[ 1976 ] Part 1 Sec 1 Chapter 10 Questions Concerning Latin America
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Questions concerning Latin America 211 Chapter X Questions concerning Latin America Tribute to Simón Bolívar By a letter of 16 July 1976 addressed to the Secre- represented the most outstanding unionist ex- tary-General, the Dominican Republic, on behalf of periment at the international level in the nine- the countries members of the Latin American teenth century, with features which anticipated group, requested the inclusion in the agenda of the and coincided with the objectives of the United thirty-first (1976) session of the General Assembly Nations system. It expressed the hope that the of an item entitled "One hundred and fiftieth anni- ideals of Bolívar would inspire the establishment versary of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama." of a more just international order of respect for In an explanatory memorandum, it was stated law, devoted to the maintenance of peace, the that the idea of the Amphictyonic Congress of Pan- preservation of democratic principles, the pro- ama, which met on 22 June 1826, was born of the motion of economic and social progress and the universalist thinking of Simón Bolívar, the Libera- freedom of all peoples. tor, and his vision of a united, strong America, The Assembly, by the same resolution, formu- unified not only in order to solve internal problems lated the wish for a successful outcome of the but also in order to confront dangers from external negotiations for the conclusion of a new treaty on sources. the Panama Canal, which would eliminate the In commemorating the anniversary of the Pan- causes of conflict between Panama and the United ama meeting, the Latin American group wanted to States, in accordance with principles agreed to by pay a tribute to Simón Bolívar and to recall his the parties concerned. universalist ideas. Finally, the Assembly requested the Secretary- On 24 September 1976, on the recommendation General to arrange for the circulation to all Mem- of its General Committee, the Assembly decided to ber States of a document reproducing the instru- include this item in its agenda for consideration at ment of convocation and the agreements of the a plenary meeting. On 17 December, it adopted a Amphictyonic Congress of 1826. resolution proposed by 27 Members. By the opera- The Assembly took these decisions in adopting, tive provisions of that text, the Assembly paid a by consensus, resolution 31/142. The sponsors of tribute to Simón Bolívar as a promoter of Latin the text were Argentina, the Bahamas, Barbados, American integration and a builder of constructive Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, plans for international organization, and decided the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, to place a commemorative plaque in the United Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Nations Headquarters building as a permanent Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, tribute to his memory. Peru, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Also by this resolution, the Assembly recog- Venezuela. (For text of resolution, see DOCUMEN- nized that the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama TARY REFERENCES below.) Documentary references General Assembly—31st session duras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, General Committee, meeting 1. Surinam. Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela: draft reso- Plenary meetings 4, 103, 104. lution. A/31/142. Letter of 16 July from Chargé d'affaires of Dominican Resolution 31/142, as recommended by 27 powers, A/31/L23/ Republic (request for inclusion in agenda of item entitled: "One Rev.2, adopted by consensus by Assembly on 17 December hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Amphictyonic Congress 1976, meeting 103. of Panama"). A/31/250. First report of General Committee, item 117. The General Assembly, A/31/L.23 and Rev.1,2. Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Having decided to hold a special commemorative plenary Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, meeting to pay a tribute to Simón Bolívar, the Liberator, on Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hon- the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of 212 Political and security questions the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama, which met on 22 June constructive plans for international organization on a continen- 1826, tal and world-wide scale and, in this connexion, decides to Considering that the main objective of that Congress was place a commemorative plaque in the United Nations Head- to constitute an assembly of confederated countries which quarters building as a permanent tribute to his memory; should establish the legal foundations for the relations between 2. Recognizes that the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama the American Republics and all the nations of the world, and represents the most outstanding and audacious unionist experi- should serve as "a council during periods of great conflicts, ment at the international level in the nineteenth century, with to be appealed to in the event of common danger, and to oecumenical features which anticipate and coincide with the be a faithful interpreter of public treaties when difficulties arise, objectives of the United Nations system; in brief, to conciliate all our differences," concepts which form 3. Expresses the hope that the ideal of Bolívar will inspire the basis of the international law of the American countries the establishment of a more just international order of respect and are thus the direct predecessors of the Covenant of the for law, devoted to the maintenance of peace, the preservation League of Nations and the Charter of the United Nations, of democratic principles, the promotion of economic and social Bearing in mind that Bolívar envisaged a Latin American progress, and the freedom of all peoples; region of free and brotherly countries united by common 4. Formulates the wish for a successful outcome of the ideals, a dream which makes him the precursor of the negotiations for the conclusion of a new treaty on the Panama integration of that region, Canal, which will eliminate the causes of conflict between the Recognizing that the Treaty of Perpetual Union, League and Republic of Panama and the United States of America, in Confederation, signed in Panama on 15 July 1826, reflects accordance with the Declaration of Principles, signed by the a universalist spirit which is currently embodied by the United parties concerned on 7 February 1974, where it is stated Nations, in that it reaffirms the sovereignty and independence that the Panamanian territory of which the Panama Canal is of States and their intention "to secure to themselves from a part shall be returned promptly to the jurisdiction of the this time forward the enjoyment of unalterable peace, and Republic of Panama and that the Republic of Panama "will to promote in this behalf better harmony and good understand- assume total responsibility for the operation of the Canal upon ing as well between the countries, citizens and subjects, the termination of the treaty"; respectively, as with the other Powers with which they should 5. Requests the Secretary-General to arrange for the maintain or enter into friendly relations," circulation to all Member States of a document reproducing Recalling that Simón Bolívar referred on several occasions the instrument of convocation and the agreements of the to the need for a possible opening of a canal in Panama, Amphictyonic Congress of 1826, the original texts of which, which "will shorten distances throughout the world, strengthen currently kept in Rio de Janeiro, will be deposited in Panama commercial ties" between the continents and promote the by decision of the Government of Brazil, at an appropriate exchange of projects "from the four corners of the globe," time, to be preserved in the monument to be erected in that 1. Pays a tribute to Simón Bolívar, the Liberator, as a country as part of the Bolívar commemoration. promoter of Latin American integration and as a builder of Communication concerning the Panama Canal By a letter of 25 March 1976, subsequently cir- States in the search for a reasonable solution to the culated as a document of the Security Council, Pan- Canal problem. ama informed the United Nations of what it termed Panama stated in the letter that in the history of an illegal strike by United States workers in the the Canal, no Panamanian had ever been involved Panama Canal Zone, in protest against policies in- in an act of sabotage against the waterway. troduced by the United States Government. The Annexed to the letter was a communiqué issued strike had seriously delayed maritime traffic on 21 March by the Head of Government of Pan- through the Canal, prejudicing international trade. ama; among other things, it declared that the vir- The Government of Panama wished to draw at- tual closing of the Panama Canal was due exclu- tention to the attitude of these United States em- sively to the decision taken by United States ployees, which, it said, demonstrated that the colo- workers against the United States agency adminis- nial situation in the Canal Zone posed a threat to tering the Canal. Panamanians working in the peace and security in the region and to the normal Canal Zone, the communiqué said, had at all times operation of the interoceanic passage. The coloni- demonstrated a high sense of responsibility for alist attitude of those workers threatened the keeping the Canal in operation on conditions of negotiations between Panama and the United equality, without preference for any flag. Documentary references S/12027. Letter of 25 March from Panama. (Annex: Communiqué Organization of American States. dated 21 March 1976.) A/31/2. Report of Security Council, 16 June 1975-15 June 1976, S/12163. Telegram of 2 August from Secretary-General of Chapter 23..