COMMITTEE APPROVES DRAFT REAFFIRMING ISR"LI SETTLEMENTS ARE OBSTACLE TO ECONOMIC, SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT; VOTE IS 91-2-22

30 November 1995

Press Release
GA/EF/2713

COMMITTEE APPROVES DRAFT REAFFIRMING ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS ARE OBSTACLE TO ECONOMIC, SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT; VOTE IS 91-2-22

19951130 Other Drafts, Approved Without Vote, Deal with Water Supply, Anti-Malaria Effort, Small Island States, Migration and Development

The General Assembly would reaffirm that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 are illegal and an obstacle to economic and social development, by the provisions of one of nine draft proposals approved by the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) this afternoon.

That text was approved by a recorded vote of 91 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 22 abstentions. (See Annex for voting details.) Explanations of position were made by Israel, United States, Libya, Australia and Iran. The observer for Palestine also spoke on the draft.

Action on all the other drafts was taken without a vote.

By one of the drafts approved, the Assembly would welcome the agreement between Dr. Manuel Elkin Patarroyo, of Colombia, and the World Health Organization (WHO) by which he donated to the organization the patent rights to the anti-malarial vaccine he developed, as an example of solidarity and effective South-South cooperation for development.

In connection with the report of the Economic and Social Council, the Committee also approved drafts by which the Assembly would

-- Call upon governments to assign high priority to programmes designed to provide basic sanitation and excreta disposal systems to urban and rural areas and to treatment of waste waters;

-- Establish a target for voluntary contributions to the World Food Programme of $1.3 billion for the period 1997-1998; and

-- Endorse the agreement between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to designate Fund resident country directors as Fund representatives.

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On the subject of environment and sustainable development, the Committee approved drafts by which the Assembly would

-- Note that the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in December 1994, at Nassau, decided to accept the offer of Canada to host the secretariat of the Convention; and also

-- Take note of the establishment of the Small Island Developing States Unit within the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development, and request the Secretary-General to ensure that it include in its work programme provision for the development and compilation of a vulnerability index for small island developing States.

By another draft resolution approved this afternoon, the Secretary- General would be requested to designate a clearly identifiable, qualified and competent focal point to prepare a report containing concrete proposals on ways and means to address the issue of international migration and development, including aspects relating to the convening of a United Nations conference on the matter.

By a further draft, the Assembly would call upon the United Nations to intensify its efforts to assist the Government of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) in the rapid implementation of the Lusaka Protocol in all its aspects.

The Committee this afternoon also heard the introduction of four draft texts.

By the terms of a draft resolution sponsored by the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, introduced by the Philippines, the Assembly would proclaim the first United Nations decade for the eradication of poverty (1997-2006) and decide that the theme for the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty (1996) should be "Poverty can be and must be eradicated throughout the world".

Under the provisions of a draft sponsored by the United States on business, the Assembly would invite Member States, request the Secretary- General and call upon the United Nations system to increase private-sector involvement and to improve the utilization of existing infrastructure in their activities for sustainable development.

Other texts would have the Assembly

-- Note with satisfaction the inclusion of women in poverty, women in the economy, and women and the environment among the critical areas of concern in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women (a text sponsored by the Group of 77); and

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-- Reaffirm that the mandate of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is more relevant than ever, considering the growing training requirements of all Member States (a draft introduced by Nigeria).

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 5 December, to take action on other drafts before it.

Committee Work Programme

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) met this afternoon to hear the introduction of draft resolutions concerning women and development, business and development, eradication of poverty and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). It was also scheduled to take action on draft proposals relating to the report of the Economic and Social Council and environment and sustainable development.

Drafts to be Introduced

Sponsored by the Philippines, on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, a draft resolution on women in development (document A/C.2/50/L.46) would have the Assembly welcome the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action by the Fourth World Conference on Women and note with satisfaction the inclusion in the Platform of critical areas of concern, namely, women in poverty, women in the economy, and women and the environment. All governments would be called upon to create an enabling environment to ensure the full participation of women in economic activities by such means as the adoption of policy and legal measures and the provision of other necessary structures. The international community would be requested to assist developing countries by providing opportunities, including scholarships, to women and girls, in particular in the areas of science, technical and vocational training, so as to facilitate the full and effective contribution of women to development. Multilateral donors, international financial institutions and regional development banks would be urged to review and implement policies to ensure that a higher proportion of measures reach women in rural and remote areas.

A draft resolution sponsored by the United States on business and development (document A/C.2/50/L.41) would have the Assembly value the promotion of entrepreneurship in support of small and medium-sized industry, and of privatization, demonopolization and administrative deregulation, by various actors throughout civil society. Member States would be invited, the Secretary-General would be requested and the United Nations system would be called upon and encouraged, in their respective activities for sustainable development and provision of infrastructure services, to increase private- sector involvement and to improve the utilization and maintenance of existing infrastructure.

The Secretary-General would be called upon and the United Nations system encouraged to involve in their management of United Nations system internal procurement practices, to the greatest extent practicable, efficiencies afforded by private-sector outsourcing for the sake of more effective and efficient execution of United Nations system programmatic mandates. The Assembly would look forward to its resumed fiftieth session in March-April 1996, at which it would examine public administration and development and

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further address the restructuring of the public sector for private-sector development.

By that text, the Assembly would also call for the completion of the draft international agreement on illicit payments through the re-convening of the Economic and Social Council's Committee on an International Agreement on Illicit Payments. In order to complete the draft, that Committee would take account of progress already achieved on that issue in areas such as the definition of illicit payments, the establishment of uniform reporting procedures and the promotion of a framework for information exchange. The Committee would submit, through the Council's 1996 session, a progress report on the draft.

A two-part draft resolution sponsored by the Philippines, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China (document A/C.2/50/L.39), would have the Assembly decide, in part I, that the theme for the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty (1996) should be "Poverty can be and must be eradicated throughout the world". It would further decide that the aim of the activities during the Year should be to build the support structure for a longer-term, sustained effort to implement fully and effectively the commitments and recommendations agreed upon at major United Nations conferences since 1990, in particular the World Summit for Social Development.

The Assembly would also decide that activities during the Year should be guided by a set of principles, among them that the eradication of poverty requires the following:

-- Anti-poverty strategies and programmes designed, implemented and monitored with the full and effective participation of people living in poverty;

-- Measures to ensure that all members of society are protected from poverty that results from illness, loss of employment, natural disasters or other misfortunes; and

-- That women be given the economic and social opportunities to contribute to development, and that anti-poverty strategies and programmes be designed with a specific gender dimension.

The Assembly would recommend measures that all States, in accordance with the outcome of the Social Summit, should undertake by 1996, including the development of a precise definition and assessment of absolute poverty; the elaboration of the measurements, criteria and indicators for determining the extent and distribution of absolute poverty; and the formulation of strategies geared to eradicating absolute poverty by a target date to be specified by each country in its national context. The Assembly would stress that people living in poverty should be empowered by being involved in the design,

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implementation, monitoring and assessment of national strategies and programmes for the eradication of poverty. The activities for the observance of the Year planned by the United Nations system, as contained in the report of the Secretary-General (document A/50/551), would be approved.

In part II of the text, the Assembly would proclaim the first United Nations decade for the eradication of poverty (1997-2006). The international community would be urged seriously to pursue the follow-up to major United Nations conferences related to the eradication of poverty, in particular the Social Summit, as an attainable objective within the context of the first decade. The Secretary-General would be requested to establish within the Secretariat a clearly identifiable entity with the resources and staff required to support the system-wide implementation of the eradication of poverty, relying on the most efficient and cost-effective use of resources. He would also be requested to invite organizations and bodies of the United Nations system to consider the establishment of focal points to help them in the implementation of decisions of major United Nations conferences relevant to the eradication of poverty.

Further by the draft, the Assembly would decide to establish an ad hoc open-ended working committee to elaborate an operational and comprehensive international framework of action for the first decade. The committee would begin its work as early as possible in 1996. It would hold two one-week sessions in New York in order to complete its work no later than September 1996 and submit the draft international framework for action for adoption by the Assembly's fifty-first session. The working committee would be requested to take into account in its deliberations previous resolutions of the Assembly concerning poverty eradication, as well as the outcome of major conferences related to the issue.

The Assembly would also decide to establish at the level of the United Nations Secretariat a special trust fund for the decade, and would appeal to financial institutions and the private sector to contribute generously to it. It would be recommended to donor countries to give greater priority to the eradication of poverty in their assistance programmes and budgets, including by making contributions to the trust fund for the decade. Developing countries would be encouraged to mobilize external and domestic resources for poverty eradication programmes and activities, and to facilitate their full and effective implementation.

Sponsored by Nigeria, another draft resolution (document A/C.2/50/L.43) would have the Assembly reaffirm that the mandate of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is more relevant than ever, considering the growing training requirements of all Member States. The Institute would be called upon to further develop its cooperation with institutes of the United Nations, in particular the United Nations University, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research and the International

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Training Centre of the International Labour Organisation. Member States would be urged to resume or increase their voluntary contributions to the restructured UNITAR.

The Secretary-General would be requested to submit a report to the Assembly's fifty-first session on steps already taken and possible additional ways to strengthen the training activities of the Institute and to better define its role within the framework of the United Nations system's global restructuring process.

Drafts to be Acted Upon

In connection with the report of the Economic and Social Council, the Committee has six draft texts for action.

By its resolution 1995/46, the Council recommended to the Assembly the adoption of a resolution on water supply and sanitation (document A/C.2/50/L.3). Under its terms, the Assembly would call upon governments to implement, among others, the provisions concerning water resources in general and water supply and sanitation in particular of chapter 18 of Agenda 21, the programme of action adopted by the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). Among them are recommendations that governments should assign high priority to programmes designed to provide basic sanitation and excreta disposal systems to urban and rural areas and to treatment of waste waters. The Assembly would decide to review at its fifty- fifth session the situation of water supply and sanitation at the end of the 1990s. The Secretary-General would be requested to submit through the Commission on Sustainable Development and the Council a report containing an assessment of the water supply and sanitation situation in developing countries, including proposals for action.

In its resolution 1995/3, the Council recommended to the Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution (document A/C.2/50/L.4) by which it would establish a target for voluntary contributions to the World Food Programme of $1.3 billion for the period 1997-1998. The Secretary-General would be requested to convene a pledging conference for that purpose at United Nations Headquarters in 1996, in cooperation with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

A draft resolution (document A/C.2/50/L.42) submitted by a Committee Vice-Chairman, Max Stadthagen (Nicaragua), on the basis of informal consultations held on a text contained in document A/C.2/50/L.10, would have the Assembly reaffirm its endorsement of the Global Malaria Control Strategy of the World Health Organization (WHO). It would express appreciation for WHO's assistance to the developing countries in their efforts to combat endemic diseases. The continued efforts of the affected countries to control the disease, in spite of their meagre resources, through national plans and

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projects, would be noted with appreciation. They would be urged to adopt national plans to control malaria in conformity with the Global Strategy, and the need for strengthening national capacity-building within the context of primary health care would be stressed.

The Assembly would endorse the strategies and work plans developed through a collaborative process by the United Nations system, with the WHO as task coordinator, to provide optimal support to affected developing countries for the prevention and control of malaria and diarrhoeal diseases. The international community, in particular the donor countries, would be called upon to expand fund-raising channels and to provide adequate financial resources and medical and technical assistance to the affected developing countries, in particular African and least developed countries, for the successful implementation of such work plans and projects, including intensifying basic and applied research on anti-malarial vaccines as a priority.

The Assembly would welcome with satisfaction the agreement signed in May between Dr. Manuel Elkin Patarroyo, of Colombia, and the WHO, by which he donated to the organization the licence of the patent rights and know-how related to the SPf66 anti-malarial vaccine developed by him, in an example of solidarity and effective South-South cooperation for development. It would support the WHO request for the provision of additional resources for malaria research under the United Nations Development Programme/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases in order to accomplish its goal of developing an effective vaccine for the control of malaria.

The earlier version of the draft, sponsored by the Group of 77, would have the Assembly, among other provisions, reaffirm its endorsement of the Global Strategy; stress the need to strengthen national capacity-building in the context of primary health care to enable developing countries to meet its objectives; endorse the strategies and work plans developed by the United Nations system in collaboration with the WHO to achieve the goals and objectives pertaining to the prevention and control of malaria and diarrhoeal diseases; and call upon the international community, particularly donor countries, to expand fund-raising channels to provide adequate financial resources and medical and technical assistance to affected developing countries to implement their work plans and projects and to intensify basic applied research on anti-malaria vaccines as a priority.

By another draft (document A/C.2/50/L.13), the Assembly would reaffirm that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 are illegal and an obstacle to economic and social development. It would recognize the economic and social repercussions of the Israeli settlements on the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and

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on the Arab population of the occupied Syrian Golan. The inalienable right of the Palestinian people and the population of the occupied Syrian Golan to their natural and all other economic resources would be reaffirmed, and any infringement of it would be considered as illegal.

The draft is sponsored by Bangladesh, Cuba, Egypt (on behalf of the Group of Arab States), Indonesia and Malaysia.

A draft decision submitted by Mr. Stadthagen (Nicaragua), on the basis of informal consultations, concerns the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) (document A/C.2/50/L.37). It would have the Assembly endorse the agreement between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UNFPA to designate Fund resident country directors as Fund representatives, on the understanding that

- The Fund would take measures to enhance cooperation with and active support for resident coordinators for operational activities of the United Nations; and

- The agreement would not result in increased administrative expenditure for the Fund.

Under environment and sustainable development, the Committee has two texts for action.

A draft resolution (document A/C.2/50/L.45) submitted by a Committee Vice-Chairman, Conor Murphy (Ireland), on the basis of informal consultations held on a text contained in document A/C.2/50/L.8, would have the Assembly welcome the results of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held at Nassau, Bahamas, from 28 November to 9 December 1994. It would note that the Conference decided to accept the offer of Canada to host the secretariat of the Convention, and express appreciation for the support offered by the Canadian authorities to ensure its effective functioning.

The Assembly would also take note of the results of the first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, held at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 4 to 8 September, including its medium-term programme of work for 1996-1997 and its contribution to the Open-ended Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Panel on Forests of the Commission on Sustainable Development. The Convention's Executive Secretary would be requested to report, through the Economic and Social Council, on the results of the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 6 to 17 November 1995.

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The earlier version of the draft, sponsored by the Group of 77 and the Kyrgyz Republic, would have the Assembly welcome the results of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties; invite its Executive Secretary to report on the results of the second meeting; take note of the results of the first meeting of the Subsidiary Body; and call upon States to expedite their internal procedures of ratification, acceptance or approval of the Convention.

A draft resolution (document A/C.2/50/L.47) submitted by Mr. Murphy (Ireland), on the basis of informal consultations held on a text on the implementation of the outcome of the Barbados Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States contained in document A/C.2/50/L.32), is also scheduled for action.

It would have the Assembly take note of the establishment of the Small Island Developing States Unit within the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development, and request the Secretary-General to maintain the level of staffing and the structure and organization of the Unit in accordance with Assembly resolution 49/122 on the matter. Governments and organizations would be called upon to continue to implement fully all the commitments and recommendations that were made at the Barbados Conference, and to continue to take the action necessary for effective follow-up to the Programme of Action, including the provision of the means for its implementation.

The Assembly would welcome, in particular, the progress made by the UNDP in implementing Assembly resolution 49/122, and invite it to continue to implement all the provisions of the technical assistance programme and the information network for small island developing States. The Secretary-General would be requested to ensure that the Small Island Developing States Unit of the Department include in its work programme, along with an indication of the resources of its activities and programmes, provision for the development and compilation of a vulnerability index for those States, to be prepared in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and other relevant organizations.

Among the provisions of the previous version of the draft -- sponsored by the Group of 77, Japan and Australia -- the Assembly would take note of the establishment of the Small Island Developing States Unit; request the Secretary-General to maintain its level of staffing and its structure; take note of the interim measures instituted to strengthen the capacity of the UNCTAD to enable it to complement the Department's functions with respect to the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action.

Also, governments and organizations would be called upon to continue to implement the Conference's commitments, including ensuring the provision of means of implementation. The Commission on Sustainable Development would be invited at its forthcoming session to give full attention to small island developing States in the national presentations on costal zone management.

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The Secretary-General would be requested to provide for the early development and compilation of a vulnerability index for small island developing States, in collaboration with the above-mentioned Department and the UNCTAD, and the Commission would be called upon to make adequate provisions for the examination of such an index at the earliest possible time. Also before the Committee for action is a draft resolution on international migration and development (document A/C.2/50/L.12) sponsored by the Philippines on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Under its provisions, the Assembly would invite the Commission on Population and Development to consider in 1997 the interrelationship between international migration and development, including aspects relating to the objectives and modalities for the convening of a United Nations conference on international migration and development. Organizations and bodies would be called upon to address the issue and to submit their views to the Secretary- General.

Also by the draft, the Economic and Social Council would be invited to consider at its 1997 organizational session the issue of international migration and development as a theme in the context of its agenda for that year. The Secretary-General would be requested to designate a clearly identifiable, qualified and competent focal point on that issue within the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development. He would be requested to submit a report containing concrete proposals on ways of addressing the question, including aspects relating to objectives and modalities for the convening of a United Nations conference on the subject.

A statement of the Secretary-General on the financial implications of the draft on international migration and development (document A/C.2/50/L.26) notes that currently under review by the Assembly in the context of its consideration of the proposed programme budget for 1996-1997 is a proposal by the Secretary-General concerning the creation of a new P-5 post within the Department of Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis to deal with the additional responsibilities in the field of international migration and development.

Introduction of Drafts

CECILIA BALTAZAR REBONG (Philippines), on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, introduced the draft resolution on women in development.

HUGH T. DUGAN (United States) introduced the draft resolution on business.

LIBRAN N. CABACTULAN (Philippines), on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, introduced the two-part draft on poverty eradication.

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Action on Draft Proposals

Mr. STADTHAGEN (Nicaragua) introduced an oral amendment to the draft on water supply and sanitation, including reference in the preambular part to the World Water Day (22 March).

Mr. STADTHAGEN (Nicaragua) said there was agreement on the draft, which was then approved without a vote as orally amended.

Mr. STADTHAGEN (Nicaragua) then introduced a draft on preventive action against malaria which had resulted from the informal consultations on a previous text on the same topic. The Committee approved the draft without a vote and the earlier text was withdrawn by its sponsors.

The draft on Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory was before the Committee for action.

Speaking before the action, the representative of Israel said the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) had agreed in the Israeli-Palestinian Declaration of Principles that issues relating to permanent status (Israeli settlements) would be negotiated by the parties themselves at a later stage. Israel believed that the criteria for adopting resolutions on the Middle East during the current session of the General Assembly should be the reflection of positive developments in the peace process, and hopes for a better future in the region. In that regard, Israel had urged that draft resolution A/C.2/50/L.13 be deferred. The draft called into question the inviolability of the peace process and agreements reached to date. He urged delegations who encouraged the peace process not to support the draft.

The representative of the United States said the parties had been creative in finding solutions to the problems before them. Historic progress had occurred in the negotiating process. The draft resolution, like so many others, was a legacy of the past. The United States was committed to working with the parties in achieving peace. Only the parties themselves could realistically resolve problems between them. The Committee should not seek to intrude on the path set out by the parties themselves. The draft was inappropriate and an exercise without meaning. Member States and the General Assembly should express their strong support for the peace process and not complicate the efforts of the parties. His delegation would vote against the draft resolution and urged others to do likewise.

The draft on Israeli settlements was approved by a recorded vote of 91 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 22 abstentions. (See Annex for details of vote.)

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Speaking after the vote, the representative of Libya said his delegation had voted in favour of the draft, but it had reservations about parts which might imply recognition of Israel and the ongoing peace process.

The representative of Australia said he considered the interim accord an achievement. Australia regarded as illegal the infringement by Israeli settlements of Palestinian resources. The issue of water rights should be negotiated.

The representative of Iran said he had voted in favour of the draft, but that should not be construed as recognition of Israel.

The observer for Palestine thanked the sponsors of the draft and those who had supported it. He said the settlements were a major obstacle to peace. He hoped the question would be resolved through the peace process in accordance with United Nations resolutions. He said the exercise was not a legacy of the past.

The representatives of Yemen, Honduras and Colombia said they would have voted in favour of the draft if they had been present in the room.

Mr. STADTHAGEN (Nicaragua) then introduced the draft on the UNFPA as prepared on the basis of informal consultations and orally amended it. The draft was approved, without a vote, as amended.

Mr. MURPHY (Ireland) introduced a draft prepared on the basis of informal consultations on a text previously introduced concerning the Convention on Biological Diversity. The draft was approved and the previous text withdrawn.

The representative of Trinidad and Tobago said that during informal consultations on the draft introduced by the Group of 77 on the Barbados Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States a number of countries had indicated their wish to co-sponsor the draft. Welcoming the additional co-sponsors, he read out their names for the record: Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Austria, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, France, United Kingdom, Canada, United States and New Zealand.

Mr. MURPHY (Ireland) then introduced a draft on the implementation of the outcome of the Barbados Conference which had been prepared during informal consultations on an earlier draft on the matter. The text was approved without a vote and the earlier draft was withdrawn by the sponsors.

The draft on international migration and development was before the Committee for action.

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The Committee Chairman, GOCE PETRESKI (The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) drew attention to a statement on the financial implications of the draft.

Mr. STADTHAGEN (Nicaragua) briefed the Committee on the outcome of consultations on the draft and orally revised it. The draft was approved without a vote as orally revised.

The Committee then had before it an additional text for action.

A draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) (document A/C.2/50/L.16) would have the Assembly call upon the countries and organizations that have not yet established contact and relationships with the Community to explore the possibility of doing so. It would renew its appeal to the international community to increase its financial, technical and material support to the SADC in order to enable it fully to implement its programme of action and to meet the reconstruction and rehabilitation needs of the region. It would also appeal to the international community to extend assistance to South Africa to enable it to carry out its reconstruction and development programme as speedily as possible.

In addition, the Assembly would call upon the United Nations to intensify its efforts for the rapid implementation of the Lusaka Protocol, particularly the quartering of all troops and the conclusion of the creation of a new unified national army as a sine qua non condition to foster the peace process in Angola. It would call upon the international community to continue to extend its support to the people of Mozambique in their efforts to consolidate their new-found peace and democracy based on national reconstruction and development in that country.

The draft is sponsored by Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Mr. STADTHAGEN (Nicaragua) introduced oral revisions to the draft, which had been agreed during the course of informal consultations. As orally amended, the draft was approved without a vote.

Introduction of Draft on UNITAR

AMBROSE D. OJIMBA (Nigeria) introduced the draft resolution on UNITAR. He said Pakistan, China, Chile, Argentina and Cameroon had joined in co- sponsoring it.

Following the introduction, MOUSSA ALIOU (Cameroon) reviewed the draft's main provisions.

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Other Matters

The representative of Mongolia said his vote on the draft on Israeli settlements should be recorded as in favour and not abstention.

The representative of Hungary said he would have abstained if he had been present.

The representatives of Cameroon, Sri Lanka and Nigeria said they would have voted in favour of the draft had they been present in the room.

(annex follows)

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ANNEX

Vote on Israeli Settlements

The draft resolution on the economic and social repercussions of Israeli settlements on the Palestinian people (document A/C.2/50/L.13) was approved by the Second Committee by a recorded vote of 91 in favour to 2 against, (Israel, United States) with 22 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Zambia.

Against: Israel, United States.

Abstaining: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belarus, Belize, Cambodia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Nepal, Panama, Poland, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Uruguay.

Absent: Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Colombia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Monaco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palau, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire, Zimbabwe.

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