GENERAL ReMMY MmnNo ASSEMBLY Thursday, 23 C’krobu 1984, ul 3.10 p.m. THIRTFNlh’TH SESSION m- WIW vona JVesidenk Mr. Paul J. F. LUSAKA operation in Central America [A/39/562, omrcrx]. In that documentthe Contadon Group, t-r with (Zambia). the five Central American countries, has tried to formulate the lotky objectives set out in the Docu- ment of Objectives in the form of a corn mhensive agreement to be signed by the five Centra P American AGENDA ITEM 25 countries and to be open for signature to all States de&in to contribute to peace and co-operation in Centra! America. 5. This latest document is a remarkable achieve ment in itself, and it rhould ‘ve a real chance for neace in that turbulent area. 6; e hotx that the five bntral American countries will be- able, with the 1. Mr. KORHONEN (Finland : The situation in help of the Contadom OIWP. to conclude the Central America remains criti Cal. Over the last few years the States of the region have reported almost weekly violations of their sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Acts of violence, often resulting in the loss of human life and causing damage to economic and other installations, are facts of dally life. The u heaval in the region has also caused a considerab Pe flood of refugees, which fur- ther complicates the situation. 2. The numerous oroblems of the region are inter- connected, and their solution requires-a comprehen- sive approach. In the opinion of my Government. the Stat& -of the region -themselves- are in the best 6. Mrs. CARRASCO MONJE (Bolivia) (inferprefu- position to define their own problems and assess the rion from Spanish): Very close to us, and inextricably underlying reasons for them. Also. the solutions to involved in our feelings, the Central American those ixoblems can best be worked out by those peoples are the protagomsts in a conflict which, if it States. They should be given the opportunity to do does not end, threatens to spread ‘eopardizi peace that, free from an outiide interveiition, exkrcisin and security in the hemisphere. &is conflictnftad its their right of se1r -determination. As a matter o! origins in a e-old social injustice, but it now contains principle, Finland has always supported the peaceful elements o f the international conflict: the arms mcc solution of conflicts as an obli tlon assumed by all and non-compliance with the principles of selfdeter- Member States under the C ir arter of the United mination and non-intervention in the internal affairs Nations. In accordance with this principle, the of States. Contadora Group is endeavouring to achieve a 7. One ear ago, in the debate on the situation in comprehensive, peaceful and lasting solution. The Central x merica, we recalled the statement made Finnish Government supports these endeavours. here in 1982 by the constitutional President of 3. In September of last year the efforts of the four Bolivia, Mr. Hem&n Sila Zuazo, when he stressed Latin American countries reached a crucial point. that the peoples of Central Americs had already Together with the five Central American countries, suffered too much under totalitarian rkgimes now to they adopted a Document of Objectives,’ which endure the terrible scourge of war. clearly established the principles to be observed to 8. Tension. threats and confrontation have contin- reduce the conflicts andcreatc peaceful conditions in ued to afflidt the region during the past two years. the region. It also set out a number of political and This scene of difficulties is in contrast to the hope economic objectives for the Central American States. raised by the efforts made in the past year by the In reco nition of the invaluable contribution made Contadora Grou.J . which have enjoyed the full by the 8 ovemments of the Contadora Group and irs support and so11 arlty of the international commu- a sign of support for their aim of finding a political nity, especially the Latin American community. solution to the problems affecting the region, the 9. The action taken by the four Contadora countries General Assembly unanimous1 adopted resolution has shown the ability, imagination and perseverance 38110, endorsing the efforts o r the Group. of the countries of our region in enhancing intema- 4. As a result of continued consultations and negoti- tional law while maintaining the lofty principles of ations, the Contadora Group presented, in Septem- the Charter of the United Nations and that of the ber of this year, the Contadora Act on Peace and Co- Organization of American States [CM’) It has also 721 A/3YIPV.38 nr cvnlANd+~-- borne witness to the determination of the couturier number of basic aspects which. in the view of the of Central America to seek a Braxilian Govern&u, ‘must be fully taken into gurranteeing in the future the col !i=+ecttvo security=wion d account if an effort to achieve peace in the r+on is all States of the re8ion, thro the full appliition of to auocoed. 6 utce it 1s my Oovernmottt’r belief that le@ instnunontr reflecting “Rht 0 interests of all States tbo vary same aspacta sttll remain essential to any parties to them. negotirtcd, just and durable solution for the prob- 10. My Government has ahead afXrmad on vari- lems of the m@ion, let me tucall them briefly. ous occasions its full support Tor the Contadon 18. Fit, tbo ?Watnental principles of the Charter rocau. The international community has noted with of the United nrtionr muat constitute the main Pntorut that the Central American countries have reforeaoe, the basic framework, for any settlement of expressed their wish both to ti8n the revised version the existrn8 disputes. of the Contadon Act on Peace and @operation in 19. Secondly, all the extremely complex aspects of Central America and to shoulder the responsibilities the criria4oeial, litical, economic, military and stemming from the Contadora process, which must diplomatic-must Et fhlly considered in the search conclude with the signing of the Act. for a solution. In this process a balance must be 11. In that s&it. 1 wish not only to call for a return established between the lessons and conclusions from to respect for iho urinciples of tticharter, but also to a past not yet completely examined or understood anneal to the Central American countries to make a and any proposals regardmg the future of the coun- genuine and disinterested effort to proceed as soon as trios and peoples of the @on. iblo to the signature of the Contadora Act, which 20. Thirdly, it is of the utmost importance for the r as been put before them for conuideration as a entire international community to recognixe the valuable contribution b the Contadora countries. essential role of the oountries of the region in the This would facilitate ful Ftlment of the commitments quest for peace and stability. The best way for this under that. Act and the entry into force of the recognition to be expressed is the scrupulousobser- coesscmdmg tmplomontatton and follow-up ma- vance of the principles of non-interference in the internal flairs of States and of selfdetermination. 12. \ie have read with great interest the Secre The problem of Central America must be solved by General’s report on this auestion W39/562l. 9; the countries of the region themselves. share his hoti that the processesof democratitition 21. A whole ear has passed since the initial in the region, which include the forthcoming olec- consideration o rythe question in the General Assem- tions in Nicaragua and Guatamala. will provtdo for bly. In this period the international community has the free exercise of citizens’ rights and the building or had a number of reasons to believe that it would be perfecting of pluralist s stems which guarantee the difftcult to avoid further deterioration of the situa- active participation of r; road majorities. tion in Central America. To justify such a dismal 13. On the other hand, the Secretary-General asks assessment it is only necessary to recall, by way of us to think when he reminds us that “the continua- example, the gravity of the events brought before the tion of the upheaval in Central America, with its Security Council for consideratron during this ear. grievous impact on the civilian population, is still Those oroblems only added to the already Siam? rcant causing a flood of refugees.‘* [Ibid., puma. II.] This difllcuities and strong tensions obstructirig the di lo- tragedy must be ended, and for that purpose tranquil- matic efforts of the sister nations of the Conta a ora lity must return to the region and there must be a Group with a view to a peaceful, negotiated settle- cessation of threats, hostile actions or attacks against ment. Central American States, Nicaragua in particular. 22. However, despite all those obstacles the Conta- 14. The situation in Central America is a dificult dora Group persevered in its negotiations, and it is one. Nevertheless, there are some encouraging signs, with renewed hope that my delegation notes the among them the initiative and disposition to dia- substantial progress in the discussions on many logue which b n in El Salvador and the construc- ific details of a comprehensive agreement. My tive spirit in wY tch the five countries of the region s8r vemment is confident that the very same spirit of are taking part in the Contadora negotiations. unity and solidarity that prevailed in those discus- 15. In conclusion, 1 wish to reiterate what has sions will in the near future allow the Group to already been stated by the Foreign Minister of my overcome reservations.