UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL OFFICIAL RECORDS
THIRTY-SIXTH YEAR
232r MEETING: 21 DECEMBER 1981 NEW YORK
CONTENTS
Provisional agenda (S/Agenda/232 1) ...... 1 Adoption of the agenda I..II.I.II*I.lllll..I~,~IIIII..IIII....,IIII.... 1 Date of elections to fill a vacancy in the International Court of Justice (S/14799) , , 1 Statement by the Presider,: regarding the 2306th meeting I**,II,I,,****,,,1 1 Statements by representatives of outgoing members.. . . , . . . , . . , , , , . , . . , , , . 1 Statement by the Secretary-General IIIIII.III,I,,I.,.I...II....,...... 6 Statement by the President II..III.II..,IIIII.,,....I....,II,.,,..,,,.,. 7
S/l’V.2321 1; -2.050
? NOTE
Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters com- bined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates n refcrencc to a United Nations document.
Documents of the Security Comlcil (symbol S/ . , a) are normally published in qtuuIcrly .YII/~/~/~~III(~II/.\ of the ~?~licitrl l2~wmls o/‘/lrc .Srcrrri/y C‘ouucd. The date of the document intlicatcs the supplcmcnt in which it appears or in which infor- mation about it is given.
The resolutions of the Security Council, numbered in ;~ccorclancc with II system adopted in 1964. are published in yeerly volumes of Nc.wdo/icmy od IhYsi,uc.\ r:/’ /lrc, .Swrwic,v C’rwwil. The new system. which has been applied retloxtively to resolutions xlopted before I January 1905. became fully opefiitivc 011 that date. 2321st MEETING
Held in New York on Monday, 21 December 1981, aa 4.30 p.m.
! President: Mr. Olara A, OTUNNU (Uganda). 5. His loss has been deeply felt by the Government and the people of Egypt, by the International Court Pleserl!: The representatives of the following States: of Justice and by the international community. China, France, German Democratic Republic, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Niger, Panama, Philippines, Spain, 6. Under Article 14 of the Statute of the International Tunisia, Uganda, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Court of Justice, the Security Council is required to United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, fix a date for the election to fill any vacancy in the United States of America. Court. Members of the Council have before them in document S/14809 the text of a draft resolution pre- Provisional agenda (S/Agenda/2321) pared in the course of consultations. 1. Adoption of the agenda 7. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to vote now on the draft resolution. Unless 2. Date of elections to fill a vacancy in the Inter- I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution national Court of Justice (S/14799) to the vote.
T/w twetirtg was culled to order at 4.40 p.m- A vote was ta&m by s/row of hands.
Adoption of the agenda The druft resolrttion was adopted ro~anhnously (rrsoliitio~i 499 (1981)). The agmla IIYIS adopted. Statement by the President regarding Date of elections to fill a vacancy in tbe International the 2306th meeting Court of Justice (S/14799) 8. The PRESIDENT: I wish to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: I. The PRESIDENT: Members of the Council have before them document S/14799, which contains a note “The President of the Security Council has been by the Secretary-General. informed by the Secretariat that following the 2306th meeting of the Security Council, on 5 NO- 2. The recent death, on 12 December, of Judge vember 1981, devoted to the election of five mem- Abdullah El-Erian has created a vacancy in the Inter- bers of the International Court of Justice, a further national Court of Justice that has to be filled. examination of the ballots established that an error had inadvertently been made in the tally of votes 3. I am sure that 1 am expressing the sentiments of on the first ballot. all the members of the Council in extending sincere condolences to the delegation of Egypt on this sad “As the final result of the voting would have occasion. remained the same, the Council confirms that the result of the balloting announced at the conclusion 4. Judge El-Erian was educated at Cairo, Harvard of the 2306th meeting remains valid.” and Columbia Universities, and lectured at Cairo University from 1943 to 1961. From 1959 to 1968, he Statements by representatives of outgoing members was Director of the Legal and Treaty Department of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, From 1968 9. The PRESIDENT: As it appears that this may be to 1979, he served as Deputy Permanent Represen- the last formal meeting of the Council for the curren! tative of his country to the United Nations, Permanent year, I propose to call on members who wish to speak Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva before I adjourn this meeting. and then Ambassador to France and Switzerland. He had been a member of the International Court of Justice 10. Mr. MUa LED0 (Mexico) (hterprctatiotf since February 1979, and his term of office would have ,fkor,t Spcotish): Mr. President, you have called US .~,>, ..I :.1 1‘..,%.,,..*... tnoo tmvtlrrv this ~~f’tr~~mn fo :wlnnt R derision within I ~. ~. :I lour competence concerninpl the date on which a mem- international relations and the political pressures = ber of thk International Co&t of Justice will be elected -stemming from bipolarism and hegemonism. My = I- -:to replace Judge Abdullah El-Erian, whose passing country was put forward to take a Latin American ‘saddens us. You have sought to res&e at the same seat on the Council at a time of institutional crisis -~time, with the tact and skill that you have so frequently threatening the Organization towards the end of the / shown, the matter relating to the inadvertent error thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly. With- made in tallying the votes in the first ballot in the out hesitation we assumed the high responsibility election of five members to the Court on 5 November. offered us to serve the international community, and we i have no regrets at having done so. I 1. My delegation particularly thanks you for the care that you have shown in dealing with this matter. 17. The Secretary of State for External Relations My Government’s request that the Council take a of Mexico emphasized here, as we began our work decision on it was motivated solely by a concern to [2/9&/t meeting], the risks involved in autonomous safeguard the prestige of this body and to see that its action by the Council and stated that for our country actions were worthy of respect. We agree that, in membership of this body could be meaningful only if principle, that mistake did not in any way affect the the decision had been taken to act independently and final outcome of the voting, but we feel that only the constructively. He pointed out that we were not joining Council has the competence to confirm or ratify the this body as allies, friends or enemies of anyone, validity of its decisions. That has now been done but in order to support just causes and to defend through a statement by the President, endorsed by all principles. the members, which is without a doubt a healthy precedent which will help to enhance our authority. 18. Our experience in the Council, which I do not have to rehearse now, has been highly positive. It has 12. We are far along in the year and our agenda is shown us that, despite consti:utional limitations, strict brief. Thus, this meeting will doubtless close the adherence to the principles of the Charter is com- year’s work and is a propitious occasion for fare- patible with the demands of political compromise wells, auld lang synes and good resolutions. which are ineluctable in a body of this nature. This is possible provided that there is a willingness to nego- 13. We shall hear a statement by the Secret-ry- tiate and as long as there is no fear of a rupture and as General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, who today is taking his long as our legitimate positions are not sacrificed in the leave of the Council. We have lived through so many name of false unanimity. hours with him and shared so many challenges and hopes that the hour of leave-taking, of saying goodbye, 19. I wish to bear witness to the progress signified is a difficult one. by the growing solidarity among the developing coun- tries, permanent or non-permanent members of this 1, 14. Mr. Secretary-General, you may be sure that what body. The policy of non-aljgnment and the innumerable you have done for the Organization and in it has been struggles of the Group of 77 are gaining an ever clearer I, a daily example of devotion and strict professionalism and more influential expression in the decisions of the with a high sense of duty. None of the major or even Council. Otherwise, it would noi reflect the aspirations the minor international problems of the last 10 years of the international community and would simply \ was outside your notice; you paid attention to ali of become an anachronistic obstacle to the process of them; and there were more than a few crises which making the United Nations more democratic. weie attenuated or resolved because of your timely -~ and prudent intervention. Your image remains asso- 20. The highly regarded delegations of the German ciated with the history of our time, and you take with Democratic Republic, the Niger. the Philiouines and you the well-deserved gratitude of the United Nations Tunisia are al&leaving. They;liie us, haveihared the and the friendship of those who can call themselves tribulations of this period and we can rightly call them your colleagues. We wish you every success. our classmates. With all of them we achieved a high level of understanding and deepened our political and 15. My delegation also must bid you all farewell, human relations. May these links endure and increase because we are coming to the end of the mandate in other bodies and in renewed struggles. entrusted to my country by the General Assembly. After two years of sharing intense experiences with 21. To all those who will continue for a greater or a other members of the Council, this is a time of genuine lesser time here, we wish to express recognition of and emotion for those of 11swho have had the privilege gratitude for their unquestionable diplomatic and of taking par1 in the Council’s work on behalf of persoaal qualities, and we also wish to thank them fol Me- ice. the cordial and respectful way in which the Mexican delegation has been treated at all times. We shall 16. For 34 years-almost the entire life of the Organ- certainly work together in joint tasks in the future. ization-my Government did not consider the possi- bility of joining the Council, It felt that this body was 22. We wish to mention in particular Ambassndol a ioo vivid reflection of the imbalance of power in Jacques Leprette of France, who presided the Council assures when-our country joined it. He was most helpful to us beginning of 1982, are to me both a consolation and a n. My then, and it job done by Mr. Waldheim, his firm and courageous on the basis of the Charter. We are very gratified to stands,-his resolute support for just causes, whether in record that during our two-year term of office in the -the Middle East, in Africa or elsewhere, are things Council, this-body has t&e!! a nulfiber ofco!!s!r@be which Tunisia, an Arab and African country, cannot decisions. -but stress here before paying him the most cordial and ~slncere tribute to his lofty accomplishment~~~ and 40. Each of us is aware of why the Council has not limitless devotion, always proved able-nor is it always able, in fact- to discharge its responsibilities. The Council is not in 34. In expressing its thanks and gratitude to the head any wise to be regarded as a world government, nor of the Organization as his term of office draws to a should any attempt be made to alter its functions to close, the Tunisian delegation is convinced that fit that purpose. The Charter has vested in the Council Mr. Waldheim will remain for the Organization a all the authority it requires for it to discharge the heeded and sought-after counsellor in all matters functions vested in it. Making use of that authority relating to international affairs and to peace and seems to me to be ace of the most fundamental factors stability in the worki. The Tunisian delegation is all which will make for successful action on the part of ,the more pleased to pay him this tribute, since we are the Council. convinced that his activities at the service of the Organ- ization will be pursued with the same determination 41. The German Democratic Republic has twice had and conviction by the new Secretary-General, the honour of occupying the presidency of this body. Mr. Javier P&ez de CuBllar. We should like to avail ourselves of the opportunity which is given us today to thank all our colleagues for 35. The personal qualities of Mr. Wrez de CuelIar their co-operation. We are p :.:ticularly grateful to the and the lofty responsibilities he has held both within Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, who has at his country and outside it, as well as the especially all times supported us with his advice and his actions important international missions with which he has and whose tireless efforts have quite properly won been entrusted within the Organization, leave no doubt world-wide recognition. I am very pleased to say that about his qualifications as a highly regarded inter- it was indeed a signal honour for me to represent the locutor, respected by all, not only within the Organ- German Democratic Republic for more than eight years ization but in the various capitals of the world. The precisely during that term of office. May I, Mr. Sec- great sensitivity shown by Mr. P6rez de CublIar to the retary-General, offer you heartfelt wishes on your crucial problems of our time-those of the third world, birthday and wish you health and personal well-being on which today hang the balance and prosperity of and the very best of everything. the entire world-is an additional cause for optimism and confidence. 42. We should also like very warmly to thank the Under-Secretary-General, Comrade Ustinov, and all 36. May I express here to the new Secretary-General his colleagues in the Secretariat for the very kind co- our gratitude for his having inspired these feelings of operation which we were able to rely on at all times. confidence and optimism, and extend to him our warm congratulations and best wishes for every 43. In conclusion, may I assure the Council that success in the noble and difficult task awaiting him. the representative of the German Democratic Republic intends always to do everything he can to support this 37. In closing, Mr. President, I would beg your supreme body of the United Nations in the discharge indulgence and that of the members of the Council of its duties, including its prime responsibility for to convey the thanks of the Tunisian delegation to maintaining international peace and security. the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Security Council Affairs, Mr. Ustinov, to Mr. Ortner and to all 44. Mr. President, once again I should like to express their co-workers fat the assistance and effective CO- to you our gratitude for your diplomatic talents, for operation they have always given us. Our thanks go your skill in discharging the functions of President also to the interpreters, translators and other Con- of this supreme body. Our delegation admires you. ference Services personnel. 4.5. Mr. OUMAROU (Niger) (i/lrc~rp,rrcrric,I( Jkm 38. Mr. FLORIN (German Democratic Republic) Fre,lck): In a few days, the Niger will be leaving this (ir~te,prathn~ flu/n Rmsion): Since it is very likely prestigious body, in whose work we have participated that this meeting will be the last one in which the for more than two years in very worthwhile deliber- German Democratic Republic will participate as a ations which have contributed to the peace and security non-permanent member of the Council, I should like of the world. For us, it is therefore the moment to take to say a few words. a look back and to express a certain feeling of regret -regret that soon we will have ;7 give up the respected 39. In keeping with the principles of the foreign title of member of the Council, which we bore like a policy of our Socialist State, the delegation of the banner and which in all areas has won us considcrntion German Democratic Republic has bent every effort and deference; regret that we must leave a body that to promote the resolution of the items on our agenda we have frequented as a kind of club because its 4 .tified to atmosphere- was so egalitarian and its debates so our opposition to the inhuman policy of ccpwrhcid, :e in the responsible and harmonious; regret. finallv. ~that we which has orevented the black South Africali~maiority 4 IlIc!iye must leave when so many problems ;,etnain-and when from coming into-its own or recovering its dignit;. we were beginning truly to perceive the substance, the We have rejected the policy of bantustanization, limits and the glimmers of a solution. expressed our solidarity with the South-West Africa has not People’s Organization, the African National Congress i fact- 46. Nevertheless, in looking back briefly over the and the Pan Africanist Congress, and we have vigor- is not in past two years, the Niger can express pleasure that it ously condemned South Africa for its acts of sabotage ent, nor was present at, amongst other events, the indepen- and aggression against the front-line States. iions to dence of Zimbabwe; we are aware of how lona that was Council debated in the Council when that country-was still SO. I should like now to express the gratitude and fi.ge the the rebellious Southern Rhodesia. Thai decolonization appreciation of my delegation to all the present tnem- uthority is of course the work of the Lancaster House agree- bers of the Council who did us the honour of giving IIfactors ment, but it would never have resulted in such success US their friendship and whose unanimous esteem -part of 1 without the combined, vigorous and stubborn work and active assistance helped us considerably in ap- I of the United Nations, particularly of the Council. It is proaching the problems before us and evaluating the always a privilege and a pleasure to be present at those facts. Special mention is due the permanent members t&e bad crucial moments whelm certain milestones in history of the Council: Mrs. Kirkpatrick of the United States, is body. are being laid. Today Zimbabwe is living in peace and who has felicitously introduced a new sensibility in ortunity confidence, proof that this was a fine undertakinn the Council and whose frankness and firmness are gues for and well acc&nplished. fully equal to the role of her great country; Mr. Troy- 11 to the anovsky of the Soviet Union, who is always very 1 has at 47. Equally, the Niger as a member of the Coun- attentive and obliging and whose forcefulness at all actions cil went through the difficult and tense time when times has aroused our admiration; Mr. Leprette of -!y won 52 Americans had to spend 444 days in captivity, France, whose courtesy has given us reassurance even spay that despite the pleas of the world and the constant efforts at the most difficult moments and who only raises his 53. Mr. YANG0 (Philippinesj: As this may be the last 57. Mr, LEPRETiTE (France) (iWvpWrrifvf fion ~opportunity for my delegation to speak during our &VI&: Although I represent a country which is not --Iterm of membership on the Council, I should iiks to an outgoing member or’ the Council, I should like-to ~~ -express, on behalf of General Carlos P. Romulo, sav a few words now that the time has come for me to Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, who leave the Council. They are words of gratitude.-grat- headed the Philippine delegation to the Council during itude to you, Mr. ~President, for your mastery of the info! the months of July 1980 and September 1981, our function which you assumed so &ort a time ago: your =colI deep appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity career is already moving on a rising curve of success. 011 t afforded us to serve on the Council. On behalf of the Group of Western European and act \ other States, I had the pleasure and the honour to pay 54. I must acknowledge that it was a sobering expe- a tribute to you, Mr. Secretary-General, during a 64. rience fnr us to work with all the members of the Coun- memorable and solemn ceremony last week in the dent cil ovel the past two years. The co-operation extended General Assembly.’ I should like to express my grat- 1 of t to my delegation and the spirit of harmony and unity itude also, and above all, to you my dear colleagues, elem we witnessed in the cause of the principles and objec- who for five years have given me your co-operation, is cc tives of the United Nations will not easily be forgotten. your friendship, your support. I recall that, as Ambas- very We did our best to work for the sake of those principles sador Miinoz Ledo mentioned just now, I was Presi- avail to hi and objectives and to contribute what we could, dent of the Security Council when those of our friends such conscious always of our responsibility as a member of who are leaving us today joined the Council to give any the Council to discharge our mandate of preserving us the benefit of their experience and their assistance. offer and maintaining international peace and security. You have bid me farewell in such warm terms that it Clearly, we treasure in our hearts the many experiences would be pleasant to remain to hear more. the s we have gaineci by virtue of our membership on the -Sh 58. I should like to thank the officials of the Council, Artic Council. We have been afforded the rare opportunity of tll of participating in discussions on major questions as well as their assistants, who have helped me through- prob affecting the work of this important organ of the United out these years. I thank the interpreters and translators Cout Nations. We have been privy to the anxieties and who have made my statements intelligible when they apprehensions of the Council in difficult circum- might not have been, the verbatim reporters, whose 65. stances. We have benefited enormously from all patience is endless, and others who work silently and in th those.experiences. _~ _ efficiently for the Council. I also thank all those I have elemi overlooked, who will, I hope, forgive me. To all of you, to 111~ 55. We feel that it could be said that we have done at the time when my five-year mission is coming to and z our duty, and so today we bid farewell to our colleagues an end, I should like to say that the experiences I have cil 01 on the Council with a feeling of self-satisfaction and had in the United Nations, in the service of peace, ciatel of great friendship for you, I&. President, and for all have been the most stimulating and engrossing of my our esteemed colleagues and our co-workers in the entire diplomatic career. Secretariat, all of whom have helped the Council to 66. discharge its responsibilities. 59. I wish to ex.tend to all~of you my warmest wishes numl for the future. Farewell. evokl 56. We understand that the Secretary-General will in set make a statement before the Council adjourns. In that 60. The PRESIDENT: I now call upon the Secretary- the g connection, we should like to make some brief remarks. General. an en For the past 10 years, the Secretary-General, Mr. Ktrt Secrf Waldheim. has been at the forefront of the Organiza- Statement by the Secretary-General speec tion in its efforts to solve the many complex and nagging and I problems confronting the world. Mr. Waldheim not 61. The SECRETARY-GENERAL: Let me at the forrm only has served with the utmost skill and competence, outset express my profound gratitude to the members opera but also has contributed much towards the achieve- of the Council who have spoken today for the kind , peacf ment of the lofty principles for which the United Na- words they addressed to me. Their remarks are indeed tions was created. He leaves an indelible imprint on the heartening to me and reflect the close co-operation 67. Organization, a body composed of numerous coun- that has always existed between the Council and me I and I tries with diverse interests and concerns. Yet he has during my term of office. has rig skilfully managed to reconcile those divergent interests ularly and to echo those concerns in an effective and graceful 62. Since this may well be the !ast time that I have and manner. He has always been sensitive to the genuine the opportunity to address thu Council, I should like Natio aspirations of the developing countries. For those to con&de by making a few remarks on the work of again reasons, we owe him a profound sense of gratitude. the Council and, in particular, on the relationship extrer His love for the Organization truly reflects his staunch between the Council and the Secretary-General. commitment to the cause of universal peace and 6X. ’ understanding among all countries and peoples. 63. In the IO years that I have been Secretary-Gen- intern As he leaves us, we wish him success in his future eral, I have derived great satisfaction from the close adds endeavours. working relationship I have always enjoyed with the the e\ ;Council and its members.. Especially in times of That is why the actions that the Council takes or, on . -gathering tension and crisis, it is essential that this occasion, fails to take both create precedents of vital -=close relationship be maintained, not only in order to -importance for its future authority and effectiveness, avoid misunderstandings or to keep the Council fully As I said in my farewell statement to the General informed of developments but also to ensure that the Assembly,’ the maintenance of international peace Council, on the one hand, and the Secretary-General, and security is the primary function of the United on the other, complement each other’s actions and Nations-a goal of which we must never lose sight. act with unity of purpose. 69. It has therefore been a particular privilege and 64. 1 have always kept in close touch with the Presi- challenge to me to play some part in the evolution of dent of the Council on current matters. The President this extremely important organ of the United Nations. of the Council exercises an extremely important I like to think that whatever small contributions we element of leadership, especially when the Council. may all have made during this period will add some- is confronted with difficult problems. It is therefore thing useful to the structure of peace which we are very necessary that the Secretary-General make trying to build in the United Nations. available to the Council the information that is available to him, any suggestions that he may have for obtaining 70. May I conclude by expressing to you personally, such additional information as may be required and Mr. President, and to all the members of the Council any informal advice that he may find appropriate to my warm appreciation for your co-operation and most offer for dealing with current difficulties. Sometimes of a11for your friendship. You personally, Mr. Presi- the Secretary-General himself can take certain actions dent, have shown great skill, clear-headedness and -short of, or including, formal notification under objectivity ir dealing with an unusual number of vev Article 99 of the Charter-which further the purposes complex and difficult questions. I referred to them of the Council and can contribute to the solution of only recently during the luncheon that you so kindly problems. At such times also it is essential that the gave for us. I think the United Nations is lucky to have Council and the Secretary-General act in concert. people of your calibre-and, if I may say so, especially young people of your calibre-to serve it, I wish you 65. The development of the system of consultations and all my friends in the Security Council all success in the Council has, I think, provided a useful new in your vital task.-~ element in its work. It has also proved very helpful .;~-~ to me, both as a means of keeping the Council informed - ---Statement by the President and as an informal means of consulting with the Coun- cil on action to be taken. I have always highly appre- 71. The PRESIDENT: The life of the Security ciated those consultations; I thiok they constitute Council moves in rapid annual cycles, beginning each great progress in the Council’s working methods. January and ending in December. In January the Council welcomes new members, and in December 66. In the past 10 years, we have been through a it has to bid farGwc$l to the outgoing non-permanent number of serious crises. The Middle East war of 1973 members. evoked a highly effective response from the Council in securing the cessation of hostilities and putting on 72. This December we feel even more acutely the the ground a peace-keeping force. That episode was pains of separation, not only because five non-per- an excellent example of the way the Council and the manent members are leaving the Council and two of Secretary-General and his staff can act together and our senior colleagues are departing from New York speedily in a dangerous crisis. That episode had another altogether, but also because the Secretary-General is and broader result in providing the occasion for the taking leave of the Organisation after a decade of very formulation of a working basis for peace-keeping distinguished and dedicated service. operations which has proved very useful in subsequent peace-keeping operations. 73. I should therefore like to take this opportunity to pay a very special and well-deserved tribute to our 67. I do not wish to make a list of all the important friend Mr. Kurt Waldheim. and rather difficult questions with which the Council has dealt in the last 10 years. I would, however, partic- 74. When the history of international relations over ularly single out the crisis in south I.ebanon in 1978 the last decade is written, the name of Mr. Waldheim and the subsequent establishment of the United will be associated with the most important events Nations Irrterim Force, and also the Council’s handling, of that period. Indeed, I cannot think of any major again in concert with the Secretary-General, of the international concern of our time in which the United extremely difficult case of the hostages in Iran. Nations unde: Mr. Waldheim’s leadership has not left an enduring impact. Mr. Waldheim’s masterly use of 68. The Council is a good example of an evolving quiet diplomacy has turned that art into a most effective international institution. Each chapter of its history tool for resolution of conflicts. He never left a stone adds something: to its experience and contributes to unturned in his efforts to weave a common thread of the evolution of its working methods :u~tl reputation. understanding between those with otherwise con- -flitting interests, His personal compassion enabled 79. 1 am sad to see that no less than four of my col- lihn to understand better the enormous suffering that leagues in the non-aligned caucus whose friendship and ~~ -afflicts our world. Under Mr. Waldheim’s direction, solidarity have been a constant source ofstrength to me the United Nations has made great strides in its efforts are leaving the Council this month, -to alleviate this suffering by extending generous help to many of our nations in the fields of economic and 80. -1 shall miss the benefits of Ambassador TaIeb social devclopmcnt, disaster relief and health care. Slim’s wide experience and seasoned judgement. I have said this before, but I do not mind repeating it now, 75. Coming as I do from Africa, I cannot forget that that I remain grateful to him for his help, which has it was durhrg this last decade that the peoples of Africa, made my present tasks more bearable. I shall always with the encouragement and support of the United remember with admiration Ambassador Yango’s Nations, were able to dismantle some of the most steadfast commitment, his generous spirit and his entrenched bulwarks of settler colonialism on that patient understanding in difficult times. We shall continent. Mr. Waldheim has been a reliable and miss the contribution of the only delegation within consistent friend of Africa, the non-aligned caucus which is an original signatory of the Charter of the United Nations. I cannot forget 76. Mr, Waldheim, you have served the international the kindness of my dear brother Ambassador Id& community well. With a quiet determination and a Oumarou of the Niger. From the outset he took me to sturdy spirit, you have borne 10 years of exacting the quiet shade of the baobab tree and there, like a service with remarkable grace and good cheer. A good African elder, he initiated me into the ways of decade ago you came to the service of the United the Council. I have learned much from his wisdom and Nations as a diplomat from Austria; today you leave example. I know that this is only the beginning of our the Organization as a statesman who belongs to the long common journey in the service of Africa. I shall world. miss very much the valued advice of Ambassador Porfirio Muiioz Ledo of Mexico. His boundless energy 77. I wish you and Mrs. Waldheim many blessings and probing mhrd were always a rich source of inspira- and a lot of happiness in your new life. tion to us all. He has embodied so well the tradition of ideas and innovation which is the heritage of his great 78. I must say a word about two of our senior col- country. leagues who have been true pillars of the Council. They not only are leaving the Council now but will 81. Finally, may I say that 1 look forward to I Jan- soon be departing from the Organization altogether. uary 1982, when I can pass 011 my present respon- Ambassador Jacques Leprette of France has repre- sibilities to my good friend Ambassador Oleg Troy- sented his country in the Council for five years. He anovsky of the Soviet Union, whose broad shoulders will soon leave New York to take up the important are so much better suited to carry the delightful burdens tasks of representing his country in Brussels, another of this office. hectic centre of multilateral diplomacy. Ambassador Peter Florin of the German Democratic Republic, after 82. I wish you all very happy and restful holidays. representing his country at the United Nations fat 71re m?elirlg ,‘mse (115.45 p./ti. eight years, two of them spent in the Securitv Council, will soon return to Berlin to continue his-important functions as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of his country. We wish both of them all success in these important endeavours. I am sure that, as they have NOTES done in New York, in their new responsibilities they will continue to build bridges among the countries and peoples of the world. .