United Nations 1643rd GENERAL PLENARY MEETING ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 44 Apri11968, TIFENT1'·SECOSI> SESSION at 3 pomo Official Records NEW YORK CONTENTS 7. At the beginning of the session the General As­ Page sembly referred item 28 (Non-proliferation ofnuclear Resumption of the twenty-second session. •••• 1 weapons) to the First Committee, requesting it to report to the plenary. Organization of work ••• 0 •••• 0 • • • • • • • • • 1 8. As a result of consultations which 1 have held, Agenda item 99: 1 understand that Member States wish the Committee Admission of new Members to the United so to organize its work as to ensure that this item Nations (concluded). ••••••••••••.•.• 4 is given careful scrutiny on the basis of the relevant documentation. If 1 hear no obj ection, may 1 take it President: Mr. Corneliu MANESCU (Romania). that the Aseembly still wishes agenda item 28 @} to be dealt with by the First Committee? It was s 0 decided. Resumption of the twenty-second session 9. The PRESIDENT (translated from French): With 1, The PRESIDENT (translated fro.m French): 1 de­ regard to item 64 (Question of South West Africa), clare open the 1643rd plenary mee~ing with which the 1 wish to inform the Assembly that the Chairman of General Assembly resumes its twenty-second session. the Afro-Asian Group, R.E. Ambassador Shahi of Pakistan, has conveyed ta me the Groupls· request 2. It gives me much pleasure to welcome the repre­ that the General Assembly begin its consideration of sentatives who have come here to take part in our this item at once, on the understanding that plenary work. 1 take this opportunity to express the hope that, meetings of the Assembly and meetings of the First through our combined efforts, we will succeed in Committee will not take place at the same time. reaching fair decisions which will meet the aspira­ tions of the world's peoples and serve the interests 10. 1 consulted as many representatives of Member of international peace and security, in accordance States as 1 could during the short time at my disposaI with the ethics governing inter-State relations. and 1 have reached the conclusion that it is generally felt that items 28 @) and 64 should be discussed im­ 3. 1 should like to remind representatives that on mediately, provided that the meetings on those two 19 Deoember 1967 [1642nd meeting] the General questions are not held concurrently. 1should therefore Assembly agreed to give further consideration to the like to consult the Assembly on this matter. following three items: item 28 (~) (Non-prolife~ation of nuclear weapons: report of the Conference of the 11. If there are no objections, may I.take it that the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament), item 64 Assembly agrees to that procedure? (Question of South West Africa) and item 94 (The It was so decided. situation in the Middle East). 12. The PRESIDENT (translated from French): 4. On that occasion the Assembly decided that the Agenda item 94 (The situation in the Middle East) work of the session should be resumed when, after wiU of course, as decitled earlier, remain before the the necessary consultations, it was established that General Assembly. the conditions were appropriate for consideration of one of those items. 13. During the period which has elapsed since we interrupted our work another sovereign and indepen­ 6. As a result of subsequent consultations, it was dent State. Mauritius, has emerged as a result of the agreed that the conditions set by the GeneralAssembly irreversible process of decolonization. As we aU for the resumption of the twenty-second session were know, the State of Mauritius has submitted an appli­ now present, and that the work of the session should cation for admission to membership in the United begin today. Nations [A/7073] and the Security Counci! has unani­ mously recommended that its application should be Organization of work. accepted [A/7083]. 6. The PRESIDENT (translated from French): 1 now 14. 1 understand from the exchanges of views l have invite the Assembly to decide upon the procedure it had with representatives of certain States and geo­ wishes to follow in carrying out the work of this ses­ graphical groups that the Assembly wishes to decide sion. Representatives bave, no doubt, taken note of now on the application of Mauritius for admission to the document [A/7090] which lists the three items the United Nations. May 1 take it that the General remaining on the agenda of this session in accordance Assembly agrees with this procedure? with the decision taken by the General Assembly on 19 December 1967. It was s 0 decided. 1 A/PV.1643 2 Gen(lral Assembly - Twenty-second Session - Plenary Meetings AGENDA ITEM 99 22. The attainment of independence by any nation is always a matter of pleasure and of great emotional ,.1 Admission of new Members to the United Nations satisfaction to aIl freedom-Ioving countries. How­ (concluded)* ever, if 1 seek to express today the particular grati­ fication of my delegation at the independence of 15. The PRESIDENT (translated from French): Iwish Mauritius, it is due to the long-standing, close and to draw the General Assembly's attention to the draft indissoluble ties which have bound our two countries resolution on agenda item 99 which has been submitted together in deep friendship and amity. These ties are by a number of countries [A/L.545 and Add.l and 2]. deeply rooted in our similar cultural heritage, our . 16. May 1 take it that the General Assembly adopts colonial history and struggle for independence, our this draft resolution by acclamation? geographic proximity and above all our mutually cherished goals of freedom for aIl dependent peoples The draft resolution was adopted by acclamation and universal peace. [resolution ~371 (XXII)}. 23. My delegation, along with several others, has 17. The president (translated from French): 1declare keenly followed the progress of Mauritius towards· the state of Mauritius admitted to membership in the independence. We have had the occasion to express United Nations. our feelings from the forums of the United Nations The delegation of Mauritius was escorted to the and to encourage the people of Mauritius to carry on place reserved for it in the General Assembly hall. the fight for freedom, undeterred by any setback. It ,, is, therefore, not only with joy but with profound 18. The PRESIDENT (translatedfrom French): !trust satisfaction that my delegation welcomes Mauritius that 1 speak for aIl the Members of this Assembly in to the comity of nations. welcoming the young State of Mauritius to membership in the United Nations and in expressing to its Govern­ 24. May 1 be permitted to reiterate my delegation's ment and people our sincere congratulations and best warm and sincere felicitations to the Government and wishes for their prosperity and for success in at­ people of Mauritius. We are confident that Mauritius, taining their goals. known for the spirit of enterprise and the courage of its people, will grow into a strong and prosperous 19. Mr. PARTHASARATHI (India): Mr. President, nation under the outstanding leadership of its great i during the first part of the twenty-second session, ,'( Prime Minister, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, and my delegation had an opportunity to convey our greet­ that it will be a dedicated and active Member of the ings and felicitations to you on your assuming this United Nations, wedded as it is to the principles on high office and to salute your great nation as a bridge­ which this body was founded. We are equally confident builder and a pathfinder in Europe. Your masterly that independent Mauritius will join our common handIing of the matters dealt with in the early part struggle for freedom, peace and progress and will of the session has further confirmed us in our beIief make a valuable contribution to the various fields of in your outstanding statesmanship and the dynamic activity of the United Nations. and important role played by your great country in international affairs. 25. Mr. RABETAFlKA (Madagascar) (translatedfrom 20. The resumed session has to consider important French): There can be no pleasanter dutY for any questions such as non-proliferation of nuclear weap­ delegation, and particularly for my own, than to wel­ ons, the problem of South West Africa and the situation come a new Member State ta our great international in the Middle East. My delegation has not the slightest family, doubt that under your able leadership the Assembly 26. Mauritius's request for admission represents the will be in a position to find adequate solutions to culmination of the political evolution of that country these intricate questions. We wish to assure you that which, having acquired independence, has clearly my delegation will continue to extend the fullest co­ indicated that it wishes to play its full part in the operation to you in the performance of your tasks. concert of nations. 21. It is with great joy and pride that we welcome 27. At a time when, in this troubled world of ours, the emergence of Mauritius from colonial bandage to certain basic values seem ta be challenged, if not freedom and independence, and to its rightfulplace in discarded, it is a source of pleasure and deep satis­ thls world body. My Prime Minister welcomed the faction to find once again that the principles of peace, independence of Mauritius with this message to the tolerance, co-operation and mutual respect have not Prime Minister of Mauritius. She said: been advocated in vain. "On the historie day of attainment of independence by your country. my colleagues in the Government 28.