United Nations 1254th GENERAL PLENARY MEETING

ASSEMBLY Friday, 1 November 1963, at 3.00 p.m. EIGHTEENTH SESSION Official Records NEW YORK

CONTENTS 5. If the Assembly has no objection to the arrange­ Page ment proposed by the representatives of Czecho­ slovakia and Malaysia, the election of Czechoslovakia Statement by the President...... •....•. 1 in the next ballot will be regarded as a confirmation Agenda item 16: of this arrangement. Election of three non-permanent members of the Security Council (concluded) ...••.•. 1 6. As I have heard no objections, the Assembly will now proceed to the election of one non-permanent Agenda item 85: memb!3r of the Security Council. The ballotpapers are Measures in connexion with the hurricane being distributed, and Members are requestedto write which has just s truckthe territories ofCuba, the name of only one State on each ballot paper; any the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and ballot paper containing more than one name will be Trinidad and Tobago. •••••..•••..... 2 regarded as invalid. Organization of work...... 9 At the invitation of the President, Mr. Dashtseren (Mongolia) and Mr. Lynch-Shyllon (Sierra Leone) acted as tellers. President: Mr. Carlos SOSA RODRIGUEZ (Venezuela). A vote was taken by secret ballot. Number of ballot papers: 102 Invalid ballots: 0 Statement by the President Number of valid ballots: 102 Abstentions: 3 1. The PRESIDENT (translated from Spanish): In accordance with the request made by a number of Number of members voting: 99 delegations, the consideration of agenda item 12, Required majority: 66 the first item on our agenda for today, will be post­ Number of votes obtained: poned to a day next week. This was announced in the Czechoslovakia •••••••••••••••• •• 89 Second Committee, and I am repeating it now for the Malaysia. •••••••••••••••••••. •. 10 benefit of any members of the Assembly who may not be aware of the change. Having obtained the required two-thirds majority, Czechoslovakia was elected a non-permanentmember of the Security Council. AGENDA ITEM 16 7. Mr. HAJEK (Czechoslovakia): Wishingto facilitate Election of three non-permanent members of the the proceedings of the General Assembly with regard Security Council (concluded)* to the election of non-permanent members of the I Security Council, and in the spiritofunderstanding and 2. The PRESIDENT (translated from Spanish): Dele­ co-operation, the Czechoslovak delegation indicated gations will recall that we have already taken ten its willingness to adhere to the solution proposed by ballots in order to elect a non-permanent member to you, Mr. President, before the voting took place. In j fill the remaining vacancy on the Security Council. accordance with the agreement outlined by you, the 'I 3. Because of the unlikelihood that further balloting Czechoslovak Socialist Republic will submititsresig­ ,I would solve the problem and in order to facilitate the nation at the end of the first yearof its term as a non­ task of the General Assembly, the heads of the two permanent member of the Security Council, that is, delegations directly concerned, that is to say, at the end of 1964, in order that the seat may go to Czechoslovakia and Malaysia, have informed me that, Malaysia for the second half of the term, that is, for in consequence of various consultations between the the year 1965•. delegations, they are prepared to come to aninformal 8. This agreement does not constitute any change in agreement under which each of the two countries Czechoslovakia's position on the consistentapplication would occupy the seat in turn. At the request of these of the principleof geographicaldistributionofthe seats delegations, I have decided to submit the matterto the of non-permanent members of the Security Council, General Assembly. nor can it be interpreted as a precedent of any kind. 4. If the Assembly accepts this arrangement, Czechoslovakia will be the only candidate for election . 9. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all at this time, but its seat on the Security Council will those who, by their consistent efforts, facilitated the fall vacant on 31 December 1964. In the election to attainment of an agreed solution which, though far fill the vacancy for the remainder of the two-year from being fully satisfactory, enabled us to overcome term, Malaysia will be the only candidate for the the impasse. In particular, I wish to thank you, Mr. period from 1 January to 31 December 1965. President, and the representativeofJordan,Mr.Rifa'i, for the good offices rendered in order to attain this *Resumed from the 1252nd meeting. agreement. At the same time I would like, on behalf

1 Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryA/PV.1254 2 General Assembly - Eighteenth Session - Plenary Meetings "1l.,.. of the Czechoslovak. delegation, to express my deep 19. This is indeed a lofty principle of the Charter appreciation to those who, by their consistent votes which in years to come will show historians who I during the whole. series of ballots, supported the analyse the work of this Organization that the master. f I Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and thus contributed tool which enabled the United Nations successfully to its election. to carry out its mission of friendship, peace and dis­ armament was its abilityto actpromptly and effectively 10. Mr. RAMANI (Malaysia): May I at the outset join the representative of Czechoslovakia in expressing to in a spirit of solidarity when suffering and tragedy struck any of the peoples of the Organization. Chile Ambassador Rifa'i of Jordan and theotherfriends who helped, the deep appreciation of theMalaysiandelega­ knows what such solidarity means. tion for the part playedby theminachieving this happy 20. Our people live in a land where the forces of result to which you, Mr. President, referred in·the natUre periodically wreak suffering, destruction and opening statement by which you announced the new death, and we have received from the United Nations ballot for the election of the last remaining non­ and from most of the peoples of the world moral and permanent member of the Security Council. material support which has enabled us to rebuild our cities, revive our courage and thus to continue 11. My delegation is grateful to the representativeof the task in which we are engaged: the development of Czechoslovakia for the statement he has just made, our economy and, side by side with this, the achieve­ in which he confirmed the arrangement by which ment of greater happiness for our people. Malaysia withdrew from the contest so as to enable Czechoslovakia to be elected, as it was elected today. 21. That is why my country always responds quickly and with understanding when confronted with the 12. I thank him also for his statement that Czecho­ sorrow of others, when nature destroys man's works slovakia will vacate its seat on the Security Council and even man himself. In tragic circumstances suchas on 31 December 1964 so as to enable Malaysia to be these, we have never made any political distinctions. elected to that seat for 1965. My thanks are also due For this reason, when, towards the end of September, to you, Mr. President, for your co-operation and help in achieving this happy compromise. hurricane "Flora" lashed Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and a part of the Dominican I 13. I cannot let this occasion pass without rendering Republic-bringing destruction and death to peoples thanks to the many delegations which consistently differing in race, religion and political beliefs but all cast their votes for Malaysia during the several living within the geographical area ofLatinAmerica­ [ ballots that were held. May I conclude by also saying my Government felt it necessary to call upon the that my delegation is indebtedto the GeneralAssembly United Nations to assist these afflicted peoples [see as a whole for having ratified this arrangement. A/5566/Rev.l and Add.1]. 14. The PRESIDENT (translated from Spanish): The 22. On Wednesday, 30 September, with a velocity I• General Assembly has heard the statements made by which reached 110 miles an hour, the hurricane the representatives of Czechoslovakia and Malaysia, struck the island of Tobago, levelling coconut planta­ which will appear in the officialrecords ofthe General tions and, in less than four hours, leaving 17,000 Assembly. people homeless-almost half the population of the 15. The representative of India has the floor to speak island. Some towns were completely Wiped out, and on this item. in others more than 60 per cent of the buildings were destroyed. In addition, 85 per cent of the crops and 16. Mr. MISHRA (India): The voting that has just plantations were ruined. taken place has made us happy because, after ten 23. Then came the turn of Haiti, where the winds l ballots, we did expect some agreement. However, my reached a velocity of 140 miles an hour and the hurri­ delegation would like to make it clear that this is a cane ploughed a path seventy-five miles wide across private arrangement between two delegations and f the Tiburon Peninsula, destroying everything in that that it cannot, under the Charter, bind the Assembly. area. We do not know how many persons were killed I I Having said that, I would repeat that we welcome the settlement that has taken place today. in this region, and it is possible that we may never know exactly, although the number is estimated at l about 4,000. The bodies of many of them will never AGENDA ITEM 85 be found, for they were dashed to pieces and lost in flooded fields or ruined villages. Measures in connexion with the hurricane which has just struck the territories of Cuba, the Dominican 24. From 4 to 8 October hurricane "Flora" ragedover Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago Cuba. Much more than the total rainfall of a normal year fell during those five days. The richest agricul­ 17. The PRESIDENT (translated from Spanish): In tural region in the country was totally devastated, and connexion with this item several Member States it is estimated that more than 1,000 people lost their have submitted a draft resolution [A/L.430 and Add.l lives. Thousands of dwellings were destroyed,besides and 2]. roads, railways, bridges, highways, electrical and sewage facilities and other works. The agricultural .L8. Mr. BOSSAY (Chile) (translated from Spanish): When they agreed upon the Charter which brought our losses were extremely high, and in the Province of Organization into being, the peoples of the United Oriente alone-which with Camagiiey was hardest Nations, with a deep understanding of that which hit by the hurricane-150,000 people had to be eva­ unites peoples and prepares the ground for the cuated from the danger zone. strengthening of peace and international friendship, 25. Although Jamaica and the Dominican Republic· provided in Article 1 of the Charter that one of the were not in the direct path of thehurricane, extensive fundamental purposes of the United Nations is "to damage was done there also. In Jamaica seventeen achieve international co-operation in solving inter­ inches of rain fell in twelve hours, settingan all-time national problems of a ••• humanitarian character". record there. There was some loss of life; the damage

Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library 1254th meeting - 1 November 1963 3 :lr to roads and bridges is estimated at $6 million, and 33. A little more than two weeks ago the General b.o the value of the houses and crops that were destroyed Assembly adopted a resolution on measures in con­ :lr. at $1.5 million. nexion with the earthquake in Skoplje. Earlier the ly 26. In the Dominican Republic there was also loss of Assembly and sometimes the Economic and Social s- Council have adopted resolutions on assistance to ly life, and many villages were isolated as a result of floods and the destruction of roads and bridges. The be rendered to the victims of major catastrophes :ly in other parts of the world: in Libya, Morocco, le damage to crops was extensive. In certain areas epidemics have brokenoutas a resultof the destruction Indonesia, Iran, and Chile, to mention only some. of the water-supply installations. The total number of The appalling magnitude of the destruction in the of persons who have suffered from the effects of the Caribbean area calls undoubtedly for special efforts, ld hurricane is estimated at 9,000. and it is to be hoped that an increasing awareness of :is international solidarity allows us to render more and ld 27. On 9 October, after having caused such tre­ more efficient our action in these tragic situations. Id mendous destruction inthese areas, the hurricaneblew le itself out somewhere over the Atlantic. 34. According to the draft resolution now before us the Assembly would, ap.art from inviting Member of 28. Thanks to the advances' in technology, it was :l- States and non-governmental organizations to furnish possible to announce the birth of this hurricane over assistance, request the Secretary-General and the the northern part of South America in good time, and executive heads of the United Nations agencies con­ ly the United States weather stations alerted the areas cerned to bear in mind the needs of the affected le which lay in its probable path. Technology has not, countries and to take action. This is, of course, ~s however, advanced to the point where it can control quite right and as it ought to be. But I think we have :l.S these natural phenomena, so that the destructive ef­ to provide the Secretary-General with a clear guide­ s. fects of the storm could not be limited. line by defining, as clearly and precisely as pos­ r, 29. Hence it is at this point, where technology can sible, the framework in which we should like him to a, do no more, that feeling and international solidarity take action. That will be even more necessary in m must come into play in this kind of tragedy in the this special case as, in accordance with operative ~s form of the moral support and material assistance paragraph 3 of the draft resolution we should expect Lll which everyone is anxious to give to neighbours not only the Secretary-General but also the heads visited by misfortune. This was the case two years of some specialized agencie's to deal with this situa­ le ago when Chile was struck by one of the worst earth­ tion. They will, of course, all want to know as much :le quakes in history. This was the case last year when as possible about our intentions, and we in the there was an earthquake in Iran. This 'was also the Assembly should want them to interpret as adequately ty case a few days ago whenthe GeneralAssembly unani­ as possible our wishes. Were we notto strive towards mously adopted a resolution to assist Yugoslavia in attaining the greatest possible clarity in the language le of the resolution, we should be in fact-and, in my l- rebuilding the city of Skoplje. And it should again be the case now so that assistance can be given to Cuba, view, rather unnecessarily-placing an additional )0 burden on the Secretary-General. - le Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad ld and Tobago. 35. I feel, of course, entirely confident that what the re 30. Mr. ENCKELL (Finland): The delegations of sponsors had in mind when phrasing operative para­ ld Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have asked my graph 3 was that the Assembly would request the delegation to express, together with ours, their feel­ Secretary-General to provide all possible emergency ings of deep sympathy with the Governments and relief and rehabilitation from available resources. At is the same time, I feel that the Assembly ought to take i- peoples affected by the catastrophic events of last 3S month in the Caribbean area. We have learned with great care to avoid, or at least limit, the possibility of misconstr:u,ing or misinterpreting its resolutions, at grief and consternation of the terrible destruction ~d caused by the recent hurricane and we deeply de­ even in cases'where it may seem utterly unlikely that lr plore the great loss of human lives, together with any such misconception might arise, as in thepresent at the enormous material damage. This is indeed a case. lr situation which has to call forth the co-operation 36. Therefore my delegationwouldlike,in the interest I and solidarity of the Members of this Organization. in ./ of precision and of the effective implementation ofthe Urgent steps are needed in order to alleviate the draft resolution on which we are going to vote, to ap­ I suffering and to restore normal living conditions in lr peal, together with the other Scandinaviandelegations, the affected area, and these steps have to be taken to the delegations sponsoring the draft resolution to :l.l with the contribution of the international community replace in operative paragraph 3 the words placedbe­ L- and its main organs. Ld tween commas and now reading "andto make available to them, inconnexionwiththeirrehabilitationplans,the lr 31. Therefore we are particularly grateful to the lS delegation of Chile [A/5566/Rev.1 and Add.!] for necessary resources" by the words Rand to provide ld having taken the initiative to have the present item emergency relief and rehabilitation assistance from available resources" or words to that effect. Such a :l.l inscribed on our agenda and to the delegations of Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay for having, as the original clarifica1Jon, which appears to be called for at least )f .~ ;t sponsors, together with the delegation of Chile, sub­ in the English translation of the original draft, mitted for consideration by the Assembly the draft would I believe, allow the Secretary-General and the L- resolution [A/L.430 and Add.! and 2] now before us. heads of the specialized agencies to make the fullest use of all available possibilities to render assistance .c . 32. our five delegations would like to express their in the great human tragedy affecting the Governments complete understanding of and their full sympathy and peoples of the Caribbean area. e with the motives and the aims of the sponsors of :n this draft as well as their accord with the general 37. Mr. TATTENBACH (Costa Rica) (translated .e nature of the measures recommended in its operative from Spanish): The delegation of Costa Rica will be :e part. glad to vote in favour of the draftresolution submitted Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library 4 General Assembly - Eighteenth Session - Plenary Meetings by twenty-three countries [A/L.430 and Add.l and 2] Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the Dominican which refers to agenda item 85. It will do so as a Republic. matter of conscience. 45. My Government has 38. The press reports already expressed the deep on the scope of the disaster sorrow and sympathy of the which struck the area of Brazilian people to the the West Indies in the wake people and Governments of the of the recent hurricanes leave countries that suffered no doubt that these as a result of this catastrophe. The were very serious natural catastrophes. strickencountries Moreover, are themselves taking the first steps, the emergency the account we have just been given by the representa­ steps to relieve and rehabilitate the victims and tive of Chile and the conversations we have had the with regions struck by the disaster. Buta vasttask now lies our colleagues from the affected area have confirmed ahead. those reports. It will require great effort and substantial The raging winds unleashed floods and material resources, devastation and, and, as was the case in other what is even more serious, caused recent, equally tragic, serious loss of life. events the international com­ munity cannot fail to render its effective assistance through the United Nations 39. What can be done? We can share the grief of our to the countries affected. In neighbours and express our.sympathy this spirit the Brazilian delegation has lent its most to relieve at sincere least their moral anguish, and what is still support to the initiative of the delegation of more im­ Chile [A/5566/Rev.l portant, we can try to ease the situation in which and Add.l] and has been given the they privilege of co-sponsoring, find themselves by specific economic measures and together with twenty-two direct assistance. other delegations, the draft resolution [A/L.430 and Add.l and 2] now before the Assembly. We are con­ 40. That is the purpose of the draft resolutionbefore vinced that it will be adopted unanimously andthat the us. Consequently, we shall not only vote in favour of appeal contained therein will meet with an immediate, it, but we appeal to all Member States to adopt it and effective and generous response from all Member then to implement it with the enthusiasm they should States and the United Nations agencies concerned. reserve for a matter in which politicalconsiderations 46. Mr. LEKIC (Yugoslavia): We were should have no part, since it is solely a matter of deeply moved helping countries when we heard the news of the catastrophic conse­ through the dark hours of adversity quences and suffering. In of the hurricane which recently struck Cuba, the face of nature's pitiless violence Haiti, and the tremendous losses Jamaica, Trinidadand Tobago and the Dominican it has caused we can have Republic and only one thought: we must not which left enormous human and material look back;we must look losses in its wake. forward with determination to repair the damage caused by the fury of the elements.We must do what a 47. The Yugoslav delegation takes this opportunity certain King of Portugal advised sarcastically when once more to convey to the delegations ofthe stricken asked what should be done the morningafterone of the countries and to theirpeoples the deepest sympathy great and tidal waves had swept his country. He replied: feelings of solidarity felt by the Government and "Bury the dead, and let us concern ourselves with the peoples of Yugoslavia. living." 48. Mankind is not yet able to prevent, or render 41. We feel the same wayconcerningthe tragic situa­ ineffectual, such elemental calamities which from tion of our neighbours: that there is nothing to do but time to time unhappily afflict various countries and to bury the memory of this horrible tragedy and our their people. What men can do in such cases is to ex­ petty preoccupations as we bury the dead, and to see tend aSSistance, so that the aftermath of such cata­ to it that the help ofthosewho are able to help reaches strophes can be mitigated as much as possible. And the living and furthers their ideas andplansfor living. it is no wonder that, precisely at such times, human Although the tragedy in the Caribbeanhas beenbrought understanding transcends national boundaries as well about by the blind forces of nature which no human as political andother differences and thathumanitarian efforts can stop, the common efforts of all nations feelings of solidarity and friendship are forcefully can still mitigate the suffering these forces have expressed. visited upon us. 49. It has been our lot to havefeltall this as our own 42. My delegation appeals for such a joint effort and experience when,inJuly 1963,the capital of Macedonia, wants to be part of it and, in that spirit, to co-operate Skoplje, was devastated by an earthquake. This cata­ to the best of its ability in making the difficult situa­ strophe was the subject of a debate in this very audi­ tion now confronting its sisternations inthe Caribbean torium. The helping hand extended to us on that occa­ area more tolerable. sion from all over the world not only bore witness to the friendship and solidarity 43. Mr. of man for man, and the BERNARDES (Brazil): The Brazilian people world family of nations for and its Government our country, but also havefollowedwithgriefand anxiety helped, and is still helping, to alleviate the devastating passage the suffering ofthe recenthurricane through caused by the serious losses in men and material. the Caribbean, leaving a picture of destruction and suffering in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica,Haiti, Cuba 50. We are aware that the Governments of Cuba, r and the Dominican Republic. Thousands have perished Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidadand Tobago andthe Dominican in its path, and terrible damage has been wrought to Republic have already undertaken the necessary t property, crops and to the economy of whole regions. measures to remove some of the consequences of the Hundreds of thousands have been left homeless. ·calamity, with the purpose of creating the first indis­ pensable 44. conditions of life for the stricken areas. In Haiti alone, damage was so heavy that it has There is no doubt not yet been that the Governments ofthese coun­ possible to determine the exact propor­ tries will have to undertake tions of the destruction. long-range planning and Four thousand persons may direct their efforts towards the complete have been killed. In Cuba the elimination losses were tremendous of the painful consequences of this catastrophe. in the most important farming areas. The Equally disas­ main burden, therefore, will fall upon these countries trous were the consequences of the hurricane in themselves. We believe, however, that it is the Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library duty 1254th meeting - 1 November 1963 5 of the whole world qommunity. and more especially 56. Mr. TARABANOV (Bulgaria) (translated from of the United Nations. its specialized agencies and French): The General Assembly has beforeita matter the other organizations in the United Nations family. which is of special urgency and importancefor certain to extend the maximum possible assistance to the countries since it involves a major disaster that has efforts of the Governments concerned. The Yugoslav struck a number of countries belonging to this delegation therefore sponsored the draft resolution Organization. What we are witnessing seems a veri­ [A/L.430 and Add.1 and 2] Whose initiators were table repetition of the calamities with which we have Brazil. Chile. Mexico and Uruguay. and we hope that previously had to deal. It is. however. important that this draft resolution. as has been the case in the past. the Organization should do all itcantowardsproviding will be unanimously adopted. As such. it will be a the assistance needed in such cases. proof not only of the feelings of solidarity felt by the world community for the stricken peoples. but will 57. Between 30 September and 8 October a terrible also be a tangible contribution to the efforts directed hurricane. with torrential rains andexceptionallyhigh at overcoming the difficulties which the disastrous winds. struck large parts of Cuba.Haiti.theDominican hurricane unexpectedly placed before the Govern­ Republic. Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. I think it ments and peoples of these countries. unnecessary to relate all the ravages and tragic consequences of this natural disasterwhichcausedthe 51. Mr. LICHTVELD (Netherlands): Although our death of several thousands of people and lefthundreds feelings of sympathy will always be awakened by of thousands homeless. The representative of Chilewho countries stricken by disaster. in this c!J.se when a was the first to speak on thisitem.has adequately de­ number of islands in the Caribbean areawere ravaged scribed the events. by the recent hurricane my delegation is particularly moved to compassion for the victims of thiscalamity. 58. I wish to express here the profound feelings of a calamity which shows us once again how little we sympathy of the Government and delegation of the human beings can do against the powers of nature. in People's Republic of Bulgaria. and. at the same time. spite of all our technological achievements. on behalf of the Hungarian People's RepUblic and the Czechoslovak SocialistRepublic.to expresstheir dele­ 52. Because of the fact that two of the three autono­ gations' deep sympathy with the afflicted countries. mous parts of the Kingdom of the N~therlands are situated in the Caribbean area.namely.theNetherlands 59. The Governments of the countries concerned are Antilles and Surinam. it is indeed a matter of good to be congratulated on their courage and their prompt neighbourliness. not only that we identify ourselves action to alleviate the plight ofthe victims and prevent with the stricken people. but also thatwe are desirous further damage. of helping them in every way in all attempts which will be made to ease their. distress and to assist in 60. It is also very heartening that many countries the reconstruction of their homes. Still most vivid hastened to offer generous and prompt assistance. I in our memory is the disaster,which.nottoo long ago. would venture to say that international assistance struck one of the Netherlands Antilles. the island of in such situations is becoming one of the finest tradi­ St. Martin. which was ravaged by a hurricane. There­ tions of the United Nations. fore. we fully share the .anguish of the recently 61. As we noted in connexion with the serious earth­ stricken populations of Hispaniola and the two newly quake at Skoplje. Yugoslavia. this assistance. though independent islands. very valuable. is merely a form of emergency relief. 53. But just as the sorrow of children appeals more If such assistance is to be more effective. it clearly strongly to our pity than that of grown-ups. so our must be prolonged and must be co-ordinated with feelings are concerned especially with the small. government plans for restoring normal conditions in peaceful island of Tobago, which had to pay such a the countries concerned. heavy toll to nature. Apart from the close ties of 62. For all these reasons we feel certain that the friendship which exist between the Government of General Assembly will unanimously adopt the draft Trinidad and Tobago and the Governments of the resolution [A/L.430 and Add.1 and 2] that has been Netherlands Antilles and Surinam.we have ahistorical submitted. This draft embo.dies a fervent appeal to all tie with Tobago. which bore the name ,of "New Member States and to the United Nations and spe­ I Walcheren" during a certain period in its history. a cialized agencies to continue their assistance to the I name which one can still see on old maps. Like the devastated countries inorder that they mightovercome I island of Walcheren in the Netherlands which. during the tragic consequences of the disaster as soon as the lastwar.was totally devastatedby floods but never­ possible. In performing its duty. the GeneralAssembly theless surmounted this calamity in a veryshorttime. of the United Nations will be effectively helping these J in accordance withthe proud device of the province of unfortunate countries to cope with the difficulties now :1 Zealand: Lucto et emergo-I struggle and riseagain­ confronting them. We feel certain. I repeat. that the we hope that the former Nieuw Walcheren. Tobago. draft resolution will be adopted unanimously. indeed will likewise emerge and renew itself. assisted by the that it will be adopted by acclamation. .\ organizations of the United Nations family. 54. Needless to say. this special sympathy does not 63. Mr. FEDORENKO (Union of Soviet Socialist detract from our feeling of compassion for the other Republics) (translated from Russian): In the General Committee [157th meeting] the SovietUnion delegation stricken islands. Jamaica. Cuba. Haiti and the Dominican Republic. We therefore support whole­ wholeheartedly supported the initiative taken by the delegation of Chile [A/5566/Rev.1 and Add.!] for the heartedly the draft resolution [A/L.430 and Add.1 and inclusion in the agenda of the eighteenthsessionof the 2] before us and recommenditforunanimous adoption. General Assembly of an additional item entitled 55. I am authorized to speak also on behalf of the "Measures in connexion with the hurricane which has French Republic. whose sympathy for thepeople ofthe just struck the territories of Cuba. the Dominican Caribbean area fully equals that of the three parts of Republic. Haiti. Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago" the Netherlands. [A/L.430 and Add.1 and 2]. Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library 6 General Assembly - Eighteenth Session - Plenary Meetings 64. The Soviet Union is one of the sponsors of the the draft resolution submitted to the General As­ draft resolution on this item. We were all deeply sembly [A/L.430 and Add.1 and 2] properly reflects shocked when hUrl'icane nFloran swept overthe terri­ the international solidarity with which this tragic tories of Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican situation has been met. Individual and collective Republic, Haiti and Jamaica at the end of September assistance to the affected areas by the UnitedNations, and the beginning of October, causing wide-spread non-governmental organizations and the Governments destruction and a heavy. loss of life and inflicting of all States, as provided in the draft resolution, will enormous damage. be particularly welcome as the affected countries are 65. May I again express our deep sympathy and sin­ in the midst of trying to achieve their economic re­ cere condolences to the peoples of the States in the covery. Such assistance will contribute to the rapid Caribbean region which have suffered from this rehabilitation of the devastated areas and thus to the natural calamity. Unfortunately, mankind has not yet continuation of the general development effort which succeeded in gaining fuU control of the elements, and these countries have undertaken. it is therefore particularly important to exert our 72. It is for this reason that the Romanian delega­ joint efforts without delay in order to overcome the tion has asked to be included among the sponsors of tragiC consequences of this natural disaster. the draft resolution that has been submitted to the Assembly. 66. The peoples and Governments of many countries throughout the world have hastened to the assistance 73. Mr. TARAZI (Syria) (translated from French): of the Caribbean States whose peoples have been hit Speaking for my own delegation, for all the Arab by this tragedy. The Soviet Government in particular delegations and for the delegation of Afghanistan, has decided to give disinterestedandnon-reimbursable I should like to express our deep sympathy to the aid to the stricken people ofCuba-towhomit is bound victims of the hurricane which has ravaged CUba, by ties of friendship-in addition to the drugs and food the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad sent earlier as an emergency measure. Construction and Tobago. equipment, machinery and materials are being dis­ 74. As one natural disaster succeeds another, man patched from the Soviet Union to Cuba. A complete seems to stand helpless before the unleashing of the plant for the construction of prefabricated housing elements and the spectacle of the misfortunes that will be sent to Cuba from the Soviet Union. follow. Yet his helplessness is not complete, for in 67. It is the duty of the United Nations to extend the face of misfortune mankind stands united, as we every kind of assistance to the stricken countries in have been able to observe in this very hall. the CaribbeaD region from the resources of the Ex­ 75. Our Organization, which is a universal one, panded Programme of Technical Assistance and the must devote its attention to affliction and misfortune, United Nations Special Fund in order to repair as and we are therefore indebted to the Chilean dele­ qUickly as possible the damage inflicted by hurricane gation and to the delegations which have joined it in nFlora". requesting the inclusion of this item in our agenda. 68. The delegation of the Soviet Union has everycon­ We are well aware that the damage done can never fidence that the draft resolution on this item will be be entirely repaired. Yet, if nothing else, the ex­ unanimously adopted by the United Nations General pression of our solidarity is a token of the inde­ Assembly. structible ties between the different parts of our world; such ties can only bring us closer together, 69. Miss GROZA (Romania) (translatedfrom French) : so as to make of mankind an indivisible whole. Permit me to reiterate the sincere and profoundfeel­ ings of sympathy which the Romanian delegation ex­ 76. By adopting the draft resolution before us pressed two weeks ago fromthis rostrum[1240thmeet­ [AIL.430 andAdd.1 and 2] unanimously andby acclama­ ing] and in the Assembly's General Committee [157th tion we shall simply be fulfilling one of the essential meeting] at the great loss of life and damage caused and basic tasks which places the United Nations in by the hurricane which recently struck the Caribbean the front ranks of international activity. This task is area. In so doing I also convey the sentiments of the an exalted one, and it is quite real. Mongolian People's Republic. 77. Mr. ROSSIDES (Cyprus): On behalfoftheGovern­ 70. In expressing his deep feelings of compassion to ment and people of Cyprus, I wishto express our deep the Cuban people for the ordeal through which it was sorrow at the disaster whichhas befallen the countries passing as a result of this natural calamity, the of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Chairman of the State Councilofthe Romanian People's Trinidad and Tobago, and to convey to the Govern­ Republic, in a cable addressed to the President and ments and the peoples of those countries the expres­ Prime Minister of the Revolutionary Government of sion of our profound grief. This is another instance the Republic of Cuba, conveyed to them the fraternal of the solidarity which emanates from the General sympathy of the Romanian people and its sincere Assembly in the sense of the interdependence of condolences to the stricken families. peoples, which has already been shown in the case of 71. The Romanian Government and the Governments Yugoslavia and is now being extended here. We hope of other countries have joined in the efforts of the that this same spirit will preVail on all similar Cuban State to aid the victims andto rebuild the areas occasions. which were partiCUlarly affected by the hurricane. We . 78. Mr. CHANDERLI (Algeria) (translated from believe that assistance to the afflicted population in French): My delegation is one of the sponsors of the Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and draft resolution on measures in connexion with the Trinidad and Tobago is a profoundly humanitarian hur:ricane which has just struck the territories of undertaking to which the internationalcommunitycan­ Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and not fail to give its wholehearted support. We appre­ Trinidad and Tobago [A/L.430 and Add.1 and 2]. I am ciate the prompt initiative of the delegations of sure that the Assembly is aware of the ieelings which Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay, and we think that prompted my delegation to co-sponsor the draft Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library 1254th meeting - 1 November 1963 7 resolution submittedby Chile andother SouthAmerican to overflow their banks. inundated crops. destroyed countries, and I shall not revert to them. The As­ vast expanses of homes, sweeping whole towns before sembly clearly shares these feelings with us, for all it, and demolished bridges. railways, highways and of us here want to express our solidarity and our roads in the eastern part of the island. sense of humanity in the face ofthis catastrophe which 84. We wish to take this opportunity to express our has struck certain Members of our Organization. special gratification to the delegation of Chile, which 79. At this stage of our proceedings I merelywish to proposed the inclusion of this item in our agenda indicate that my delegation and the other sponsors of and introduced the draft resolution. and to the either the draft resolution listened with great interest and delegations which, by endorsing the latter, brought respect to the statement made by the Finnish delega­ about the agreement which we so deeply appreciate. tion on behalf of the Scandinavian countries. The 85. The hurricane, which raged for ninety hoUrs. representative of Finland was good enough to make a affected a little over half the country's territory suggestion which would in fact clarify the operative comprising a population of some 3 million people part of our draft resolution. Since he indicatedthat he and containing many of the most important agricul­ was not wedded to the specific words he put forward tural areas. but could accept a similar form of words, I should like to propose to him and to the Assembly, having 86. The two provinces which bore the brunt of the consulted with the other sponsors of the draft reso­ hurricane are the principal producers of sugar-cane lution and with a number of other delegations-and I and constitute the area in which there is the greatest might add that I have spoken with the Finnish repre­ concentration of cattle and the greatest production of sentative and he has given his agreement-that the coffee and cocoa. It is estimated that out of an anti­ following wording should be accepted. In operative cipated coffee crop of 850.111 quintals in Oriente paragraph 3 of the draft resolution, the words "and Province, from 300.000 to 500.000 quintals have been to make available to them, in connexion with their lost. Eighty per cent ofthe minorcropswere rendered rehabilitation plans, the necessary resources". in the unusable; rice and cotton suffered severely; agricul­ third and fourth lines. would be replaced by a text tural and transport equipment,cropswhichhad already which I have only in English and which I would not been harvested and stored, seed and fertilizer were venture to translate myself but shall read out for the under water for a whole week. Tens of thousands of benefit of the Secretariat: farmers have lost everything: homes, animals. farm implements, clothing and furniture. Many hospitals [The speaker continued in English.] and schools and many businesses and warehouses "and to provide assistance, in connexion with their have been destroyed. rehabilitation plans, from available resources". 87. The swift mobilization of the Government andthe [The speaker resumed in French.] people, which made it possible to evacuate almost 1 175.000 persons by using all available means. pre­ With this rectification. which incidentally is not an vented the casualties from being ten or fifteen times r amendment and which I hope will be agreeable to the higher. The emergency care given to the evacuees in Assembly, we can, I am sure, close the debate on the very first hours and the care they have been re­ this item and adopt by acclamation, as I earnestly ceiving since have prevented any outbreak of epide­ r hope we shall. a resolution which will once again mics although, of course, the circumstances were demonstrate the humanity, the universality and the highly favourable for such outbreaks. international solidarity which inspire the thoughts and actions of the Members of our Organization. 88. Our people made a tremendous effort to cope s with the forces of nature, and the Government has 80. The PRESIDENT (translated from Spanish): The pledged that no family will be deprived of what it 1 Assembly has just heard the proposal made by the has lost; no child will be deprivedofaid and guidance; [l representative of Algeria on behalf of the sponsors of no home will remain without help; and everything that s the draft resolution[A/L.430 andAdd.1 and 2] to amend has been destroyed will be rebuilt and be rebuilt the wording of operative paragraph 3 as he indicated better. in his statement. 89. The Assembly's manifestation of sympathy for 81. If there is no objection, I shall consider that the P \ our people will certainly be a source of encourage­ s Assembly accepts the amendment to operative para­ ment in the task of reconstruction which has already d graph 3 suggested by the representative of Algeria. been started. Factories and workshops are working The amendment was adopted. overtime; the sowing of crops has been intensified; and the community is offering its unstintedassistance e 82. The PRESIDENT (translated from Spanish): We to its neighbours in the disaster areas. Cuba is re­ J. shall now vote on the draft resolution [A/L.430 and lying on the help of many Governments and peoples If Add. 1 and 2] as amended. I understand that the and of United Nations bodies. It isreceivingmessages ,f Assembly is prepared to adopt this draft resolution of sympathy and encouragement from all over the e as amended by acclamation. If I hear no objection, I world. shall consider it adopted by acclamation. r 90. We wish~ before concluding, to express our ap­ The draft resolution was adopted by acclamation. preciation for the words of sympathy, on the occasion n 83. Mr. LECHUGA (Cuba) (translated from Spanish): .of the hurricane, addressed to Cuba at this and previ­ e The Cuban delegation takes pleasure in expressing ous meetings by many representatives, and to convey e its deep gratitude for the Assembly's manifestation our sympathy to the peoples of Yugoslavia, Haiti. ,f of sympathy with the people of my country. Cuba is Trinidad and Tobago, Italy.Jamaicaandthe Dominican d mourning the irreparable loss of over a thousand of Republic on account of the similar hardships which n its people and bravely facing an economic loss of they have suffered in recent days and months. h several hundred million pesos as a result of a hurri­ 91. I wish once again to express our thanks for this Et cane which. striking with savage fury. caused rivers agreement, which will be of great value to us in re- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library 8 General Assembly - Eighteenth Session - Plenary IVleetings habilitating the disaster areas, relieving the distress and to thank the whole Assembly for this kind and of the victims and restoring normal living conditions considerate resolution. which, we are confident, will be much betterthan they were before the disaster strUCk. 99. Mr. AUGUSTE (Haiti) (translated from French): The typhoon which swept across the Caribbean struck f ( 92. Mr. RICHARDSON (Jamaica): The Jamaica dele­ the south of Haiti with particular force, adding an un­ ~ gation gladly takes this opportunity to express our precedented disaster to the chain of calamities of Government's profound gratitude to the delegation of this kind which the southern part of the RepUblic of Chile and to the original sponsors of this resolution, Haiti has suffered. Owing to its geographicalposition, the delegations of Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay, for this area is particularly exposed to hurricanes. Its their initiative in seeking the inclusion of this item coast extends for many miles and seems to invite all on the agenda of this session. My delegation wishes that passes to enter, which is all the more easy as also to express our appreciation to all the other co­ nature in these parts displays all its riches without sponsors of the resolution and all the representatives offering the slightest protection. Shaped by this en­ who have spoken in this debate for their sincere ex­ vironment, man in this region is also essentially of pressions of sympathy, and to the whole Assembly kindly temperament, sober, calm and hospitable, and for adopting the resolution by acclamation. We value is endowed with a remarkable sensitivity, which he this action as further eloquenttestimonyto the general derives from the extremely agreeable and beautiful goodWill which we know is felt towards the people of tropical surroundings. One quarter of the Haitian r our country and as a further striking manifestation of population is concentrated in this area around the the true understanding and sympathy which binds us coastal towns, in the valleys, in the gorges of the together in this international community. hills and on the mountains which rise along the horizon. 93. Nature, which dealt with a lavish hand in giving to our island of her treasured gifts-physical beauty, 100. As elsewhere in Haiti, the economy in this part a balmy climate and warm, clear seas-can also be of the country is largely agricultural. Coffee, cocoa, Unkind. Sometimes she chooses to issue a dramatic sisal, sugar-cane, fruits and vegetables are drawn reminder that life is not always sunshine. Once in at from a generous soil, but the population pressure in least every ten years the people of Jamaica must this area of small, excessively cultivated farms gives look on· helplessly while in a few short hours the rise to some very complex problems for production. physical capital accumulated over years of painful It is these problems which the present Government is effort is wiped out. attacking as best it can with the country's meagre 94. The recent hurricane in the Caribbean did not resources but also with a courage and determination pass over Jamaica. Compared with our neighbours that will ultimately bring success. Cuba and Haiti, therefore, our losses were not 101. As you know, in less than a few hours this heavy; but for four whole days while the hurricane peaceful region which I have described, with its approached us and while it remained over Cuba and simple ways and modest agricultural economy, saw Haiti, our island was deluged with torrents of rain­ its fields ravaged, its cattie and poultry carried away fall combined with high winds which converted our and its homes destroyed, as coastal towns were rivers into raging torrents and caused us damage pounded by a furious surf and swollen rivers flooded which we estimate at some $17 million. their banks sweeping everything before them. 95. Even while suffering from the effects of the 102. For days, with all the means of communication hurricane, one of our neighbour Governments readily in the area destroyed, the towns, villages andhamlets extended not only its sympathy but gave tangible were completely isolated. The loss of life was the evidence of its true concern by an. immediate ·offer worst we have ever suffered in catastrophes of this of financial .assistance. I am pleased to take this kind: over 5.000 dead, accordingtothe mostoptimistic opportunity to acknOWledge this generosity and aiso statistics. In addition, 125,000 families were left to express my Government's appreciation of the homeless; 60 per cent of the coffee crop was de­ offers of help we have received from Member States stroyed; food crops, in the areas where not totally outside the region. destroyed, suffered losses of about 85 per cent; and 96. We in turn gave what help we could to others all cattie and poultry have ceased to exist. whose tragedy was greater than ours-we gave help 103. Faced with this situation, which without any in food, medical supplies and cash-but the amounts doubt represents an unprecedented ordeal for Haiti, we can afford amongst ourselves are necessarily the Government immediately did Whatever it could small. to aid, to heal and to repair. Itreceived moral support 97. We have already taken care of immediate relief in the form of the many expressions of sympathy that and our reconstruction programme is now· being came spontaneously from all over the world, and it prepared. At present it appears that we might not was further supported by the spontaneous relief find it necessary to seek technical assistance inorder kindly given and offered to Haiti by its many friends. to carry out the rehabilitation of the ravaged areas, I apologize for not naming them, but I do not wish to but we shall not hesitate to do so should it prove to offend anyone's sense of discretion or modesty. be necessary. We shall certainly need financial aid· towards that programme and it is our hope tb,at one 104. Nevertheless, as regards the appeal which has or another of the specialized agencies whichthe reso­ just been addressed to the United Nations, I should lution has so kindly requested to extend us assistance be gravely remiss if, on behalf of the Haitian people, will be able to provide it. the President of the Republic, the Government and myself personally, I did not thank, first of all, the 98. Again, I wish in the name of the Government arid twenty delegations which took the initiative in spon­ people of Jamaica gratefully to acknowledge the con­ soring thedraft resolution justsubmittedto the General dolences for the loss of human life that we sustained Assembly. Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library r

1254th meeting - 1 November 1963 9 105. I also thank, for my country and its Government, as large as it unfortunately was in the case of some all those who have supported this draft resolution in of our neighbours. But Tobago, with its population of the name of human solidarity. The Haitian people, 35,000 and an area of some 116 square miles, was which cultivates gratitude as one of the finest virtues more devastated, in proportion to its size, than any which can flower in the heart of man, will, I am sure, other territory. The damage to crops was about 85 never forget this memorable gesture which takes its per cent and the destruction and irreparable damage place among the grandest actions taken in the General to buildings, mainly houses, was 80 per cent. In other Assembly by acclamation. In concluding I should like words, the economy of Tobago has been not only to renew our expressions of sympathy to ourbrothers disrupted, but virtually destroyed. in misfortune. 110. Fortunately, Trinidad suffered only the side 106. Mr. VELAZQUEZ (Dominican RepUblic) (trans­ effects of this dreadful hurricane and has come to lated from Spanish): The Dominican Republic is the help of the devastated part of the combined deeply grateful for the resolution which has just been territory of Trinidad and Tobago. Efforts are being adopted by the General Assembly. It alleviates to made to restore Tobago, in the way envisaged by some extent the hardships visited upon the Dominican the representative of the Netherlands, who expressed people, in particular the inhabitants of the south, the hope that Tobago would rise again. I am happy to south-west and nort;h-west of the country, as a result be able to say that we have already received certain of hurricane "Flora", which ruined crops, soweddeath assistance from the Secretary-General, from the and destruction and had so relentless an impact on specialized agencies and from other Governments. the nation's economy that the affected regions were particularly the Governments of the United States declared disaster areas. Theburdenofthe catastrophe and the UnitedKingdom. We have had messages of sym­ which has struck the country, leaving thousands of pathy and promises of assistance from many other families destitute and plunging countless farmers Governments. and we are sincerely grateful to them into ruin, will be partly lightened by the resolution as well. that has been adopted. 111, We would stress that, despite the ravages of 107. In this house of anguish, the Dominican people the hurricane, we have begun the work of rehabilita­ will feel morally, even more than materially,relieved tion. We hope that those who in the past considered by the assistance which the United Nations has Tobago a place worthy of a visit will continue to think promised. The Government of my country will pro­ so and that, in the forthcoming season, they will not vide the Secretary-General with the relevantinforma­ fail to come to see what has been done to restore tion in due course, so that the assistance may be Tobago to its pristine condition. furnished as urgently as the circumstances require. 112. Again, let me say how much we appreciate both 108. Sir Ellis CLARKE (Trinidad and Tobago): I the moral and material assistance already received should like, on behalf of the Government and people and, this evening, so generously promised. of Trinidad and Tobago, to express our sincere thanks to, first of all, the delegation of Chile for Organization of work the initiative which it showed in suggesting the in­ clusion on the agenda of this item, in connexion with 113. The PRESIDENT (translated from Spanish): which a resolution has just been adopted by acclama­ Before adjourning the meeting, I should like to recall tion. We also express our thanks to all those who that the next plenary meeting of the GeneralAssembly sponsored the resolution, to all those who spoke in will be held on Wednesday, 6 November, in the morn­ favour of it and to the entire Assembly, which has ing and willdealwithitems 75,20 and 61 of the agenda. given its wholehearted and generous support to the Subsequently, perhaps at that same meeting or at an­ resolution. other held the same week, we shall take up item 12, which we deferred today. 109. The island of Tobago is a very tiny one, and perhaps for that reason the death-roll there was not The meeting rose at 5 p.m.

Litho in U.N. 77001-May 1965-2,175 Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library