GENERAL ASSEMBLY CALLS ON STATES TO BECOME PARTIES TO 1982 LAW OF SEA CONVENTION
Press Release
GA/9025
GENERAL ASSEMBLY CALLS ON STATES TO BECOME PARTIES TO 1982 LAW OF SEA CONVENTION
19951205 One of Three Resolutions Adopted on Marine Resources; Others Concern Agreement on Straddling Fish Stocks, Pelagic Drift-Net FishingThe General Assembly called upon all States that have not done so to become parties to the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, under the terms of a resolution adopted this afternoon by a vote of 132 in favour to 1 against (Turkey), with 3 abstentions (Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela), one of three texts adopted concerning the law of the sea or the sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources. (For details of the voting, See annex.)
By other terms of the text on the Convention, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to convene the 1996 meetings of the States parties from 4 to 8 March, 6 to 10 May and 29 July to 2 August. It also emphasized the importance of making adequate provisions for the efficient functioning of the institutions established by the Convention.
Under the terms of another resolution, adopted without a vote, the Assembly emphasized the importance of the early entry into force and effective implementation of the United Nations Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the Convention on the Law of the Sea Relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. States that had not signed, ratified or acceded to the Agreement which was open for signature Monday at United Nations Headquarters, were called upon to do so.
By another resolution adopted today without a vote, the Assembly reaffirmed the importance of compliance with its 1991 resolution 46/215, calling for the full implementation of a global moratorium on all large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing on the high seas. The international community was urged to take greater enforcement responsibility to ensure full compliance with that resolution, and to impose appropriate sanctions against acts contrary to the terms of that text.
Also by that text, the Assembly called upon States to ensure that fishing vessels entitled to fly their national flags did not fish in areas
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under the national jurisdiction of other States unless duly authorized. It urged that action be taken to reduce by-catches, fish discards and post- harvest losses.
Statements were made by the representatives of Spain (on behalf of the European Union), Sweden, United States, Papua New Guinea, China, Israel, Mexico, Italy, Singapore, Malta, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, Philippines, New Zealand, Japan, Iceland, Belize, Germany and the Russian Federation.
The Assembly will meet again at 10 a.m. Wednesday, 6 December, to take up the reports of its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization). It will also consider the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples as well as the University for Peace.
Assembly Work Programme
The Assembly met this afternoon to continue its consideration of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources of the high seas. Also before the Assembly were three draft resolutions on the following: implementation of the Convention on the Law of the Sea; the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks; and large-scale drift-net fishing, unauthorized fishing in zones of national jurisdiction and fisheries by-catch and discards. (For background, see Press Release GA/9024 of 5 December.)
Statements
JUAN ANTONIO YANEZ-BARNUEVO (Spain), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the European Union wished to express its satisfaction with the progress being made in setting up the institutions and organs created by the Convention on the Law of the Sea. On 4 December 1995, the United Nations Agreement on the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks, was opened for signature. Though the European Community and its member States had actively participated in the Conference where the text had been negotiated and adopted, it had not been possible for the European Union and its member States to sign the Agreement, as the required internal procedures had not yet been completed. Once those procedures were concluded, the European Union and its member States would assure their continued participation in the process.
HANS LINTON (Sweden) said the Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks formed an important tool to solve the problems of unregulated fishing, overcapitalization, excessive fleet size, vessel reflagging to escape controls, insufficiently selective gear and unreliable databases. The process had to be successful or the food security of hundreds of millions of poor coastal people in the third world would be at risk and world fisheries would face a catastrophe.
He regretted that his country had not been in a position to sign the Agreement on implementation of those provisions yesterday, since the internal procedures within the European Union could not be completed in time. However, it would do so in the near future. The conservation and management regime of the new Agreement was based on sustainability and stressed a precautionary approach. Regional fisheries organizations would be the major vehicles for the implementation of the Agreement. Sweden had proposed that the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) should prepare to assist the regional organizations, in particular in developing country regions, in carrying out the new tasks.
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ALFRED DECOTIIS (United States) said his country had yesterday signed the Agreement on straddling and highly migratory fish stocks. He hoped that all nations that had done likewise would deposit their instruments of ratification as soon as possible. The United States took a particular interest in international commitments to a global moratorium on all large- scale pelagic drift-net fishing on the high seas. It had taken measures both individually and collectively to prevent large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing operations on the high seas. The United States was also aware of reports of drift-net fishing in other areas and had undertaken efforts to investigate such reports.
The United States had also taken steps to prevent unauthorized fishing in zones under the national jurisdiction of other States by vessels entitled to fly the United States flag, he said. Those steps included domestic legislation prohibiting the importation and sale of fish taken in violation of any foreign law. The United States had also entered into several agreements which contained specific provisions prohibiting unauthorized fishing by its flag fishing vessels in areas under the national jurisdiction of other States. All flag States should take measures consistent with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
The United States was also very interested in fisheries by-catch and discards, which were an increasing global concern, he continued. It was encouraging that the Agreement on straddling and highly migratory fish stocks, as well as the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, contained provisions to address fisheries by-catch and discards. The United States was working to reduce by-catch and discards in its fisheries. All States should work to reduce by-catch, discards and post-harvest losses in a manner consistent with international law and relevant instruments.
UTULA U. SAMANA (Papua New Guinea), speaking on behalf of the members of the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency, said the signing of the Agreement on straddling and highly migratory fish stocks would foster genuine partnership and cooperation in the management and conservation of the world's fisheries resources. The South Pacific countries were proud that one of their sons, Satya Nandan of Fiji, had led the negotiations. The Agreement would provide a solid foundation for cooperation and partnership between coastal States and fishing States on the high seas. "We are particularly pleased to see the needs and interests of small island developing States acknowledged within the framework of this new Agreement."
Now that the Agreement had been concluded, the challenge was to implement it, he said. It was a matter of deep regret that while the international community was labouring to establish legal regimes to facilitate international cooperation in the management of fisheries resources, the actions of some countries, ironically, undermined those very objectives. The French nuclear testing in the South Pacific, for example, posed a serious threat to the region's ecosystem, directly affecting marine resources. "The
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French Government's actions continue to defy the very notion of adhering to the precautionary principles and undermine the positive efforts of the international community to protect our common heritage and respect the interest and welfare of all States parties concerned."
WANG XUEXIAN (China) said the Convention on the Law of the Sea was gradually becoming a set of important international legal rules safeguarding the seas and regulating the utilization of marine resources. While there were numerous international difficulties with respect to the election of the Council of the Seabed Authority, he was confident that the coming three-day inter-sessional consultations would achieve results that would be satisfactory to all.
Concerning the Agreement on straddling and highly migratory fish stocks, he said it would play a positive role in the protection of resources. However, some provisions in the Agreement went beyond the scope of corresponding provisions in the Convention and contradicted some of its basic principles. The implementation of such articles could give rise to difficulties and disputes. For example, he was concerned by the Agreement's stipulation that inspectors should avoid the use of force except when necessary. Such a clause could lead to the abuse of force. His country's interpretation of that provision was that only when the safety of the inspector and his normal conduct of investigation were endangered and obstructed by violence could the inspector take appropriate enforcement measures, which could only be aimed at those responsible and not at the ship as a whole.
SHABTAI ROSENNE (Israel) said he welcomed the consolidated discussion of the issues related to the law of the sea and marine resources at the current session. The need for a unitary examination of all the problems of the sea and of ocean space had been revealed in the reports of the Secretary-General, which indicated that the world, and not just the United Nations system, had been faced with an excess of important items relating to the sea. In future reports, the Secretary-General should outline the role to be played by the General Assembly and should include suggestions for possible action either by States or by the United Nations as a whole.
He went on to express grave concern at the fact that the Secretary- General's report on the Convention on the Law of the Sea, which was dated 1 November, had only been distributed yesterday. "Even with all the miracles of modern communications, it is simply not possible for any government to have received and studied a report of 74 pages in length and to have conveyed appropriate instructions to its representatives here." In the future, arrangements must be made to ensure the report's timely issuance.
Regarding the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, he said some professional legal journals continued to express doubts about the need for that body. Israel had difficulty in appreciating some of the criticisms
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that had been made concerning the Tribunal, which may be required to perform functions that no other existing court or tribunal could perform. The Agreement signed yesterday had extended the competence of the Tribunal. It was hoped that critics of the Tribunal would bear that in mind. In addition, Israel hoped that obstacles impeding the organization of the Tribunal would soon be overcome.
SOCORRO FLORES (Mexico) said the report of the Secretary-General on the Law of the Sea highlighted the challenges faced by the international community. However, because of its importance, the report should be issued earlier to enable sufficient review by Members. The meeting of States parties to the Convention on the Law of the Sea had made important progress and he hoped that the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea would soon be functioning. She also hoped that the negotiations on the International Seabed Authority would lead to satisfactory results.
Regarding the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, she was satisfied with the decision to defer election of Commission members until March 1997. Mexico wished to see the Commission established, she said. However, she hoped postponement of the election to the Commission would contribute to universal ratification of the Convention. She also stressed the need to provide technical assistance to developing States to permit them to ensure uniform and consistent application of the Convention.
FRANCESCO PAOLO FULCI (Italy) said his country had ratified the Convention and had modified its domestic law accordingly. The new rules stemming from the Convention on the Law of the Sea were also guiding Italy's foreign policy. Italy had actively contributed to the drafting of the new Barcelona Convention and Protocols on the protection of the Mediterranean marine environment. Those instruments, adopted last June, reflected new trends emerging in the area of the law of the sea. Unfortunately, as was the case with other European countries, Italy had not been in a position to sign the Agreement on straddling and highly migratory fish stocks yesterday. He was convinced, however, that the purely bureaucratic difficulties that had emerged would soon be overcome.
MICHELLE TEO-JACOB (Singapore) said her country had an active and strong interest in maritime affairs and in ensuring the freedom of navigation and related rights. It thus viewed the existence of a comprehensive legal regime, such as the Convention on the Law of the Sea, as a major step forward. Not only did the Convention clearly define the freedoms of navigation and other passage rights in the various maritime regimes, but it would also ensure the unimpeded exercise of those rights. She called on all States to ratify the Convention. Regarding the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, she expressed the hope that an equitable representation of judges from various regions and legal backgrounds would be ensured.
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WALTER BALZAN (Malta) said the important phase in the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea had been reached. It was important to achieve a balance between the need to conserve and sustain straddling and highly migratory fish stocks while safeguarding the freedom of the seas, particularly that of navigation. The need to achieve a balance between the rights of coastal States and the long-established navigational rights of vessels was given its deserved importance in the Convention. Those rights were enshrined in the 1982 Convention, particularly Part VII, which safeguarded freedom of navigation and the exclusive jurisdiction of flag States over vessels under their flag.
He said the Agreement on the implementation of the 1982 Convention with respect to straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks called for more effective conservation and management by flag, port and coastal States. "In committing themselves to responsible fishing, Member States declare their resolve to improve cooperation among States in this undertaking", he said. States had to ensure that might did not make right. The Agreement provided the framework for peaceful settlement of disputes and the prevention of the use of force in those disputes. In 1967, Malta had launched the concept of the common heritage of mankind, which led to the negotiation and adoption of the Law of the Sea Convention. That process continued to bear fruit and strengthen the Organization.
PARK SOO GIL (Republic of Korea) said since its entry into force last year, 14 countries had ratified or acceded to the Convention on the Law of the Sea, bringing the total to 83. The growing commitment to the Convention and its purpose was an encouraging sign. His country's National Assembly approved ratification of the Convention on 1 December and his Government would soon deposit the instrument of ratification of the Convention and the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the Convention. It was already reviewing existing domestic laws and regulations to harmonize them with the Convention. With ratification of the Convention, the Republic of Korea would faithfully implement its provisions and strengthen their uniform application.
Regarding the establishment of institutions under the Convention, he said the Assembly had been unable to reach agreement on the composition of the Council of the International Seabed Authority. He hoped informal consultations on that matter would produce a satisfactory compromise. He was pleased to note the progress achieved so far on the practical arrangements for establishing the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Regarding the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, he was satisfied with the decision to defer the election of members until March 1997.
He said his country had completely suspended all large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing as of 30 November 1992. For the sake of conservation and management of ocean resources, it had taken measures to dispose of all 139 drift-net vessels. His Government intended to formally sign the Agreement on high seas fishing as soon as the internal procedures had been completed. It
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had also taken measures to punish all unauthorized activities of fishing vessels. He believed a specialized agency, such as the FAO, should take responsibility for the extremely technical and complex issue of conservation and management of marine living resources and fisheries by-catch and discards.
DAVID ANDERSON (United Kingdom) endorsed the statement of Spain on behalf of the European Union. The Secretary-General's report on the Law of the Sea represented the best annual review of developments in maritime affairs throughout the United Nations system. He endorsed the suggestions of a workshop held in London from 30 November to 2 December on Environmental Science, Comprehensiveness and Consistency in Global Decision-making on the Oceans. He hoped that the Secretary-General's report would be available well ahead of its consideration by the Assembly.
He said he supported the adoption of the three draft resolutions before the Assembly. On the Law of the Sea, he said his country would accede to the Convention and ratify the implementation Agreement shortly. Parliament would be soon invited to consider proposals to confer privileges and immunities on the International Seabed Authority and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
HAYDEE B. YORAC (Philippines) said there had been significant progress towards universal ratification of the Convention since its entry into force in November 1994. States parties had taken steps to establish the International Seabed Authority and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The Assembly had begun the more difficult task of forming the Council of the International Seabed Authority. As the international community moved towards the universal application of the Convention, it was necessary to bear in mind its vision for the realization of a just and equitable international economic order, which took into account the interests and needs of mankind as a whole and, in particular, the special interests and needs of developing countries.
She supported the draft resolutions before the Assembly and her country expected to join the signatories to the Agreement on straddling and highly migratory fish stocks, she said. The Philippines endorsed the call made to development assistance organizations that they support the efforts of developing coastal States to improve the monitoring and control of fishing activities and the enforcement of fishing regulations.
FELICITY WONG (New Zealand) said her delegation endorsed the statement made on behalf of the 16 members of the South Pacific Forum by Papua New Guinea. The Agreement relating to the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks set out requirements that subregional and regional fisheries organizations needed to follow in determining conservation and management measures.
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His Government had never shared the opinion that an enforcement regime allowing for action by States other than the flag State was inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, he said. It was important to underline that the cornerstone of the Agreement remained the effective exercise by the flag State of its responsibilities. The new Agreement provided a much needed incentive to ensure that the situation remained so. New Zealand was among the 26 States that had signed the Agreement yesterday, 4 December. All States should sign and ratify the Agreement as soon as possible. He also called for an early election of the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority.
MATSUSHIRO HORIGUCHI (Japan) said the Agreement reaffirmed that primary responsibility resided with the flag State for the conservation and management of fish stocks. It gave prominence to the role of regional and subregional fisheries management organizations in strengthening international cooperation in conservation and management. The legal status of the high seas and that of the waters under national jurisdiction was different. However, the fact that straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks lived and moved around in those two areas created difficulties. Therefore, the only workable solution was to promote close cooperation among countries concerned on the basis of the new Agreement.
He said coastal countries and distant water fishing countries did not always have the same interests. However, the one thing that bound all countries together was their desire to achieve the sustainable utilization of fish resources. Although Japan had been unable to sign the Agreement, as the necessary internal procedures had not yet been completed, it was considering doing so at a later date.
GUNNAR PALSSON (Iceland) said his country had signed the Agreement on straddling and highly migratory fish stocks, which would be an important tool for fisheries management, not only in economic terms, but also with respect to food security. If sustainably used, such fish stocks would provide food and livelihood to millions of people, with a potential to meet nutritional and social needs. "Clearly, the ability to satisfy global demand for food from the sea in the coming years will depend to no small extent on the adoption of responsible fisheries conservation and management policies."
In order to maximize living marine resources, the losses caused by obstacles to their use, such as restrictive trade policies, must be addressed, he continued. Further, for societies that based their livelihood on marine living resources, pollution, particularly the threat from chemical pollutants, was a major concern. That threat could only be countered through a global and legally-binding framework. The recent adoption in Washington of the Declaration on the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities had been a welcome step in that direction, demonstrating the potential contribution of the United Nations in that field.
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EDWARD A. LAING (Belize) expressed satisfaction that ratification of the Convention on the Law of the Sea was accelerating. Yesterday, his country, along with others, had signed the Agreement on straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks. He regretted the delay in concluding the selection of the Council for the International Seabed Authority. Despite that delay, the process of institution building and regulation had intensified.
He said that during the period covered by the Secretary-General's report on the Law of the Sea, a broad range of countries and organizations had been monitoring and facilitating compliance with resolutions and decisions on large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing, unauthorized fishing in areas under national jurisdiction and fisheries by-catches and discards. That was highly conducive to stable and predictable international maritime relations. In addition, such proposals as compulsory insurance for ships with regard to damage from the discharge of oil should be closely investigated. Also, it might be worthwhile to explore external financing for the Commission on the Continental Shelf and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
TONO EITEL (Germany) said as a member of the European Union, his country endorsed the statement by Spain on behalf of the European Union. Germany, as a co-sponsor of the draft resolution on the Convention and as the host country for the Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, was pleased that the Secretariat was taking steps for the establishment of the Tribunal. In that context, it wished to encourage the Secretariat and reiterate that it would fulfil its part in the process.
YAKOV A. OSTROVSKI (Russian Federation) said his country would support the drafts before the Assembly. However, Russia did not agree with any provisions that could be interpreted as supporting decisions taken earlier on financial issues. The Authority and the Tribunal had been established according to the Convention's provisions. Unfortunately, expenditures planned for those bodies were high. Those expenditures should not accrue to the United Nations budget. The Convention had indicated that the costs were to be borne by the States parties to the Convention. The United Nations budget was not made of rubber. It could not be stretched. All costs should be borne by States parties.
The Agreement on straddling and highly migratory fish stocks opened the door for cooperation and the sustainable use of those resources, he said. Russia had signed that Agreement yesterday. It was urgent that the standards set in that Agreement be put into practice. Russia's policies were based on the Agreement, which would be implemented in all areas under that country's jurisdiction.
Action on Draft Resolutions
The Assembly took up the draft resolution on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
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Speaking in explanation of vote before the vote, YESIM BAYKAL (Turkey) said she would vote against the text on the Convention on the Law of the Sea because some elements contained in the Convention which had prevented Turkey from signing it were retained in the text. Turkey supported efforts to establish a regime over the sea which could be accepted by all States, but the Convention did not provide arrangements for special circumstances, nor did it provide for reservations on specific clauses. Although Turkey agreed with the general thrust of the Convention, it had not been able to sign it. Therefore, it could not accept the draft, which called on States to harmonize their national legislation with the Convention.
It was announced that the following countries had joined as co-sponsors to the text on the Convention: France, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Malta, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka and Belize.
By a vote of 132 in favour to 1 against (Turkey), with 3 abstentions (Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela), the Assembly adopted the resolution on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. (For details of the voting, see annex.)
The following joined in sponsoring the text on the conservation and management of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks: Gabon, Guniea- Bissau and Belize.
Belize joined in sponsoring the draft on large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing.
Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the resolutions on the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks, and on large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing, unauthorized fishing in zones of national jurisdiction and fisheries' by-catch and discards.
Right of Reply
JEAN-MICHEL GAUSSOT (France) said two delegations had taken today's debate on the Convention of the Law of the Sea as an excuse to challenge France on its recent nuclear tests. They had said, without the slightest proof, that such tests harmed the environment. Those assertions were totally unfounded, contrary to the conclusions of all scientific research carried out on the test sites. The harmlessness of the French tests had been confirmed by a group of Australian scientists. The European Commission had recently concluded that France's underground tests posed no threat to the population. The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should organize an independent scientific mission to evaluate the impact of the tests. His country had demonstrated complete transparency with respect to its testing and it was unfortunate that unfounded attacks were still being levelled against it. (annex follows)
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General Assembly Plenary Press Release GA/9025 81st Meeting (PM) 5 December 1995
ANNEX
Vote on Convention on Law of Sea
The draft resolution on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (document A/50/L.34) was approved by a recorded vote of 132 in favour to 1 against, with 3 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: Turkey.
Abstaining: Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela.
Absent: Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Colombia, Congo, Croatia, Dominica, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Gabon, Gambia, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire. * *** *