ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY SUPPORTS SECOND TERM FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL PRESIDENT OF CAMEROON TELLS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

24 October 1996

Press Release
GA/9140

ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY SUPPORTS SECOND TERM FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL PRESIDENT OF CAMEROON TELLS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

19961024 Prime Minister of Bangladesh Also Addresses Assembly; Texts Adopted on OAS, International Seabed Authority, Panama Canal Congress

President Paul Biya of Cameroon told the General Assembly this afternoon that, as current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), he had been instructed by it to undertake the necessary contacts to ensure a second term for Africa at the head of the United Nations, with Boutros Boutros-Ghali as the OAU candidate.

In his address to the Assembly, President Biya also said that the regional mechanism for the settlement of disputes established by OAU members in 1993 had become the paramount mechanism of preventive diplomacy in the region. However, in order to flourish, regional initiatives must receive adequate material and technical support. He stressed that for Africa, peace was an absolute requirement, so that all of the continent's resources could be committed to development.

Also addressing the Assembly this afternoon, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh said that the least developed countries had been unable to share fully in the new growth opportunities in the world economy. In Bangladesh, the problems included the weakness in social and economic infrastructures. Private investment funds were difficult to attract and, thus, larger flows of concessional funding were essential. Without that investment in human capital, the least developed countries would fall further behind in the new age of technology, where the wealth of a society would be determined by its ownership and ability to create new ideas.

In addition this afternoon, by three resolutions adopted without a vote, the Assembly:

-- Expressed satisfaction at the close cooperation between the United Nations and the OAS, in particular their successful collaboration in Haiti through the International Civilian Mission to Haiti (MICIVIH), and emphasized that such cooperation should be conducted in accordance with their mandates, competence and composition;

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-- Invited the International Seabed Authority to participate in its deliberations as an observer; and

-- Reiterated its support for the Government of Panama's convening of the Universal Congress on the Panama Canal, in preparation for the Canal's future role.

Introducing the latter text, the representative of Panama said his Government was committed to continue to use the Canal for the benefit of the whole of humanity. Speaking before Assembly action, France's representative said that his Government had convened the Paris Conference at the end of the last century, where it was decided that a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans would be built. Today, 118 years later, it was still committed to helping the Canal continue to be a vital part of world trade. The representative of the United States said that it was committed to turning over a world-class Canal, as useful to the shipping world in the twenty-first century as it had been during the twentieth. The representatives of Argentina, Ecuador and Haiti also spoke on the text.

Statements on the resolution on the OAS were made by a representative of that organization, as well as by the representatives of Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Haiti. The draft was introduced by the representative of Honduras.

The resolution on the International Seabed Authority was introduced by the representative of Jamaica, the Authority's host country. The Secretary- General of the Authority, Satya Nandan, also spoke.

At the outset of the meeting, the President of the General Assembly, Razali Ismail (Malaysia), expressed sympathy to the Governments and people of the Bahamas and Cuba for the extensive material damage they had suffered from the recent hurricane. He expressed the hope that the international community would respond promptly to any request for help. Representatives of both countries thanked the President for his expression of sympathy and welcomed any international offers of assistance.

The Assembly will meet again at 10 a.m. Friday, 25 October, to consider international assistance for Nicaragua, cooperation with the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

Assembly Work Programme

The General Assembly met this afternoon to consider a draft resolution on observer status for the International Seabed Authority. It was also expected to take action on draft resolutions on cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS), the Universal Congress on the Panama Canal and international assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Nicaragua.

International Seabed Authority

The Assembly was to take up a draft resolution (document A/51/L.2) by which it would invite the International Seabed Authority to participate in its deliberations in the capacity of observer. By that draft, the Assembly would also request the Secretary-General to take the necessary action to implement the terms of that draft.

The draft text is sponsored by the following Member States: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania and Uruguay.

Cooperation with OAS

By a draft resolution (document A/51/L.5/Rev.1) on cooperation between the United Nations and the OAS, the Assembly would express its satisfaction at the close cooperation between the United Nations system and the OAS, in particular the support they both gave to the conduct of elections in Haiti and the joint operations of the International Civilian Mission to Haiti (MICIVIH). Such cooperation should be conducted in accordance with their respective mandates, competence and composition, the draft emphasizes. It would also recommend that general meetings between the two organizations continue to be held, and request that the Secretary-General submit a report to the fifty- third session of the Assembly on implementation of the draft.

The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela.

In his report on the issue (document A/51/297 and A/51/297/Add.1), the Secretary-General said that the civilian mission to Haiti operated jointly by the United Nations and the OAS, continued to be the main vehicle of

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cooperation between the two organizations. The Joint Working Group on MICIVIH, comprising United Nations and OAS representatives, continued to coordinate the Mission's operations.

The MICIVIH works closely with the civilian police component of the United Nations Support Mission in Haiti (UNSMIH) on matters pertaining to the treatment of prisoners and other human rights issues, including human rights training of the Haitian National Police. Both organizations worked closely together to support the holding of legislative, municipal and presidential elections in 1995.

The report states that the United Nations provided technical assistance while the OAS monitored the whole electoral process. The MICIVIH closely monitored the human rights aspects of the campaigns and, in that context, offered mediation in case of disputes between candidates and their supporters. The UNSMIH and MICIVIH also provided logistical support for electoral observation activities. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti is responsible for coordinating the work of UNSMIH and that of MICIVIH.

A more flexible mechanism of cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and the OAS was introduced recently, the Secretary-General notes, and that would provide more pragmatic and cost-effective cooperation between the two organizations through the United Nations Department of Political Affairs. The mechanism, introducing focal points within the departments, would allow for direct contacts between the OAS general secretariat and offices in the United Nations system. In accordance with the terms of the agreement of cooperation signed on 17 April 1995, representatives of both institutions continue to attend each other's meetings, exchange information and cooperate on matters of mutual interest. The text of the agreement is annexed to the report.

Addendum 1 (document A/51/297/Add.1) details various activities illustrating the cooperation between the OAS and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), including its regular coordination at a political level in Haiti in the "justice and parliament sectors", and in the areas of governance and the environment.

Universal Congress on Panama Canal

By its draft resolution (document A/51/L.4) on the Universal Congress on the Panama Canal, the Assembly would reiterate its firm support for the initiative of the Government of Panama and urge it to continue to intensify its efforts to organize the Universal Congress in September 1997, and renew its appeal to Member States, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, to generously assist the Government of Panama. It would also

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request a report on the implementation of the present resolution at the fifty- second session.

The draft resolution is sponsored by France, Panama and the United States.

The Secretary General's report on the Universal Congress on the Panama Canal (document A/51/281) discusses preparations for the convening of the Congress from 7 to 10 September 1997 at Panama City. The purpose of the Universal Congress, convened at the initiative of the Government of Panama, is to prepare for the upcoming transition of the Canal into Panamanian hands and to discuss the role which the Panama Canal should play in the twenty-first century.

By resolution 50/12 (1995), the General Assembly supports the initiative of the Government of Panama in convening the Universal Congress. Governments, international bodies, public and private academic institutions, maritime users and international shipping companies will take part in the Congress. The Assembly also requested Member States, the UNDP, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to assist in the undertaking.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama has drafted a provisional agenda, annexed to the Secretary-General's report. It includes the consideration of areas returned to Panamanian control and aims at outlining Panama's progress in planning the rational development of the Canal's basin and the coastal areas. An updated report detailing various studies regarding options for technological improvements in the Canal is also on the agenda.

Also annexed to the report is a document entitled "National vision. Panama 2000 ... and beyond", signed by representatives of Panama, including its Minister for Foreign Affairs and representatives of political parties and non-governmental organizations.

To supplement the report, the Government of Panama submitted a letter to the Secretary-General (document A/51/477) on the progress of the preparatory work on the Universal Congress on the Panama Canal.

The document details further preparations by the Panamanian Government, including its formulation of a maritime strategy which will be one of the items on the agenda of the Congress, and a draft regional plan for the development of the inter-oceanic region. It also cites the resolution adopted by the general assembly of the OAS on 6 June 1996, which noted the appreciation of the organization for the positive actions of the Governments of the United States and Panama to promptly implement the provisions of Panama Canal treaties. The text also calls on all nations of the region and of the

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world that have not yet done so to accede to the protocol to the Torrijos- Carter treaties that declare the permanent neutrality of the Panama Canal.

International Assistance to Nicaragua

By its draft resolution on international assistance to Nicaragua (document A/51/L.3), the Assembly would request the Secretary-General, within existing resources, to support the efforts of the Government of Nicaragua, and provide all necessary assistance to the reconstruction, stabilization and development of that country. It would also invite Member States to continue to provide assistance and respond generously to the appeal issued by Nicaragua. It would also request a report by the Secretary-General on the implementation of the resolution and consider the issue on a biennial basis, under the agenda item entitled, "Special economic assistance to individual countries or regions".

The draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United States and Uruguay.

The Assembly had before it the report of the Secretary-General on "International Assistance for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Nicaragua: Aftermath of the War and Natural Disasters" (document A/51/263).

At its fiftieth session, the General Assembly, concerned at the burden of the foreign debt on a country attempting to overcome the consequences of war and the economic effects of drought, excessive rain and other natural disasters, requested the Secretary-General (resolution A/50/85) to continue to provide all necessary assistance for the reconstruction, stabilization and development of Nicaragua.

The report states that the elections held on 20 October should mark the final consolidation of democracy and national reconciliation in Nicaragua.

Many obstacles had to be overcome to reach that point, such as the disbanding of armed groups made up of former combatants, (with the related problem of their difficult and still incomplete reintegration into society), constitutional disputes and property issues. However, Nicaragua had reached its elections with undeniable economic achievements to its credit. Price stability had been maintained and the necessary framework for a market economy established. With the large increase in exports and only a slight rise in imports, the trade deficit had been reduced. The international community had lent its support to the recognition of Nicaragua's external debt and had pledged to continue its assistance. Still one of the highest in the world in per capita terms, the debt declined from $11.7 billion in 1994 to $9.8 billion

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in 1995. Multilateral organizations should play a major role in solving the debt problem, not only by offering advice and financing but also by considering a reduction in the growing burden of the payment obligations of a country like Nicaragua to the international financial institutions themselves.

The report states that various public opinion surveys cite pacification as the Government's main achievement. It was also indicated, however, that the confidence of most people in the political institutions had not been sufficiently consolidated to guarantee stability. Furthermore, poverty still afflicted broad sectors of the population and Nicaragua faced a combination of macroeconomic balance and high unemployment; while growth had resumed, it had not been reflected in unemployment rates. The report concluded hoping that the electoral debate would generate a national debate on long-term development strategy.

The report also cites the agencies of the United Nations system which had contributed to the reconstruction of Nicaragua in the period 1995-1996, prominently among them being the UNDP; the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Capital Development Fund, the World Health Organization (WHO) in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Addresses to the Assembly

PAUL BIYA, President of Cameroon, said the members of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) had met in July and confirmed their support for the re-election of Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. The President said that he had been instructed by the OAU to undertake the necessary contacts to ensure a second term for Africa at the head of the United Nations, with Boutros Boutros-Ghali as the OAU candidate.

Continuing, the President said the regional mechanism for the settlement of disputes established by OAU members in 1993 had become the paramount mechanism of preventive diplomacy in the region. However, in order to flourish, regional initiatives must receive adequate material and technical support. In Africa, conflicts within and between States continued. In Angola, peace must be reinforced. Hopes for the return to normalcy in Burundi called for dialogue between all parties and a return to constitutional order. In Rwanda, he welcomed the trial of those suspected of genocide by the International Tribunal for Rwanda, meeting in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania. The border dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria also continued. His Government had brought the matter before the OAU, the Security Council and the International Court of Justice, in hope of finding a peaceful settlement. The international community must continue to support the peace-keeping efforts of the Economic Community of West African States' Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG).

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For Africa, peace was an absolute requirement, he said. Peace was necessary so that all of Africa's resources could be committed to development. Africa needed peace to promote democracy, economic development and to build the rule of law. The democratic process must be supported and protected against sectarianism, violence and extremism. Without peace, without development there could be no democracy. Africa was indeed the least developed continent and the most affected by economic crisis. Africa, vulnerable to economic changes, was enduring a widespread tendency towards disinvestment. To ensure stability, increased support from the international community was vital. Programmes, particularly under the encouragement of the United Nations, had been undertaken in support of Africa. Significant resources must be mobilized by the international community to ensure that the programmes were successful.

He called for the revitalization of the United Nations. Equitable geographic representation on the Security Council must be achieved, as must a strengthening of the role of the General Assembly in maintaining international peace, security and cooperation, he said.

SHEIKH HASINA, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, told the Assembly that a lot of changes had taken place in her country since its former leader, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, took the Assembly's podium 22 years ago. However, the issues he raised were still valid. The last two decades had brought profound and fundamental changes in international relations, but the majority of humankind still suffered from poverty, hunger, disease and malnutrition. Opportunities for education and adequate access to health facilities were still denied to millions.

Bangladesh itself had -- despite problem areas -- made considerable progress in certain fields, she continued. With progress in family planning and welfare, a significant fall in population growth rate had been achieved, with concomitant benefits. Similar advances had been made in the areas of safe drinking water and control of communicable diseases. Progress, though limited, had also been made in the education of girls and women. Other positive advances included electoral participation by women and rural electrification.

Prime Minister Hasina said that little comfort could be taken from her country's modest gains. Much remained to be done. Bangladesh had been prone to natural disasters and massive investment was needed to implement well- planned preventive and protective measures. She thanked the international community for its generosity in her nation's time of need, but added that the decline in the official development assistance (ODA) signalled a change of priorities of the donor countries. That was a matter of some concern, since there were certain sectors of Bangladesh's economy, including the infrastructure, which would continue to rely on adequate flows of assistance.

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She acknowledged the increasing interdependence in the world economy, but regretted that the least developed countries had been unable to share fully in the new growth opportunities. In Bangladesh, the problems included the weakness in social and economic infrastructures. In education, private investment funds were difficult to attract and, thus, larger flows of concessional funding were essential. Without that investment in human capital, the least developed countries would fall further behind in the new age of ideas and technology, where the wealth of a society would be determined by its ownership and ability to create new ideas.

The heightened levels of global interdependence and linkages had brought with them new challenges in the areas of macroeconomic management, economic regulations and international law, she continued. While regional cooperation agreements had sought to deal with the emerging problems, global solutions were necessary. The United Nations represented the efforts of the peoples of the world to define and develop a framework for mutual cooperation, upon which an enduring and comprehensive peace could be built. With the ideological divisions that previously dominated debates on development strategies now a thing of the past, perhaps the United Nations could achieve its true potential of furthering the cause of economic and social development.

She drew the attention of the Assembly to the issue of migration, noting that migratory flows around the world were inspired more by economic motivations than any other factor. While many immigrants were hardworking, many were also in violation of the immigration laws of their hosts and were often the victims of exploitation and abuse. Unless that migratory pattern was addressed in a meaningful manner, it could become one of the major problems of the future. It was a social issue, an economic issue and also a humanitarian issue impinging on human security. An international conference seemed to be warranted to address the continuing predicament. History would tend to corroborate the view that immigrants had enriched and enhanced, rather than impoverished, countries where they had gone in search of a better living.

She quoted the "lyrical vision" of a Bangladeshi poet and stressed that the problem for all of the developing world was how to get to that ideal. Good intentions were not lacking and developing countries also understood the magnitude of the task. However, "we have never really pursued this with the faith, persistence and determination that it deserved. We are always beginning, but we never continue, never carry on, never complete and never conclude". She then offered an agenda for peace, which, among others, included: implementation of plans of action already agreed upon regarding poverty and children; early implementation of treaties negotiated and concluded during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro; empowering women; and converting the world from a military to a civil economy.

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Cooperation with OAS

GERARDO MARTINEZ BLANCO (Honduras) introduced the draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the OAS and announced that Colombia, Germany, Hungary, Israel and Romania had joined in sponsoring it.

He said Honduras believed that cooperation between the two organizations was a positive step towards maintaining peace and security in the region. It also implied maintaining a wider forum for discussion and negotiations concerning the region's problems. With the joint efforts of the Secretaries- General of the United Nations and the OAS, it was certain that the region could go on finding other ways of collaboration and cooperation with the two organizations. The joint support to Haiti through the International Civilian Mission, including the support of the elections celebrated there in 1995, was a good example, as were the joint efforts in Nicaragua.

ANA MARIA RAMIREZ (Argentina) said that the cooperation between the United Nations and the OAS could only result in mutual benefit. The Secretary-General's report on the issue fully illustrated the successful results obtained in Haiti. She noted that Argentina had also taken part in Haiti's path to democracy.

She said the issue of land-mines was today of great concern, recalling that it was through the conflicts in Central America that the world community fully realized the consequences of land-mines for civilian populations. The OAS had been in the vanguard of the efforts against them. It had also achieved exemplary actions in the field of human rights. She said cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking, money laundering and other related aspects, including judicial cooperation, was also crucial.

JUAN MANUEL TURBAY (Colombia) said cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations exemplified effective international cooperation. The cooperation between the United Nations and the OAS in Haiti was a classic example of how the collaboration of two entities could work for the good of the region and the world. Although the nature and experience of the two organizations were different, they shared a common view.

There were more fields in which there could be effective collaboration between the United Nations and the OAS, he said, and he cited the fight against the proliferation of anti-personnel land-mines. The enormity of the task of eradication called for cooperation. In the field of economics, a new OAS focus on commerce and common markets constituted an important area for cooperation with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). He said a working group should be established to determine areas of cultural cooperation with UNESCO. At the same time, increased contacts must be oriented towards concrete objectives. The need to overcome poverty in Latin America was the most urgent task.

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EMILIO IZQUIERDO (Ecuador) said that one of the most obvious consequences of today's globalization was that the problems of one region invariably affected the rest of global society. This made coordinated cooperation indispensable. Intergovernmental organizations were called upon to tighten their links and improve their communication channels. The Secretary-General's report illustrated the close cooperation between the United Nations and the OAS, particularly the jointly-run International Civilian Mission to Haiti.

Ecuador, he told the Assembly, had asked the United Nations Department for Humanitarian Affairs for financial assistance in the task of removing the land-mines still on its territory. Ecuador believed that a closer relation between the Security Council and the governing body of the OAS was needed in their joint aim of maintaining peace and security. The idea of a rapid reaction force deserved serious consideration and could be another area for cooperation.

PIERRE LELONG (Haiti), speaking on behalf of Latin American and Caribbean States, recommended unanimous adoption of the draft resolution. Greater cooperation was vital if problems of development and other areas of mutual interest were to be tackled, he said. Indeed, the United Nations and the OAS had always cooperated. He noted that some members of the OAS had benefited from the activities of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. In addition, the United Nations University had an agreement with the OAS on the development of human resources. Also, in 1995-1996 the United Nations and the OAS strengthened cooperation on drug control programmes. Those were some of the highlights of the cooperation between the United Nations and the OAS and much more could be achieved if the resolution was adopted.

GEORGE KAUFMAN, Adviser to the Assistant Secretary-General of the OAS, told the Assembly that in the agreement signed between both organizations, a number of instruments had been agreed upon to further strengthen their ties. It formalized a number of mechanisms and goals already achieved. The coordination mechanism, which had improved over time, consisted of a permanent consultation system between organizations carried out through focal points within both organizations -- the Department of Political Affairs of the United Nations and the office of the Assistant Secretary-General of the OAS. The mechanism, which was constantly being revised, had produced positive results. On operational matters, the OAS had the logistical support of the office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and was in contact with representatives of the UNDP in each country.

He recounted various activities that had required the joint efforts of both organizations, such as MICIVIH, a joint operation created in February 1993. He also mentioned coordination in various other fields, including electoral assistance, work on drug prevention and abuse, and joint action in development and environmental concerns. United Nations resolutions on joint

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action with regional organizations had proved significant over the years and new fields of cooperation might yet arise.

The Acting President of the Assembly, FELIPE H. MABILANGAN (Philippines), announced that Bolivia and Sweden had joined as co-sponsors of the draft.

The Assembly, acting without a vote, adopted the draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the OAU.

Panama Canal Congress

JORGE E. ILLUECA (Panama), introducing the draft text on the Universal Congress on the Panama Canal, said his Government intended to use the Canal to fulfil lofty goals that would benefit the whole of humanity. The draft now before the Assembly would open the path for the international community to fully cooperate in the holding of the Universal Congress. By convening the Congress, Panama would clearly demonstrate its intentions to uphold the terms of international agreements governing the Canal. Panama was also committed to doing whatever was needed to maintain the Canal as a vital link in international trade and commerce. The people of Panama were resolved to make that effort. International support encouraged them to that end. He urged the Assembly to adopt the draft resolution by consensus.

ALAIN DEJAMMET (France) said that, at the end of the last century, his Government had convened the Paris Conference at which it decided that a canal linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans would be built. Now, 118 years later, the Universal Congress on the Panama Canal would ensure that the Canal would continue to be a vital part of the global system of trade and that a strong structure would be put in place to manage the future of the Canal. France was pleased that the Canal would be further developed and that the Panamanian authorities were determined to make it a harmonious part of the international system of commerce.

FERNANDO PETRELLA (Argentina) said that questions relating to Panama were always very dear to Argentina. He expressed support for the Panamanian Government for its efforts to convene the Congress. Argentina and the other countries of the region had followed the matters concerning the Panama Canal. There were no doubts as to the geopolitical importance of the Canal, nor its economic and cultural role. In addition, it would promote the orderly use of the resources of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

VICTOR MARRERO (United States) said on 31 December 1999, in accordance with the 1977 Panama Canal Treaty, stewardship of the Canal would pass from the United States to Panama. The United States was committed to turning over a world-class Canal, one that was as beneficial to global shipping in the twenty-first century as it had been during the twentieth century. The United

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States was also committed to working closely with the Government of Panama to complete a transition of which both countries could be proud. The Canal, still operated under United States authority, was headed by a bi-national board, with Panamanians in top management positions. More than 90 per cent of all Canal workers were Panamanians.

The Universal Congress of the Panama Canal would allow the shippers, shipowners, port authorities and maritime organizations to examine the transitional process in detail, he continued. It would also provide an opportunity to discuss Canal operations and the future of the Canal.

Mr. IZQUIERDO (Ecuador) said the Canal was an indispensable link for those countries in the region whose trade link was through the Atlantic Ocean. For Ecuador, the Canal was a vital economic line. Along those lines, Ecuador supported any efforts to guarantee the accessibility of the Canal, and the efforts to hold the Congress in September 1997 to determine the role it would play in the future. There was no doubt that the Canal would contribute to world trade and, in that way, contribute to sustaining the economic growth of the developing countries. He emphasized the importance of "this historic waterway" and supported the broadest consultations on the various issues relating to the best ways of making use of the Canal in the future.

Mr. LELONG (Haiti), also speaking on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean States, said that Panama was coordinating the Universal Congress to prepare for its future responsibilities. Also, the Congress would allow all users of the Canal to become informed regarding the transfer process. His country and the Latin American and Caribbean States supported the draft before the Assembly.

The Assembly adopted, without a vote, the resolution on the Universal Congress on the Panama Canal.

International Seabed Authority

PATRICIA DURRANT (Jamaica) introduced the draft resolution on granting observer status to the International Seabed Authority. Reviewing the history of the Authority and its establishment under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, she said the Authority's institutional framework had been established and elections to fill major seats had been held. She said that she was sure that the importance of granting observer status to the Authority was recognized by all. She called upon the Assembly to adopt the draft text by consensus.

The General Assembly then adopted, without a vote, the resolution inviting the International Seabed Authority to take part in its deliberations as an observer.

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SATYA NANDAN, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, said for many years the Assembly had reviewed developments relating to the Convention on the Law of the Sea and the progress of the International Seabed Authority. While institutions created under the Convention had specific mandates, they could not act in isolation of the deliberations of the General Assembly on global developments relating to the world's oceans. Similarly, the General Assembly would be lacking if its deliberations on developments relating to the Law of the Sea or its review of the implementation of the Convention took place without the contribution of the competent institutions, such as the International Seabed Authority. As the body with particular responsibility for administering the resources of the deep seabed and monitoring environmental aspects of associated activities, the International Seabed Authority had an interest in the deliberations of the Assembly relating to such matters as the marine environment, technology and scientific research.

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