COUNTRIES ARE URGED TO BACK OBJECTIVES OF PEACE AND COOPERATION IN SOUTH ATLANTIC, AVOIDING ACTIONS THAT COULD CAUSE TENSION

14 November 1996

Press Release
GA/9165

COUNTRIES ARE URGED TO BACK OBJECTIVES OF PEACE AND COOPERATION IN SOUTH ATLANTIC, AVOIDING ACTIONS THAT COULD CAUSE TENSION

19961114 Assembly Also Seeks Stronger Links between United Nations And Islamic Conference; Makes Appointments to Six Financial Bodies

The General Assembly this morning called upon all States to cooperate in the promotion of the objectives of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic. They are also to refrain from any action inconsistent with those objectives and with the United Nations Charter and relevant resolutions of the Organization, particularly action which may create or aggravate situations of tension and potential conflict in the region.

By a recorded vote of 117 in favour to none against, with 1 abstention (United States), the Assembly asked the relevant organizations, organs and bodies of the United Nations system to render all appropriate assistance which States of the Zone may seek. (For details of voting, see Annex.)

Under another resolution adopted without a vote, the Assembly asked the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to continue cooperating in their common search for solutions to global problems. It further urged the United Nations system, especially the lead agencies, to provide increased technical and other forms of assistance to the Conference.

Statements were made by the representatives of Guinea and the Organization of the Islamic Conference. South Africa, Brazil and Nigeria also spoke.

Also this morning -- on the recommendation of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) -- the Assembly appointed members to the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), the Committee on Contributions, the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), the Board of Auditors, the Investments Committee, and the United Nations Administrative Tribunal.

For three-year terms of office on the ACABQ beginning 1 January 1997, the Assembly appointed Ammar Amari (Tunisia), Gerard Biraud (France) and Denise Almao (New Zealand), and reappointed Leonid E. Bidny (Russian

Federation) and Norma Goicochea Estenoz (Cuba). Mr. Biraud (France) and Ms. Almao (New Zealand) were elected in the Fifth Committee by secret ballot. Those appointed today will join members from the following countries: Barbados, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mali, Romania, Syria and Tanzania.

Also for three-year terms on the Committee on Contributions beginning 1 January 1997, the Assembly appointed: Iqbal Akhund (Pakistan), Evgueni N. Deineko (Russian Federation), Alvaro Gurgel de Alencar (Brazil), Isabelle Klais (Germany), Ju Kuilin (China), and Ugo Sessi (Italy). Mr. Gurgel de Alencar (Brazil), Ms. Klais (Germany), and Mr. Sessi (Italy) were chosen in the Fifth Committee by secret ballot. The candidates from Brazil and Italy were reappointed.

For four-year terms of office beginning 1 January 1997 on the ICSC, the Assembly appointed Corazon Alma de Leon (Philippines), El Hassane Zahid (Morocco). Alexander Chepourin (Russian Federation), Humayun Kabir (Bangladesh), and Ernest Rusita (Uganda) were reappointed.

The Assembly further appointed the Comptroller and Auditor-General of Ghana to the Board of Auditors for a three-year term commencing 1 July 1997.

For the Investments Committee, the Assembly confirmed the Secretary- General's appointment of Peter Stormonth Darling (United Kingdom) and Fernando G. Chico Pardo (Mexico), and the reappointment of Francine Bovich (United States) and Takeshi Ohta (Japan), for three-year terms of office beginning on 1 January 1997.

For the United Nations Administrative Tribunal, the Assembly appointed Julio Barboza (Argentina) and reappointed Mayer Gabay (Israel) for three-year terms beginning 1 January 1997.

The Assembly will meet again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19 to take up the report of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991. It will also discuss the elimination of coercive economic measures as a means of political and economic compulsion; the situation in Central America; and cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States.

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Assembly Work Programme

The General Assembly met this morning to consider the subject of cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). It was further scheduled to discuss the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic. It was also scheduled to appoint, on the recommendation of its Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary), members to the following bodies: Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ); Committee on Contributions; Board of Auditors; Investments Committee; United Nations Administrative Tribunal; and International Civil Service Commission.

Cooperation with OIC

The Assembly had before it the report of the Secretary General (document A/51/381), and a related draft resolution (document A/51/L.17).

The report of the Secretary-General states that at a meeting in June 1996, the United Nations and the OIC established areas of priority for cooperation and designated organizations and agencies on both sides to act as focal points for follow-up action that would be required for the implementation of recommendations adopted by joint meetings of the two Organizations. The organizations and agencies serving as focal points for priority areas of action were established. These organizations and agencies sent reports which are summarized.

In its report, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) states that it cooperates with the OIC in carrying out studies on an ad hoc basis. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that it signed a cooperation agreement in 1988 with the OIC, under which coordination on humanitarian issues would be increased. Within the framework established, both organizations had continued to expand their cooperation in priority areas relating to refugees and global humanitarian problems of common interest.

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations reports discussions in April 1996 between the Director of the FAO Investment Centre and the Islamic Development Bank to collaborate in the preparation of investment projects. In its report, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says it has continued its cooperation with the OIC through its specialized agencies, notably the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture. The fourth joint meeting was held with the Islamic Cultural Organization in November 1995 to review cooperation and to draw up a number of joint activities.

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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) states that it had - among other things - assisted, in 1995, in the preparation of a draft medium- term United Nations-OIC plan of action to be reviewed by relevant agencies. Similarly, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) reports a relationship agreement between UNIDO and the Islamic Cultural Organization signed in May 1996 to facilitate cooperation between the two organizations in such areas as technical and vocational education, integration of women in development activities, and promotion of traditional arts and crafts.

In a separate section of the report titled, "Cooperation in the field of economic and social development", the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) states that it had maintained a cooperative working relationship with the OIC since 1987. It had benefited from the ongoing support of the OIC for its efforts to provide essential services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says it signed a memorandum on cooperation and liaison with the OIC in 1981. That established the guiding principles of collaboration between the two organizations for the promotion and enhancement of technical cooperation among developing countries, with particular emphasis on the OIC member-countries.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) notes that its cooperation with the OIC began more than 20 years ago with an initial focus on information exchange. A memorandum of cooperation, setting out the modalities for consultation, exchange of information, joint action, reciprocal representation and liaison, was signed in 1992, and cooperation had expanded to address the needs of women and children.

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), also reporting, says it has, since 1989, been developing cooperative relations with the OIC, as well as with its specialized institutions. It had undertaken, or planned to undertake, activities in industry, transportation, the Pan-African Development Information System, as well as science and technology.

The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) reports cooperation in the areas of development and management of water, industry, technology, agriculture and international trade. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) says it has continued to maintain close cooperation with the OIC in the priority areas of food and security, agricultural and rural development and financing of joint projects.

The report also states that the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Trade Organization conveyed information to the United Nations

General Assembly Plenary - 1a - Press Release GA/9165 58th Meeting (AM) 14 November 1996

Secretariat on their programmes and activities in the OIC member states over the course of the year.

By the draft resolution, the Assembly would request the United Nations and the OIC to continue cooperation in their common search for solutions to global problems. It would encourage the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to continue to expand their cooperation with the subsidiary organs and specialized and affiliated institutions of the OIC. It would further urge the United Nations and other organizations of the United Nations system, especially the lead agencies, to provide increased technical and other forms of assistance to the OIC and its subsidiary organs and specialized and affiliated institutions. Under the draft, the Assembly would also decide to include the agenda item in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second session. The draft is sponsored by Guinea.

Zone of Peace and Cooperation of South Atlantic

For consideration of this item, the Assembly had before it the Report of the Secretary-General (document A/51/458), which includes replies from relevant organizations, organs and bodies of the United Nations system on the implementation of the zone of peace. At its 50th session, the Assembly, in resolution A/50/L.25 and Add.1 requested the Secretary-General to keep the implementation of resolution 41/11 (by which it had declared the Zone of Peace in the Atlantic between Africa and South America) and subsequent resolutions on the matter under review and to submit a report to it at its fifty-first session, taking into account, inter alia, the views expressed by Member States. The Assembly also had before it a 23-Power draft resolution (document A/51/L.16).

In the report of the Secretary-General, Argentina welcomes the results achieved at the fourth meeting of the States members of the zone held in South Africa in April. It draws attention, however, to a number of issues, including the member countries' continued support for the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, the furtherance of democracy and political pluralism and the defence and promotion of human rights. Its notes that its efforts, including the commitment assumed in its Constitution "to respect the way of life of the inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands" had failed to achieve any progress towards solving the dispute concerning sovereignty over those South Atlantic territories.

Noting that the zone was "a valuable asset for the South Atlantic countries of Africa and Latin America", Brazil pledges support for its revitalization. It points out three main areas that "seem promising" in that regard: denuclearization of the region, protection of the marine environment and cooperation in the fight against the scourge of drug trafficking.

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Ecuador declares its support for resolution 41/11, believing that such actions contributed to the maintenance of world peace and security. Although it is not situated in the area, it pledges in advance any cooperation within its means that may be required by the States of the Atlantic basin.

South Africa reports on the fourth meeting of States members which it hosted in April under the theme, "Bridging the South Atlantic", and states that during its tenure as Chairman, it would endeavour to give tangible content to the decisions.

The United Kingdom welcomes the objectives of the resolution, and draws the attention of the Secretary-General to developments in Anglo-Argentine relations which had contributed to the lessening of tension in the south-west Atlantic, including the signing in September of 1995 of a joint declaration on oil exploration in that area.

In the section on replies from organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, the Department of Humanitarian Affairs reports that United Nations agencies and non-governmental agencies have been providing assistance in the six years of the conflict in Liberia. It also reports on its humanitarian assistance programme in Angola.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) replies that resolution 50/18 (which took note of last year's report on the question by the Secretary- General) was widely publicized in its organs. Questions relating to the purpose and objective of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic were the subject of five radio magazine programmes in four languages distributed to about 800 organizations worldwide. It further reports on, among others, the contributions made through 78 publications, 400 press releases in English and French relevant to the issues in the resolution, and newsletters.

The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) says it is ready to share its experience, particularly in the transport of dangerous goods. Similarly, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) says it is convinced of the need to revitalize mechanisms for technical consultations among the States members of the zone.

The IMO notes that it could assist the zone to address the degradation of the marine environment resulting from sea-based activities and enhance their capacity to prevent and mitigate the impact of marine pollution, with particular emphasis on the implementation of internationally agreed standards for the protection of the marine environment.

The UNESCO says that, with its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, it contributes to the implementation of resolution 50/18, through

General Assembly Plenary - 1a - Press Release GA/9165 58th Meeting (AM) 14 November 1996

the encouragement, promotion and support of regional cooperation among the countries of the region in the study and observations of the South Atlantic.

The UNIDO has no projects directly related to resolution 50/18, but suggests projects that could contribute indirectly. Among them are its expert group meetings on cooperation on environmental management in iron and steel, preparation of a recovery and recycling project, as well as various regional and interregional cleaner production activities.

In the draft resolution, the Assembly would call on all States to cooperate in the promotion of the objectives established in the Declaration of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic. It would welcome with satisfaction the holding of the fourth meeting of the States members of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic in South Africa in April, and take note of the Final Declaration and its decisions. The Assembly would also urge the international community to fulfil its pledges to provide assistance to facilitate the rehabilitation of the Angolan national economy and the resettlement of displaced persons, and stress the importance of such assistance at this time in order to consolidate the gains in the peace process.

Under the draft, the Assembly would affirm the importance of the South Atlantic to global maritime and commercial transactions and its determination to preserve the region for all peaceful purposes and activities protected by international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It would request the relevant organizations, organs and bodies of the United Nations system to render all appropriate assistance which States of the zone may seek in their joint efforts to implement the declaration of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic.

It would further request the Secretary-General to keep the implementation of resolution 41/11 and subsequent resolutions on the matter under review and to submit a report to the Assembly at its fifty-first session, taking into account, inter alia, the views expressed by Member States.

The draft is sponsored by Angola, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo, Uruguay and Zaire.

Appointments To Subsidiary Bodies

To the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), the report of the Fifth Committee (document A/51/671) recommends that the Assembly appoint the following persons as members of the ACABQ for a three-year term of office, beginning 1 January 1997: Ammar Amari (Tunisia),

General Assembly Plenary - 1a - Press Release GA/9165 58th Meeting (AM) 14 November 1996

Denise Almao (New Zealand), Leonid E. Bidny (Russian Federation), Gerard Biraud (France) and Norma Goicochea Estenoz (Cuba).

Denise Almao (New Zealand) and Gerard Biraud (France) were recommended following a secret ballot to select two persons from the candidates proposed by the Western European and Other States Group. The third candidate, from the United States, was defeated.

To the Committee on Contributions, the Fifth Committee (document A/51/672) recommends that the Assembly appoint the following persons as members of that Committee for a three-year term of office beginning on 1 January 1997: Iqbal Akhund (Pakistan), Evgueni N. Deineko (Russian Federation), Alvaro Gurgel de Alencar (Brazil), Ju Kuilin (China), Isabelle Klais (Germany) and Ugo Sessi (Italy).

The candidates from Brazil, Italy and Germany were selected by secret ballot. Alvaro Gurgel de Alencar (Brazil) defeated another candidate from Venezuela to fill one seat which was available for the Latin American and Caribbean States Group. The candidates from Italy and Germany defeated a candidate from Belgium to fill two seats which were available for the Group of Western European and Other States.

To the Board of Auditors, the Fifth Committee (document A/51/666) recommends that the Assembly reappoint the Auditor-General of Ghana to the Board of Auditors for a three-year term beginning 1 July 1997.

To the Investments Committee, the Fifth Committee (document A/51/667) recommends that the Assembly confirm the Secretary-General's appointment of Peter Stormonth Darling (United Kingdom), and the reappointment of Francine Bovich (United States) and Takeshi Ohta (Japan) as members of that Committee for a three-year term of office, beginning 1 January 1997. The Assembly is also asked to confirm the appointment of Fernando G. Chico Pardo (Mexico) to fill the remainder of a three-year term of office expiring on 31 December 1997.

To the United Nations Administrative Tribunal, the Fifth Committee (document A/51/668) recommends that the Assembly appoint Julio Barboza (Argentina) and reappoint Mayer Gabay (Israel) to the Tribunal for three-year terms beginning on 1 January 1997.

To the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), the Fifth Committee (document A/51/673) recommends that the Assembly appoint Corazon Alma de Leon (Philippines), El Hassane Zahid (Morocco), and reappoint Alexander Chepourin (Russian Federation), Humayun Kabir (Bangladesh), and Ernest Rusita (Uganda) for four-year terms of office, beginning 1 January 1997.

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Draft on Cooperation with OIC

ABOUBACAR DIONE (Guinea), introducing the draft resolution, welcomed all the initiatives between organizations and agencies of the United Nations system on the subject of cooperation between the Organization and the OIC. Summarizing the text of the resolution, he invited the Assembly to adopt the resolution without a vote.

AHMET ENGIN ANSAY, (Observer, Organization of the Islamic Conference), said the Secretary-General's report offered an informative panoramic view of the activities of cooperation between the two organizations and their respective subsidiary and specialized organs, agencies, and institutions in areas of common concern. He recalled his statement last year about the serious impetus needed for that aspect of the Assembly's resolution A/49/15 calling for strengthened cooperation in the political field, besides continued expansion of ongoing cooperation in several sectors. As the Secretary- General's report illustrated, this aspect figured prominently in the last discussion between the Secretaries-General of the two organizations at the United Nations on 3 October 1995, and in the two high-level meetings of officials of both organizations on 5 October 1995 and on 4 October 1996.

Reviewing cooperation in the social, economic and cultural areas in the past year, he said he hoped the recommendations in the Secretary-General's report would be favourably considered by the Assembly. The adoption of new, cost-effective modalities that would accelerate the processes of identification, approval and implementation of programmes and projects had been an important consideration of the joint endeavours. Citing a cooperative endeavour by the OIC and the UNDP with the Foundation for Social Peace, a non- governmental organization in Niamey, Niger, and another by them with the Birzeit University in Jerusalem, he said that speedy project identification and approval processes reflected effective coordination, and was speeding the delivery and implementation of the projects.

He noted the operative paragraph of the draft, which welcomed the proposal for a meeting of the United Nations and the OIC to review the ways and means for enhancing the actual mechanism for cooperation between them in areas of common concern. He also spoke of the operative paragraph which, among other things, encouraged the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to negotiate cooperation agreements with their OIC counterparts for cooperation in priority areas of interest to the two organizations. He said two memoranda of understanding signed by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization with UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in New York in October had paved the way for the Islamic group's systematic consultation and effective cooperation with those two organizations.

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None of the operative paragraphs in the draft involved any additional financial implication, he said. "Our cooperation with the United Nations shall continue to be guided by these noble considerations as we maintain our collective march, shoulder to shoulder, towards universal peace and progress in the time ahead".

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

Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic

FREDERICK O. BERGH (South Africa), introducing the draft text on the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic, said his country supported the goals of peace and development shared by members of the Zone. Since the end of the cold war, the main focus of the members of the zone had been on economic development. The concept of building bridges across the South Atlantic for the mutual benefit of all countries in the Zone was the primary goal. Practical goals had been established to that end. In the future, links should be established with other countries of Southern Africa, the Indian Ocean and others.

He said South Africa accepted the obligations assigned to Zone members to protect the marine environment in the South Atlantic. Regulations must be established to regulate the safe transport of waste, including radioactive waste, through the Zone. The Zone should be established as an investment- friendly area, in which capital market development and liberalization was achieved. The Zone provided a framework for promoting the goals of the South American and African nations which shared the South Atlantic. Modern communication should enhance the links between all members of the Zone. His nation was pleased to assume the chairmanship of the Zone and hoped that the joint vision of its members would become a reality. He called on all Member States to support the draft resolution now before the Assembly.

CELSO AMORIM (Brazil) told the Assembly his Government had pledged its support to the purposes and objectives of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic and wished to underline, in that context, the importance of recent initiatives in the areas of denuclearization, protection of the marine environment and cooperation against drug trafficking.

He said Brazil supported the strengthening of the Treaties of Tlatelolco and Pelindaba, as well as the growing links of cooperation with the other nuclear-weapon-free zones of the Southern Hemisphere and adjacent areas, established by the Treaties of Rarotonga and Bangkok. He noted that the commitment of all the members of the Zone had prompted consideration of a convention on the protection of the marine environment. The support given by the international community to the reconciliation processes in Angola and Liberia was also of particular significance. He said the contacts among West

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African and South American countries bordering the South Atlantic aimed at promoting cooperation, understanding, stability and prosperity among participants, deserved the support of the international community as a whole.

JUBRIN D. CHINADE (Nigeria) reminded the Assembly that the present session marked the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic. So far, he said, the Zone could justifiably affirm that it had continued, despite its many "teething problems", to focus on the on the purposes and objectives of its establishment. The Zone, he continued, contributed to the maintenance of international peace and security in many ways. He cited the declared intention of Member States to maintain the South Atlantic as a denuclearized region, bringing closer the achievement of a nuclear-free Southern Hemisphere.

He noted that members of the Zone had been urged to contribute to United Nations peace-keeping operations, and had declared their support for efforts aimed at finding negotiated solutions to all conflicts. In that context, including the efforts made in Angola and Liberia through the Economic Community of Western Africa States (ECOWAS), members of the Zone requested the support of the international community for the Council of States of the Liberian National Transitional Government. At this stage of the peace process in Liberia, they also called on the international community to provide the necessary aid to the Economic Community of West African States' Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG), to enable it to carry out its mandate. He said Nigeria wished to thank the Governments of the United States, Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom and Japan for their contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund on Liberia, to be earmarked for ECOMOG, and also to the non-governmental organizations which had provided humanitarian assistance to Liberia for the past six years.

The draft resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 117 in favour to none against, with one abstention (United States). (For details of the vote, see Annex).

Report of Fifth Committee

The Assembly then considered the report of the Fifth Committee on appointments to subsidiary bodies. Following recommendations from the Committee, the Assembly made the following appointments:

To the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), the Assembly appointed the following persons as members for a three- year term of office beginning 1 January 1997: Ammar Amari (Tunisia), Denise Almao (New Zealand), Leonid E. Bidny (Russian Federation), Gerard Biraud (France) and Norma Goicochea Estenoz (Cuba).

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Denise Almao (New Zealand) and Gerard Biraud (France) were recommended to select two persons from the candidates proposed by the Western European and Other States Group. The third candidate, from the United States, was defeated.

To the Committee on Contributions, the Assembly appointed the following persons as members for a three-year term of office beginning on 1 January 1997: Iqbal Akhund (Pakistan), Evgueni N. Deineko (Russian Federation), Alvaro Gurgel de Alencar (Brazil), Ju Kuilin (China), Isabelle Klais (Germany) and Ugo Sessi (Italy).

In the Fifth Committee, the candidates from Brazil, Italy and Germany were selected by secret ballot. Alvaro Gurgel de Alencar (Brazil) defeated another candidate from Venezuela to fill one seat which was available for the Latin American and Caribbean States Group. The candidates from Italy and Germany defeated a candidate from Belgium to fill two seats which were available for the Group of Western European and Other States.

To the Board of Auditors, the Assembly re-appointed the Auditor-General of Ghana to the Board of Auditors for a three-year term beginning 1 July 1997.

To the Investments Committee, the Assembly confirmed the Secretary- General's appointment of Peter Stormonth Darling (United Kingdom), and the reappointment of Francine Bovich (United States) and Takeshi Ohta (Japan) as members of that committee for a three-year term of office, beginning 1 January 1997. The Assembly also confirmed the appointment of Fernando G. Chico Pardo (Mexico) to fill the remainder of a three-year term of office expiring on 31 December 1997.

To the United Nations Administrative Tribunal, the Assembly appointed Julio Barboza (Argentina) and reappointed Mayer Gabay (Israel) to the Tribunal for three-year terms beginning on 1 January 1997.

To the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), the Assembly appointed Corazon Alma de Leon (Philippines), El Hassane Zahid (Morocco), and reappointed Alexander Chepourin (Russian Federation), Humayun Kabir (Bangladesh), and Ernest Rusita (Uganda) for four-year terms of office, beginning 1 January 1997.

(annex follows)

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ANNEX

Vote on Zone of Peace and Cooperation of South Atlantic

The draft resolution on the Zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic (document A/51/L.16) was adopted by a vote of 117 in favour to none against with 1 abstention:

In favour: Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syria, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against: None.

Abstaining: United States.

Absent: Afghanistan, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belize, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Gabon, Georgia, Grenada, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Lithuania, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Morocco, Nicaragua, Niger, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Republic of Moldova, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire, Zimbabwe.

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