DECEMBER 13, 1991
Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates,
Having concluded the debate on agenda item 37, the time has arrived for us to give effect to views so eloquently espoused in this hall on the ongoing political process in South Africa.
During my introductory remarks at the outset of our debate, I urged members of this Assembly to bear in mind our common purpose and endeavour for the speedy eradication of apartheid and the establishment of a non-racial democracy through peaceful means. Having listened to the various interventions, I am convinced that the unity of purpose which has guided our work over the past two years remains as strong as ever.
It is my duty and responsibility as Chairman of the Special Committee, to introduce this morning, four draft resolutions, viz: draft resolution A/46/L.32, entitled "International effort towards the total eradication of apartheid and support for the establishment of a united, non-racial and democratic South Africa; draft resolution A/46/L.41, entitled, "Programme of Work of the Special Committee against Apartheid"; draft resolution A/46/L.42, entitled "Military and other collaboration with South Africa"; and draft resolution A/46/L.43, entitled "Relations between South Africa and Israel".
Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates,
Since the resolutions before you are concise and delineate the actions required of the authorities in South Africa, the South African people and the international community in order to bring about a non-racial South Africa, I need not dwell at length on their contents in an attempt to explain or justify them.
I should like to place on record our gratitude for the assiduous efforts made by Member States, through consultations, in order to arrive at the final draft of resolution A/46/L.32. The draft reflects the situation and political circumstances as they exist presently in South Africa, in a concise and factual manner. Second, it reflects the opinions and views of Member States as they were expressed during the debate just concluded. Third, and perhaps most importantly, it takes into account the provisions set out in the United Nations Declaration on Apartheid, and the need for this Assembly to continue to give impetus to the full and immediate implementation of those provisions of the Declaration still outstanding. Finally, it offers guidelines for the activities of the United Nations system in South Africa and requests the Secretary-General to continue ensuring the coordination of the United Nations system and prepare appropriate initiatives to facilitate all efforts leading to the peaceful eradication of apartheid.
We have also agreed that the international community must maintain appropriate pressure on South Africa, and provide assistance to the democratic forces and disadvantaged sectors of its society, in order to encourage the ongoing peaceful process during this crucial transition period. The omnibus resolution, in my mind, does so in a balanced and constructive manner.
The omnibus draft, as presented before you, represents a hard-earned consensus, covering all practical aspects of developments in South Africa. It would not have been possible to attain a consensus on this draft resolution but for the active and constructive participation of all the regional groups, as well as that of the ANC and the PAC. The atmosphere in which we worked was perhaps best described by the United States representative, Ambassador Jonathan Moore, during the debate, and I quote: "The cooperative spirit demonstrated in the consultations on this year's General Assembly resolution on international efforts towards the establishment of a non-racial democratic South Africa illustrates an increasingly constructive international climate which will continue to press the process of change under way in South Africa". I entirely agree with this view and take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Moore personally for his very substantial contribution in fostering this cooperative spirit. My sincere gratitude also goes to all those delegations who spared neither time nor effort in the elaboration of a text which embodies the consensus stand of the international community vis-a-vis South Africa. I therefore commend to this Assembly the resolution A/46/L.32 for adoption by consensus.
The text of resolution A/46/L.41 on the Programme of Work of the Special Committee against Apartheid renews every year the mandate of the Special Committee and provides direction for its annual work...
The draft resolution was initially prepared with the intention of it also being adopted by consensus. For the last two years, it was approved without any dissenting vote. When the Special Committee submitted the draft to our informal negotiations, I asked delegates to offer comments which would enable them to change their abstention of last year to support. Some Member States offered comments and we did adjust the text accordingly. I wish to thank them for their constructive suggestions...