Mideast situation – Letter from Secretary of OAU

LETTER DATED 13 JULY 1971 FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE

ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

In accordance with Article 55 of the United Nations Charter, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of the Security Council, the resolutions enclosed herewith, which were adopted by the Eighth Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

Resolution on Namibia

(AHG/Res.65 (VIIl))

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU meeting in its Eighth Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 23 June 1971

Noting with approval the International Court of Justice's opinion that, the continued presence of South Africa in Namibia being illegal, South Africa is under obligation to withdraw its administration from Namibia immediately and thus put an end to its occupation of the Territory,

Urges the immediate summoning of a Special Meeting of the Security Council of the United Nations to discuss ways and means of enforcing the past decisions of the United Nations in the light of the legal obligation imposed on the World Community by the decision of the World Court,

Agrees that the current Chairman of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government should lead a delegation of Foreign Ministers to attend this special meeting of the Security Council,

Expresses appreciation of the splendid work done by the lawyers who presented the OAU case in the World Court.

Resolution on the continued aggression against the United Arab Republic

(AHG/Res.66 (VIIl))

The Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the OAU, meeting in its Eighth Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, from 21 to 23 June 1971,

Having heard the declaration of H.E. the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Head of the delegation of the United Arab Republic,

Recalling its previous resolutions AHG/Res.53 {V) of September 1968, AHG/Res.57 (Vl) September 1969 and AHG/Res.62 (VIl) September 1970, concerning the situation prevailing in the Middle East in general, and in the United Arab Republic in particular, calling for withdrawal of foreign troops from all Arab territories occupied since 5 June 1967 in accordance with Security Council resolution 242 of 22 November 1967 and appealing to all Member States of the OAU to use their influence to ensure a strict implementation of that resolution and support the present efforts of the United Nations Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General,

Mindful of the constructive efforts of the United Arab Republic aiming at the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, especially the positive position recently taken in response to Ambassador Jarring's peace initiative of 8 February 1971,

Seriously concerned that the present grave situation resulting from the continued Israeli occupation of the territories of three Arab States, one of them is a Member in this Organization, constitutes a serious threat to the regional peace of Africa and to international peace and security,

Determined that the territory of a State should not be the object of occupation or acquisition by another State resulting from threat or use of force, which is a basic principle enshrined in the United Nations Charter and reiterated in Security Council resolution 242, as well as the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security 273^ (XXV) adopted by the General Assembly on 16 December 1970,

1. TAKES NOTE of the declaration of H.E. the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Head of the delegation of the UAR;

2. REAFFIRMS emphatically the contents of its resolutions AHG/Res.53 (V) September 1968, AHG/Res.57 (VI) September 1969 and AHG/Res.62 (VII) September 1970, and calls for immediate withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from all Arab territories to the lines of 5 June 1967 in implementation of Security Council resolution 242 of 22 November 1967;

3. EXPRESSES its full support to the efforts of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to implement Security Council resolution 242 of 22 November 1967, and to his initiative for peace of 8 February 1971, in particular;

4. REAFFIRMS its solidarity with the United Arab Republic and appreciates the positive attitude reflected in its reply on 15 February 1971 to the Special Representative's initiative for peace as a practical step for establishing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East;

5. DEPLORES Israel's defiance to that initiative and calls upon it to make a similar positive reply to the Special Representative's initiative for peace of 8 February 1971;

6. REQUESTS the current Chairman of the OAU to consult with the Heads of State and Government so that they use their influence to ensure the full implementation of this resolution.

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