United Nations A/61/PV.79

General Assembly Official Records Sixty-first session

79th plenary meeting Thursday, 14 December 2006, 3 p.m. New York

President: Ms. Al-Khalifa ...... (Bahrain)

The meeting was called to order at 3.40 p.m. by the Committee under agenda item 30, entitled

“International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer Reports of the Special Political and space”, also held informal meetings in the course of Decolonization Committee which it agreed on the texts of the two draft (Fourth Committee) resolutions.

The President: The General Assembly will now The work of the Fourth Committee was consider the reports of the Special Political and performed in a constructive environment and was done Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) on in both a results-oriented and flexible manner. The agenda items 28 to 39, 110 and 118. I request the Committee held interactive dialogue sessions with the Rapporteur of the Special Political and Decolonization Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Committee, Ms. Rana Salayeva of Azerbaijan, to Public Information on the item entitled “Questions introduce in one intervention the reports of the Special relating to information” and with the Under-Secretary- Political and Decolonization Committee. General for Peacekeeping Operations on the item entitled “Comprehensive review of the whole question Ms. Salayeva (Azerbaijan), Rapporteur of the of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects”. Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee): It gives me great pleasure to Likewise, the Committee benefited from an introduce to the General Assembly the reports of the interactive dialogue session with the Commissioner- Special Political and Decolonization Committee General of the United Nations Relief and Works (Fourth Committee) submitted under agenda items 28 Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to 39, 110 and 118. Those reports are contained in (UNRWA), the Rector of the University for Peace, the documents A/61/404 to A/61/417 and they include the Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space texts of draft resolutions and draft decisions Affairs and the Secretary of the United Nations recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic For the convenience of delegations, the Secretariat has Radiation. That format allowed for the active prepared a checklist of Fourth Committee reports, participation of delegations in the deliberations of the which is contained in document A/C.4/61/INF/3*. Fourth Committee. During the main part of the sixty-first session of The report submitted under agenda item 28, the General Assembly, the Fourth Committee held 27 “University for Peace”, is contained in document formal meetings and adopted 25 draft resolutions and A/61/404. The draft resolution submitted under that two draft decisions. Consistent with established agenda item is contained in paragraph 7 of the report of practice, the Working Group of the Whole established the Fourth Committee. In conformity with General

This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the interpretation of speeches delivered in the other languages. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room C-154A. Corrections will be issued after the end of the session in a consolidated corrigendum.

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Assembly resolution 58/316, this item is to be reports of the Secretary-General issued under this item. continued every three years and will next be taken up The Fourth Committee had before it six draft at the sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly. resolutions and adopted five of them, which are contained in paragraph 25 of its report. The Committee The report submitted under agenda item 29, recommends that the General Assembly adopt those entitled “Effects of atomic radiation”, is contained in five draft resolutions. document A/61/405. The Fourth Committee considered the report of the United Nations Scientific Committee The report on agenda item 33, entitled on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, contained in “Comprehensive review of the whole question of document A/61/46 and Corr.1. On this item, the peacekeeping operations in all their aspects”, is Committee heard a very informative presentation by contained in document A/61/409. The Fourth the Secretary of the Scientific Committee. The draft Committee held an interactive dialogue with Mr. Jean- resolution submitted under this agenda item is Marie Guéhenno, Under-Secretary-General for contained in paragraph 7 of the report of the Fourth Peacekeeping Operations, and held a general debate on Committee. this item. The Committee will resume its consideration of this item after receiving the report of the Special The report submitted under agenda item 30, Committee on Peacekeeping Operations next year. entitled “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space”, is contained in document A/61/406. In The report on agenda item 34, entitled “Questions considering this item, the Fourth Committee held relating to information”, is contained in document several informal meetings of a Working Group of the A/61/410. The Fourth Committee reviewed the report Whole, chaired by the delegation of France. The of the Committee on Information (A/61/21 and Add.1) Working Group formulated two draft resolutions, and the report of the Secretary-General (A/61/216) and which were adopted by the Committee without a vote heard a statement by Mr. Shashi Tharoor, Under- and are contained in paragraph 15 of the report. Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, with whom the Committee also held an The report submitted under agenda item 31, interactive dialogue meeting. The Committee adopted, entitled “United Nations Relief and Works Agency for without a vote, two draft resolutions and one draft Palestine Refugees in the Near East”, is contained in decision on the increase in the membership of the document A/61/407. The Fourth Committee considered Committee on Information, which are contained in the report of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, paragraphs 9 and 10 of the report of the Committee, issued under the symbol A/61/13, as well as the report respectively. By the terms of the draft decision, the of the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA, Dominican Republic and Thailand would be appointed issued under the symbol A/61/347, and various reports as members of the Committee on Information, and of the Secretary-General. Under this item, the therefore the membership of the Committee would Committee adopted four draft resolutions by recorded increase from 108 to 110 members. The Fourth votes. The draft resolutions submitted under this Committee recommends that the General Assembly agenda item are contained in paragraph 19 of the report adopt the draft resolutions and the draft decision. of the Fourth Committee. The Committee recommends those draft resolutions for adoption by the General The Fourth Committee considered the Assembly. decolonization items in one cluster, with a single general debate for all decolonization items. The report on agenda item 32, entitled “Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices The report presented under agenda item 35, Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People entitled “Information from Non-Self-Governing and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”, is Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter contained in document A/61/408. The Fourth of the United Nations”, is contained in document Committee considered the report of the Special A/61/411. The draft resolution submitted under this Committee concerning the protection and the item is reflected in paragraph 7 of the report. The promotion of the rights of the Palestinian people and Fourth Committee recommends its adoption by the other Arab inhabitants of the occupied territories, General Assembly. published under the symbol A/61/500, as well as other

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The report submitted under agenda item 36, Decolonization Committee. On behalf of the Bureau of entitled “Economic and other activities which affect the Fourth Committee, I would like to express our deep the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing gratitude to all delegations that helped the Committee Territories”, is contained in document A/61/412. Under reach consensus on many draft resolutions and draft that item, the Fourth Committee adopted a draft decisions. resolution, which is contained in paragraph 7 of the I wish to pay a special tribute to the Chairman of report. The Committee recommends that the General the Fourth Committee, Ambassador Madhu Raman Assembly adopt it. Acharya of Nepal. His in-depth knowledge of the wide The report submitted under agenda item 37, range of subjects considered by the Committee allowed entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the him to lead the Committee with great efficiency. Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and I would also like to express my appreciation to Peoples by the specialized agencies and the other members of the Bureau, namely Mr. Mahieddine international institutions associated with the United Djeffal of Algeria, Ms. Mónica Bolaños-Pérez of Nations”, is contained in document A/61/413. The Guatemala and Mr. Urban Andersson of Sweden, with Fourth Committee recommends that the draft whom I had the pleasure of working and who resolution contained in paragraph 8 of the report be contributed significantly to the success of the Fourth adopted by the General Assembly. Committee. The report submitted under agenda item 38, I should also like to thank the Secretary of the entitled “Offers by Member States of study and Committee, Mr. Saijin Zhang, as well as the Political training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self- Affairs Officer, Ms. Tatyana Shestakova, and the rest Governing Territories”, is contained in document of the dedicated team for their professional assistance. A/61/414. The Fourth Committee recommends that the General Assembly adopt the draft resolution that In conclusion, I respectfully submit to the appears in paragraph 6 of the report. General Assembly for consideration and approval the recommendations of the Special Political and The report submitted under agenda item 39, Decolonization Committee which appear in the reports entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the published under the symbols A/61/404 to A/61/417. Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”, is contained in document A/61/415. The The President: I thank the Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee adopted six draft resolutions and Special Political and Decolonization Committee. one draft decision under this item. The Fourth If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules Committee recommends that the General Assembly of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly adopt the six draft resolutions contained in paragraph decides not to discuss the reports of the Special 29 of the report and the draft decision contained in Political and Decolonization Committee which are paragraph 30. before the Assembly today. The report submitted under agenda item 110, It was so decided. entitled “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”, is contained in document A/61/416. The The President: Statements will therefore be Fourth Committee approved the draft programme of limited to explanations of vote. work of the Committee for the sixty-second session of The positions of delegations regarding the the General Assembly, as contained in the annex to the recommendations of the Special Political and report of the Committee. Decolonization Committee have been made clear in the The report submitted under agenda item 118, Committee and are reflected in the relevant official entitled “Programme planning”, is contained in records. document A/61/417. May I remind members that under paragraph 7 of At this point, I would like to pay tribute to all decision 34/401, the General Assembly agreed that: delegations for the remarkable spirit of cooperation “When the same draft resolution is considered in which prevailed in the work of the Special Political and a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a

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delegation should, as far as possible, explain its report. We will now take a decision on the draft vote only once, that is, either in the Committee or resolution. The Special Committee adopted it without a in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the same? Committee.” The draft resolution was adopted (resolution May I remind delegations that, also in accordance 61/108). with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations The President: May I take it that it is the wish of of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of by delegations from their seats. agenda item 28? Before we begin to take action on the It was so decided. recommendations contained in the report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, I should like Agenda item 29 to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in Effects of atomic radiation the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, Report of the Special Political and unless the Secretariat is notified to the contrary in Decolonization Committee advance. (Fourth Committee) (A/61/405) That means that where recorded votes were taken, The President: The Assembly has before it a we will do the same. I should also hope that we will draft resolution recommended by the Special Political proceed to adopt without a vote those and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 7 of its recommendations that were adopted without a vote in report. We will now take a decision on the draft the Special Political and Decolonization Committee. resolution. The Special Committee adopted it without a Before proceeding further, I would like once vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the again to draw the attention of members to a note by the same? Secretariat entitled “Checklist of reports of the Special The draft resolution was adopted (resolution Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth 61/109). Committee) to the General Assembly on agenda items 28 to 39, 110 and 118”, which has been circulated as The President: May I take it that it is the wish of document A/C.4/61/INF/3. The note has been the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of distributed disk to disk in the General Assembly Hall agenda item 29? as a reference guide for action on draft resolutions and It was so decided. decisions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in its reports. In this Agenda item 30 connection, members will find in column two of the note the numbers of the draft resolutions or the International cooperation in the peaceful uses of meetings of the Special Political and Decolonization outer space Committee, with the corresponding numbers for action Report of the Special Political and in plenary meeting in column five of the same note. Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/61/406) Agenda item 28 The President: The Assembly has before it two University for Peace draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political Report of the Special Political and and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 15 of its Decolonization Committee report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions (Fourth Committee) (A/61/404) I and II.

The President: The Assembly has before it a Draft resolution I is entitled “United Nations draft resolution recommended by the Special Political Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 7 of its Management and Emergency Response”. The Special

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Political and Decolonization Committee adopted it Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to do the same? Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, 61/110). Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, The President: Draft resolution II is entitled Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, space”. The Special Political and Decolonization Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, the Assembly wishes to do likewise? Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, 61/111). Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, The President: May I take it that it is the wish of Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, agenda item 30? Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, It was so decided. Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Agenda item 31 Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Palestine Refugees in the Near East Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Report of the Special Political and Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Decolonization Committee Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South (Fourth Committee) (A/61/407) Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, The President: The Assembly has before it four Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 19 of its Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, I to IV, one by one. After all the votes have been taken, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab representatives will have the opportunity to explain Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and their votes. Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, “Assistance to Palestine refugees”. A recorded vote has Zimbabwe been requested. Against: A recorded vote was taken. Israel In favour: Abstaining: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Cameroon, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Micronesia Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Guinea, Tuvalu, United States of America, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Vanuatu Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Draft resolution I was adopted by 173 votes to 1, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape with 10 abstentions (resolution 61/112). Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, The President: Draft resolution II is entitled China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, “Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech

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A/61/PV.79 subsequent hostilities”. A recorded vote has been Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, requested. Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe A recorded vote was taken. Against: Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated In favour: States of), Nauru, Palau, United States of Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, America Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Abstaining: Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Côte d’Ivoire, Fiji, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Draft resolution II was adopted by 170 votes to 6, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, with 8 abstentions (resolution 61/113). Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, The President: Draft resolution III is entitled Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech “Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”. A Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, recorded vote has been requested. Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican A recorded vote was taken. Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, In favour: Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines,

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Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Against: Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, States of), Nauru, Palau, United States of Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, America Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Abstaining: Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Fiji, Papua New Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad Guinea, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom Draft resolution III was adopted by 169 votes to of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United 6, with 8 abstentions (resolution 61/114). Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, The President: We now turn to draft resolution Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, IV, entitled “Palestine refugees’ properties and their Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe revenues”. A recorded vote has been requested. Against: A recorded vote was taken. Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States of In favour: America Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Abstaining: Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Cameroon, Fiji, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Draft resolution IV was adopted by 170 votes to Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, 6, with 8 abstentions (resolution 61/115). Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, The President: May I take it that it is the wish of China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech agenda item 31? Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of It was so decided. Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea,

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Agenda item 32 Against: Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of Tuvalu, United States of America the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Report of the Special Political and Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Decolonization Committee Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African (Fourth Committee) (A/61/408) Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, The President: The Assembly has before it five Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, paragraph 25 of its report. We will now take a decision Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, on draft resolutions I to V, one by one. After all the Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, decisions have been taken, representatives will again Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, have the opportunity to explain their votes. Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Work Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Russian Federation, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Territories”. A recorded vote has been requested. Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, A recorded vote was taken. Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tonga, In favour: Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay, Vanuatu Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Draft resolution I was adopted by 90 votes to 9, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, with 81 abstentions (resolution 61/116). Cambodia, Chad, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo, The President: Draft resolution II is entitled Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, “Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, territories”. A recorded vote has been requested. Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab A recorded vote was taken. Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, In favour: Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Republic of Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Venezuela Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Zambia, Zimbabwe Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt,

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El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, In favour: Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Against: Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, States of), Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, United States of Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab America Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Abstaining: Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Angola, Australia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Malawi, Papua New Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Guinea, Uganda, Vanuatu United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Draft resolution II was adopted by 165 votes to 7, Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), with 10 abstentions (resolution 61/117). Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe The President: Draft resolution III is entitled Against: “Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Australia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, Syrian Golan”. A recorded vote has been requested. United States of America A recorded vote was taken.

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Abstaining: Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Malawi, Papua New Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Guinea, Tonga, Uganda, Vanuatu United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Draft resolution III was adopted by 162 votes to Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), 8, with 10 abstentions (resolution 61/118). Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe The President: Draft resolution IV is entitled Against: “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Territory, including East Jerusalem”. A recorded vote Tuvalu, United States of America has been requested. Abstaining: A recorded vote was taken. Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican In favour: Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua Honduras, Malawi, Nicaragua, Papua New and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Guinea, Tonga, Uganda, Vanuatu Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Draft resolution IV was adopted by 157 votes to Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, 9, with 14 abstentions (resolution 61/119). Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, [Subsequently, the delegation of India advised the Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.] African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, The President: Draft resolution V is entitled Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, “The occupied Syrian Golan”. A recorded vote has Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s been requested. Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, A recorded vote was taken. Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, In favour: Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta,

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Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, It was so decided. Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, The President: The General Assembly has thus Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, 33. Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Agenda item 34 Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Questions relating to information Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Report of the Special Political and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Decolonization Committee Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon (Fourth Committee) (A/61/410) Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab The President: The Assembly has before it a Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former draft resolution recommended by the Special Political Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 9 of its Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, report and a draft decision recommended by the Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Committee in paragraph 10 of the same report. We will Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and now take a decision on the draft resolution and the Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, draft decision. Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian The draft resolution, entitled “Questions relating Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, to Information”, is in two parts. Part A is entitled Zimbabwe “Information in the service of humanity”; part B is Against: entitled “United Nations public information policies Israel, Tuvalu and activities”. Abstaining: The Special Political and Decolonization Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Haiti, Malawi, May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise? Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States The draft resolution was adopted (resolution of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, 61/121 A and B). United States of America, Vanuatu The President: We turn now to the draft Draft resolution V was adopted by 163 votes to 2, decision, entitled “Increase in the membership of the with 16 abstentions (resolution 61/120). Committee on Information”. The Special Political and The President: The General Assembly has thus Decolonization Committee adopted the draft decision concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item without a vote. May I take it that it is the wish of the 32. General Assembly to do the same? The draft decision was adopted. Agenda item 33 The President: May I take it that it is the wish of Comprehensive review of the whole question of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects agenda item 34? Report of the Special Political and It was so decided. Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/61/409)

The President: May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) contained in document A/61/409?

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Agenda item 35 Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter of Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, the United Nations Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Report of the Special Political and Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Decolonization Committee Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of (Fourth Committee) (A/61/411) Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, The President: The Assembly has before it a Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, draft resolution recommended by the Special Political United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 7 of its Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, report. We will now take a decision on the draft Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe resolution. A recorded vote has been requested. Against: A recorded vote was taken. None In favour: Abstaining: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, France, Israel, United Kingdom of Great Britain Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, and Northern Ireland, United States of America Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, The draft resolution was adopted by 179 votes to Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, none, with 4 abstentions (resolution 61/122). Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, The President: May I take it that it is the wish of Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, agenda item 35? Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, It was so decided.

Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Agenda item 36 Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Economic and other activities which affect the Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Territories Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Report of the Special Political and Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Decolonization Committee Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic (Fourth Committee) (A/61/412) of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, The President: The Assembly has before it a Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao draft resolution recommended by the Special Political People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 7 of its Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, report. We will now take a decision on the draft Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, resolution. A recorded vote has been requested. Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, A recorded vote was taken. Micronesia (Federated States of), Moldova, In favour: Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint

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Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, The President: May I take it that it is the wish of Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, agenda item 36? Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, It was so decided. Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Agenda item 37 Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, by the specialized agencies and the international Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- institutions associated with the United Nations Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Report of the Special Political and Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic Decolonization Committee of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, (Fourth Committee) (A/61/413) Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, The President: The Assembly has before it a Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, draft resolution recommended by the Special Political Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 8 of its Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall report. Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mr. Romeu (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): My Micronesia (Federated States of), Moldova, delegation would like to propose two amendments to Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, the draft resolution contained in paragraph 8 of the Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, report (A/61/413), under agenda item 37, in order to New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, harmonize the text of the draft resolution with that of Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua the resolution on the same subject adopted in July by New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, the Economic and Social Council. Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint In operative paragraph 12 of the draft resolution, Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, the word “resolution” should be in the singular and the Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, words “and 598 (XXX) of 2 July 2004” and the Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, associated footnote should be deleted. Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, The second amendment would delete operative Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, paragraph 13 of the draft resolution. Finally, it would Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, be necessary to renumber all subsequent paragraphs. Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad I understand that all of the amendments that I and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, have just presented orally have been distributed to Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, delegations in writing. I trust that, with the foregoing United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, explanation, the General Assembly will be able to Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, adopt these oral amendments without a vote. However, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe I am aware that some delegations may not have had sufficient time to consider them in depth. Against: Israel, United States of America Mr. Jaafari (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): We listened carefully to the statement just Abstaining: made by the preceding speaker, who proposed France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and amendments to the draft resolution recommended in Northern Ireland document A/61/413, under agenda item 37. Those The draft resolution was adopted by 179 votes to amendments have just been orally proposed, and I 2, with 2 abstentions (resolution 61/123). believe that they were distributed by e-mail late last night. Many Member States — particularly members of

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A/61/PV.79 the Special Committee of 24 — have thus not had time report and a draft decision recommended by the to consider the proposed amendments. Therefore, on Committee in paragraph 30 of the same report. behalf of the members of the Special Committee of 24 I now call on the representative of Belarus, who and other States concerned, I request that the wishes to speak in explanation of position before the consideration of this item be postponed to enable the Assembly takes action on those recommendations. members of the Special Committee of 24 and other States to negotiate with the delegation proposing the Mr. Yaroshevich (Belarus): Belarus will not amendments, with a view to reaching a consensus. participate in the voting on draft resolution I, “Question of Western Sahara”. When the lines of The President: Members have heard the proposal division between our two good friends are so deep, we made by the representative of the Syrian Arab cannot help becoming hostage to the lack of Republic. If I hear no objection, the Assembly will understanding between them — and hostages’ hands postpone its consideration of this report to a later date are tied. to be announced. Issues such as that of Western Sahara cannot be It was so decided. positively influenced by a vote of the General Assembly alone if the essential agreement between the Agenda item 38 States parties most concerned is not in place. We again Offers by Member States of study and training ask our trusted partners and friends in the Non-Aligned facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Movement, Algeria and Morocco, to rally all available Territories goodwill and determination to seek a mutually acceptable solution in the course of an open and frank Report of the Special Political and dialogue. Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/61/414) The President: We have heard the only speaker in explanation of position. The President: The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Special Political We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 6 of its to VI and on the draft decision, one by one. After all of report. We will now take a decision on the draft the decisions have been taken, representatives will resolution. The Special Political and Decolonization again have the opportunity to explain their vote or Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that position. the Assembly wishes to do the same? We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled The draft resolution was adopted (resolution “Question of Western Sahara”. A recorded vote has 61/124). been requested. The President: May I take it that it is the wish of A recorded vote was taken. the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of In favour: agenda item 38? Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, It was so decided. Armenia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize,

Bolivia, Botswana, Chad, Chile, Côte d’Ivoire, Agenda item 39 Croatia, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Ecuador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting Fiji, Finland, Germany, Greece, Grenada, of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Report of the Special Political and Jamaica, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Decolonization Committee Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Mauritius, (Fourth Committee) (A/61/415) Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, The President: The Assembly has before it six Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Russian draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 29 of its

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and the Grenadines, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution Africa, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor- 61/127). Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, The President: Draft resolution IV is entitled United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern “Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Zambia, Zimbabwe Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands”. Against: This draft resolution is in two parts. Part A is entitled None “General”. Part B is entitled “Individual Territories”. A recorded vote has been requested. Abstaining: A recorded vote was taken. Albania, Andorra, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, In favour: Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Republic, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Czech Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Bissau, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Palau, Paraguay, Peru, Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao America, Vanuatu, Yemen People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Draft resolution I was adopted by 70 votes to Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, none, with 91 abstentions (resolution 61/125). Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, The President: Draft resolution II is entitled Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, “Question of New Caledonia”. The Special Political Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, and Decolonization Committee adopted it without a Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, same? Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian 61/126). Federation, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the The President: Draft resolution III is entitled Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, “Question of Tokelau”. The Special Political and Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Decolonization Committee adopted it without a vote. Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same? Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname,

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Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Against: Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint None Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Abstaining: Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Israel, Samoa, United States Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, of America Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Draft resolution IV was adopted by 173 votes to Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, none, with 4 abstentions (resolution 61/128). Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of [Subsequently, the delegation of Saint Lucia Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, in favour.] United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela The President: Draft resolution V is entitled (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, “Dissemination of information on decolonization”. Zambia, Zimbabwe A recorded vote has been requested. Against: A recorded vote was taken. Israel, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Abstaining: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, France Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Draft resolution V was adopted by 176 votes to 3, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, with 1 abstention (resolution 61/129). Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, The President: Draft resolution VI is entitled Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”. Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, A recorded vote has been requested. Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic A recorded vote was taken. of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, In favour: Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus,

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Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic and Decolonization Committee adopted the draft of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, decision without a vote. May I take it that the Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Assembly wishes to do the same? Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, The draft decision was adopted. Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, The President: I shall now call on those Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- representatives who wish to explain their votes or Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, positions. Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic Mr. Romeu (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): The of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Spanish delegation voted in favour of resolution Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao 61/128, which refers to various Non-Self-Governing People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Territories. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Spain supports the application of the principle of Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall self-determination to the Territories included in that Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, omnibus resolution. At the same time, my delegation Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, recalls that the principle of self-determination is not Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, the only important principle involved in carrying out Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, the decolonization of Non-Self-Governing Territories. Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, In certain cases, what applies is the principle of Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, territorial integrity, in accordance with the doctrine Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of established in a number of General Assembly Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, resolutions. Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, One such case is that of Gibraltar, the subject of a Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, specific decision that has just been adopted by Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, consensus. In that respect, I would note that, in the Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, decolonization process for that Territory, Spain, in South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, conformity with the mandate of the General Assembly, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab is willing to move forward without delay towards a Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former definitive solution that can be the result only of Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, negotiation with the United Kingdom, as the Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, administering Power, in which the interests and Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab aspirations of Gibraltar must be heeded. Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Mr. Limeres (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish): The Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Argentine delegation regrets that the General Assembly has again faced a voting scenario on this question, Against: breaking once more with the decade-long tradition Israel, United Kingdom of Great Britain and whereby resolutions on this item have been adopted by Northern Ireland, United States of America consensus. Abstaining: My country has always supported the efforts of Belgium, France the international community to find a political solution Draft resolution VI was adopted by 176 votes to that is just, definitive and mutually acceptable to all 3, with 2 abstentions (resolution 61/130). parties involved in this question. Argentina has traditionally contributed military observers to the [Subsequently, the delegation of Mexico advised United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in Sahara. favour.] The Argentine Republic is aware that the issue of The President: We turn now to the draft decision Western Sahara is being discussed in the Fourth entitled “Question of Gibraltar”. The Special Political

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Committee because it is an object of decolonization. This year, unfortunately, that consensus was not Since 1975, the General Assembly has adopted reached. In light of contradictory positions, Costa Rica resolutions determining that resolution 1514 (XV) is opted to abstain in the voting in the Fourth Committee applicable to the subject of Western Sahara and that the as the most reasonable way of encouraging the parties principle of self-determination must guide the to seek a satisfactory agreement as soon as possible. decolonization process in that Territory. It is worth We abstained again in the General Assembly, but noting that the consultative opinion of the International would not wish our abstention to be construed as a sign Court of Justice arrived at the same conclusions. of support for one party to the conflict over another. Moreover, we would not wish thereby to be thought to In that sense, it is important to my country that all be straying from the position we have held since the issues of decolonization continue to be addressed in the issue of Western Sahara was inscribed on the agenda. body of primary competence within the United Nations On the contrary, with respect to decolonization we system — the Special Political and Decolonization maintain the same principles today that we adopted Committee — and that the criteria for the treatment of almost 50 years ago and with the same vigour that we those issues be modified not unilaterally, but only did then. through collective decisions of this General Assembly. Mr. Charwath (Austria): I would like to explain In the particular case of Western Sahara, that Austria’s vote on resolution 61/125 on the question of position translates into the ongoing support of Western Sahara, under agenda item 39. Argentina for the search for a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self- Austria regrets that it was not possible to achieve determination of the people of Western Sahara in consensus on the resolution on the question of Western accordance with Security Council and General Sahara. We would certainly have preferred the Assembly resolutions adopted over the past two years. resolution to be adopted by consensus, and we hope that that will again be possible next year. Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation reaffirms that Costa Rica has always We voted in favour of the draft resolution in the believed that the decolonization process should be Fourth Committee on 13 October and just now in governed by the provisions of resolution 1514 (XV) of plenary, as the text is virtually unchanged in 1960, which declared the inalienable right to self- comparison to that which the General Assembly determination for all peoples. adopted by consensus last year. I would like to underline, however, that Austria’s vote in favour of the In 1975, Costa Rica held a seat on the Security resolution should not be interpreted as favouring one Council. Since that time, faithful to the letter and spirit party over the other. We continue to support a just and of the United Nations Charter and to the lasting political solution to the question of Western aforementioned resolution, we have rejected all claims Sahara that is acceptable to all sides and which will by any State on the territory of what was once the provide for the self-determination of the people of Spanish Sahara. We believed then and continue to Western Sahara, as laid down in the relevant believe that the subject of Western Sahara is inscribed resolutions of the Security Council. We also continue on the decolonization agenda and should therefore be fully to support the Secretary-General and his Personal governed by the guiding principles of the United Envoy in their efforts to contribute to a solution of the Nations and by respect for the colonial borders that question of Western Sahara. governed the decolonization of Africa, as ratified in paragraph (b) of article 4 of the Constitutive Act of the Austria acknowledges the recent announcement African Union. by Morocco that the autonomy plan for Western Sahara has now been submitted to His Majesty the King for In the same vein, Costa Rica supported the his consideration. We are interested in learning more Security Council’s decisions to organize a referendum about the specific proposals contained in the plan and on self-determination in Western Sahara, in particular look forward to its official presentation. its resolutions 658 (1990) and 690 (1991). Given that consistent vision with respect to Western Sahara, last Austria hopes for substantial progress in the year the General Assembly adopted a consensus future. We are convinced that the parties will engage resolution to that effect.

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A/61/PV.79 with the United Nations in good faith to find a peaceful My delegation deeply regrets that the solution. negotiations between the parties did not lead to mutual understanding. However, our vote must in no way be Mr. Hanz (Germany): Germany deeply regrets understood as indicating support for either of the the fact that it was not possible for the parties to reach parties concerned. Liechtenstein fully supports the agreement on this year’s resolution on the question of efforts of the Secretary-General, who, through his Western Sahara. Personal Envoy, is continuing to help the parties work Germany voted in favour of this year’s resolution towards a political settlement that just, lasting and for consistency’s sake. The text is identical to last mutually acceptable. year’s resolution, on which both parties had reached Liechtenstein’s position on the right to self- consensus. We would like expressly to state that our determination is well known, particularly in respect of vote must not be interpreted as a position for or against innovative approaches to the interpretation and any of the parties to the conflict. realization of that right. We believe that this right We welcome the report of the Secretary-General cannot be reduced simply to the right to independence. on the situation concerning the Western Sahara and the We believe that various forms of self-administration recommendations of his Personal Envoy, Mr. Van and self-government cold be envisaged on a case-by- Walsum, contained in the report. Germany supports all case basis. efforts aimed at finding a just, lasting and mutually Accordingly, we await with great interest the acceptable political solution that will provide for the autonomy plan announced by the Kingdom of self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in Morocco, and we will certainly study it carefully. the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Mr. Pereyra (Peru) (spoke in Spanish): Nations. Concerning the question of Western Sahara, Peru has always maintained that it supports the efforts of the We note with interest that Morocco is working on United Nations to arrive at a solution that is acceptable new proposals for the extended autonomy of Western to the parties and is in keeping with the purposes and Sahara, and would welcome a presentation of those principles of the Charter of the United Nations. proposals as soon as possible. My delegation would like to express its concern Mr. Ba-Omar (Oman) (spoke in Arabic): My at the current deadlock in the negotiations. We urge all delegation abstained in the voting on draft resolution I, parties to heed the appeal of the Secretary-General to contained in document A/61/415, “Question of Western resume negotiations without preconditions, so as to Sahara”. My Government took that position because arrive at a just and lasting political solution leading to the two parties were not able to reach agreement on a the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. text. We would like to state for the record that Security Council resolution 1495 (2003) considers the peace Today’s abstention should not be understood as plan as the best political solution, based on its approval prejudging any agreement between the parties or Peru’s by the two parties. Our position is based on the fact stance in the Security Council, where this item remains that the plan did not receive the support of both parties. on the agenda. We hope that both parties will find the necessary Mr. Baum (Switzerland) (spoke in French): The mechanisms and means to settle this question in the draft resolution before the Assembly today on the near future on the basis of a comprehensive and just question of Western Sahara is simply an updated solution. version of the one adopted by consensus at the sixtieth Mr. Wenaweser (Liechtenstein) (spoke in session of the General Assembly. At that time, French): Liechtenstein has just voted in favour of the Switzerland had supported the consensus that was draft resolution on Western Sahara, which is virtually arrived at between the parties. We regret that it was identical to the one adopted last year by consensus. impossible to arrive at such a consensus this year. Given the lack of progress in settling the matter, In the absence of any major progress towards a Liechtenstein believes it would have been resolution of the question of the Western Sahara, the inappropriate to changing its position. Swiss delegation felt that there were not sufficient

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A/61/PV.79 grounds to justify any change in its position. Neither particularly with respect to its consequences for the our vote today in the plenary of the General Assembly civilian population. Italy is strongly committed to the at its sixty-first session nor our vote of 13 October last purposes and principles of the Charter of the United in the Fourth Committee reflect a stance in favour or Nations, among which is the purpose of developing against either of the parties involved. friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of Switzerland supports the efforts made by the peoples, as stated in Article I, paragraph 2. Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to reach a negotiated solution that is acceptable to all parties Italy strongly believes in the rejection of violence concerned in the context of the question of Western as a means of resolving international disputes. Italy Sahara. looks forward to a consensual solution to this long- standing dispute. All parties should enhance the My delegation shares the view of the Personal existing dialogue in order to maximize the chances of Envoy, who believes that negotiations between the working out a mutually acceptable solution that would parties is the only credible way of proceeding given the serve the cause of the Sahrawi people. Italy is therefore current deadlock, of which the peoples of the region confident that all parties involved will spare no effort, are the primary victims. in a spirit of constructive engagement, and also through Switzerland urges the parties to respond direct contacts and other means, to find an appropriate favourably to the appeal by the Secretary-General to settlement. Such an achievement will be the necessary open negotiations without any preconditions. We hope point of departure to relaunch a fruitful regional that this forum will be conducive to the presentation of cooperation among all the States and peoples of the the new proposals to be made soon by the Kingdom of Maghreb. Morocco. Switzerland awaits those proposals with In that regard, we view with interest the great interest. Such negotiations must result in an announcement made by Morocco to propose a plan equitable, lasting and mutually acceptable political before 31 March 2007. solution. Ms. Pierce (United Kingdom): The United Mr. Vidouris (Greece): Greece would like to Kingdom voted in favour of the resolution on Western make a statement in explanation of vote on the Sahara. We previously voted for the draft resolution at resolution just adopted on the question of Western the committee stage. The United Kingdom Sahara, on which we voted in favour. In that regard, we acknowledges the considerable efforts made to reach a would like to reiterate, as is mentioned in the consensus on the text of the draft resolution and regrets resolution, that the lack of progress in the settlement of that a consensus text could not be agreed. The United the dispute on Western Sahara remains a source of Kingdom notes that the text is based closely on the potential instability in the region and obstructs the resolution agreed at the sixtieth session of the General economic development of the Maghreb region, and Assembly. that, in view of this, the quest for a political solution is critically needed. The United Kingdom would like to thank the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, Peter van We therefore strongly support the efforts of the Walsum, for their continuing efforts to find a political Secretary-General and of his Personal Envoy to solution to the question of Western Sahara. The United achieve a mutually acceptable political to the dispute Kingdom remains concerned that the question of over Western Sahara, and we reiterate the call on all Western Sahara continues to be unresolved, with the parties and the States of the region to continue to consequent problems for the people of the region as a cooperate fully with the United Nations to end the whole. The United Kingdom hopes that there will be current impasse and to achieve progress towards a progress towards a solution over the coming months mutually acceptable political solution that will provide and looks forward to new initiatives intended to move for the self-determination of the people of Western the situation beyond the current impasse, including the Sahara. publication of Morocco’s latest proposals. Mr. Mantovani (Italy): Italy is deeply concerned It remains the United Kingdom’s view that any at the present stalemate in the Western Sahara, solution to this issue has to be mutually acceptable, in

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A/61/PV.79 line with the relevant Security Council resolutions, and encourage our good friends Algeria and Morocco to must provide for the self-determination of the people exert extra efforts to find agreement and move the of Western Sahara, in accordance with United Nations process forward. We would like to underscore, requirements, again, as set out in previous Security however, that the Philippine abstention should not be Council resolutions. seen as an expression of support for either party to this long-standing issue. Lastly, we hope that all parties I would now like to turn to the issue of Gibraltar. concerned will continue to take much-needed steps to The United Kingdom does not believe that the help bring about a peaceful and lasting solution to this principle of territorial integrity is applicable to the issue. decolonization of Gibraltar. The United Kingdom would not ever enter into arrangements under which Mr. Malhotra (India): India supports efforts the people of Gibraltar would pass under the aimed at a just, lasting and mutually acceptable sovereignty of another State against their wishes. We political solution to the question of Western Sahara. We support the right of self-determination of the people of believe that such a solution can be reached through Gibraltar, promoted in accordance with the other dialogue in a spirit of cooperation. We share the sense principles and rights set out in the United Nations of disappointment that it was not possible to work out a Charter. In that respect, however, I should like to recall consensus this year on the General Assembly our well-known position with regard to article X of the resolution on the question of Western Sahara. India’s Treaty of Utrecht. abstention in the voting should not be interpreted as its being in favour of either side. Her Majesty’s Government believes that, despite the well-known differences with Spain on sovereignty Mr. Chaimongkol (Thailand): With regard to the matters, it is possible for the three parties to work resolution on the question of Western Sahara, my together for the benefit of the people of Gibraltar and delegation wishes to join other Member States in the surrounding region. expressing deep concern and regret that the parties concerned have not been able to find a consensual Mr. Song Young-wan (Republic of Korea): My political solution to this protracted dispute. delegation expresses its deep regret that this year, despite strenuous efforts by the parties concerned, Thailand wishes to reaffirm its position of consensus was not possible on the resolution on neutrality on this issue by having abstained in the Western Sahara. The Government of the Republic of voting on the resolution on the question of Western Korea has supported the position that the question of Sahara. Thailand also wishes to reiterate that our Western Sahara should be resolved through a mutually decision to abstain should by no means be interpreted acceptable political solution based on the principle of as favouring one side over the other. It should, rather, self-determination, in line with the resolution adopted be interpreted as a sincere appeal for the matter to be by consensus last year during the sixtieth session of the resolved in the near future, for the benefit of the people General Assembly. of this region and in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions. Mr. Jenie (Indonesia), Vice-President, took the Chair. Thailand therefore strongly urges the parties concerned to seek a peaceful and lasting political My delegation abstained in the voting on the solution through dialogue and negotiations. Thailand current resolution, because we believe that a consensus also calls for concerted effort on the part of the resolution should be adopted through dialogue and international community to assist the parties involved negotiation between the parties concerned. Therefore, in order to expedite the settlement of this dispute. our abstention should not be interpreted as an indication that we favour one party over another. Mrs. Wandel (Denmark): Denmark abstained in the voting on the resolution on the question of Western Mr. Cato (Philippines): Like those who spoke Sahara. Every year for the past 18 years, with the before us, the Philippines would have preferred that the exception of the year 2004, the parties have been able resolution on the question of Western Sahara be to arrive at a consensus text on the issue of Western adopted without a vote, as we did last year. The Sahara. We deeply regret that a consensus was not Philippines abstained, because we would like to reached this year.

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Denmark would like to emphasize its firm neutral statement in the Fourth Committee and stresses that its position in relation to this conflict. We continue to abstention should not be interpreted as being in favour support a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political of either one of the opposing parties on the issue, but solution that will provide for the self-determination of rather that Portugal wishes that a consensus solution the people of Western Sahara. All parties to the conflict for the question of Western Sahara be found. are encouraged to show good faith and to work towards The Acting President: May I take it that it is the that goal through dialogue. wish of the General Assembly to conclude its Denmark sincerely hopes and expects to see consideration of agenda item 39? substantial progress towards a peaceful settlement in It was so decided. the coming months. We expect Morocco to fulfil its promise to formally present its plan before 31 March Agenda item 110 2007. Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly Mr. Piperkov (Bulgaria): The Republic of Bulgaria consistently supports the efforts to find a just, Report of the Special Political and lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the question Decolonization Committee of Western Sahara, achieved through political means (Fourth Committee) (A/61/416) and based on the relevant resolutions of the Security The Acting President: May I take it that the Council. As an expression of that position, Bulgaria General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of joined the consensus last year for the adoption of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee General Assembly resolution 60/114, whose text is (Fourth Committee) contained in document A/61/416? almost exactly repeated in resolution 61/125 this year. It was so decided. In view of that, we would like to point out our concern at the lack of progress on a peaceful solution The Acting President: The General Assembly to the problem and at the fact that, despite extensive has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of efforts during the current session of the General agenda item 110. Assembly, a consensus on the text of the resolution was It was so decided. not possible. Therefore, we did not participate in the voting in the Fourth Committee, and now in the Agenda item 118 General Assembly the Bulgarian delegation abstained. That abstention should not be interpreted as being in Programme planning favour of any party; rather, it should be considered an Report of the Special Political and expression of our constructive position on achieving a Decolonization Committee mutually acceptable political solution. (Fourth Committee) (A/61/417) The Republic of Bulgaria reaffirms its support for The Acting President: May I take it that the the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of Western Sahara (MINURSO) and, in particular, for the the Special Political and Decolonization Committee endeavours of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary- (Fourth Committee) contained in document A/61/417? General. The implementation of the mandate of MINURSO does not exclude, but rather requires, the It was so decided. exchange of opinions among the parties concerned The Acting President: The General Assembly within any appropriate framework, including on a has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of bilateral basis. Bulgaria remains convinced that the agenda item 118. The Assembly has thus concluded its long-term solution of the question of Western Sahara consideration of the reports of the Special Political and will promote the security, cooperation and integration Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) before process in North-West Africa. it. Ms. Malcata (Portugal): I would like to explain the Portuguese vote on draft resolution I, on the question of Western Sahara. Portugal recalls its earlier

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Agenda item 69 (continued) The Acting President: I now give the floor to the representative of South Africa to introduce draft Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian resolution A/61/L.42. and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance Mr. Oosthuizen (South Africa): On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I have the honour to introduce Draft resolution A/61/L.45 the draft resolution entitled “International cooperation (a) Strengthening of the coordination of emergency on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural humanitarian assistance of the United Nations disasters, from relief to development”, as contained in document A/61/L.42. Draft resolutions A/61/L.42, A/61/L.44 and A/61/L.46 It is well known that natural disasters affect the social and economic development of all countries, but (d) Assistance to the Palestinian people particularly developing countries. The latter do not Draft resolution A/61/L.47 always have the capacity to deal with the adverse impacts of such events. Although it may not be The Acting President: Members will recall that possible to completely eliminate the suffering caused the Assembly held the debate on agenda item 69 and its by natural disasters, efforts towards relief and sub-items (a) and (d) at its 52nd and 53rd plenary development assistance could help in the recovery and meetings, held on 13 November 2006. long-term rehabilitation of those affected by such Before proceeding further, on behalf of the disasters. General Assembly, I would like to take this opportunity By introducing this draft resolution, the Group of to thank Ambassador Jean-Marc Hoscheit of 77 and China again highlights the importance of Luxembourg for coordinating the consultations and strengthening international cooperation, especially negotiations on the draft resolutions under agenda item through the effective use of multilateral mechanisms in 69 and for having successfully completed the task the provision of humanitarian assistance during all entrusted to him. phases of a disaster, from relief and mitigation to In connection with draft resolution A/61/L.45, I development. give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat to At the same time, it is recognized that the announce some corrections. affected State has the primary responsibility in the Mr. Botnaru (Chief, General Assembly Affairs initiation, organization, coordination and Branch): The following corrections should be made to implementation of humanitarian assistance within its draft resolution A/61/L.45 to accurately reflect the text territory. The importance of the principles contained in agreed in the informal consultations. In the second line General Assembly resolution 46/182, the annex to of the sixteenth preambular paragraph, the phrase which contains the guiding principles for the “humanitarian personnel and United Nations and strengthening of coordination of emergency associated personnel” should read “United Nations humanitarian assistance of the United Nations system, personnel and associated humanitarian personnel”. In are also highlighted in this draft resolution. operative paragraph 2, the words “and associated” The draft resolution also recognizes the need to should be deleted. In the first line of operative continue to explore ways to strengthen the rapid paragraph 4, the word “involved” should be deleted. In response capacities of the international community to operative paragraph 18, the word “law” should be provide immediate humanitarian relief, building on added after “national” in the last line. In operative existing arrangements and ongoing initiatives. In this paragraph 28, “United Nations” should be added before regard, the role that information and “Department of Safety and Security” and, immediately telecommunications technology can play in disaster following, “to ensure” should read “for”. In the first response is also highlighted. Emphasis is also placed line of operative paragraph 29, “ensuring” should read on the importance of addressing vulnerability and “facilitating”. integrating risk reduction into all phases of natural These corrections will be reflected in the final disaster management, post-natural disaster recovery version of the resolution. and development planning, while also recognizing the

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A/61/PV.79 value of international cooperation in support of the to thank the other 153 Member States that have efforts of affected countries. sponsored the draft resolution. In addition to those mentioned in document A/61/L.44, the following The draft resolution is also mindful of the countries have joined as sponsors of the draft importance of rapid access to funds to ensure a more resolution: Belize, Bulgaria, France, Georgia, predictable and timely United Nations response to Germany, Moldova, Oman, San Marino and Serbia. humanitarian emergencies, welcoming, in this regard, the establishment of the Central Emergency Response ASEAN expresses its appreciation to the Fund through resolution 61/2. An appeal is also made Secretary-General for his reports, which provide that all disasters should receive equal and adequate perspectives on lessons learned from the ongoing response, bearing in mind that the allocation of recovery efforts in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean resources should be driven by needs. tsunami disaster, and for his recommendations on the subject. Lastly, the draft resolution expresses deep concern at the number and scale of natural disasters Natural disasters affect both the rich and the poor. and their increasing impact, which result in massive At any time and any day a natural disaster can strike. loss of life and property worldwide. It is that concern, From Hurricane Katrina to the Indian Ocean tsunami, together with the recognition that natural disasters we have heard of countless stories of people losing impact negatively on achieving internationally agreed their loved ones and their homes and property to development goals, including the Millennium natural disasters. We must therefore remain vigilant in Development Goals, which necessitates the continued our global effort to prevent catastrophes by minimizing attention of the international community to this the negative effects of such disasters. important issue. There are some indications that worse is yet to As in the past, many countries have sponsored come. Last year alone, there was a high incidence of this important draft resolution. In addition to the extreme weather events all over the world. More countries listed in the document, we are pleased to recently, hundreds of people died from mudslides after announce that the following countries have joined the Typhoon Durian struck the Philippines. list of sponsors of the draft resolution: Andorra, Developing countries stand to lose a lot as a Belarus, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, result of their lack of capacity to handle post-disaster the Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, Italy, rehabilitation, and it is their goal to prevent disasters Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, New Zealand, from taking away the fruits of hard-earned Norway, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey development. Closer international cooperation is and Ukraine. therefore urgent. It is now my privilege, on behalf of the Group of ASEAN’s efforts in the area of disaster reduction 77 and China, to request the Assembly to adopt the are aimed at strengthening our regional response draft resolution by consensus. capacity, taking into consideration the lessons of the The Acting President: I give the floor to the Indian Ocean tsunami and other disasters in other parts representative of the Philippines to introduce draft of the world. ASEAN believes that the effects of resolution A/61/L.44. disaster can be managed and that risks can be reduced through development programmes and quick-response Mr. Baja (Philippines): I have the honour to actions. The Indian Ocean tsunami revealed ASEAN introduce, on behalf of the member countries of the member countries’ lack of preparedness and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — weaknesses in responding collectively to such large- Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao scale calamities. Although ASEAN had a mechanism People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, for mutual assistance for natural disasters that had been the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam — in existence since June 1976, the mechanism needed to the draft resolution contained in document A/61/L.44, be restructured to meet the current needs, including entitled “Strengthening emergency relief, identifying and mobilizing available resources into an rehabilitation, reconstruction and prevention in the effective response system. aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster”. I wish

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The ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management countries. Sixthly, it highlights the support of and Emergency Response has replaced the 1976 international agencies for the development of national arrangements. We have undertaken several activities to capacity for tsunami warning and response systems. test the regional response mechanism, including a We hope that this important draft resolution will simulated exercise on flood disaster, conducted in be adopted by consensus, as it plays a key role in Cambodia in September. A few months earlier, teams supporting affected countries’ efforts in disaster-risk from the ASEAN member countries were among the management. first to respond to the earthquake that took place in Indonesia on 27 May 2006. Teams from Brunei The Acting President: I give the floor to the Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and representative of Finland to introduce draft resolutions Thailand were at various locations providing medical A/61/L.45 and A/61/L.47. assistance and relief efforts for the earthquake victims, Ms. Lintonen (Finland): It is my pleasure, on in close coordination with the Indonesian authorities. behalf of the European Union, to introduce draft Other ASEAN member countries, including Cambodia, resolution A/61/L.45, entitled “Safety and security of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Viet Nam, humanitarian personnel and protection of United sent food supplies and cash contributions to Indonesia. Nations personnel”, and draft resolution A/61/L.47, The ASEAN Regional Forum is also planning to entitled “Assistance to the Palestinian people”. With develop guidelines for civilian and military regard to draft resolution A/61/L.45, I am pleased to cooperation to ensure swift responses to natural announce that, in addition to the countries listed in the disasters. The plan includes taking an inventory of the text, Albania, Belize, Bulgaria, the Central African transport capabilities of the region’s armed forces that Republic, Gambia, Georgia, Mali, Moldova, can be used for humanitarian operations in the Montenegro, South Africa, Timor-Leste, Turkey and aftermath of a calamity. Uruguay have requested to be included as sponsors. Draft resolution A/61/L.44 updates General Humanitarian personnel and United Nations and Assembly resolution 60/15 of 14 November 2005. The associated personnel conducting operations in the field draft resolution emphasizes a number of salient points. provide an invaluable service to millions of people in First, it stresses the need for the continued support and need, often at great personal risk. The deeply assistance of the international community in the disturbing information on the deaths, injuries and rehabilitation and reconstruction phase. Secondly, it harassment of those personnel, as well as the fact that highlights the need for contributions to the Multi- the perpetrators of such acts of violence seemingly Donor Voluntary Trust Fund on Tsunami Early Warning operate with impunity, clearly demonstrates that this Arrangements in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia issue deserves our urgent attention. in support of the establishment of an early warning system in accordance with the needs of the countries in The draft resolution before us addresses both the the Indian Ocean and South-East Asian countries. issues of strengthening the normative framework for the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and Thirdly, it emphasizes the importance of the protection of United Nations personnel, as well as Global Consortium for Tsunami Affected Countries to efforts to promote and enhance the security identify common practices and to implement actions management system of the United Nations. for the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase. Fourthly, it stresses the need for the regular updating of First, on the normative framework, the draft recovery assessment by the Governments of affected resolution calls upon all States to consider becoming countries, the United Nations and international and parties to and to respect fully their obligations under regional financial institutions, with the participation of the relevant international instruments, mindful of the local communities, in order to measure progress and need to promote the universality of the United Nations identify gaps and priorities. Fifthly, it emphasizes the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and importance of promoting transparency and Associated Personnel. The Optional Protocol to the accountability among donors and recipient countries Convention is a very important step forward in the and the continued support of donors for further protection of United Nations and associated personnel. development of online tracking systems of affected The draft resolution calls upon all States to consider

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A/61/PV.79 signing and ratifying the Optional Protocol as soon as security. It is our sincere hope that this draft resolution possible and urges States parties to put in place will contribute to wider efforts to provide the necessary appropriate national legislation, as necessary, to enable security and protection required for humanitarian and the effective implementation of the Optional Protocol. United Nations and associated personnel in assisting those in need. The draft resolution also recommends that the Secretary-General continue to seek the inclusion of, Finally, I would like to thank all interested and that host countries include, key provisions of the delegations for their constructive engagement on the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and text in the informal consultations, which were Associated Personnel, among others, in the host conducted in a positive spirit. My delegation and other country agreements and other related agreements sponsors hope that the draft resolution contained in negotiated between the United Nations and those document A/61/L.45 will be adopted by consensus. countries. Importantly, the draft resolution reaffirms I will now turn to draft resolution A/61/L.47, the need to hold accountable those responsible for all entitled “Assistance to the Palestinian people”. threats and acts of violence against humanitarian personnel and United Nations and associated At the outset, I would like to announce a minor personnel, and urges States to end impunity for such editorial correction to the text. In the twelfth acts. preambular paragraph, there should be quotation marks around the phrase “Stockholm International Donor Secondly, the draft resolution acknowledges the Conference on the Humanitarian Situation in the ongoing efforts of the Secretary-General to further Occupied Palestinian Territories”. enhance the security management system of the United Nations, welcoming the establishment and the work of The European Union (EU) reiterates its the Department of Safety and Security. The draft commitment to the provision of assistance to the recognizes the need for continued efforts to enhance Palestinian people. The overall EU assistance to the coordination and cooperation between the United Palestinian people this year exceeds €655 million, Nations and other relevant organizations to address which is an increase from last year and makes us again mutual security concerns in the field. The draft the single biggest donor. resolution also invites the United Nations and, as Under the present circumstances, we underline appropriate, other humanitarian organizations working the wider role played by the temporary international closely with host States, to further strengthen the mechanism in providing essential relief to a large part analysis of threats to the safety and security of their of the Palestinian population since its launch in June personnel. The draft also highlights the importance of 2006. The contributions of other donors to the information on the range and scope of security mechanism are deeply valued. In view of the protracted incidents involving humanitarian personnel and United deterioration of the socio-economic situation of the Nations and associated personnel. Palestinians, the European Union has endorsed a In addition, the draft resolution addresses the further three-month extension of the mechanism until importance of providing humanitarian and United March 2007. Nations staff with adequate information and training on The European Union commends the efforts of security, and encourages collaborative initiatives to President Abbas over the past six months to form a address security training needs. Recalling the essential Government of national unity. We stand ready to work role of telecommunication resources, the draft also with a Palestinian Government that adopts a platform addresses the issue of limiting and, whenever possible, reflecting the Quartet principles. If such a Government lifting the restrictions placed on the use of is formed, the EU undertakes to resume partnership communications equipment by United Nations and with the Palestinian Government and encourages its associated personnel. Quartet partners to do likewise; to continue, with other The increasing dangers faced by international and donors, providing financial support; and to prepare, in national staff involved in humanitarian and United cooperation with the new Government, a long-term Nations operations underline the urgency of the need plan on capacity-building, border management and for further measures to reinforce their safety and

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A/61/PV.79 unified and effective security forces, as well as a I would like to announce that, since the draft functioning administration. resolution was introduced to the Assembly, the following countries have become sponsors: Albania, The present draft resolution is primarily of a Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belize, El Salvador, humanitarian nature. The EU has repeatedly reiterated Estonia, the Gambia, Georgia, Israel, Jamaica, its support for the three principles set out by the Moldova, the Philippines, Romania, Thailand, the Quartet, and in that context we consider that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the essence of those principles is contained in the present United States of America. draft resolution. My delegation is grateful for the improvements I would like to express our gratitude to the made in the text by colleagues through a series of numerous delegations that have requested to be informal consultations. We would like to thank the included as sponsors of the draft resolution. On behalf sponsors and other delegations for the good and of the sponsors, I would like to express our sincere constructive spirit of cooperation and partnership in hope that all delegations will be in a position to which the consultations were held. I would also like to support this important draft resolution, as they did last take this opportunity to thank the Permanent year. Representative of Luxembourg, Jean-Marc Hoscheit, The Acting President: I now give the floor to the for ably guiding our work. representative of Sweden to introduce draft resolution The draft resolution addresses issues of principle A/61/L.46. for humanitarian protection and assistance, as well as Mr. Liden (Sweden): I have the honour to issues related to efforts to further strengthen introduce, on behalf of the sponsors, a draft resolution international humanitarian response. In the first on strengthening of the coordination of emergency category, we recognize gender-based violence as a humanitarian assistance of the United Nations, growing concern in humanitarian emergencies. The contained in document A/61/L.46. draft resolution urges all States to take effective measures to address gender-based violence and Since the origin of resolutions on this matter at encourages organizations of the United Nations to the forty-sixth session of the General Assembly, in strengthen their support services for victims. 1992, and through the subsequent establishment of the Emergency Relief Coordinator and the Office for the I would also like to highlight that the draft Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the reaffirms the principles of neutrality, humanity, emergency response capacity of the United Nations has impartiality and independence for the provision of been strengthened considerably. Operational agencies, humanitarian assistance, and calls upon Governments such as the World Food Programme, the Office of the and parties in complex humanitarian emergencies to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and cooperate fully with the United Nations and other UNICEF, continue to respond rapidly and effectively in humanitarian agencies and organizations and to ensure humanitarian relief. OCHA and the mechanisms for safe and unhindered access to affected populations. It inter-agency coordination, such as the Inter-Agency expresses the General Assembly’s grave concern at Standing Committee and the Executive Committee on violence deliberately directed against civilian Humanitarian Affairs, have enhanced coordination populations in many emergency situations. It calls among the humanitarian organizations of the United upon States to adopt preventive measures and effective Nations and with non-United Nations partners. responses to acts of violence against civilian populations and invites States to promote a culture of Significant challenges remain, however, in the protection. implementation of important principles for humanitarian assistance as well as in humanitarian In the area of humanitarian funding and funding and coordination. The draft resolution before coordination, the main issue is to consolidate the three- us today should contribute to further progress in pillar agenda of humanitarian reform: to strengthen strengthening the coordination of the United Nations humanitarian response capacities, to improve humanitarian system. humanitarian coordination and to enhance predictable and adequate funding.

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In order to build strong United Nations leadership The Acting President: We shall now proceed to at the field level and to support country ownership and consider draft resolutions A/61/L.42, A/61/L.44, cooperation, efforts to strengthen the Humanitarian A/61/L.45 as orally corrected, A/61/L.46, and Coordinator need to be intensified. The draft resolution A/61/L.47 as orally corrected. encourages OCHA to continue its efforts to strengthen I call on the representative of the United States, the coordination of humanitarian action and calls upon who wishes to speak in explanation of vote before the relevant humanitarian actors to improve the voting. humanitarian response capacities at all levels and coordination at the field level and to enhance Mr. Ross (United States of America): I speak transparency, performance and accountability. The with reference to draft resolution A/61/L.47, on draft resolution also encourages the United Nations to assistance to the Palestinian people. Traditionally, the pursue recent efforts to strengthen partnerships with United States has been pleased to join the consensus on the International Red Cross and Red Crescent this resolution. It regrets that it cannot do so this year Movement as well as humanitarian non-governmental and will abstain. organizations. I must emphasize that the United States shares the Humanitarian funding remains crucial to ensure concern of the international community regarding the adequate United Nations response capacity, and there hardships facing the Palestinian people. The Arab has been progress in developing a more coherent world, and the Palestinian people in particular, are approach. The draft resolution calls for further aware of the significant, continuing assistance of the development of the consolidated appeals process as an United States to the Palestinian people for basic human instrument for strategic planning. It also emphasizes needs and for civil society and private sector the need to mobilize adequate resources for development. humanitarian assistance. Through its substantial financial contribution to In last year’s resolution (resolution 60/124), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Member States decided to upgrade the Central Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the Emergency Revolving Fund into a Central Emergency United States has consistently demonstrated its support Response Fund (CERF). It was the first concrete for humanitarian relief efforts for Palestinian refugees. manifestation of the overall United Nations reform In 2006, the United States was the largest single process after the World Summit. Sweden was an early contributor of assistance to the Palestinian people, believer in the Fund, but few could have predicted its committing more than $135 million to UNRWA, enormous success. Who would have expected including $50.85 million towards UNRWA’s contributions from as many as 67 Member States, some emergency appeal to aid refugees in the West Bank and of them humanitarian donors for the first time? The Gaza, announced on 14 July by the United States, ambitious target for the first year of operations was Palestinian Authority President Abbas and UNRWA $250 million, and the Fund reached $298 million. Commissioner AbuZayd. Nonetheless, the United States cannot support this particular draft resolution, Last week, donors had already pledged the because it fails to include language on the need for the impressive amount of $345 million for 2007. Sweden’s Palestinian Authority Government to accept the three contribution to the CERF for 2007 will also increase — Quartet principles: renunciation of violence and terror; from this year’s $41 million to more than $50 million. recognition of Israel; and acceptance of previous The draft resolution before us welcomes the agreements and obligations, including the Road Map. establishment of the CERF, urges all Member States to consider making voluntary contributions to the Fund Although the draft resolution properly welcomes and reaffirms our common funding target of $500 the role currently being played by the temporary million by 2008. international mechanism in assisting the Palestinian people, it regrettably fails to note that that mechanism My delegation and our fellow sponsors hope that was created as a specific consequence of the failure of the draft resolution contained in document A/61/L.46 the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority Government to will be adopted by consensus. commit itself to the Quartet principles. This being so, any resolution must make explicit reference to both the

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A/61/PV.79 temporary international mechanism and the Quartet Draft resolution A/61/L.46 was adopted principles. It should also encourage the provision of (resolution 61/134). assistance via United Nations agencies, other The Acting President: Draft resolution international organizations and the Quartet-approved A/61/L.47, as orally corrected, is entitled “Assistance temporary international mechanism. For those reasons, to the Palestinian people”. the United States cannot support the draft resolution and must abstain. Since the introduction of the draft resolution, the following countries has become sponsors: Albania, The Acting President: We have heard the only Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, speaker in explanation of vote before the voting. Croatia, Estonia, the Gambia, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, The Assembly will now take a decision on draft Lichtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New resolutions A/61/L.42, A/61/L.44, A/61/L.45 as orally Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Portugal, the Russian corrected, A/61/L.46 and A/61/L.47 as orally corrected. Federation, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey Draft resolution A/61/L.42 is entitled and Ukraine. A recorded vote has been requested. “International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to A recorded vote was taken. development”. I should like to announce that, since the In favour: introduction of the draft resolution, the following Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, countries have become sponsors: Guyana and Zambia. Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, adopt draft resolution A/61/L.42? Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Draft resolution A/61/L.42 was adopted Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, (resolution 61/131). Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, The Acting President: Draft resolution Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, A/61/L.44 is entitled “Strengthening emergency relief, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte rehabilitation, reconstruction and prevention in the d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster”. I Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, should like to announce that, since the introduction of Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, the draft resolution, Italy has become a sponsor. May I Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to adopt draft Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, resolution A/61/L.44? Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Draft resolution A/61/L.44 was adopted Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, (resolution 61/132). Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, The Acting President: Draft resolution Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, A/61/L.45 is entitled “Safety and security of Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab humanitarian personnel and protection of United Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Nations personnel”. Since the introduction of the draft Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, resolution, Angola has become a sponsor. May I take it Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, that it is the wish of the Assembly to adopt draft Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, resolution A/61/L.45, as orally corrected? Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Draft resolution A/61/L.45, as orally corrected, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, was adopted (resolution 61/133). Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, The Acting President: Draft resolution Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, A/61/L.46 is entitled “Strengthening of the Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, the United Nations”. May I take it that it is the wish of Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South the Assembly to adopt draft resolution A/61/L.46?

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Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Draft resolution A/61/L.47, as orally corrected, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab was adopted by 159 votes to none, with 7 Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former abstentions (resolution 61/135). Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, [Subsequently, the delegations of the Lao Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, People’s Democratic Republic and Saint Lucia Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United advised the Secretariat that they had intended to Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, vote in favour.] Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, The Acting President: I would like to inform Zambia, Zimbabwe members that, owing to the lateness of the hour, we will hear those representatives who wish to speak in Against: explanation of vote or position on the resolutions just None adopted and will take up the remaining items Abstaining: tomorrow, immediately following the adjournment of Fiji, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia the tenth emergency special session. (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States The meeting rose at 6.20 p.m. of America

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