YouSaid · the spoken record

Stevens

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67
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1980-09-24
most recent
1983-09-24
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2
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un-general-debate

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  1. “The decision by certain developed countries to declare unilateral legislation on deep seabed mining last spring came as a disappointment to many African States, particularly because negotiations are still going on towards the adoption of a United Nations convention on the law of the sea. Such a decision is evidence of a lack of good faith in the negotiations and in the efforts that are being made to finalize a universally acceptable convention. 30. It is regrettable that, despite all protests against such an act, when it became obvious that there were moves in that direction, some States decided to ignore those protests as if international opinion or condemnation had no direct effect on their decision. 31.”

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

  2. “The text, which is to form the basis for further negotiations at the Conference, is on the whole acceptable to African delegations as a compromise text, except that in some areas, particularly the transfer of technology, the text has fallen short of our expectations. Technology that does not include processing, marketing, transportation and the training of personnel is not in the interest of African States. Africa has on a number of occasions emphasized the importance it attaches to this matter. We entertain the hope that this requirement, on which the whole framework of the convention on the law of the sea is based, will be reflected in a subsequent revised text of the convention in a manner consistent with the OAU Declaration on the law of the sea. 29.”

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

  3. “Africa, as an integral region within the Group of 77, has played an active and important role in those negotiations, to the extent that the Council of Ministers of the OAIJ, at its thirty-fifth ordinary session, held at Freetown from I8 to 28 June this year, adopted a Declaration on the Law of the Sea which succinctly stated Africa's position on the main issues of the Conference. That Declaration in fact affected the negotiations at the resumed ninth session of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, which resulted in the preparation of a third, revised informal composite negotiating text of the Conference. 28.”

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

  4. “Looking at the years 1978 and 1980 alone, we see interminable discussions at the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development; the renewal of the Lome Convention between the European Economic Community and the African, Caribbean and Pacific States;' the fifth session of UNCTAD and the Third General Conference of UNIDO. We have come out of most of those major world conferences with only some broadly worded declarations. 26. For the past six years mankind has been engaged in drawing up a comprehensive convention under which the resources of the sea could be fairly and equitably distributed as the common heritage of mankind. 27.”

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

  5. “That Community aims at promoting collective, accelerated, self-reliant and self-sustaining development, as well as cooperation among its members. 24. We are fully aware of the important role that will be played by the international community in the implementation of both the Lagos Plan of Action and the Final Act of Lagos. We have consequently mandated the secretariat of the OAU to enlist the active support of the international community as well as of the relevant international organizations. May I make a solemn appeal to all those concerned to give maximum support to the OAU in this enormous task. 25. I should like to comment very briefly on the state of international negotiations. So far, very little hope has been given to those who live in desperation and frustration.”

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

  6. “It was as a result of that awareness that, for the first time in its history, the OAU held at Lagos, on 28 and 29 April this year, an extraordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, devoted solely to economic problems in Africa, and adopted what arc now known as the Lagos Plan of Action and the Final Act of Lagos. 22. The Lagos Plan of Action is an attempt by independent African States to cultivate a spirit of self-reliance and to adopt a policy of organizing our own socioeconomic progress by raising that Plan to the level of a priority action programme. 23. The Final Act of Lagos recognizes the need to look beyond the artificial boundaries that separate African peoples. It looks at Africa in its entirety within the framework of an African Economic Community.”

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

  7. “18. I am representing a continent whose gross domestic product is only 2.7 per cent of that of the world, a continent with 18 of the 25 poorest countries, a continent of poverty and suffering. 19. The overdependence of the economy of the African continent on the export of basic raw materials and minerals has perpetuated the high susceptibility of our economies to external developments, with detrimental effects on the interests of Africa. 20. The bulk of manufacturing in Africa is still centred on import substitution and there are some export oriented operations almost exclusively related to the primary processing state of minerals, timber and agricultural products. Our industries have been growing more or less according to the trend of the colonial economy which existed at the periphery of the metropolitan economy. 21.”

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

  8. “We must demonstrate that the confidence which our people place in us as determiners of their fate is not misplaced. We must prove, even to ourselves that we are capable of living up to and discharging our responsibilities. It is for this reason that I believe that a new confidence in international relations must be built up or else we shall make hardly any headway in devising solutions to our many problems. 17. Allow me now to glance at the economic problems facing the continent of Africa. I appear on this rostrum as a representative of the least developed continent, with the lowest indicator of physical quality of life; a continent that not only has been a victim of colonial and racist exploitation, but continues to be subjected to external forces which seek not only to influence but to dominate the economic policies of our countries.”

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

  9. “It is the lack of these conditions that has plagued our world for decades, rendering meaningless and ineffective the steps that have been taken time and again to improve the human condition. 14. But now there is a growing current of feeling sweeping across our planet that the human race is running out of time, that man is about to make an inevitable rendezvous with catastrophe. 15. These are not alarmist postures. They represent that inner awareness in every individual of the need to change to a new order in the face of the realization that our many political, social and economic ills no longer respond to the trusted conventional therapies of former decades. 16. We must now be galvanized into concrete and sincere action to stem this headlong disintegration of order while there is still time.”

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

  10. “Yet if this community of States is to continue to survive not as a fossilized institution of manmade curiosities, but vibrant, viable and relevant to our age, the whole edifice of international relations, hung with the trappings of hypocrisy and cloak-and-dagger intrigue must be torn down and in its place a new structure erected, infused with genuine understanding and forthrightness—a testimony to our honest promise to put aside the instruments of war and carnage and embrace the tools of peace and progress. 13. Whatever progress can be made towards achieving a united world is only possible within the confines of mutual trust and the willingness to view issues honestly and without duplicity. These are basic conditions without which the realization of the objectives of this international community is impossible.”

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

  11. “These annual gatherings have therefore become yearly rituals to reawaken our consciousness of that thin line separating man from annihilation, and to renew our faith in our, pilgrimage to an age of peace and plenty. 11. The progress that has been made so far is considerable and we cannot deny that the prospects for bringing us closer to each other are many, if only we are willing to explore them. 12.”

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

  12. “For 35 years this fraternity of nations, born of the realization of the futility of war and the need to improve the human condition in an age fraught with tension, social inequalities, bigotry and rabid intolerance, has existed, surmounting the natural obstacles and manmade difficulties in its path. Throughout this period mankind has been engaged in living at peace with itself, in order to rise above the artificial barriers of race, religion and divergent political ideologies, to reach across the wilderness of self to pursue a common objective. 10. This in itself is an achievement, for it marks the pledge made 35 years ago to free succeeding generations from the scourge of war and to harmonize a world torn by prejudice, mistrust and misunderstanding.”

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

  13. “In the same vein I pay tribute to my predecessor, the late President William Tolbert, President of the Republic of Liberia, whose untimely death we all mourn. We also express our deep condolences to the people of Angola for the passing away of our illustrious friend and brother, President Agostinho Neto, whose valuable contribution and selfless devotion to the liberation struggle in southern Africa will always be remembered. All of them in their respective ways contributed to peace and security in our troubled world. Africa and indeed the world were equally distressed at the news of the death of the President of Botswana who was widely recognized as an international statesman. His contribution to the political, social and economic advancement of Botswana will remain in the historical records of that region. 9.”

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

  14. “I extend my Government's appreciation for his immense contribution to the perennial search we make towards peace and security in our world. 7. I must at this juncture crave the indulgence of this body to pay my respects to the memory of one whose contribution to the freedom of man and the peace of our world has been universally recognized and will for long be remembered. I refer to no less a personality than Marshal Josip Broz Tito, President of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. With his death the cause of the dignity of man and the rights of nations has lost a champion. He was a redoubtable advocate for closer international cooperation. His life and actions will continue to be a source of inspiration. May his soul rest in peace. 8.”

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

  15. “We are confident that with these qualities you will discharge the responsibilities of your office with the honour and dignity many of your predecessors have displayed. This Organization stands in need of such qualities, particularly at this time when the many pressing problems of yesteryear cry out for urgent solutions in our day. 5. Africa, which represents a third of the States Members of this Organization, pledges every assistance to facilitate the successful performance of your task. 6. Permit me, Mr. President, to express my thanks to your predecessor, Mr. Salim A. Salim, for the exceptional competence and patience with which he conducted the deliberations of the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly.”

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

  16. “President, our sincere congratulations on your election to the high office of President of the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly. Africa has over the years maintained very close relations with your country and we are grateful for the various technical assistance programmes to developing countries which today benefit many African States. We in Sierra Leone have vivid evidence of your contribution to our economic development programme. 4. You yourself, Mr. President, have contributed immensely to the high regard of your country in the international community by your devotion to duty, your intellectual capacity, your integrity and sound judgement as an eminent diplomat and politician.”

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

  17. “During the middle of this year the heads of State and Government of the continent of Africa conferred a singular honour on my country by graciously accepting our invitation to host the seventeenth ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity [OAU], at Freetown, from 1 to 4 July 1980. They further conferred upon me the onerous responsibility of chairing their deliberations and being at the helm of the organization's affairs for the current year. It is therefore with diffidence and humility, and conscious of the immense responsibilities and confidence bestowed upon me by my African colleagues and brothers, that I address this Assembly today in my capacity as the current Chairman of the OAU. 3. On behalf of the member States of the OAU and on my own behalf I extend to you, Mr.”

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