this remark I also pay credit to our Organization for having prevented the outbreak of yet another global conflict whose consequences would be catastrophic in view of the weapons of destruction at the disposal of nations. We nevertheless continue to live in a period of relative peace, albeit in an era overshadowed by horrendous arsenals of destruction and annihilation. 303. The United Nations has been seized of the question of disarmament for many years.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Salim of the United Republic of Tanzania. It was a great honour for Lesotho to serve as one of his Vice-presidents, not only because he is an able and illustrious son of Africa but also because he served his term of office with great zeal, dedication and distinction. His presidency was characterized by his punctuality, impartiality, spirit of compromise and great sense of humour. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours. 302. Thirty-five years ago, war weary nations—not more than one third of the present membership—founded the United Nations and made solemn commitments to uphold the principles of its Charter. To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war was one of the main goals of the United Nations.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“I should like to extend to the President my delegation's sincere congratulations on his well-deserved election to the presidency of the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly. His experience in world affairs as a diplomat and representative of his great country, the Federal Republic of Germany, assures us that he will guide the deliberations of this session to a successful conclusion. We in Lesotho are particularly pleased at his being elected President because Lesotho enjoys happy relations with the great country that he represents. Our words of congratulation are equally extended to the other members of the General Committee. To them all I pledge the support and cooperation of my delegation. 301. I would also pay a tribute to the outgoing President of the thirty-fourth session, Ambassador Salim A.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“This assistance when put into effect will help us to meet the present high prices of oil and shore up our small budding economy.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Acute oil problems have dealt a shattering blow to our efforts at development. To date Lesotho has been paying the highest oil prices in the world, simply because we are land-locked within apartheid South Africa. While our peculiar position should not be made an excuse for modifying the world community's punitive measures against those who violate the Charter of the United Nations, we should like to address an appeal to the oil-producing Members of the United Nations to render Lesotho special assistance to offset its predicament with regard to oil. We are grateful for the good example and acts of solidarity already displayed in this connexion by the People's Republic of Mozambique, the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria and the Federal Republic of Germany.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“It is no exaggeration to say that, since the first "Farah mission' ' came to my county, there have been tangible and visible signs that the assistance we have so far received has gone a long way towards reducing our vulnerability and dependence on South Africa. We are now in a position to withstand some of the pressures that were contemplated by South Africa when it unilaterally closed our borders. We do, however, hope that Members of this Organization will favourably consider the Secretary-General's report contained in document A/34/393-S/13485 of 22 August 1979. 217. As Lesotho prepares to act as host to a donors' conference in Maseru and to launch its third five-year economic development plan, I find it imperative to mention the peculiar problems my country has had to face.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“For us in Lesotho, a land-locked country completely surrounded by South Africa, the coming decade should enable us to break our isolation from the rest of Africa. 216. Finally, I wish to register my country's gratitude and appreciation to the United Nations, its specialized agencies and the many donor countries for the economic support and assistance we have received pursuant to Security Council resolution 402 (1976) and to General Assembly resolutions 32/98 and 33/128. Particular mention should be made of the Governments of Mozambique, Nigeria, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Denmark, the United States, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Ireland and Canada for their generous response to the Secretary-General's appeal.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We firmly believe that unification can be achieved only through direct North-South dialogue without external interference. Such dialogue should not be prejudiced by prior demands that may threaten the security of the parties concerned. We call on the parties to resume their dialogue, on the basis of the joint communiqué of 4 July 1972. 215. We are gratified that the co-operation that has been going on between the United Nations and the OAU is being intensified. Early this year, under the auspices of the ECA and the OAU, African States had a chance to consider in detail the transport problems of the continent. We appeal to Members of this Organization to view favourably the declaration of the United Nations Transport and Communications Decade in Africa.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“It is with great pleasure that I inform this Assembly that today, 9 October 1979; the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho announced in Maseru that it recognized the Frente POLISARIO as the sovereign government of the Territory and people of Western Sahara. 213. With regard to the situation in Cyprus, we cannot fail to express our concern at the attempts being made to divide and encourage divisions in the island. Cypriot sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment have my country's support. To this end we view as mandatory the withdrawal of all foreign armed forces from the island. We hope that the Cypriot people will be assisted to discuss amicably and arrive at a lasting peaceful solution to the problem they have faced for some years. 214. The peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula still remains elusive.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Lesotho has followed with disappointment, yet not with despair, the continuing conflict and local skirmishes involving non-aligned developing countries. These conflicts must be resolved without recourse to the use of force. In this connexion Lesotho wishes to congratulate the Republic of Mauritania for withdrawing its forces from the Territory of Western Sahara, and for concluding an agreement with the Frente POLISARIO on the self-determination and independence of the people of Western Sahara. We appeal to Morocco to follow the example of Mauritania and enter into negotiations with the Frente POLISARIO.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We resolutely condemn the steps taken by South Africa to establish an illegal National Assembly inside Namibia following the bogus election held last December. South Africa's action is in contravention of the relevant Security Council resolutions and in defiance of the efforts by the international community to bring legality to the Territory and secure genuine independence for its people. Hence we call upon the members of the Security Council, individually and collectively, to put pressure on Pretoria to end its illegal occupation of Namibia. The people of Namibia should be given the opportunity to determine their own representation without outside interference. Towards this end the role of SWAPO in the final solution of the Namibia issue should be given recognition. 212.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“It is in the interests of that system to create puppet Bantustans in South Africa and to maintain the status quo in Namibia and Zimbabwe. Therefore, we welcomed the decision of the United Kingdom Government, the colonial Power in Zimbabwe, to call an all-party conference, currently under way in London. It is to be hoped that the constitutional conference will bring a new era of genuine independence, peace and stability in Zimbabwe. While we believe that violent confrontation should be avoided, it is our contention that the alternatives should not be reduced by the United Kingdom's tacit approval of illegal manoeuvres by Ian Smith and Bishop Muzorewa. No lasting settlement can be achieved unless serious account is taken of the legitimate concerns of the Patriotic Front. 211.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Efforts at such a settlement are doomed to failure if they ignore or deny the rights of the Palestinian people to return to their homeland and to establish a State of their own. The PLO must always be involved in any efforts to bring about peace and a settlement of the Middle East question. Excluding the Palestinians would only amount to perpetuation of decades of misery in the region. 210. The instability of the political situation in southern Africa has often been seen against the background of three distinct areas of conflict—South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. It is the contention of the Lesotho Government that the problem of southern Africa is one and has its roots in the apartheid system of South Africa.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“The persistence of regimes of chosen races, whether in southern Africa or the Middle East, is an affront to and negation of what the Charter of the United Nations stands for. It is a violation of numerous decisions of this world body and a further challenge to this Organization's effectiveness in carrying out its mandate and responsibility for world peace and security. 209. All States Members of this Organization have a right to existence and to freedom from external interference. However, this confers no right whatsoever on anyone to occupy other people's lands by force or conquest. Lands acquired in battle cannot be permanently alienated. This underlines the urgency of and immediate need for a lasting Middle East settlement.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“The refusal by our neighbour to negotiate with my Government about our joint boundaries and its insistence on establishing and maintaining Bantustans on our lands are a source of tension. South Africa's defiance of the United Nations decisions continues and its maintenance of such racial monstrosities as the Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda, Qwaqwa and other Bantustans is clearly an irresponsible act. South Africa's obstinacy and persistence in refusing to reconsider these questions has already soured our relations and will continue to do so in view of wanton shootings and killings of my people along our common borders and within South Africa. 208. The anachronistic and archaic maxim that "might makes right" was discredited and rejected long ago with the founding of the United Nations.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“It has never been our intention to augment and complicate further the problems the peoples of South Africa are facing, nor has it ever been our desire to add to the already long list of the serious racial items on the agenda of this Assembly arising out of apartheid policies of the Government of South Africa. We were, and still are prepared to avoid confrontation and to seek peaceful solutions to our problems as neighbours, despite our most basic differences. We cannot stand by silently in view of the affront of the atrocities committed against the citizens of Lesotho almost daily by trigger-happy Boers along the South African borders. 207. The establishment of a ski resort on our territory at Khoptjoane, to which I referred from this rostrum two years ago, continues to constitute a further action of alienating more of our land.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Our African brother in South Africa was forced to go through these stages because he had been denied the right and the opportunity to organize himself and to have a political platform from which he could express his basic right to participate in the political organs of his Government. He is not only denied the opportunity to participate in the Government of his country, but a white-controlled Parliament in Cape Town determines all his activities and his very future. All the bizarre laws passed by that parliament are geared towards the maintenance of the status quo. The people of South Africa are corralled into compartments and the white racists put themselves into a special privileged class as a "chosen race of God". 206.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“The need for a psychological warfare against apartheid becomes more glaring, seen against the background of the system's entrenchment and its insolent defiance of the international community. The psychological campaign I envisage will weaken the system's credibility to its proponents and resuscitate the determination of the opponents of apartheid. 205. The callousness of this philosophy is evidenced by the fact that 20 million Africans in South Africa are denied their basic human rights and dignity by a small clique of white racists. The basic right to self- determination is denied our people in South Africa. The history of the struggle in this region has gone through several stages. It started with peaceful negotiation, moved to passive resistance and has finally come to armed struggle.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“It is a negative philosophy which denies equality between whites and Africans. It advocates the supremacy of the white man. 204. The apartheid philosophy is deeply embedded in a mentality of white domination, a mentality which transcends all logic. The architects of the system exude a strong desire to maintain their dominant position over the African and all other racial groups which are not classified as white. All efforts at dismantling the system of apartheid must be geared towards a psychological campaign to explode the myth of racial superiority. Therefore, I see it as a primary focus of the international outrage against apartheid to launch a strong campaign to dislodge the mentality which has bred the system.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We accord equality to all people regardless of race, colour, sex, age or religion. Our participation in the human rights deliberations of the social, humanitarian and cultural committee, the Third Committee, clearly reflects Lesotho's concerns at the continued violation of human rights in many parts of the world. 203. Lesotho's concern at the persistence of the pestilential system of apartheid heightens as the obduracy of the architects of the system gains momentum. I do refer to apartheid as a pestilence, which struck that great part of Africa in 1652 with the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck at the Cape of Good Hope and has persisted with great fury and un-abating ruthlessness for the last 300 years. While apartheid has gone under different names at different times for the purpose of camouflage, its philosophy has always remained the same.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Representing as we do one of the poorest countries in the world and a former colony, we legitimately and with due sensitivity wish to discuss the question of the human rights of millions of people throughout the world. A great part of humanity is still subjected to foreign occupation, colonization and the most atrocious violation of human rights. The developing world represents nations that suffer from gaping wounds in the form of varying degrees of civil, political, social, cultural and economic deprivation. 202. We therefore call upon the Members of the United Nations individually and collectively to contribute their fair share to the uplift of the ideals upon which our Organization was founded. For our part, we pledge to continue to respect the basic rights of human beings, which are guaranteed in our laws and legal machinery.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Various perceptions of human rights have been voiced with varying emphasis from this very rostrum. Nations have been grouped into various categories on the basis of such perceptions of human rights. The concept of human rights has therefore become a tool easily manipulated to serve man's innate desire to subject to servitude all those who do not in word and deed agree with him. Lesotho is gravely concerned at the disparity between the lofty ideals enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the sad reality of man's existence. 201. The question of human rights is of great concern to Africa. Indeed, during the sixteenth ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU, held recently in Monrovia, the leaders of Africa expressed concern over the question of human rights.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We must, however, observe that the great disparity between moral commitments and real action continues, regrettably, to contribute to an accumulation of volumes of resolutions, declarations and programmes of action which are never implemented. Since 1971, when the United Nations declared the Indian Ocean a zone of peace, no meaningful action has been taken towards dismantling military bases in the Indian Ocean area. This situation continues to pose a serious threat to the security of the littoral and hinterland States of the area. We therefore appeal to the great Powers and other maritime users of the Indian Ocean not only to associate themselves with the 1971 Declaration but also to implement its provisions faithfully. 200. The phrase "human rights" has become an international cliché.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We believe that there is no single human endeavour which matches the arms race in wastefulness and lack of imagination. We therefore cannot keep quiet and ignore our responsibility, in the interests of humanity, to caution all concerned that it is better and more noble to desist from being merchants of death and urge all States to expend resources at their disposal for the betterment of mankind. 199. My Government welcomes the results of the recent Meeting of the Littoral and Hinterland States of the Indian Ocean. We hope that the results of that Meeting will prove to be a successful basis for the convening of a United Nations conference for the implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)