Sixty-first General Assembly

Plenary

79^th Meeting (PM)

General Assembly adopts 24 resolutions, 2 decisions as it takes action

on Fourth Committee reports, plenary agenda items

 

Acting on the recommendation of its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), the General Assembly adopted 24 resolutions and two draft decisions this afternoon on a wide range of agenda items, including decolonization; information questions; peaceful uses of outer space; effects of atomic radiation; peacekeeping operations; University for Peace; the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and Israeli practices in the occupied Arab Territories.

The Assembly also adopted, without a vote, four plenary-generated texts related to protection of humanitarian workers and strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance.  By a recorded vote of 159 in favour to none against, with 7 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States, Nauru, Palau), it adopted a text on assistance to the Palestinian people.  (See annex XVI)

Taking action on 10 decolonization texts -– 6 of them by recorded votes -- the Assembly adopted, by consensus, a resolution on the question of Tokelau, by which it noted that a referendum on that Territory’s status had failed by a narrow margin.  However, it welcomed New Zealand’s agreement to the request by Tokelau’s Council on Ongoing Government to maintain the referendum package.  The Assembly also adopted a decision on the question of Gibraltar, again without a vote.

Contrary to last year, however, no consensus could be reached on a text concerning the question of Western Sahara, which this year was adopted by a recorded vote of 70 in favour to none against with 91 abstentions.  Other texts adopted by recorded votes concerned implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, including several small-island Non-Self-Governing Territories.  (See annexes X-XV)

On the proposal of the Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee, the Assembly postponed action on a draft resolution entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations”, in order to give delegations time to study amendments introduced by the representative of Spain.

Under the agenda item “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space”, the assembly adopted, by consensus, a text on a “United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response”, establishing a programme to provide universal access to all countries and all relevant international and regional organizations to all types of space-based information and services to support the full disaster-management cycle.

The Assembly adopted four texts on the operations of UNRWA (see annexes I-IV), including one on that Agency’s UNRWA’s operations, by which it called  upon Israel to ensure the safety of its personnel and facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.  Also by that text, the Assembly urged the Government of Israel to compensate the Agency for damage to its property and immediately to reimburse UNRWA for port charges and losses suffered as a result of Israeli-imposed delays and restrictions on movement and access.  (See annex III)

Taking up five draft resolutions on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian and other peoples in occupied Arab lands (see annexes V-IX), the Assembly adopted a text on Israeli settlements by 162 votes in favour to 8 against (Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, United States), with 10 abstentions.  By that action it reaffirmed that settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, were illegal and an obstacle to peace and economic and social development.  The Assembly would reiterate its demand for the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities.  (See annex VII)

The Assembly adopted, without voting, two resolutions and one decision on questions relating to information.  By one text, on “United Nations public information policies and activities”, the Assembly would request the Department of Public Information, among other things, to pay particular attention to such major issues as the eradication of poverty, conflict prevention, sustainable development, human rights, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, combating terrorism and the needs of the African continent.  It would note with appreciation the Department’s continued efforts in issuing daily press releases.

Also by consensus, the Assembly adopted a text on the University for Peace, by which the Assembly would invite that institution, located in Costa Rica, to consider ways to strengthen its programmes in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding.  In further action, the Assembly adopted a text on the effects of atomic radiation and took note of the Fourth Committee’s reports on a comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects, revitalization of the Assembly’s work and programme planning.

Speaking in explanation of position on the Fourth Committee drafts were the representatives of Iran, Spain, Belarus, Argentina, Costa Rica, Austria, Germany, Oman, Liechtenstein, Peru, Switzerland, Greece, Italy, United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, Philippines, India, Thailand, Denmark, Bulgaria and Portugal.

The Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee introduced that body’s reports.

South Africa’s representative introduced the text on international cooperation in the field of natural disasters relief; the delegate of the Philippines introduced the draft on strengthening emergency relief in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster, and Finland’s representative introduced texts on safety, security and protection of humanitarian personnel, and on assistance to the Palestinian people.  They did so on behalf of the Group of 77 developing countries and China, the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union respectively.  Sweden’s representative introduced a text on strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance.The representative of the United States spoke in explanation of position before the Assembly took action on the text on assistance to the Palestinian people.

The General Assembly will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Friday 15 December, to take up the resumed tenth emergency special session on the Middle East.

Background

The General Assembly met this afternoon to take up the reports of its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) and further consider the strengthening of the coordination of United Nations humanitarian and disaster relief assistance, including special economic assistance.  The Assembly was also expected to elect seven members to the Committee for Programme and Coordination and appoint members to the Committee on Conferences and the Consultative Committee of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).

Topics covered in the Fourth Committee reports include; the University for Peace (agenda item 28); effects of atomic radiation (item 29); international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (item 30); United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (item 31); Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (item 32); comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (item 33); questions relating to information (item 34); decolonization issues (items 35-39); revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (item 110), and programme planning (item 118).

Decolonization issues before the Assembly include; information from Non-Self-Governing Territories, transmitted under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter (item 35); economic and other activities, which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (item 36); implementation of the Decolonization Declaration by the United Nations specialized agencies and associated international institutions (item 37); offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories (item 38), and implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (item 39).

University for Peace

The Assembly had before it a report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (document A/61/404) containing a draft resolution entitled University for Peace, by which the Assembly would invite the University to consider ways to strengthen its conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding programmes.  The Fourth Committee approved the draft by consensus on 30 October (see Press Release GA/SPD/357).

Effects of Atomic Radiation

The Committee’s report on Effects of atomic radiation (document A/61/405) contains a draft resolution, by which the Assembly would request the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation to continue its work, including its activities to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources.  The Committee approved that text without a vote on 30 October (see Press Release GA/SPD/357).

International Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space

The report on International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (document A/61/406) contains two draft resolutions, both of which were approved without a vote on 30 October (see Press Release GA/SPD/357).

By the provisions of draft resolution I, entitled United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response, the Assembly would establish a programme to provide universal access to all countries and all relevant international and regional organizations to all types of space-based information and services to support the full disaster management cycle.

Draft resolution II, entitled International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, would have the Assembly reaffirm the importance of international cooperation in developing the rule of law, including the relevant norms of space law and their important role in international cooperation for the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

UNRWA

The Fourth Committee’s report on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (document A/61/407) contains four draft resolutions, all of which were approved by recorded votes on 28 November (see Press Release GA/SPD/366).

By draft resolution I, on Assistance to Palestine refugees, the Assembly would note, with regret, that repatriation of, or compensation to, the refugees, as provided for in paragraph 11 of General Assembly resolution 194 (III) of December 1948, has not yet been affected and they continue to require assistance.  The Assembly would affirm the need for the continuation of UNRWA’s work and the importance of its unimpeded operations and services, pending the just resolution of the Palestine refugee question.

Draft resolution II, on Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities, would have the Assembly reaffirm the right of all those persons to return to their homes or former places of residence in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967.

According to draft resolution III, on Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the Assembly would call upon Israel to ensure the safety of UNRWA personnel, the protection of its institutions and the security of its facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.  It would urge the Government of Israel speedily to compensate the Agency for damage to its property and immediately to reimburse it for port and related charges and other financial losses suffered as a result of Israeli-imposed delays and restrictions on movement and access.

Draft resolution IV, on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues would have the Assembly reaffirm that the Palestine refugees are entitled to their property and income derived there from.  It would request the Secretary-General to take all appropriate steps, in consultation with the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine, for the protection of Arab property, assets and property rights in Israel.

Israeli Practices

The Fourth Committee’s report on the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/61/408) contains five draft resolutions, all of which the Committee approved by recorded votes on 28 November (see Press Release GA/SPD/366).

Draft resolution I, on the Work of the Special Committee, would have the Assembly reiterate its demand that Israel cooperate with that body and deplore those Israeli policies and practices that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories.  It would also request the Special Committee, pending complete termination of the occupation, to continue to investigate those Israeli policies and practices.

By draft resolution II, on the Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories, the Assembly would reaffirm that the Geneva Convention is applicable to the occupied territories, and demand that Israel comply scrupulously with the provisions of that Convention.

Draft resolution III, on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, would have the Assembly reaffirm that those settlements are illegal and an obstacle to peace and economic and social development.  It would reiterate its demand for the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities and call for the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.

According to draft resolution IV, on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, the Assembly would reiterate that all measures and actions taken by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, in violation of the relevant provisions of the Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in Time of War, and contrary to the relevant Security Council resolutions, are illegal and have no validity.

By draft resolution V, on the Occupied Syrian Golan, the Assembly would call upon Israel to comply with the relevant resolutions on the occupied Syrian Golan, in particular Security Council resolution 497 (1981), in which the Council decided that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan was null and void and without international legal effect and demand that Israel rescind its decision.

Questions Relating to Information

The Fourth Committee’s report on Questions relating to information (document A/61/410) contains two draft resolutions and one draft decision, all of which were approved, without a vote, on 18 October (see Press Release GA/SPD/351).

By the terms of draft resolution A, entitled Information in the service of humanity, the Assembly would urge all countries, organizations of the United Nations system and all others concerned to cooperate and interact with a view to reducing existing disparities in information flows at all levels by increasing assistance for the development of communication infrastructure and capabilities in developing countries.

Draft resolution B, entitled United Nations public information policies and activities, would have the Assembly reaffirm that the Organization remains the indispensable foundation of a peaceful world and emphasize the essential role of the Department of Public Information in that context.  The Department’s activities should be so organized as to promote, to the greatest possible extent, an informed understanding of the work of the United Nations among the peoples of the world.

The Assembly would, by other terms, request the Department, to pay particular attention to such major issues as the eradication of poverty, conflict prevention, sustainable development, human rights, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, combating terrorism and the needs of the African continent.  The Assembly would note with appreciation the Department of Public Information’s continued efforts in issuing daily press releases and request it to continue providing that service.

According to a draft decision entitled Increase in the membership of the Committee on Information, the Assembly would increase that body’s membership from 108 to 110 and appoint the Dominican Republic and Thailand as members.

Decolonization Issues

The Fourth Committee’s report on Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 (e) of the Charter of the United Nations (document A/61/411) contains a draft resolution, by which the Assembly would request the administering Powers concerned to transmit, or continue to transmit, to the Secretary-General the information prescribed in Article 73 (e) of the Charter, as well as the fullest possible information on political and constitutional developments in the Territories concerned.  The Committee approved that text by a recorded vote on 11 October (see Press Release GA/SPD/346).

Contained in the Committee’s report on Economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/61/412), is a draft resolution, by which the Assembly would reaffirm the right of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories to self-determination, as well as their right to enjoy their natural resources and to dispose of them in their best interest.  The Committee approved that draft by a recorded vote on 11 October.

The report on Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations (document A/61/413) contains a one-draft resolution, by which the Assembly would recommend that all States intensify their efforts in the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.  The Committee approved that text by a recorded vote on 11 October.

Contained in the report on Offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/61/414) is a draft resolution, by which the Assembly would invite all States to make, or continue to make, generous offers of study and training facilities to the inhabitants of the Territories and, wherever possible, to provide travel funds to prospective students.  The draft was approved without a vote on 11 October.

The report on Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (document A/61/415) contains six draft resolutions and one draft decision.

By draft resolution I, on the Question of Western Sahara, the Assembly would underline Security Council resolution 1495 (2003), in which the Council expressed its support for the peace plan for self-determination of the people of that Territory as an optimum political solution on the basis of agreement between the two parties.  The Assembly would call upon all parties, as well as States of the region, to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy.  The Committee approved that text by a recorded vote on 13 October (see Press Release GA/SPD/348).

Draft resolution II, on the Question of New Caledonia, would have the Assembly welcome the significant developments that have taken place in New Caledonia, as exemplified by the signing of the Nouméa Accord in May 1998 and urge all parties involved to maintain, in the framework of that Accord, their dialogue in the spirit of harmony.  The Committee approved that draft without a vote on 11 October.

By draft resolution III, on the Question of Tokelau, the Assembly, noting the considerable progress made towards the adoption of a Constitution and the narrow failure of the referendum to produce the two-thirds majority required to change Tokelau’s status as a Non-Self-Governing Territory, would welcome New Zealand’s agreement to the request by Tokelau’s Council on Ongoing Government to maintain the referendum package.  The Committee approved the draft without a vote on 11 October.

Draft resolution IV concerns the Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands and is divided into two sections.

Part A would have the Assembly reaffirm that, in the decolonization process, there is no alternative to the principle of self-determination, which is also a fundamental human right, and stress the importance of implementing the action plan of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonization.

Part B of the text takes up the question of each specific Territory.  The Committee approved the draft without a vote on 11 October.

Draft resolution V, on Dissemination of information on decolonization, would have the Assembly approve the activities of the Department of Public Information and the Department of Political Affairs in the dissemination of information on decolonization.  The Assembly would request both Departments to develop procedures to collect, prepare and disseminate -- particularly to the Territories -- basic material on the issue of self-determination.  That draft was approved by a recorded vote on 11 October.

By draft resolution VI, on Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, the Assembly would reaffirm once again that the existence of colonialism in any form or manifestation, including economic exploitation, is incompatible with the United Nations Charter, the Declaration on Decolonization and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  It would call upon the administering Powers to take all necessary steps to enable the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, as soon as possible, to exercise fully their right to self-determination, including independence.  The draft was approved by a recorded vote on 11 October.

The draft decision on the Question of Gibraltar would have the Assembly urge the Governments of Spain and the United Kingdom, while listening to the interests and aspirations of Gibraltar, reach a definitive solution to that question.  It would welcome the successful outcome of the first package of measures concluded in the Tripartite Forum for Dialogue on Gibraltar.  The Committee approved the draft decision without a vote on 11 October.

Other Reports

Also before the Assembly were reports on a Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (document A/61/409); Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (document A/61/416), including a draft programme of work for the next session, and Programme planning (document A/61/417).

General Assembly Draft Resolutions

For the consideration of its own plenary items, the Assembly had before it a draft resolution on the Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel (document A/61/L.45), by which it would urge States to take the necessary measures to ensure the full implementation of applicable principles and rules of international laws.  It would strongly urge States to take measures to ensure the safety and security of such personnel and to respect, and ensure respect for, the inviolability of United Nations premises.  The Assembly would call for protective measures in cases of complex emergencies and for States to assume their responsibilities under relevant international instruments.  It would express deep concern over threats and attacks against humanitarian personnel and condemn such acts.

By a draft resolution on International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to development (document A/61/L.42) the Assembly would call upon all States to fully implement the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters, and in particular those commitments related to assistance for developing countries prone to natural disasters and to disaster-stricken States in the transition phase.  It would also call upon States to adopt, where required -- and to continue to effectively implement -- necessary legislative and other appropriate measures to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and integrate disaster-risk-reduction strategies into development planning.

A draft resolution on Strengthening emergency relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and prevention in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster (document A/61/L.44) would have the Assembly stress the need for the development of stronger institutions, mechanisms and capacities at the regional, national and local levels, as affirmed in the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.  It would likewise stress the need for the promotion of public education, awareness and community participation, in order to systematically build resilience to hazards and disasters.

In other provisions, the Assembly would stress the importance of, and need for, regular updating of recovery assessments by the Governments of affected countries, the United Nations system and international and regional financial institutions, in order to reassess progress and identify gaps and priorities.  It would also stress the need for relevant bodies of the United Nations system, international organizations, regional and international financial institutions, civil society and the private sector, to implement programmes according to the assessed needs of the Governments of tsunami-affected countries.

A draft resolution on Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance to the United Nations (document A/61/L.46) would have the Assembly call upon the relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other relevant humanitarian actors to pursue efforts to improve the humanitarian response to natural and man-made disasters and complex emergencies by further strengthening the humanitarian response capacities at all levels by continuing to strengthen the coordination of humanitarian assistance at the field level and by further enhancing transparency, performance, and accountability.

By that text, the Assembly would call upon United Nations humanitarian organizations to further develop common mechanisms to improve their transparency and the reliability of their humanitarian needs assessments; to assess their performance in assistance and to ensure the most effective use of humanitarian resources by those organizations.  It would call upon donors to provide adequate, predictable and flexible resources, based on the assessed needs, and to encourage efforts to implement the principles of Good Humanitarian Donorship.  Finally, it would urge all Member States to take effective measures to address gender-based violence in humanitarian emergencies and to make all possible efforts to ensure that their laws and institutions are adequate to prevent, investigate and prosecute acts of gender-based violence.

A draft resolution on Assistance to the Palestinian people (document A/61/L.47) would have the Assembly urge Member States, international financial institutions of the United Nations system, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and regional and interregional organizations, to extend -- as rapidly and as generously as possible -- economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people, in close cooperation with the Palestinian Liberation Organization and through official Palestinian institutions.

Also by that draft, the Assembly would urge Member States to open their markets to Palestinian exports on the most favourable terms, consistent with appropriate trading rules, and to implement fully existing trade and cooperation agreements.  It would also call upon the international donor community to expedite the delivery of pledged assistance to the Palestinian people, so as to meet their urgent needs and stress the importance of ensuring the free passage of aid to them and the free movement of persons and goods.

The Assembly would, by other terms, urge the international donor community, United Nations agencies and organizations and non-governmental organizations to extend as rapidly as possible emergency economic and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, so as to counter the impact of the current crisis.

Finally, the Assembly had before it a report on the Election of seven members of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (document A/61/227/Add.1), which states that the General Assembly has already elected three members on the recommendation of the Economic and Social Council and that two members remain to be elected.

Action on Fourth Committee Texts

RANA SALAYEVA ( Azerbaijan), Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee, introduced that body’s reports, saying its work had been performed in a constructive environment and in a results-oriented and flexible manner.  The Committee had held in-depth interactive dialogue sessions with the Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information on the item “Questions relating to information”, and with the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations on the item “Comprehensive review of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects”.

She said the Committee had also benefited from the interactive dialogue session with the Commissioner-General of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the Rector of the University for Peace and the Secretary of the Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.  That format had allowed for active participation by delegations.

The Assembly first took up the report on the University for Peace (document A/61/404), adopting the resolution contained therein by consensus.

Taking up the report on effects of atomic radiation (document A/61/405) the Assembly then adopted the related text, also without a vote.

It then took up the report on Peaceful uses of outer space (document A/61/406) and adopted, without a vote, draft resolution I, entitled “United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response” and draft resolution II on “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space”.

The Assembly then turned to the report on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (document A/61/407) and adopted draft resolution I, on “Assistance to Palestine refugees”, by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 1 against ( Israel), with 10 abstentions.  (See annex I)

It then adopted draft resolution II, “Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities”, by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to 6 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 8 abstentions (Cote d’Ivoire, Fiji, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu).  (See annex II)

Taking up draft resolution III, “Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”, the Assembly adopted it by a recorded 169 votes in favour to 6 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 8 abstentions (Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu).  (See annex III)

By a recorded vote of 170 in favour to 6 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 8 abstentions (Cameroon, Fiji, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu), the Assembly then adopted draft resolution IV, “Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues”.  (See annex IV)

The Assembly then turned to the Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/61/408), adopting draft resolution I, “Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”, by a recorded vote of 90 in favour to 9 against (Australia, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, United States), with 81 abstentions.  (See annex V)

Taking up draft resolution II, “Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories”, the Assembly adopted that text by a recorded vote of 165 in favour to 7 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, United States), with 10 abstentions.  (See annex VI)

It then adopted, by a recorded 162 votes in favour to 8 against (Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, United States), with 10 abstentions.  (See annex VII).

By a recorded vote of 157 in favour to 9 against (Australia, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, United States), with 14 abstentions, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution IV, “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem”.  (See annex VIII)

Finally, the Assembly adopted draft resolution V, “the occupied Syrian Golan”, by a recorded vote of 163 in favour to 2 against (Israel, Tuvalu), with 16 abstentions.  (See annex IX)

Explanation of Vote

The representative of Iran said he had voted in favour of the text in hopes of easing the plight of the Palestinian people, which was caused by the occupying Israeli regime.  Their situation could be resolved through justice, an end to discrimination, an end to the occupation of all Palestinian territories, the return of refugees and the establishment of a democratic Palestinian State, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.

Action

The Assembly then took note of the Fourth Committee’s report on its Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (document A/61/409).

Turning to the report on Questions relating to information (document A/61/410), it took action on the three texts contained in it, adopting draft resolution A, “Information in the service of humanity”, and draft resolution B, “United Nations public information policies and activities” both without a vote.  It then adopted, also without a vote, the draft decision on the increase in the membership of the Committee on Information.

Taking up the report on Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 (e) of the Charter of the United Nations (document A/61/411), the Assembly adopted the draft resolution contained in it by a recorded vote of 179 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions (France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States).  (See annex X)

The Assembly then turned to the report on Economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/61/412), adopting the related text by a recorded 179 votes in favour to 2 against ( Israel, United States), with 2 abstentions ( France, United Kingdom).  (See annex XI)

It then took up the report on Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations (document A/61/413).

The representative of Spain introduced oral amendments to operative paragraphs 12 and 13 of the related draft, proposing the deletion of the latter and the renumbering of the text.  Operative paragraph 12 would thus read as follows:

“12.  Welcomes the adoption by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean of its resolutions 574 (XXVII) of 16 May 1998, calling for the creation of mechanisms for the Non-Self-Governing Territories that are associate members of the Commission to participate in the special sessions of the General Assembly, subject to the rules of procedure of the Assembly, to review and assess the implementation of the plans of action of those United Nations world conferences in which the Territories originally participated in the capacity of observer, and in the work of the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies.”

He said the reason for the amendments was to synchronize the text of the Assembly resolution with that of the resolution on the same subject adopted by the Economic and Social Council last July.

BACHAR JAAFARI ( Syria), Rapporteur of the Special Committee on Decolonization, proposed a postponement of action on that text as Member States needed more time to study the amendments.

The Assembly then decided to postpone action on the draft until a later date.

Taking up the report on Offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/61/414), the Assembly adopted the related draft resolution without a vote.

The Assembly then turned to the report on Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (document A/61/415), the Assembly started consideration of draft resolution I, “Question of Western Sahara”.

Explanation of Vote

The representative of Belarus said he would not participate in the vote, noting that when two friends were so far apart on an issue, their friends became hostages and the hostages’ hands were tied.  Belarus called on fellow Non-Aligned Movement members Algeria and Morocco to seek a mutually acceptable solution.

By a recorded vote of 70 in favour to none against with 91 abstentions, the Assembly then adopted the text on Western Sahara.  (See annex XII)

It then adopted, without a vote, draft resolution II, “Question of New Caledonia”.

Acting again without a vote, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution III, “Question of Tokelau”.

By a recorded vote of 173 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions, (Equatorial Guinea, Israel, Samoa, United States), the Assembly then adopted draft resolution IV, “Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands”.  (See annex XIII).

Taking up draft resolution V, “Dissemination of information on decolonization”, the Assembly then adopted that text by a recorded 176 votes in favour to 3 against (Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 1 abstention (France).  (See annex XIV)

It then adopted, by a recorded vote of 176 in favour to 3 against ( Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 2 abstentions ( Belgium, France), draft resolution VI, “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”.  (See annex XV).

Finally the Assembly adopted the draft decision on the “Question of Gibraltar” without a vote.

Explanations of Vote

The representative of Spain said he had abstained in the vote on the resolution concerning Western Sahara, adding that, while his country supported the principle of self-determination, it was not the only applicable principle in questions of decolonization.  In the case of Gibraltar, Spain was willing to move to a definitive position through its discussions with the United Kingdom.

The representative of Argentina said the question of Western Sahara had been discussed in the Fourth Committee since it was a subject of decolonization.  Since 1975, the Assembly had adopted texts that determined the applicability of resolution 1514 to Western Sahara and the principle of self-determination must guide the decolonization process in that Territory.  The consultative opinion of the International Court of Justice had arrived at the same conclusion.

He said it was important that all issues concerning decolonization continue to be treated in the body of primary competence, namely the Special Committee on Decolonization.  The criteria for the treatment of those issues should not be modified unilaterally, but only through collective decisions of the Assembly.  In the case of Western Sahara, that position translated to Argentina’s continuing support of the search for a durable and mutually acceptable political solution that called for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, such as that provided by Security Council and General Assembly resolutions adopted in the last two years.

The representative of Costa Rica said his country had always believed that decolonization should be covered by Assembly resolution 1514.  As a member of the Security Council in 1975, it had rejected any claim by any State to the territory of what had then been Spanish Sahara.  The question of Western Sahara was on the decolonization agenda and Costa Rica supported the Council’s decisions regarding the need to hold a self-determination referendum.  A resolution had been adopted by consensus last year and it was unfortunate that the same thing had not happened this year.  Costa Rica had, therefore, abstained from the vote, which should not be seen as support for any party to the dispute or an indication that it had changed its position since 1975.  It maintained the same position on decolonization.

The representative of Austria said he regretted the lack of consensus on the Western Sahara text.  Austria had vote in favour for the sake of consistency, but that position should not be interpreted as taking the part of one party over the other.  Those involved should continue to work towards a resolution of the question in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions.  Austria looked forward to a presentation of proposals for a settlement that Morocco would put forward once the King had finished considering them.

The representative of Germany said he regretted deeply the fact that agreement had not been reached this year when the 2005 text resolution had found consensus.  Germany voted in favour again, but that position must not be interpreted as being either for or against any of the parties, as it supported all efforts towards a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that would provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in a context consistent with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter.  Morocco was reportedly working on new proposals regarding extended autonomy for the Territory and the presentation of those proposals as soon as possible would be welcome.

The representative of Oman said he had abstained on the Western Sahara vote as the two parties had not been able to reach agreement on the text.  The 2003 Security Council resolution had welcomed the peace plan as the best possible solution based on approval by the two parties.  Oman hoped the parties would take all possible steps to settle the matter in the near future.

The representative of Liechtenstein said he had voted in favour of the resolution, which was identical to last year’s text, but that vote must not be understood as support for either party.  Liechtenstein’s position on self-determination was well known.  Various forms of self-government could be envisioned on a case by case basis and Liechtenstein awaited the autonomy plan announced by Morocco.

The representative of Peru said he was concerned over the deadlock on the question of Western Sahara and he encouraged all parties to continue negotiating a settlement acceptable to all.  Peru’s abstention should not be interpreted as favouring one side over the other.

The representative of Switzerland said he regretted the lack of consensus on the resolution, adding that his vote in favour was not a statement of support for either party over the other.  Switzerland, like the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, simply believed negotiations were the only way forward and awaited with interest the new proposals Morocco was expected to put forward.

The representative of Greece said he had voted in favour and noted that the lack of progress on the Western Sahara question remained a source of potential instability in the region and an obstacle to development.  The search for a political solution was critical and Greece strongly supported the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to find a solution.  Greece called on all parties and States in the region to cooperate fully with the United Nations to achieve progress.

The representative of Italy, expressing concern over the situation in Western Sahara, said his country was committed to the principles of the Charter, including respect for equal rights and the self-determination of all peoples.  Italy looked forward to a consensual solution to the dispute.

The representative of the United Kingdom said she had voted in favour and acknowledged the enormous efforts made to reach a consensus.  The United Kingdom regretted the failure to achieve consensus, even though the draft was very close to last year’s consensus text.  The United Kingdom remained concerned that the question was still unsolved, resulting in problems for the region’s peoples.  Any solution should be mutually acceptable and provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, in line with Security Council resolutions.

She said the principle of territorial integrity was not applicable to the question of Gibraltar and her country would never enter into any arrangement whereby the people of Gibraltar would live under different sovereignty without their consent.  Despite the United Kingdom’s differences with Spain, it had been possible for the three parties to work together for the benefit of the region’s peoples.

The representative of the Republic of Korea said he regretted the lack of consensus, noting that he had abstained from voting because he believed a consensus document should be achieved through negotiations.

The representative of the Philippines said he had abstained because he wished to encourage Morocco to put forward new proposals.  All parties concerned should continue to take steps towards a resolution.

The representative from India affirmed that a consensus resolution was achievable and his abstention should not be interpreted as taking one side or the other.

The representative of Thailand said he had abstained in order to reaffirm his country’s neutrality with regard to the parties and the Western Sahara question.  That abstention should not be interpreted as favouring one side over another, but as a call for the parties to achieve a resolution through negotiation.

The representative of Denmark said her delegation had abstained and expressed deep regret that this consensus had not been possible this year.  Denmark underlined its neutral position and supported a fair and mutually acceptable solution providing for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.  Hopefully, there would be substantial progress in the coming months and Morocco would present its plan before 31 March, as announced.

The representative of Bulgaria said his country had consistently supported a mutually acceptable solution on Western Sahara, based on Council resolutions.  It had joined the consensus on last year’s text, which was basically the same as the one before the Assembly today.  Concerned at the lack of progress and consensus, Bulgaria had abstained from the voting, but that should not be interpreted as being in favour of any party.  Bulgaria reaffirmed its support for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and the Secretary-General’s efforts.  A long-term solution would promote security and progress in the region.

The representative of Portugal said she had abstained and expressed regret over the failure to reach consensus.  The parties must continue talks for a speedy resolution.

The Assembly then took note of the reports entitled “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly” (document A/61/416) and “Programme Planning” (document a/61/417).

The Assembly then took up a number of plenary-generated agenda items.

Introduction of Plenary Draft Resolutions

ANDRIES JOHANNES OOSTHUIZEN (South Africa) introduced, on behalf of the Group of 77 developing countries and China, the draft on International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters: from relief to development (document A/61/L.42), noting that, it considered the role information technology could play in boosting national capacities to warn against and mitigate the effects of natural disasters.  It also referred to the need to ensure rapid access to funds and other resources to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and, to that end, welcomed the launch of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

LAURO BAJA (Philippines) introduced, on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the text on strengthening emergency relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and prevention in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster (document A/61/L.44), saying that natural disasters affected both the rich and the poor and that there were indications that the worst was yet to come.  Recently, hundreds of people had died from mudslides after Typhoon Durian had struck the Philippines.

He said ASEAN’s disaster-reduction efforts were aimed at strengthening its regional response capacity, taking into consideration the lessons of the Indian Ocean tsunami and other disasters.  The tsunami had revealed how unprepared and weak the region was in collectively responding to large-scale calamities.  In response, the ASEAN agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response had replaced the outdated 1976 arrangements.

Furthermore, he said, the draft before the Assembly emphasized the following salient points; the need for continued support and assistance by the international community in the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase; the need for contributions to the Multi-Donor Trust Fund on Tsunami Early Warning Arrangements in the Indian Ocean and South-east Asia, to support the establishment of the early warning system in accordance with the needs of the region’s countries; the importance of a global consortium to help tsunami-affected countries identify common practices and implement actions for the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase; the need for regular updates on recovery assessment and to measure progress and identify gaps; the importance of promoting transparency and accountability among donor and recipient countries, and the support of international agencies for the development of national capacity for the tsunami warning and response system.

KIRSTI LINTONEN (Finland), introduced the draft on Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel (document A/61/L.45) on behalf of the European Union, saying that the deeply disturbing deaths, injuries and harassment of humanitarian personnel, as well as the fact that the perpetrators seemingly operated with impunity, clearly demonstrated that the issue deserved urgent attention.  The draft resolution addressed both the need to strengthen the normative framework for the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of the United Nations personnel and efforts to promote and enhance the Organization’s security management system.

She then introduced, and made minor editorial corrections to, the draft on Assistance to the Palestinian people (document A/61/L. 47), calling on the Assembly to show the same strong support for the text that it had shown in the past.

ANDERS LIDEN (Sweden) then introduced a draft on Strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations (document A/61/L.46), saying that, while the Organization’s emergency response capacity had been strengthened considerably, significant challenges remained in the implementation of important principles for humanitarian assistance, funding and coordination.  The draft addressed gender-based violence – an issue of growing concern -- and reaffirmed the principles of neutrality, humanity, impartiality and independence in the provision of humanitarian assistance.  Sweden had been an early believer in the success of the CERF, to which donors had already pledged $345 million for 2007.

Explanations of Position

The representative of the United States said, in explaining his position regarding the text on assistance to the Palestinian people, that, though his delegation had traditionally been pleased to join the consensus, it had regretfully abstained this year.  While the United States shared the concern over the hardship suffered by the Palestinians and had continually assisted them through substantial financial contributions, the text contained no language stipulating that the Hamas-led Palestinian Government must accept and commit to the three Quartet principles.

Action on Plenary Drafts

The Assembly then adopted, without a vote, the draft resolution on International humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disaster (document A/61/L.42).

It then adopted, again without a vote, the draft on Strengthening humanitarian relief…in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster (document A/61/L.44).

The Assembly then adopted the draft on Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel (document A/61/L.45) without a vote, as orally amended.

Taking up the text on Strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations (document A/61/L.46), the Assembly adopted it without a vote.

The Assembly then adopted the draft on Assistance to the Palestinian people (document A/61/L. 47) by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to none against, with 7 abstentions ( Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States, Nauru, Palau).

ANNEX I

Vote on Palestine Refugees

The draft resolution on assistance to Palestine refugees (document A/61/407) was adopted by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 1 against, with 10 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, United States, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia, Madagascar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia, Swaziland.

ANNEX II

Vote on Displaced Persons

The draft resolution on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (document A/61/407) was adopted by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to 6 against, with 8 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Côte d’Ivoire, Fiji, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia.

ANNEX III

Vote on UNRWA Operations

The draft resolution on operations of the UNRWA (document A/61/407) was adopted by a recorded vote of 169 in favour to 6 against, with 8 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Angola, Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia.

ANNEX IV

Vote on Refugees’ Properties

The draft resolution on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues (document A/61/407) was adopted by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to 6 against, with 8 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Fiji, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia.

ANNEX V

Vote on Work of Special Committee

The draft resolution on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/61/408) was adopted by a recorded vote of 90 in favour to 9 against, with 81 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chad, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, United States.

Abstain:  Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tonga, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Angola, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia, Timor-Leste.

ANNEX VI

Vote on Applicability of Geneva Convention

The draft resolution on the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories (document A/61/408) was adopted by a recorded vote of 165 in favour to 7 against, with 10 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, United States.

Abstain:  Angola, Australia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia, Swaziland.

ANNEX VII

Vote on Israeli Settlements

The draft resolutions on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/61/408) was adopted by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 8 against, with 10 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Australia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, United States.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Uganda, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Swaziland.

ANNEX VIII

Vote on Israeli Practices

The draft resolution on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem (document A/61/408) was adopted by a recorded vote of 157 in favour to 9 against, with 14 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:   Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, United States.

Abstain:  Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Honduras, Malawi, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Uganda, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, India, Kiribati, Liberia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia, Swaziland.

ANNEX IX

Vote on occupied Syrian Golan

The draft resolution on the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/61/408) was adopted by a recorded vote of 163 in favour to 2 against, with 16 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, Tuvalu.

Abstain:  Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Haiti, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, United States, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia, Swaziland.

ANNEX X

Vote on Information under Article 73(e)

The draft resolution on Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73(e) of the Charter of the United Nations (document A/61/411) was adopted by a recorded vote of 179 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  None.

Abstain:  France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States.

Absent:  Gambia, Kiribati, Lebanon, Liberia, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX XI

Vote on Economic activities

The draft resolution on economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/61/412) was adopted by a recorded vote of 179 in favour to 2 against, with 2 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, United States.

Abstain:  France, United Kingdom.

Absent:  Gambia, Kiribati, Lebanon, Liberia, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX XII

Vote on Western Sahara

The draft resolution on the question of Western Sahara (document A/61/415) was adopted by a recorded vote of 70 in favour to none against, with 91 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Chad, Chile, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Ecuador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  None.

Abstain:  Albania, Andorra, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Palau, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States, Vanuatu, Yemen.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Eritrea, Gambia, Iran, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Montenegro, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX XIII

Vote on Non-Self-Governing Territories

The draft resolution on the question of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands (document A/61/415) was adopted by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  None.

Abstain:  Equatorial Guinea, Israel, Samoa, United States.

Absent:  Gambia, Kiribati, Lebanon, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX XIV

Vote on Dissemination of information

The draft resolution on dissemination of information on decolonization (document A/61/415) was adopted by a recorded vote of 176 in favour to 3 against, with 1 abstention, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  France.

Absent:  Gambia, Kiribati, Lebanon, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX XV

Vote on Decolonization Declaration

The draft resolution on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (document A/61/415) was adopted by a recorded vote of 176 in favour to 3 against, with 2 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Belgium, France.

Absent:  Gambia, Kiribati, Lebanon, Liberia, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX XVI

Vote on Assistance to Palestinians

The draft resolution on assistance to the Palestinian people (document A/61/L.47) was adopted by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to none against, with 7 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  None.

Abstain:  Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States.

Absent:  Antigua and Barbuda, Cambodia, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Maldives, Moldova, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania.

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For information media • not an official record