YouSaid · the spoken record

Stevens

lines on the record: 67
first: 1980-09-24
most recent: 1983-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

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“The United Nations was born out of the lessons of the last global catastrophe I spoke of earlier. Let us, therefore, apply the lessons of that global catastrophe, reaffirm our faith and uphold and respect the organs, procedures and provisions of the Charter, for only in this way can we assuredly fulfil our pledges to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. I affirm the commitment of the Government and people of Sierra Leone to this end.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“I would like at this juncture to express the gratitude and appreciation of my Government and people to all agencies and organizations, within and outside the United Nations system, which are rendering assistance to my country. We have no doubt that these institutions and agencies could give humanity greater assistance if only we could minister the necessary political will to provide them with the resources they require to fulfil their mandates. These institutions, by their role and function, give practical meaning to one of the cardinal principles of the Charter by promoting social progress, improving standards of life and ensuring the economic and social advancement of all peoples and thereby strengthening the fabric of international peace and security.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“In this regard, the achievement of the objectives of the Substantial New Programme of Action for the 1980s for the Least Developed Countries,' unanimously adopted in Paris in 1981, is more than ever a valid goal. In this connection, let me take this opportunity to express to the Secretary-General my Government's appreciation for recently sending an inter-agency mission to assess, the assistance needs of Sierra Leone, with the aim of mobilizing the financial and other resources necessary to implement the programmes and projects identified in the report. The report is an official document before this session of the Assembly. I therefore urge all States and relevant institutions and organizations to give it the necessary attention with the aim of participating effectively in a donors conference to be organized in due course.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It therefore behaves us all to recognize that only in this course lies our collective and individual salvation, and that this is our understanding of fairness and equity. Allow me to aver that even though the present state of the world economy has unfavorably affected the countries of the world as a whole, and the developing countries above all, it is, however, generally recognized that the least developed among them have suffered most and because of the weakness of their economic structures are the least likely to benefit from any economic recovery without massive international support from the major donors and financial institutions.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“More than ever before, we need imagination, compassion and, above all, the political initiative and will to meet the deepening economic crisis and afford our peoples the improved standard of life that is their due. It is not by acrimony, confrontation and division that this new order I speak of will evolve or be established, but rather by the recognition and the affirmation of our mutuality of interest and our indissoluble interdependence. The rapid expansion of international travel, the unprecedented movement of money and finance across continents, the possibilities of easily transmitting disease and illness over vast distances, cosmic pollution and a myriad of other problems all attest to the need for the Organization to address itself to the question of global interdependence.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It has been reflected in severe cutbacks in finance and development assistance and in unacceptable restrictions in terms of trade, both for manufactured goods from the newly industrialized countries and for agricultural raw materials and minerals from non-oil-exporting countries. The result of all this has been disappointing as regards the improvement of the social and economic welfare of millions of people across the globe, whose legitimate expectations of well-being remain disappointed and unfulfilled. Inasmuch as it is evident that every country represented here today has, in one way or the other, been affected by the global economic crisis, the one inescapable fact remains that the world stands in need of a new order to rearrange our social and economic relationship.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The complex problems that today constitute the international economic malaise have been discussed in various international forums, and it is no hidden secret that, increasingly, the continued viability of many of the newly independent countries as nation States is becoming bleaker in an inexorably hostile economic world. Unless the international community immediately comes to terms with the situation, even that glorious chapter of the Organization, that of political decolonization, may have to be rewritten. The burden of the crisis has been felt within the international monetary system.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“This is the message I want to reiterate, as the head of a small, independent country grappling with the problems of nation-building in a world distracted, self-distracted if you will, by political tension born of mistrust among nations. Even as the world is confronted with the threat of nuclear annihilation and mounting political tension, because of the escalating arms race, developing countries such as mine face no less a threat to their very survival as nation States in the equally serious international economic situation.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Today, what do we see? Nations continue to take up arms against nations and factions have been created within States, with adverse consequences for international peace and security. It is our firm belief that as long as we continue to ignore the pledges and commitments enshrined in the Charter and refuse to utilize its procedures and provisions, so long shall our world be plagued by these problems and, indeed, new sets of problems. It is in this regard, therefore, that my Government believes that the General Assembly should be the echo chamber of the conscience of the international community. We should use the United Nations to articulate common problems and focus our energies to find solutions to them.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Today, if I appear on this rostrum, it is to reaffirm the faith and determination of my Government and people, as we helplessly watch the incidents of global tension rising every day, whether they be on the mountains and plains of Central America; in the streets and arid plains of the Middle East, reflecting the anguish of the Palestinian people to be born as a State; in the towns and villages of South-East Asia or in the deserts of Chad; in the struggle of the people of Namibia to be born free as an independent nation in the denial of the human dignity of the black people of South Africa; and even, in the futile fratricidal war in the Gulf area. We see in all this a catalogue of woes and tribulations besetting our world. States have selfishly ignored the pledge we made when our founding fathers adopted the Organization's Charter.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“It may be recalled that it was after a global catastrophe some 38 years ago that we, "the peoples of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind", founded the United Nations.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“The atmosphere and condition of mind that gave rise to this incident are, in our view, both regrettable and deplorable. Even more alarming is the fact that with the increase in international tension, the uninterrupted arms race and the threat posed by nuclear weapons, the Organization stands helpless, unable to take meaningful initiatives to arrest this drift towards self-immolation. It was with a view to averting this danger that heads of State of the Non-Aligned Movement, in their meeting at New Delhi, called for a strengthening of the role of the United Nations to avert the threat of nuclear catastrophe.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Last year, my Government, concerned with the increasingly deteriorating international relations and the danger this posed for international peace and security, as well as the detrimental effect it was having on the Organization, called on the membership to implement the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations relating to the maintenance of international peace and security. While the Security Council has been considering this issue over the past year, it is a matter of regret to my Government that meanwhile the international situation has not only deteriorated, but the threat of nuclear war has become even more menacing and real. For even today we meet against the backdrop of the unfortunate Korean civil airliner incident, resulting in the loss of life of 269 innocent people.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Your impressive record as a diplomat, a jurist and a renowned statesman accounts for the support you have received from the Assembly in its electing you to preside over its affairs. Permit me also, Mr. President, to pay a tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Imre Hollai of Hungary, for the commendable efforts he deployed as President of the thirty-seventh session. We recognize his valuable contributions to our efforts in promoting the goals of the United Nations. May I also take this opportunity to welcome into this group of nations the new State of Saint Christopher and Nevis as a Member of the United Nations. We congratulate the Government and people on their independence and wish them every success in their task of nation-building.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Imbued with faith in the Organization as the repository of the hopes of mankind for the maintenance of international peace and security, and given our serious concert) about the economic situation facing the world today, I hearkened to the summons issued at New Delhi to join my colleagues, follow heads of State or Government, in a concerted effort to reaffirm that faith and to contribute, it was hoped, to the search for solutions to the common problems besetting our world today. Before proceeding any further, Sir, I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election as President of the thirty-eighth session. I wish you every success as you undertake the onerous task of guiding the deliberations of this session.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“At the Seventh Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non- Aligned Countries, held at New Delhi from 7 to 12 March 1983, the chairman of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India, appealed to fellow heads of State or Government to participate in this session of the General Assembly with a view to reaffirming our faith in this Organization and to strengthening its role in the maintenance of international peace and security, and also to make a collective reassessment of the economic problems facing our one world today, particularly as they undermine our interdependence and mutuality of interest.”
1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)
“Indeed, we must now accept and practise the age-old truism that we are, each and every one of us, our brothers' keepers. 76. In conclusion, the United Nations remains the effective forum for reconciling conflicting claims of nation States in our one world of today, and the proper forum for the search for acceptable and lasting solutions to some of the problems I have tried to catalogue in my address here today. In our collective venture for a safer and more prosperous world we must have the vision and the goodwill to sustain our efforts. Permit me, therefore, in this regard to register our appreciation and gratitude to our indefatigable Secretary General and his team of dedicated staff who over the years have endeavoured to keep alive that vision for a safer and more prosperous world.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The General Assembly has just completed the long awaited eleventh special session, devoted to these economic problems. Much was hoped for, but little was achieved. I now call for a renewed effort to address this issue. I call upon the Western industrial countries and the socialist countries and, yes, the oil producers themselves to face up to the plight of those countries which, even before the energy crisis, had already been subjected to serious economic difficulties. 75. Orderly development and the consequent political stability of the continent require that this issue remain on the world's agenda and be tackled with imagination and speed. We must bear in mind that, in a world of global interdependence, economic and political instability in one area, such as the continent of Africa, is bound to have a disastrous impact on other areas.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Economic development and economic independence were expected to follow our successful struggle for political independence. Our plans and hopes are now in jeopardy because we have not successfully confronted the onerous burden that the energy crisis has placed on the poorer nations of the world. We are hit in three ways: by the increase in the price of petroleum, on which we all depend; by the declining price of raw materials resulting from economic stagnation; and by the curtailment of credits, on which many of our development programmes depend. 73. I speak to the Assembly now not only as the leader of an African country that is greatly affected by this economic imbalance but also as a man who has seen much of life and can therefore speak with the candour and directness that are traditional in our society. 74.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“But as long as one of the parties interminably upsets the mechanisms of settlement by engaging in jolting unilateral actions, it can only bring upon itself almost universal condemnation. The OAU, the nonaligned movement and the United Nations cannot be satisfied by the adoption of resolutions which Israel is always ignoring, while the international community looks on helplessly. 71. As I have indicated in my remarks, Africa shares many of the problems and challenges that currently affect the world, but I should like to revert to a problem that will have a particular impact on the development of many African countries in the coming decade, and I am speaking especially of those countries on the continent that are not blessed with petroleum resources. 72.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The continued occupation of Gaza, the West Bank and the Golan Heights, the growing oppression of the Palestinian people, the repeated acts of aggression against Lebanon and the creation of more and more settlements in the occupied territories all indicate the contempt with which Israel looks upon the principles of international law and morality. The negotiations between Egypt and Israel have amply demonstrated that Israel really has no intention of making any major concessions to the Palestinians, and the whole situation has been aggravated by the Israeli decision to make Jerusalem the undivided eternal capital of Israel. 70. Taking into consideration all these developments in the Middle East, the OAU is of the view that the Middle East crisis can be resolved only in a sincere spirit of give and take.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“It is my most sincere and ardent hope that those consultations will be positive, so that such a pledging conference will be held, and that all States will adequately face up to their common obligation of burden sharing to alleviate the misery of those human beings who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in a predicament in which they can no longer control their environment. 69. The situation in the Middle East is of the gravest concern to the OAU. Israel's intransigence has reached new heights as the leaders of that country continue a policy of "might is right".”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“It was for that reason that, in its resolution on refugees, the Council of Ministers of the OAU invited the Secretary General of the OAU "in collaboration with the UN Secretary General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to hold consultations with governmental and nongovernmental organizations as well as governments of countries which are likely to offer contributions and the UN specialized agencies, in order to assess the possibility of holding a pledging conference for African refugees under the auspices of the United Nations". 68.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“But the OAU is seriously concerned at the scant interest displayed by the rest of the international community in coming to the aid of these unfortunate human beings in concrete terms, as compared to refugees in other regions, who, while equally deserving, are nowhere near the number of those in Africa. 67.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“With a growing refugee population currently estimated at 5 million, Africa has to find food and shelter for more than half the world's total number of refugees. It should not be difficult to imagine what a heavy social and economic burden such a large number of refugees places on the host countries. The misery and human suffering of these refugees, the majority of whom are children, women and elderly persons, are all too well known to the international community through the mass media. 66. We welcome with profound gratitude the assistance provided to these unfortunate refugees and displaced persons by international organizations, particularly the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“I must draw the Assembly's attention to the resolution on the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace adopted by the Council of Ministers of the OAU at its thirty-fifth ordinary session, held at Freetown which, inter alia: "Demands the removal of bases and other military installations belonging to the big Powers in the Indian Ocean and calls upon them to refrain from establishing new ones" 64. We must warn the big Powers to take heed of this resolution, as they will be held responsible if their actions lead to major confrontation in this highly sensitive region. 65. In addition to the liberation struggle in southern Africa, we are faced with the conflicts that have contributed to the tragic and phenomenal increase in the number of refugees and displaced persons on the continent.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“It further recommended that the two States should resume diplomatic relations so as to facilitate the restoration of peace in this troubled area. Unfortunately, the efforts of the Good Offices Committee do not seem to have been successful and, if anything, tension appears to have increased of late. 63. Major blame for tension in the Indian Ocean region must be assigned to the big Powers, which have recently stepped up their military activities in the entire area, contrary to the principles and objectives of the Declaration making the Indian Ocean a zone of peace. Recent agreements leading to the establishment of military bases and installations in the area cannot but exacerbate an already grave situation.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“To lessen these tensions and to prevent the conflict over the Ogaden from becoming the fuse for igniting a major superpower confrontation, the Good Offices Committee, established by the OAU in 1973 to try to effect reconciliation between Ethiopia and Somalia, met at Lagos from 18 to 20 August 1980. At the conclusion of that meeting, at which both Ethiopia and Somalia were represented, the Committee recommended that a peaceful solution to the Ogaden dispute could be arrived at on the basis of the following principles, which are already enshrined in the charter and relevant resolutions of the OAU: recognition of territorial integrity, non-interference in domestic affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes, prohibition of subversion and inviolability of borders inherited on decolonization.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“During the seventeenth ordinary session of the Assembly, held at Freetown, the Heads of State and Government of the OAU authorized me to convene the Ad Hoc Committee once more with a view to reconciling the parties to the conflict and seeking a peaceful and lasting solution thereto. I convened the fourth session of the Ad Hoc Committee at Freetown, from 9 to 12 September 1980, and that Committee's recommendations are being forwarded to the heads of State and Government of the OAU. 61. As if we did not have enough problems in the continent, the tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over the Ogaden continues to increase. This has been seriously complicated by the situation in the Middle East in general and in the Gulf in particular and the build-up of the presence of major Powers in the Indian Ocean. 62.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Having displayed commendable courage and foresight, Mauritania decided to withdraw its forces from the southern part of the Territory it occupied and signed a peace treaty with the POLISARIO Front, recognizing the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination and independence. 59. Unfortunately, that encouraging step in the right direction did not lead to the restoration of peace, as Morocco promptly proceeded to occupy the part vacated by Mauritania. Armed conflict continues to rage between Morocco and the POLISARIO Front, despite strenuous efforts by the OAU and its Ad Hoc Committee of Heads of State on Western Sahara to try to bring about a ceasefire and organize a referendum giving the people a chance to exercise its right to self-determination in a free and fair manner. 60.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“In its efforts to contain the civil war while seeking to find a peaceful and durable solution to the conflict, the OAU intends to set up a neutral peacekeeping force for Chad. Unfortunately, up to now no conclusive action either to set up the force or to raise the $62 million required to finance such a force has been taken. I intend to call on the Secretary General of the United Nations during my visit here to explore possible and feasible means of assistance from the United Nations system. 58. Another crisis situation in Africa is in Western Sahara, where the incomplete task of decolonization has left a situation fraught with tension and the potential of developing into a major confrontation not only affecting the States in the region but also endangering international peace and security.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“One of these crises is the tragic, senseless, fratricidal carnage that has continued to afflict the Republic of Chad, despite the tireless efforts of the OAU to bring the warring factions to their senses. As a result, there are now over 300,000 refugees of Chad—not to mention other countless displaced persons—in the neighbouring States, particularly in the United Republic of Cameroon. While we appreciate the international assistance that has been rendered to help these innocent victims of the conflict, particularly by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross, we should like to appeal to the entire international community to come to the aid of these unfortunate victims of the civil war. 57.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“We intend to intensify our collaboration with all antiapartheid movements, and to this end the OAU called upon its member States to participate fully in the International Conference on Sanctions against South Africa of the OAU and the United Nations. 55. With regard to the eradication of the apartheid system, African States demand that the international community demonstrate its commitment by concrete action and not by mere empty exhortatory denunciations. The time has now come for the international community to make a clear choice between the interests of the African continent and support for the apartheid system. 56. This year our continent has continued to experience many crises which have resulted in untold human suffering and diverted scarce resources from much needed economic development.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“While the regime is far from finished, it is clearly losing its nerve. Yet it continues to offer mere palliatives instead of entering into serious dialogue on the necessary fundamental changes. 54. At its session at Freetown in July this year the OAU expressed its total commitment to the struggle against apartheid. We intend to press strongly for total economic sanctions, including an oil embargo, under the mandatory provisions of Chapter VII of the Charter, while taking into due consideration the needs of States in southern Africa, such as Lesotho, Botswana and Swaziland, which are almost totally dependent on South Africa for their economic life.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“In this campaign he has gone as far as stating that South Africa does not have any moral justification for the humiliation and oppression of the apartheid system and that South Africa is committed to the achievement of equality for both the Coloureds and the black majority. 53. The people of South Africa have clearly demonstrated that there is no more time for racist discrimination and exploitation. Through the boycott of classes by schoolchildren, strikes for better working conditions by workers' movements and demonstrations by church leaders of all faiths, the people have spoken with one voice and defied bullets and police dogs to demand parity of treatment and of rightful expectations. The liberation movements are continuing to strike blow after blow at the very nerve centres of industry.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Apartheid, as an entrenched system of national oppression, institutionalized racial discrimination and Fascist terror against the black majority of the people, remains the cornerstone of the racist regime's policy. 52. At the same time, the archdeacon of the regime, Premier Botha, has embarked on a cunning but shallow and frantic propaganda offensive designed to hoodwink international public opinion, mollify the guilty consciences of his collaborators in the West and make them believe that he is doing everything possible to create a new and just system for the entire population.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“An exercise of veto power might be interpreted as collusion with the racist regime's dilatory obstructionist policies, designed to perpetuate its illegal occupation, for their mutual economic gains. In such an eventuality a special session of the General Assembly should be convened to decide on effective measures to bring independence to Namibia—including Walvis Bay, which is an integral part of Namibia. Independence for Namibia has been postponed far too long. 51. In South Africa itself, the racist regime continues to refuse to see the writing on the wall and to enter into meaningful dialogue with the majority of the population on the total eradication of the apartheid system and the creation of a truly representative multiracial society.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Notwithstanding this, we hope that the further negotiations which have been called for will be speedily held and will result in success. 50. Pari passu, it is but right that I should indicate that, in accordance with the resolution recently adopted at Freetown on Namibia and in the light of the negative and obstructionist attitude of South Africa, African States will not hesitate to call on the Security Council, if necessary, to convene urgently to take effective enforcement measures against the racist South African regime and to impose comprehensive and mandatory sanctions under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. It is our earnest hope that no permanent member of the Security Council will exercise its veto power to block the imposition of economic sanctions.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“We commend the gallant freedom fighters and their leadership in SWAPO, who have intensified their armed struggle in Namibia and who have been dealing telling blows at will at the aggressive racist regime and its puppets. We commend the steadfastness of these fighters and the frontline States for their immense sacrifice in defence of freedom. We call upon the international community to express solidarity with them, not only in mere sentiments but also in concrete material, financial and military assistance to help them cope with this unwarranted aggression. 49. The efforts of the United Nations to achieve a negotiated settlement have led to nothing but frustration, because of the chicanery and delaying tactics adopted by South Africa. It is manifest that South Africa has no intention of implementing the United Nations plan for elections.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“With brazen effrontery, designed to hoodwink international public opinion, South Africa has instead resorted to concocting a puppet clique within the country, to which it is now going through the motions of transferring administrative authority. 47. Africans, and indeed the entire international community, totally reject any attempts to circumvent the fact that true self-determination for Namibia can be achieved only through the South West Africa People's Organization [SWAPO], the true and authentic representative of the Namibian people. If the South African regime desires a peaceful solution to the Namibia problem, it must be prepared to accept that it can achieve that only by negotiating with SWAPO and not with such bogy men of its own creation as the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance. 48.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“I take this opportunity of congratulating Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on its admission to the United Nations. 46. Alas, the lessons of history continue to fall on deaf ears with respect to independence for Namibia. It is now over five years since the Security Council called on South Africa to terminate its illegal presence in Namibia and leave the people of that Territory free to determine their own future; but, true to the nature of that intractable racist regime, South Africa has cynically disregarded international public opinion. Far from withdrawing from Namibia, the regime has resorted to ruses and manoeuvres designed to entrench itself deeper in a Territory in which its presence has not even a figment of legality.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“This is a demonstration that the struggle for freedom and independence is motivated not by lust, for revenge but by the unquenchable thirst for liberty, which for centuries has motivated African freedom fighters in their sacrifice of all they have, including their own lives, in resisting waves of oppressors or aggressors. As we celebrate with our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe, let us not forget to pay a deserved tribute to the martyrs who paid for freedom with their own lives. We hope the futility of resisting the struggle of a proud people for its freedom will be fully appreciated by the remaining bastions of racism and oppression in southern Africa and that there will be a discontinuance of the slaughter in our tormented continent. 45.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“This historic victory by the Zimbabwean people is an eloquent lesson that the forces of justice will inevitably triumph over the organized might of oppression, that liberty is a birth right which can never be extinguished by bigotry and massed weapons, however sophisticated, and that the destiny of Africa will be determined by its indefatigable sons and daughters. In the hour of triumph, however, the people of Zimbabwe, under the leadership of that indomitable fighter, Comrade Robert Mugabe, have displayed exceptional magnanimity towards their former oppressors, to whom they have extended the hand of cooperation in the task of building the new nation.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“One bright spot in the continent's long and resolute struggle to rid Africa of the scourge of colonialism, racist arrogance and naked imperialist exploitation has been the heroic achievement of independence by Zimbabwe, after seven long years of courageous struggle. The OAU was proud to welcome Zimbabwe as the fiftieth member of that organization during the second extraordinary economic session, held in April 1980 at Lagos. We all join in the well-deserved congratulations already extended by all delegations to Zimbabwe on its recent admission as the one hundred and fifty-third Member of the United Nations family. 44.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“In spite of the laudable efforts made by those countries to control these disasters, they continue to suffer important food grain deficits leading to serious famine and losses of their livestock. According to FAO estimates, the food assistance requirements of African countries for the next five or six months will reach at least 1.2 million tons of cereals. The Sahelian area needs 140,000 tons of emergency relief and at least 150,000 tons to re-establish its food security. Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Uganda, among others, are undergoing the most serious food shortages. 43.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The attention of African Governments was drawn at our last meeting at Freetown to the advent of the traffic and consumption of narcotic drugs in the African continent. Africa is aware of the dangers of this new scourge. A series of technical symposia and meetings scheduled on this issue will enable African Governments to take appropriate measures to control drug abuse and its illicit traffic in the continent. 42. Since 1973 a relentless drought seems to have settled almost permanently in the States neighbouring the Sahara and the desert areas of Africa. Furthermore, in those same countries the encroachment of the desert is becoming more and more alarming. The joint effects of drought and desertification affect the agricultural resources of those countries.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“To that end a programme of action for the promotion and integration of women in development was incited in the Lagos Plan of Action adopted at the second extraordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU, held at Lagos on 28 and 29 April I980. 39. The second World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women, held from 14 to 30 July this year at Copenhagen, in which the OAU and African women's organizations participated actively, did not fully meet our expectations. The activities during the first half of the Decade for Women were inadequate. The international community should contribute more resources towards the attainment of the objectives laid down for the promotion of women. 40. We are pleased with the declaration by WHO of global eradication of smallpox. 41.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“After having actively organized events dedicated to the International Year of the Child, the African heads of State and Government, at the sixteenth ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU held at Monrovia from 17 to 20 July 1979, adopted an historic Declaration on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child. 38. African Ministers of Social Affairs will meet at Addis Ababa next month to prepare for the International Year for Disabled Persons, in conformity with General Assembly resolution 31/123 and the resolution adopted by the OAU on the issue. The OAU attaches particular importance to the promotion of women, especially to the efforts made for their integration in the development process.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Conscious that illiteracy constitutes a brake on Africa's economic and social development, African States have made the education of the masses their major concern. With the promotion and utilization of the major widely used national languages in adult education, encouraging results have been recorded in many States in the fight against illiteracy. 35. In the field of culture, the periodic organization of national and pan African cultural festivals has had a happy effect on the affirmation of our cultural identity. The promotion and revalorization of our cultural heritage are inspired by the African Cultural Charter, supported by an African Cultural Fund. 36. The OAU gives a place of honour to the child, the youth and the woman. 37.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“We hope that those States have realized the adverse effects of their actions on the negotiations and a future convention on the law of the sea, to the extent that they will endeavour to adhere fully to the United Nations convention when it is finalized and adopted. 32. Conscious of the fact that education and culture constitute the surest means for African peoples to make up for their technical backwardness, African States give high priority to educational reform and development and the affirmation of our cultural identity. 33. To that end, laudable efforts have been made by the OAU to establish and strengthen cooperation among member States. In order to harmonize educational objectives, programmes and diplomas, technical meetings of experts on different subjects are periodically organized. 34.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)