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60
ORIGIN IO-03
INFO OCT-01 ISO-00 /004 R
66011
DRAFTED BY: IO/CMD:LEKAHN:JPS
APPROVED BY: IO:TALYNCH
--------------------- 003891
R 030833Z JUL 76
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO USMISSION OECD PARIS
USMISSION EC BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
UNCLAS STATE 166038
VIENNA FOR UNIDO MISSION, ADDIS ABABA FOR WILSON
FOLLOWING TEL SENT ACTION SECSTATE INFO USUN NEW YORK,
GENEVA FROM ABIDJAN JULY 01:
QUOTE UNCLAS ABIDJAN 6087
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: EGEN, ECOSOC, UN
SUBJECT: SIXTY-FIRST ECOSOC-US GENERAL DEBATE STATEMENT
1. TRANSMITTED BELOW IS THE TEXT OF THE US GENERAL DEBATE
STATEMENT MADE ON JUNE 30. SINCE GOVERNOR SCRANTON COULD NOT
BE PRESENT, THE SPEECH WAS READ ON HIS BEHALF BY AMBASSADOR
MYERSON.
2. DEPARTMET MAY WISH TO TRANSMIT TEXT TO OTHER POSTS, AS
APPROPRIATE.
STATEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES DELEGATION TO
THE 61ST SESSION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
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JUNE 30, 1976
MR. PRESIDENT,
ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS TO YOU, TO HIS EXCELLENCY
PRESIDENT HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY, AND TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE
OFTHE IVORY COAST OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR COUNTRY'S
MOST GENEROUS OFFER TO ACT AS HOST TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COUNCIL, FOR THE MAGNIFICIENT FACILITIES WHICH YOU HAVE MADE
AVAILABLE, AND FOR THE WONDERFUL HOSPITALITY WHICH HAS BEEN
EXTENDED TO US. SUCH A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE CANNOT FAIL TO
FACILITATE OUR DELIBERATIONS.
IT IS FITTING THAT, IN 1976, THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COUNCIL SHOULD BE HOLDING ITS FIRST MEETING IN AFRICA. WHEN
THE UNITED NATIONS WAS CREATED, VIRTUALLY ALL OF AFRICA AND
MANY AREAS OF ASIA WERE UNDER COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION. WE
HAVE WITNESSED THE PROCESS OF DECOLONIALIZATION OVER THE
PAST THRITY YEARS. THIS HAS NOWHERE BEEN MORE EVIDENT THAN IN
AFRICA. THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNITED NATIONS HAS ALSMOST
TRIPLED IN THIS PROCESS, AND AFRICAN STATES NOW REPRESENT
ALMOST A THIRD OF ITS TOTAL MEMBERSHIP. INDEED, I WISH TO
WELCOME ON BEHALF OF MY GOVERNMENT THE ENTRY OF THE SEYCHELLES
TO THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONS THIS VERY WEEK.
BUT THE IMPORTANCE OF AFRICA IS NOT A QUESTION OF NUMBERS.
THIS CONTINENT, WITH ALL ITS DIVERSITY, SYMBOLIZES THE CHAL-
LENGES AND THE HOPES OF ALL OF US--TO REMOVE THOSE LAST
VESTIGES OF COLONIALSM SO THAT ALL NATIONS AND PEOPLES CAN
CHOOSE THEIR OWN DESTINY; TO OVERCOME THE BURDENS OF ECONOMIC
DISADVANTAGE SO AS TO PERMIT THE FULL DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN
AND NATURAL RESOURCES; AND TO FASHION A PATTERN OF COOPERATION
WHICH WILL PERMIT PEOPLES TO MAINTAIN THEIR RESPECTIVE TRADI-
TIONS AND PRINCIPLES BUT TO WORK TOGETHER IN PURSUIT OF A
COMMON OVER-RIDING GOAL-- BETTER LIFE FOR ALL PEOPLE.
THE GORWING IMPORTANCE OF INDEPENDENT AFRICA ON THE INTER-
NATION SCENE, THE JUSTICE OF ITS CAUSE, AND THE POLITICAL,
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ECONOMIC, AND CULTURAL TIES THAT LINKS IT TO THE UNITED STATES
AND OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE UNDERSCORED THE NEED FOR US TO MAIN-
TAIN CLOSE TIES WITH AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS. THIS PERCEPTION
FOUND EXPRESSION IN SECRETARY KISSINGER'S VISIT TO AFRICA IN
APRIL AND MAY OF THIS YEAR. THE VISIT CAME AT A TIME OF
GROWING CRISES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA AND PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR HE SECRETARY TO ENUNICIATE AT LUSAKA OUR SOUTHERN AFRICAN
POLICY. HE MADE CLEAR OUR NATION'S UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT FOR
RACIAL JUSTICE AND SELF-DETERMINATION.
THE POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES IS BASED ON THE RECOGNITION
THAT THE MOVEMENT OF AFRICA TO FULL FREEDOM AND HOAN DIGNITY
WILL NOT BE COMPLETE UNTIL RACIAL EQUALITY IS FULLY ESTABLISHED
THROUGHOUT THE CONTINENT. THE RECENT TRAGIC AND DEPLORABLE
EVENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA UNDERLINE THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION
AND THE TOTAL UNACCEPTABILITY OF THE SYSTEM OF LEGALIZED
RACIAL DISCRIMINATION THAT PREVAILS IN SOUTH AFRICA. EQUALLY,
WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE PROCESS WILL NOT BE COMPLETE UNTIL
MAJORITY RULE IS FULLY ESTABLISHED THROUGHOUT THE AFRICAN
CONTINENT. THE UNITED STATES IS PLEDGED TO SUPPORT THESE
GOALS BY ALL APPROPRIATE AND PEACEFUL MEANS.
IN HIS LUSAKA STATEMENT, SECRETARY KISSINGER SET FORTH
SPECIFIC PROPOSALS AIMED AT HELPING SOLVE THE PRESSING PROBLEMS
OF THE REGION. HE INDICATED OUR WILLINGNESS TO PLAY A MORE
ACTIVE ROLE IN CONCERT WITH AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS. IN THIS REGARD,
THE ADVICE OF AFRICAN LEADERS HAS BEEN OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE
IN DEVELOPING OUR INITIATIVES ON SOUTHERN AFRICA, INCLUDING THE
RECENT MEETING OF SECRETARY KISSINGER AND PRIME MINISTER VORSTER.
ON THESE AND OTHER MATTERS, WE SHALL CONTINUE CLOSE AND USEFUL
CONSULTATION WITH AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS.
DURING HIS AFRICAN TOUR, THE SECRETARY MADE TWO OTHER
STATEMENTS TO WHICH WE ATTACH MAJOR IMPORTANCE. IN DAKAR, HE
CALLED FOR THE CREATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM TO
UNDERTAKE A SYSTEMATIC AND COMPREHENSIVE ATTACK ON THE DEVELOP-
MENT PROBLEMS OF THE SAHEL REGION. AND IN NAIROBI AT THE
FOURTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND
DEVELOPMENT, HE SET FORTH OUR POLICY ON THE MAJOR NORTH-SOUTH
DEVELOPMENT ISSUES. I WILL TALK ABOUT THIS IN GREATER DETAIL
LATER. BUT I WISH TO EMPHASIZE NOW THE TWO MAJOR THEMES IN OUR
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APPROACH TO AFRICA--TO ASSIST AFRICAN EFFORTS FOR LIBERATION
AND FOR HUMAN AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. I UNDERSCORE THE
WORDS "TO ASSIST" BECAUSE THE BASIC STRATEGY AND THE BASIC
EFFORT FOR PROGRESS IN AFRICA SHOULD AND MUST REMAIN IN THE
HANDS OF AFRICANS THEMSELVES.
JUST BEFORE COMING TO THIS CONFERENCE, I HAD THE OPPORLUN-
ITY--AND THE PLEASURE--OF VISITING SEVERAL COUNTRIES IN
AFRICA. THIS TRIP WAS UNDERTAKEN AT THE SUGGESTION OF PRESIDENT
FORD AND SECRETARY KISSINGER, TO CONTINUE OUR DIALOGUE WITH
AFRICAN LEADERS. IT WAS OF A NECESSITY A SERIES OF RAPID
VISITS TO ELEVEN COUNTRIES AND CERTAINLY DOES NOT QUALIFY ME
AS AN EXPERT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF MY
IMPRESSIONS BECAUSE I THINK THAT THEY ARE PERTINENT TO THE
DELIBERATIONS OF THIS COUNCIL.
FIRST, I WAS MOST IMPRESSED WITH THE PRIORITIES OF THE
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS OF THE COUNTRIES VISITED. THEY
EMPHASIZED:
--AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AIMED AT ENSURING SUFFICIENT
FOOD FOR THEIR PEOPLE;
--HEALTH SERVICES TO REDUCE INFANT MORTAILITY, TO PROVIDE
BETTER CARE THROUGHOUT THEIR CITIZENS' LEVELS,AND
TO INCREASE LIFE EXPECTANCY;
EDUCATION, BOTH GENERAL EDUCATION FOR ALL, AND IN THE
TECHNICAIL VOCATIONAL FIELDS, A NECESSSITIES, COUNTRIES
TO REALIZE AND TO MANAGE THEIR POTENTIAL;
--SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT TO PRESERVE BASIC TRADITIONS AND
SO THAT ALL CITIZENS MAY BETTER UNDERSTAND AND PARTIC-
IPATE EFFECTIVELY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR COUNTRIES.
THESE ARE PRIORITIES DIRECTED NOT TOWARD THE PRESERVATION OF
A SYSTEM OR SIMPLY THE PROMOTION OF AN IDEOLOGY BUT, MUCH MORE
IMPORTANTLY, AT IMPROVING AND ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
AS SUCH IT IS DEVELOPMENT FOR THE HIGHEST PURPOSE--FOR
HUMANITY.
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AND WHAT ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCES IN AFRICA?
THIS IS MY SECOND POINT. ONE VERY CLEAR IMPRESSION IS THAT
THE SIMPLE TRANSFER OF MONEY IS NO GUARANTEE OF PURPOSEFUL
DEVELOPMENT--IN FACT, THIS COULD LEAD TO AN INTERNATIONAL
MISALLOCATION OF RESOURCES. WHAT IS CRITICAL IS AID TO SPECIFIC
PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY SELF-HELP PROJECTS, WHICH WILL IN FACT
CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. IN THIS CONNECTION,
WE--BOTH DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES--MUST CLARIFY
THE CONCEPTUAL CONFUSION WHICH EXISTS BETWEEN EXPLOITATION
AND DEVELOPMENT. WHETHER IN AFRICA OR ELSEWHERE, EXPLOITATION
IS WRONG. IT SHOULD NOT AND MUST NOT BE THE PATTERN FOR THE
FUTURE. THE DEVELOPED AND THE DEVELOPING NATIONS MUST NOW
WORK TOGETHER ON A RESOURCE PROGRM AIMED AT INCREASING THE
STANDARD OF LIVING FOR PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRIES CONCERNED.
THIS IS NOT A ONE-WAY STREET. IT IS TO THE MUTUAL ADVANTAGE
OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AS WELL AS DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, FOR
IT PRODUCES BETTER MARKETS FOR PRODUCTS AND A HEALTHIER INTERR-
NATIONAL ECONOMY.
THIRDLY, MR PRESIDENT, TALKS IN THE COUNTRIES I HAVE
JUST VISITED UNDERLINED THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY FOR A RAPID
SPEED-UP IN THE LIBERATION OF ALL AFRICA--FIRSTLY AND FORE-
MOST BECAUSE OF OUR HUMANITARIAN CONCERN BUT ALSO BECAUSE THE
PRESENT SITUATION REPRESENTS A BASIC DETERRENT TO THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION.
FINALLY, MR. PRESIDENT, I CANNOT SPEAK OF MY VISIT TO
AFRICA WITHOUT PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE HOSPITALITY OF GOVERNMENTS
AND PEOPLE WHEREVER WE WENT, TO THE VISION AND COMMITMENT OF
THE LEADERS WITH WHOM WE TALKED, AND TO THEIR WILLINGNESS
TO SHARE WITH US THEIR THINKING. OUR TALKS WERE CHARACTERIZED
BY A COMMON DEDICATION TO PEACE, COOPERATION AND THE BETTER-
MENT OF MANKIND'S CONDITION. OUR AREAS OF AGREEMENT ARE
SUBSTANTIAL AND OUTWEIGH ANY DIFFERENCES OF PERCEPTION OR
POLICY. THIS IS A "CONTINENT OF HOPE" WITH GREAT POTENTIAL.
A WAY OF LIFE FOR AFRICANS IN FREEDOM AND SELF-FULFILLMENT IS
NEAR ON THE HORIZON. IT IS WITHIN MAN'S GRASP.
MR. PRESIDENT, ONE OF THE BASIC PURPOSES OF THE UNITED
NATIONS AS SET FORTH IN THE CHARTER IS "TO ACHIEVE INTER-
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NATIONAL COOPERATION IN SOLVING INTERNATIONAL PROBLEMS OF AN
ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, CULTURAL OR HUMANITARIAN CONCERN." OUR
RECENT EFFORTS IN THIS RESPECT HAVE FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON THE
PROBLEMS OF DEVELOPMENT--THOSE MATTERS EMBRACED BY THE
NORTH-SOUTH DIALOGUE.
ONE MILESTONE IN THIS DIALOGUE WAS THE SEVENTH SPECIAL
SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. ON THAT OCCASION DEVELOPED
AND DEVELOPING NATIONS PUT ASIDE CONFRONTATION AND DECLARED
THEIR COMMON PURPOSE OF MOVING FORWARD COOPERATIVELY IN
ACCORDANCE WITH AN AGREED AGENDA FOR ACTION. TRUE, THERE WAS
HARD BARGAINING, BUT IT ACHIEVED CONSENSUS ACCEPTABLE TO ALL.
THE PRINCIPLES AND PROGRAMS OUTLINED THERE REMAIN THE CORNER-
STONE OF MY GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO ASSIST DEVELOPING NATIONS
AND TO STRENGTHEN TIES OF COOPERATION WITH THEM.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSENSUS REACHED AT THE SEVENTH
SPECIAL SESSION, SIGNIFICANT AND PRACTICAL STEPS HAVE BEEN
UNDERTAKEN OR ARE UNDERWAY IN VARIOUS UN AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL
FORUMS, OR THROUGH THE ACTIONS OF INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES. THE
ACTIONS COVER THE WIDE RANGE OF PROBLEMS CONFRONTING US--
COMPENSATORY FINANCING, FUNDING OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
INSTITUTIONS, COMMODITIES, TRADE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS,
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, BILATERAL AID PROGRAMS, AND SO ON.
I DO NOT PROPOSE TO CATALOGUE THE SPECIFIC ACTIONS NOW SINCE
THE COUNCIL IS TO REVIEW THIS MATTER LATER IN THE PRESENT
SESSION. THE POINT THAT I WISH TO EMPHASIZE IS THAT THE
UNITED STATES HAS TAKEN ITS COMMITMENTS SERIOUSLY AND IS
GENUINELY ATTEMPTING TO TRANSLATE THE AGREED PRINCIPLES INTO
SPECIFIC ACTIONS.
THE SEVENTH SPECIAL SESSION IS ONLY A MILESTONE, NOT
THE END OF THE ROAD. MY GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO A
CONTINUING PROCESS OF NEGOTIATION SEEKING PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS
TO REAL PROBLEMS. THUS WE ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE PARIS
CONFERENCE FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC COOPERATION, ONE OF
THE PRIINCIPLE FORUMS IN WHICH THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN DEVELOPED
AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IS BEING CARRIED OUT.
UNCTAD IV REPRESENTS ANOTHER MILESTONE. THERE WERE, INDEED,
POSITIVE ACHIEVEMENTS AT NAIROBI, ALTHOUGH THE OUTCOME FAILED
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TO SATISFY EVERYONE. FOR EXAMPLE, WE ARE AWARE THAT, EVEN
THOUGH DEVELOPED COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES WENT
FURTHER THAN EVER BEFORE IN THEIR COMMITMENT TO PROCEED WITH
WORK ON MAJOR ASPECTS OF COMMODITY ISSUES--NOT THE LEAST
ON BUFFER STOCK FINANCING--SOME OF OUR FRIENDS IN THE
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES HAD HOPED FOR MORE.
THE UNITED STATES FOR ITS PART WAS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED
THAT ITS PROPOSAL FOR AN INTERNATIONAL RESOUCES BANK--
PRESENTED AT UNCTAD IV ON BEHALF OF ALL GROUP B COUNTRIES--
DID NOT RECEIVE THE CONSIDERATION WE BELIEVE IT DESERVES.
WE ARE PURSUING THIS PROPOSAL AS ONE IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF
ANY COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO COMMODITIES PROBLEMS. WE TRUST
THAT IT WILL RECEIVE SERIOUS AND THOROUGH CONSIDERATION.
IT IS IN NO WAY INTEND TO PRECLUDE OTHER APPROACHES NOR TO
COMPETE WITH AN OTHER PROPOSAL. THE PURPOSE OF THE INTER-
NATIONAL RESOUCES BANK IS TO FACILITATE THE FLOW OF ESSENTIAL
PRIVATE CAPITAL, MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY INTO THE DEVELEOPMENT
OF MINERAL RESOURCES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ON A BASIS FULLY
ACCEPTABLE TO SUCH COUNTRIES--ONE COMPATIBLE WITH THEIR
SOVEREIGNTY AND THEIR NATIONAL PLAN. IN OUR VIEW THIS WOULD
BE OF PARTICULAR BENEFIT TO COUNTRIES OF AFRICA AND ELSEWHERE.
WE HAVE RECENTLY PRESENTED A STATEMENT ON THE PROPOSED INTER-
NATIONAL RESOURCES BANK TO THE PARIS CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL
ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND WILL BE ACTIVELY FOLLOWING UP ON
THIS MATTER.
IN SPITE OF THESE DISAPPOINTMENTS AND WITH THE PERSPECTIVE
OF A MONTH SINCE NAIROBI, UNCTAD IV SEEMS TO US TO HAVE BEEN
MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN MANY AT FIRST IMAGINED. A NUMBER OF
RESOLUTIONS WERE APPROVED BY CONSENSU, INCLUDING THOSE ON
DEBT, TECHNOLOGY, AND THE LEAST-DEVELOPED, AS WELL AS COMMOD-
ITIES. THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARD THE
GOALS IT HAS ACCEPTED AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO PROGRAMS IN WHICH
IT HAS AGREED TO PARTICIPATE. WE WILL AKE PART IN THE
MEETINGS PREPARATORY TO UNCTAD'S MARCH 1977 NEGOTIATING CON-
FERENCE ON COMMODITIES. WE ALSO INTEND TO PARTICIPATE FULLY
AND ACTIVELY IN THE EXTENSIVE SERIES OF MEETINGS ON THE
EIGHTEEN SPECIFIC COMMODITIES SET FORTH IN THE UNCTAD IV
COMMODITIES RESOLUTION. WHERE DIFFERENCES PERSIST REGARDING
OBJECTIVES OR METHODS, WE SHALL BE PREPARED TO PURSUE A
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DISCUSSIONWITH A VIEW TO RECONCILIATION.
MR. PRESIDENT, THIS MONTH, THERE HAVE BEEN TWO MEETINGS
OF THE INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES OF CONSIDERABLE SIGNIFICANKE
FOR RELATIONS BETWEEN DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES --
THE OECD MINISTERIAL MEETING AND THE PUERTO RICO SUMMIT. THESE
MEETINGS EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR CLOSER COORDINATION BETWEEN
PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES. WORKING TOGETHER, THE INDUSTRIALIZED
COUNTRIES SEEK TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH WHICH IS
DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE DEMAND FOR THE MINERAL, AGRICULTURAL
AND MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. THEY CAN
SEEK TO MINIMIZE INFLATION AND ITS IMPACT, FOR EXAMPLE ONE
THE COST OF DEVELOPING COUNTRY IMPORTS. AND THEY CAN BETTER
POSITION THEMSELVES BOTH TO INITIATE PROPOSALS AND TO RESPOND
CONSTRUCTIVELY TO PROPOSALS BY THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.
MR. PRESIDENT, THE 61ST SESSION OF ECOSOC CAN MARK
ANOTHER MILESTONE ON THE ROAD TO ENHANCED COOPERATION AMONG
THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND AMONG DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES GENERALLY. THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS A BROAD
AGENDA -- ONE WHICH WILL GIVE IT FULL OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE
RESPONSIBILITIES VESTED IN IT BY THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER.
THE UNITED STATES DELEGATION STANDS READY TO PLAY ITS FULL
PART.
ONE OF THE SUBJECTS WE WILL BE CONSIDERING IS THE COMPLEX
OF ISSUES RELATED TO TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS. IN THE MEETING
OF THE COMMISSION ON TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS IN LIMA LAST
MARCH, THE UNITED STATES PROPOSED A SPECIAL EFFORT IN THE FIELD
OF CORRUPT PRACTICES AND PAYMENTS -- A PROBLEM, I SHOULD ADD,
THAT GOES BEYOND THE QUESTION OF TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS
PER SE. MY DELEGATION, WITH THE SUPPORT OF OTHERS, WILL BE
SUBMITTING A DRAFT RESOLUTION ON THIS SUBJECT AT THE CURRENT
SESSION OF ECOSOC. WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT IT WILL RECEIVE
FULL AND SYMPATHETIC CONSIDERATION SO THAT AN EXPERT GROUP
MAY BE ESTABLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO TAKE UP THIS MATTER.
ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RESULTS OF THE SEVENTH SPECIAL
SESSION WAS THE DECISION TO CREATE THE AD HOC COMMITTEE TO
EXAMINE THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SECTORS
OF THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM. THAT BODY IS NOW PURSUING ITS
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DELIBERATIONS. AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE RESTRUCTURING EX-
ERCISE INVOLVES EFFORTS TO REVITALIZE THE ECOSOC SO THAT IT
MAY CARRY OUT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES MORE EFFECTIVELY. WE HAVE
MADE SOME SUGGESTIONS IN THIS REGARD, AND WE SHALL HAVE
ADDITIONAL IDEAS TO PRESENT. MEANWHILE, WE ARE CONVINCED
THAT THE HIGH QUALITY OF THE COUNCIL'S WORK UNDER THE DISTIN-
GUISHED PRESIDENCY OF THE IVORY COAST WILL SERVE TO REINFORCE
OUR DETERMINATION IN THIS REGARD.
LOOKING AHEAD IN THE NEXT DECADE, WE FACE GREAT CHALLENGES.
HOW CAN WE INCREASE FOOD PRODUCTION IN POOR COUNTRIES WITH
FOOD DEFICITS? WHEN WILL THE WORK FINALLY HAVE SOME ASSUR-
ANCE THAT ECONOMIC GAINS WILL NOT EVENTUALLY BE WIPED OUT BY
POPULATION INCREASES? HOW CAN WE INVOLVE THE RURAL POOR,
THE UNEMPLOYED, THE UNDEREMPLOYED, AND WOMEN IN ECONOMIC
AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT? HOW CAN THE POORER COUNTRIES
DEVELOP A SOUND ECONOMIC BASE FOR CONTINUING ADVANCEMENT AND
EVENTUAL SELF-RELIANCE IN AN INTERDEPENDENT WORLD?
IN SEEKING SOLUTIONS FOR THESE PROBLEMS, WE IN THE
UNITED STATES HAVE REDOUBLED OUR EFFORTS OVER THE PAST YEAR;
WE HAVE MODIFIED SOME POSITIONS AND WE HAVE MADE MANY NEW
PROPOSALS. WE TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED,
BUT WE WILL NOT REST ON THESE ACHIEVEMENTS.
MR PRESIDENT, IN FOUR DAYS, THE UNITED STATES WILL BE
CELEBRATING ITS BICENTENNIAL. THE MEN WHO WROTE THE DECLARA-
TION OF INDEPENDENCE ASSUMED THAT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION WAS
ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A PROCESS OF LIBERATION AND THAT THE
IDEALS SET FORTH WERE APPLICABLE TO MANKIND IN GENERAL. THUS,
FROM ITS INCEPTION THE UNITED STATES HAS FAVORED EFFORTS OF
OTHERS TO ASSURE BOTH THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND THEIR HUMAN
DIGNITY. AS WE ENTER OUR THIRD CENTURY, WE ARE COMMITTED TO
THE VIEW THAT INDEPENDENCE, INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES, AND HUMAN
DIGNITY SHOULD AND MUST FLOURISH EVERYWHERE.
IN THIS SESSION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL,
THEREFORE, LET US REMEMBER THAT OUR INTENTIONS TRANSCEND
THE SPECIFIC ISSUES, IMPORTANT AS EACH ONE OF THEM IS.
BEYOND THEM LIES A HIGHER REALITY:
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--A WORLD ECONOMIC SYSTEM WITH SHARED INTERESTS FOR
ALL ITS MEMBERS;
--A WORLD SYSTEM CHARACTERIZED BY FAIRNESS FOR THE
WEAK AS WELL AS THE STRONG, BY COMPASSION FOR THE
POOR, BY THE ERADICATION OF HUNGER, AND BY SOCIAL
AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS FOR ALL.
THESE GOALS CAN BE ACHIEVED IF NATIONS RECOGNIZE AND ACCEPT
THAT EACH BEARS A RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD THE OTHERS, AND
TOWARD MANKIND. SMITH UNQUOTE KISSINGER
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