CHAIRMAN: I call this session to order. The first item of business is scheduled to be the election of the Independent Chairman. However, before we proceed with the election of the Independent Chairman I should like to call upon the distinguished delegate from the Sudan.
S.A.M. KHALIL (Sudan) (original language Arabic): Mr Chairman, Heads of Delegations, Mr Director-General, ladies and gentlemen, this Twenty-second session of the General Conference of the FAO has been characterised by something which distinguishes it from previous Conferences, namely the consensus which has been at the basis of all our decisions and recommendations. This consensus is something that I hope will continue, and I trust that it will become a time-honoured tradition.
I should like to declare that I am going to withdraw my candidacy for Independent Chairman of the Council so that the consensus which has been formed in all our work will be maintained.
The reason why I have withdrawn my candidacy, apart from the reason I have just quoted, is that I do not want it to be said that the Government of my country and I myself created any sort of division in this Conference, because this Conference has been a resounding success. During the time I have spent in this Organization, and through the regional groups I have concentrated all my efforts to uphold the unity of these groups and to strengthen their role. That is the reason why I have never been, and never will be, a cause of division within the non-aligned or the Group of 77 which I now have the privilege of chairing.
The welcome, the satisfaction and the cordial atmosphere which has been the backdrop to this Conference, particularly when we were honoured by the visit of President Jaafar Al-Nineri, have helped to put the questions of cooperation into perspective, questions which we all act in favour of. Also, the good relations that Sudan has with all countries are an objective which the Government of Sudan, President Nimeri and the people of Sudan are constantly striving for.
That is why I should here and now like to congratulate beforehand my colleague, Dr Swaminathan, whom I esteem and for whom I have a great deal of respect
.I should like to thank all those who supported me in my nomination. I should like to thank them for the trust placed in me. I trust that I shall always be able to fulfil the trust placed in me to serve this Organization and those peoples of the world who need FAO help.
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CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much, distinguished delegate from the Sudan. Nevertheless, according to the rules, we are still obligated to proceed with the voting. Even though there is only one candidate, we must still vote in accordance with the rules, because I have checked with the Legal Counsel, the Parliamentarian, and that is what we must do. The appointment will be made by secret ballot as specified in paragraph 9 of Rule XII of the General Rules of the Organization. At present there are at least 94 delegates present, so I shall ask the Secretary-General to read the relevant instructions.
LE SECRETAIRE GENERAL: Les délégués vont être appelés un par un à se rendre aux urnes où ils recevront chacun un bulletin de vote avec le nom du candidat. Les votants devront indiquer leur choix en marquant une croix X à l'emplacement indiqué à côté du nom du candidat, présenté conformément au paragraphe IV(d)i. Est nul tout bulletin de vote portant plus de suffrages qu'il n'y a de postes à pourvoir. Les bulletins de vote ne doivent porter aucune indication ni aucun signe autre que ceux par lesquels s'exprime le suffrage. Voilà tout ce que j'avais à dire à propos des dispositions légales pour le vote.
CHAIRMAN: Voting will now commence and may not be interrupted until its conclusion. I now invite the two Tellers, Delegates of Austria and Mexico, to proceed to the voting area, after which the Secretary-General will start calling the countries. As soon as delegates have voted, would they please arrange themselves in such a way that the Commissions can be covered as well, because there is no quorum in the Commissions at the moment and their work cannot begin.
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CHAIRMAN: The Chair congratulates Dr Swaminathan and would like to recognize the delegate from India.
S.P. MUKERJI (India): Mr Chairman, my delegation is grateful to the Sudanese Delegation and to Mr Amir Abdalla Khalil, the distinguished Ambassador of the Sudan, and the Sudanese Government for their magnanimous and gracious gesture in standing down in favour of Dr Swaminathan for the office of Independent Chairman of the FAO Council. This has been in the larger interests of cohesion and unity especially amongst the developing countries. India is grateful to all the member countries of FAO for voting in favour of her nominee, Dr Swaminathan. We are grateful to the Director-General of FAO, Dr Saouma, for his most valuable contribution in bringing about this happy outcome of an uncontested re-election of Dr Swaminathan.
Dr Swaminathan is an agricultural scientist of world renown. Apart from this he is a great humanist, an administrator and a perfect gentleman who has been and will be adding lustre, erudition and dignity to the high office of the Independent Chairmanship of the FAO Council.
I am sure he will continue to enjoy the unreserved cooperation of all concerned.
The distinguished Ambassador of the Sudan who brought about this happy event is a young person of great promise who will have, I am sure, a bright future before him in his own country and in international fields.
Dr Swaminathan's uncontested re-election is also a clear indication of the policy of friendship and close cooperation amongst nations which India's Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi has been following so assiduously. She delivered the McDougall Lecture two years ago in this very hall. It was a message of friendship and hope for freedom from hunger for the whole of mankind. The vindication of her policy of friendship has been evident this morning across the continents, across the developed and developing countries, across the north and the south and across the east and west.
I believe I shall be reflecting the feelings of each and every one of the 156 Member States of the FAO when I say that this happy outcome of the election is a source of satisfaction, joy and pride for all of us. It would be a source of strength and confidence for the future of this great Organization, dedicated to the service of mankind.
The uncontested election of Dr Swaminathan today bears testimony to the underlying spirit of common endeavour and purpose amongst all members of the FAO. This will be a source of strength to us all, it will also strengthen the hands of the Director-General of FAO, Dr Saouma, in his untiring efforts and dynamic leadership to ameliorate the condition of the developing, countries and in his drive against hunger and malnutrition which afflict developing countries, especially those in Africa.
We thank the Director-General of FAO, Dr Saouma, and his staff for their cooperation. Most of all, my delegation thanks the Chairman for his able stewardship of the proceedings of this Conference.
DIRECTOR-GENERAL: Mr Chairman, I am very pleased to congratulate Dr Swaminathan on his reelection to the important office of Independent Chairman of the FAO Council.
Having already served in this high office for the last two years, his re-election is not only a measure of the high esteem in which he is held by the Conference, but also an eloquent reaffirmation of the confidence reposed in him.
Of course, Dr Swaminathan, by this time, is well known to all of you. His varied experience embraces a wide range of responsibilities, both in his own national government and in the international sphere. He has a clear understanding of and deep sympathy for the developmental problems and plight of the Third World.
During his first two years as Independent Chairman of the Council, we have come to respect his intellect and to admire his patience and tolerance. His own clarity of thought has helped to steer the deliberations of the Council towards consensus.
I am therefore privileged to welcome Dr Swaminathan, on your behalf, to this challenging office. As before, he can completely rely on the assistance and support of the Secretariat and myself. I personally look forward to continuing to work with him closely and with full harmony. Thank you.
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M.S. SWAMINATHAN (Independent Chairman of the Council): Mr Chairman, Mr Director-General, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I am overwhelmed by your kindness to my country and to me. I cannot find words to give adequate expression to my sense of gratitude for this renewal of your confidence in my ability to discharge the duties of the Independent Chairman of the Council.
I fully echo the sentiments so sincerely and movingly expressed by my distinguished friend the delegate of Sudan, Mr Amir Khalil, when he said that the cause which this Organization serves needs above all constructive cooperation among all Member Nations. The thought-provoking address of His Excellency the President of Sudan, in fact provided the guidelines and inspiration so essential for the success of this Conference, which has been rightly termed on this podium as the World Parliament on Food and Agriculture. I thank Mr Khalil for his generous gesture as well as his good wishes.
On this occasion, I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to the Government of India for nominating me for a second term. I an proud to be one of the 700 million citizens of India, a country which has not only been the mother of many religions and cultures but is also one deeply wedded to the philosophy of bread with freedom based on self-reliance at home and peace and goodwill among all nations.
To you, Mr Director-General, and to all your able colleagues I am grateful for the courtesy and cooperation you have always extended to me. This had made my task both plesant and purposeful. I am looking forward to the continuation of this happy association.
To the Chairman of the Conference I wish to say how much I have enjoyed the privilege of participating in a session so brilliantly and effectively chaired by you. You are what we call in India a true "Karma Yogi", that is a sanskrit term which means a person who seeks personal and professional fulfilment through action. You and the three distinguished Vice-Chairmen have been able to impart to this Conference a sense of dedication and mission, for which we are all very grateful.
Finally, to my colleagues on the Council, I wish to express my special thanks for the friendly cooperation they have always extended to me so far and which I hope I will continue to receive. I congratulate all who were elected to the Council yesterday. The FAO Council in my view is an outstanding example of achieving unity in purpose and action, amidst diversity in perceptions and background.
When asked as to what is the most important lesson he had learnt in his life and from whom, Mahatama Gandhi replied: "The most important lesson I have learnt in my life is from my illiterate mother who taught me to recognize that all rights accrue from a duty well done." It is in this spirit I shall try my best to prove worthy of your trust.
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CHAIRMAN: We can continue with the next item on our agenda, Appointment of Member Governments'
Representatives to the Staff Pension Committee, for which you have document C 83/16. This Committee
requires three members and three alternates to be appointed by the Conference. I invite the Secretariat to make a statement at this time.
Dean K. CROWTHER (Assistant Director-General, Administration and Finance Department): The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund provides retirement, death, disability and related benefits to staff of the United Nations, the staff of FAO and to staff of the related organizations which are members of the Fund. It is administered by the UN Joint Staff Pension Board which is made up of members appointed by the participating organizations. These committees are tripartite, they are composed of members selected by the organizations' administrations, staff and the governing bodies and in the case of FAO by the Conference.
Document C 83/16 sets forth the present Member Nation Representatives to the Committee. Only one, Mr John Glistrup, the distinguished representative of Denmark, is able to continue as a member. The Conference is therefore requested to confirm his membership and to appoint two new members and three alternates to the FAO Staff Pension Committee for the period 1 January 1984 to 31 December 1985.
In view of the necessity to attend frequent meetings at Headquarters, the Conference usually appoints representatives who are resident in Rome. I am informed that certain members of delegations have indicated an interest in serving on the Staff Pension Committee for a 2-year term, and I should like to ask the Secretary General to read the names to you of those members and proposed alternates.
LE SECRETAIRE GENERAL: Les propositions sont les suivantes: M. John Glistrup, Conseiller, Représentant permanent du Danemarkj; M. Tesema Negash, Conseiller, Représentant permanent de l'Ethiopie, M. Michael D. Metelits, Second Secrétaire, Représentant permanent adjoint des Etats-Unis d'Amérique, et comme suppléants: M. Ivo P. Alvarenga, Ambassadeur du Salvador; M. Amidjono Martosuwiryo, Attaché de l'agriculture, Représentant permanent adjoint de l'Indonésie; M. Hassan Ali El-Huraibi, Ministre plénipotentiaire, Représentant permanent de la République arabe du Yémen.
Dean K. CROWTHER (Assistant Director-General, Administration and Finance Department): If the Conference has no objection, I propose that the appointment of these members to the FAO Staff Pension Committee be considered approved. That is for your consideration Mr Chairman.
CHAIRMAN: You have heard the proposals, are there any objections? Seeing no objections and seeing your enthusiasm, I assume that the Conference agrees to the proposals. We shall proceed from here and they will be adopted.
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DIRECTEUR GENERAL: La création du Programme alimentaire mondial dont nous célébrons aujourd'hui le vingtième anniversaire a indubitablement marqué un tournant dans l'histoire de la FAO.
Le PAM représente, en effet, une étape importante de la guerre à outrance que notre Organisation a déclarée à la faim et à la malnutrition.
Il apporte à la FAO et à l'Organisation des Nations Unies une contribution importante dans l'accomplissement de leur mandat et dans leurs efforts pour atteindre leurs objectifs dans le domaine du développement économique et social.
Quoi de plus normal que la FAO joue un rôle de premier plan dans la célébration de cet anniversaire puisqu'elle est, avec l'Organisation des Nations Unies, l'un des co-fondateurs du Programme et qu'elle participe, d'une façon ou d'une autre, à pratiquement toutes ses activités.
Les responsabilités spéciales qui m'incombent dans le bon fonctionnement du Programme, notamment pour les questions administratives, financières et les aides d'urgence, justifient l'intérêt particulier que j'y attache.
L'idéal humanitaire dont l'aide alimentaire témoigne remonte aux temps les plus anciens.
"J'avais faim et vous m'avez donné à manger...", lit-on dans la Bible.
Cette foi de l'homme en l'homme est sanctifiée dans toutes les religions et affirmée dans toutes les régions du monde.
Le Programme alimentaire mondial en est une vibrante illustration.
Ce jour est l'occasion d'exprimer notre reconnaissance aux fondateurs, du Programme.
Les efforts qu'ils ont déployés sans relâche et le haut idéal qui les animait ont donné naissance à une institution dont la Communauté internationale a toute raison d'être fière.
Le Dr. B.R. Sen, ancien Directeur Général de la FAO, y a joué un rôle de premier plan.
Il s'est d'emblée rendu compte des possibilités de développement que pouvait offrir une utilisation rationnelle de l'aide alimentaire.
Sans sa vision claire et perspicace, ce projet n'aurait pu être mené à bon terme.
Les contributions de M. Don Paarlberg, aujourd'hui parmi nous, du Sénateur Georges S. McGovern et d'autres personnalités eminentes des Etats-Unis, ne furent pas moins décisives.
C'est l'annonce par le Sénateur McGovern, lors de la réunion de 1961 du Comité consultatif intergouvernemental, d'une première contribution américaine de 100 millions de dollars qui a transformé en certitude ce qui n'était encore qu'un espoir.
Le point de vue des Etats-Unis, tel qu'il l'exposait alors, pourrait aujourd'hui encore servir de Charte fondamentale au Programme.
"Nous pensons que la FAO devrait jouer un rôle majeur dans ce Programme, en coopération avec d'autres organisations des Nations Unies".
"Nous croyons que ce devrait être un programme véritablement multilatéral avec la participation du plus grand nombre possible d' Etats".
A voir ces débuts modestes, qui aurait pu penser que le Programme se développerait aussi rapidement et jouerait aujourd'hui un rôle tellement important?
Qui aurait osé prédire les dimensions multiples et novatrices que le concept d'aide alimentaire prendrait sous son égide en l'espace de vingt ans seulement ?
Depuis sa création, le Programme a engagé presque six milliards de dollars d'assistance dans 1 200 projets de développement au profit de plus de 110 pays; en outre des aides d'urgence ont été octroyées pour quelque 1,2 milliard de dollars.
Plus de 170 millions de personnes ont ainsi bénéficié de l'assistance du PAM.
La force et la renommée du Programme tiennent à ce qu'il a su démontrer de façon frappante les diverses utilisations de l'aide alimentaire: ressource pour le développement, moyen de renforcer les économies rurales, instrument de sécurité sociale assurant aux plus déshérités l'accès à la nourriture, aide en cas de crise causée par l'homme ou par la nature.
De toutes les armes forgées pour combattre la faim et la malnutrition, l'aide alimentaire est la plus puissante et son impact est immédiatement visible.
N'oublions pas deux des principaux facteurs auxquels le Programme doit son succès et son efficacité.
L'un réside dans les étroites relations de travail qui existent entre la FAO et le PAM et qui s'imposent tout naturellement eu égard, non seulement à l'origine du Programme, mais aussi à la complémentarité de leurs fonctions.
En effet, la majeure partie des ressources du PAM est allouée à des secteurs sur lesquels portent les objectifs et priorités de la FAO: encouragement au développement agricole et rural, mise en place d'infrastructures économiques et sociales, amélioration de la nutrition - assistance humanitaire - tout un ensemble d'actions qui contribuent à améliorer la sécurité alimentaire.
C 'est pourquoi le concept élargi et révisé de sécurité alimentaire et les approches nouvelles que j'ai récemment proposées s'appliquent particulièrement aux activités du PAM.
Je suis heureux que cela soit désormais largement reconnu.
L'assistance et le soutien techniques fournis par la FAO pour assurer la viabilité économique et la qualité technique des projets sont également primordiaux pour garantir la bonne marche du Programme.
L'autre facteur de succès provient de ce que le PAM est un parfait exemple d'association mutuellement avantageuse entre pays donateurs et pays bénéficiaires.
J'en veux pour preuve les déclarations de nombreux orateurs au cours des débats du Conseil et de la Conférence sur le Programme.
Il donne à tous les pays, qu'ils soient développés ou en développement, l'occasion de s'unir pour servir la plus grande cause commune, peut-être, de l'humanité: résoudre le paradoxe de la pénurie au milieu de l'opulence.
Le Programme est, à notre époque troublée, la meilleure expression de l'idéal de solidarité humaine.
Il faut espérer qu'un jour l'aide alimentaire devienne sans objet.
Dans l'état actuel des choses, cependant, le besoin d'aide alimentaire n'est pas près de disparaître.
Il faut donc réfléchir aux tâches qui nous attendent et aux meilleurs moyens d'améliorer sans cesse le Programme.
Ce n'est ni le temps ni le lieu de décrire en détails les améliorations qui pourraient encore être apportées au Programme.
J'en ai déjà signalé à plusieurs reprises.
Par exemple, j'ai indiqué qu'il importerait de mieux programmer l'aide alimentaire et les activités du PAM et de les intégrer davantage dans les plans nationaux de développement, tout en veillant à ce qu'elles soient complémentaires de l'aide bilatérale et de celle fournie par le système des Nations Unies, en particulier la FAO.
Les organes directeurs de la FAO ont réaffirmé ce point de vue.
Ils se sont aussi accordés à reconnaître que les projets du PAM dans le secteur agricole et rural et ceux de la FAO doivent se renforcer mutuellement.
La Conférence de la FAO a approuvé, il y a quelques jours, un objectif de 1 milliard 350 millions de dollars pour le PAM durant l'exercice 1985-86.
Cette somme n'est peut-être pas tout à fait à la mesure ni des capacités du Programme, ni des demandes et besoins croissants des pays à faible revenu et à déficit vivrier.
Le Comité des politiques et programmes d'aide alimentaire n'a-t-il pas estimé que 20 millions de tonnes de céréales représentaient un indicateur utile des besoins d!aide pour 1985?
Mais dans les circonstances économiques présentes, l’objectif retenu était sans doute le seul réaliste.
Oeuvrons tous pour qu'il soit atteint et si possible dépassé.
A ceux qui remettent en cause le principe même d'aide alimentaire, le Programme alimentaire mondial apporte un démenti flagrant.
Comme l'a dit la Commission Brandt "Ce n'est pas l'aide alimentaire qu'il faut critiquer, mais sa mauvaise utilisation".
Le Programme a toujours évité et continuera d'éviter avec le plus grand soin que l'aide alimentaire ne soit mal utilisée.
Etant donné le prestige dont il jouit auprès des donateurs comme des bénéficiaires, il est en bonne position pour regarder l'avenir avec confiance.
En votre nom comme au mien, je tiens à saisir cette occasion de transmettre au Programme alimentaire mondial les voeux de la FAO et de l' assurer de son appui dans l'action qu'il mène depuis vingt ans avec tant de succès.
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CHAIRMAN: Thank you Mr Director-General. I would now like to call on the representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr BI JILONG.
BI JILONG (United Nations): It gives me great pleasure to join with you in the special ceremony of the FAO Conference commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the World Food programme.
In many ways the World Food Programme symbolizes important principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations. It is in the first instance a joint undertaking by governments - a practical commitment by countries of the North, South, East and West "to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character". It is also significant that the World Food Programme is a joint undertaking of the FAO and the UN. By drawing on the capacities of its parent organizations as well as on the relevant organizations of the UN system, the Programme is able to harness the expertise available, and I believe that the net result is greater than merely the sum of its parts.
Established 20 years ago as an experiment in multilateral aid oriented toward surplus food disposal, the Programme is recognized today as an integral part of the multisectoral development efforts of the UN system. It has become one of the largest programmes of the system channeling about $6 000 million to more than a hundred developing countries during the period of its existence. Besides its regular resources, the Programme administers the International Emergency Food Reserve, handles a part of the shipments made under the Food Aid Convention, and supports certain non-food items in support of its development projects. The decision by the Fifteenth session of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes to set a target of $1.3 billion for the 1985/86 biennium, an increase of 12.5% above the target of the current biennium, is evidence that countries maintain their belief in, and commitment to, the Programme.
In its 20 years of existence the World Food Programme has been characterized by efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. For example, full and frank evaluation of its programmes has been a continuing feature of its work. Similarly, its increasing orientation toward integrating food aid into overall economic development, while avoiding the risk of discouraging food production in recipient countries, reflects an adaptation to our increased awareness of the problems of development.
The governing body and the responsible officials of the World Food Programme can look back with pride at their achievements. But as the WFP enters into the third decade of its existence, it faces a world of increasing need for food aid. The current food shortages facing many sub-Saharan countries is all too vivid a reminder that hunger and malnutrition remain one of the critical problems confronting the international community. The Programme will be called upon to make even greater contributions towards both emergency relief and economic development in the years ahead.
It is therefore essential that the Programme maintain its relevance and its strength; relevance in terms of the priorities in its programme of work and strength to contribute meaningfully to the development efforts of recipient countries, in particular of low-income countries. I congratulate the Executive Director, Mr James Ingram, and his illustrious predecessors, on their leadership and on their efforts to ensure that the Programme responds effectively to the increasing demands made upon it. I also congratulate the Director-General of FAO, Mr Edouard Saouma, for his invaluable support to the Programme.
In the final analysis, the continued effectiveness of the Programme will depend upon the support it can generate among member states, both donor and recipient countries. Let me express my appreciation to all those who, over the years, have generously contributed and my conviction that the Programme will continue to merit your support.
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CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much. I appreciate that message you have given us from the Secretary-General of the United Nations. I would now like to call upon Dr Paarlberg, who is being honoured here today.
Don PAARLBERG (Assistant-Secretary of Agriculture, USDA): Thank you, Chairman of this Convention, Secretary and greetings to you Dr Saouma, the Director-General of FAO. It is an honour to participate in this impressive ceremony. To be here is to renew my pleasant association with you, Dr Saouma, and with the FAO, and with the World Food Programme. It has been my opportunity to participate on behalf of the United States in earlier meetings of the FAO Council and in the FAO Convention. It is good to see old friends and to witness the consensus of the good feeling of this Organization so well described just a short while ago by the delegate from the Sudan.
I share with you some of the reminiscences of the origin, in the United States, of the World Food Programme, whose Twentieth Anniversary we are celebrating this day. During the 1950s the United States accumulated very heavy stocks of cereal grains under price support operations that were then in force. Some of these stocks were moved overseas bilaterally by gift and concessional sales under our Public Law 480, otherwise known, and perhaps better known to you, as "Food for Peace". The then Vice-President Nixon was, as he presently is, possessed of a keen perception of international affairs. He became interested in multilateral, as well as bilateral food aid. Where he got the idea I do not know. I was at that time special assistant to President Eisenhower, and Coordinator for Food for Peace Programme. It fell to me to check out Mr Nixon's idea on behalf of the Administration. I found in my examination and in other studies an impressive number of considerations for furthering the proposal.
First of all, the multilateral programme would permit us to get food into countries which might, for political or diplomatic reasons, refuse bilaterally.
Secondly, by cooperating with the developing nations in multilateral food aid we could demonstrate our concern for them.
Thirdly, a multilateral programme would help broaden the base for the provision of food aid which, prior to that time, had been provided disproportionately by Americans.
Fourthly, when the aid had been bilateral, we had been accused by other exporters of giving food to countries that would otherwise have bought from these other exporters, and with multilateral aid the other exporters would be involved with us and their objections thus blotted.
Fifthly, by adding the multilateral programme to our bilateral programme, more food would be moved to help the hungry people around the world.
There were, however, at that time - and that persists today - some negative assessments of multilateral food aid. Under multilateral food aid it was argued the United States would lose control of the destination of its food, and it was feared that as the volume of food aid expanded, we would be giving away food that we might otherwise sell. Some felt that expanded food aid would encourage dependency on the part of recipient people, dependency which would be difficult for them to stop, and for us to stop.
There were arguments that increased food aid would lower food prices in the recipient countries and would inhibit their agricultural development, and some said that institutionalizing food aid of an international kind would legitimize US farm programmes that over-stimulated production and piled up excessive costs.
On balance, as we weighed the argument pro and con, the favourable assessment prevailed, but it took a long time before outright advocacy occurred. This began with the Republican administration and achieved fulfilment while the Democrats were in power. The gestation period took a number of years; not an unusual length of time when the idea of multilateral food aid was embraced, bilateral programmes were continued and they do continue to this day. Thus, the advantages of multilateral aid were in part achieved and the disadvantages were minimized. The Congress gave a pragmatic answer to an issue which often is posed in ideological terms. This is the genius of the American political system. How look the arguments pro and con after the elapse of twenty years? Each had and has no doubt a degree of legitimacy, overstated by its adherents. The Programme has been administered with a strong effort to capitalise on its advantages and to minimise its dangers. Presumably, this is why the resources have grown from a target of $ 100 million to a billion dollars. This is notwithstanding the fact that the arguments pro and con food aid still go on. In a way, this reflects the unfortunate fact that despite the great increases in food produced on an overall basis and the comparatively high rates of growth in a number of developing countries, the number of hungry people has grown in absolute terms. There are many reasons for that. Certainly, it is not the existence of food aid which is responsible. In any case, I do not believe that the problems of food aid and food production create the need for an either/or decision. Food aid is a short-term solution to human suffering. Food production is a long-term solution to hunger,
malnutrition, and poverty, and it is well for the FAO to address both the short-term and the long-run aspects of this problem.
In this respect, while at the beginning of the World Food Programme we did foresee the need for emergency aid, we could not foresee the Sahel disaster or the enormous number of refugees that various poor countries now have to deal with. This is why I understand the creation of the International Emergency Food Reserves to go alongside of development of food aid, and this is why you now have a joint pledging conference for the ordinary target and the IEFR target.
I believe therefore it is fair to say that the World Food Programme has resulted during the twenty years of its life in a clear improvement in the human condition. This is a tribute to you in this audience who have administered it. I am happy with the role the United States has had in the launching and implementing of this Programme.
In conclusion, I would like to say how happy I was to be invited to this ceremony and to thank the Director-General and the Member Nations of this Conference for championing the cause of the World Food Programme since its beginning.
Thank you very much, Mr Chairman
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CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much Dr Paarlberg. We are happy that you are here and hope to have the opportunity to honour you and your contribution and pleased to hear your remarks which were direct and straightforward and gave us a good understanding of the early developments of the World Food Programme and how it ties together, and we appreciate that very much.
It is indeed our pleasure today to celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary of the World Food Programme. When the Food and Agriculture Organization and the united Nations began the World Food Programme, they really did not envision the great contribution it would make towards strengthening agriculture in the developing world, and I am particularly proud that the United States was an instrument in founding this honourable international effort. It is a credit to the people such as Dr Don Paarlberg. We honour Dr Paarlberg today. He and his colleagues had the conviction and the initiative for this Programme which today allocates resources towards development objectives which are in magnitude second in the United Nations system only to those of the World Bank, and experience with the World Food Programme shows that food aid can be an effective aid in agricultural development. More than 1200 development projects are a testament to World Food Programme's success, its efforts to span the globe. The Programme has brought about $6 billion to 114 developing countries. I commend Executive Director James Ingram and his predecessors on the fine job that they have done managing the Programme and ensuring that food aid actually reaches the people who need it. There is a tremenduous scope to the work the World Food Programme has done in agriculture and rural development in the last two decades. That work has been effective. We have seen efforts in land development and soil conservation on the sub-continent, dairy development in Latin America and the Caribbean region, rangeland and forage development in the Middle East, promotion and encouragement of women in agricultural development in North Africa, food security and price stabilization in Africa, resettlement and transmigration for new lands in the Pacific region. All of this demonstrates the World Food Programme's central focus on food aid as an investment for lasting development.
One of the best features of this Programme is the way resources are focused on those who are most in need. Over 80 percent of the World Food Programme trends last year were for development projects in the low-income food-deficit countries. The Programme wisely devoted about half of these resources to sub-Saharan Africa where food aid and the agricultural development are so desperately needed.
In addition to its development activities the World Food Programme has carried out emergency operations in over 100 countries to help both refugees and the victims of earthquakes, floods, droughts, and other natural disasters. This work amounted to almost $200 million last year alone.
May I speak for just a moment as a Minister of Agriculture from the United States on this opportune occasion? The President of my country, Ronald Reagan, commented recently on the importance of multilateral efforts to combat hunger. He said, "Traditionally, the United States has been the foremost supporter of multilateral aid. We make the largest contribution to many organizations concerned with hunger, including the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme and the international development banks. We were there to help found these organizations and we stand firmly behind them". President Reagan made this statement at the United Nations. There is little that I can add to that endorsement. Let me just wish the World Food Programme even greater success in the years ahead. The food aid it provides is surely a sound investment in the future of mankind.
The United States is very proud of Dr Paarlberg. I have known him personally for many years. He is a champion of agriculture, he is a champion of people in need and people that are hungry. He has had great vision and attacked his responsibilities with a great amount of enthusiasm and initiative, and I would say that without Dr. Paarlberg and others like him from the United States and from other countries, we would not have achieved what we have achieved to this date.
Nations throughout the world have made a devoted contribution, and their efforts for the effective management of the World Food Programme and other programmes, its implementation, assistance to thousand of individual projects and operations, all can be justly proud of their significant contributions to the goal of eliminating world hunger.
We congratulate you today, Dr Paarlberg. We congratulate the World Food Programme for its efforts as all of us work together in harmony to try to achieve the noblest of objectives of mankind, the elimination of hunger. Thank you very much.
Applause
Applaudissements
Aplausos
S.A.A. KHALIL (Sudan) (original language Arabic): Mr Chairman, Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Dr Don Paarlberg, ladies and gentlemen, we are today celebrating the Twentieth Anniversary of the World Food Programme. We would like to congratulate the United Nations Organizations and those countries which brought forth this child which has become a giant to combat hunger and malnutrition in the world. We should like to thank donor countries who have agreed to share their daily bread with others. We congratulate and thank World Food Programme officials for their efforts. The World Food Programme is in a particular situation in my country because it started the Wadi Haifa Project in Sudan. This is a project which the WFP can be justly proud of. On behalf of the Group of 77, I should like to congratulate the World Food Programme and wish it full success, and wish it a development of its activities to benefit the whole of mankind. We are sure that it will attain its objective, namely eradication of hunger and malnutrition in the world.
On behalf of the Group of 77, I would appeal to donors to step up their contributions and support to WFP so that WFP can fulfill its task.
Applause
Applaudissements
Aplausos
G. STUYCK (Belgique): Je voudrais associer ma voix à la vôtre,M. Le Président, ainsi qu'à celle du Directeur général de la FAO, le Dr Saouma, et à celle des orateurs qui sont déjà intervenus pour rendre hommage à l'action admirable et indispensable que mène depuis vingt ans le Programme alimentaire mondial. Il est permis de se demander en effet ce que seraient devenus les millions d'êtres humains secourus par le PAM si le Programme n'avait pas existé. Combien d'êtres humains ne seraient-ils pas morts de faim ou de malnutrition? Aussi faut-il que nous exprimions notre recon‐naissance émue à tous ceux qui ont oeuvré depuis vingt ans à cette entreprise admirable dans les conditions souvent les plus difficiles, les plus pénibles pour arriver à sauver tant de vies humaines.
Je voudrais à cette occasion adresser mes sincères félicitations au Dr James Ingram ainsi qu'à ses collaborateurs pour l'action admirable qu'ils mènent chaque jour pour lutter contre la faim dans le monde et je voudrais en même temps exprimer notre gratitude à M. le Directeur général de la FAO pour l'appui qu'il a donné au Programme au cours des nombreuses années pendant lesquelles il en a assumé la direction.
Sans doute l'aide alimentaire n'est qu'un aspect de l'aide au développement et celle-ci doit viser avant tout à rendre autosuffisants les pays démunis mais, hélas, il est évident que dans les circons‐tances actuelles les besoins d'aide alimentaire demeurent immenses et risquent de s'aggraver encore à l'avenir, particulièrement en Afrique. Aussi le rôle du PAM apparaît-il aujourd'hui encore plus nécessaire qu'il l'était il y a vingt ans.
En exprimant au Programme mes voeux sincères pour la poursuite de son action admirable, j'associe ma voix à celle de ceux qui, dans le passé, ont déjà invité les Etats qui n'ont pas encore contribué à l'action du PAM à lui apporter leur concours de manière à mettre le Programme en mesure de répondre aux tâches de plus en plus vastes qu'il doit affronter.
Applause
Applaudissements
Aplausos
CHAIRMAN: At this time Commissions II and III are short of delegates and cannot proceed with their work. We cannot conclude the responsibilities of this group if we do not get the Commissions' work done so that we can act on their recommendations to this body as a whole. I shall call a thirty-minute recess at this time and urge you to go to work on those Commissions and get the work done. We shall come back after thirty minutes and take a couple of other small items of business. Not everyone should come back here: we just want enough people back here so that we can finish the morning's programme.
The meeting was suspended from 11.15 to 11.50 hours
La séance est suspendue de 11 h 15 à 11 h 50
Se suspende la sesión de las 11.15 a 11.50 horas
CHAIRMAN: I call this session back to order.
S. AHMED (Deputy Executive Director, World Food Programme): It is an honour for me to represent the World Food Programme at this ceremony when one of its co-founders, namely, the FAO, is observing the Twentieth Anniversary of the Programme. It is a heart-warming gift that the coming of age of the Programme is formally acknowledged by the Conference. We are gratified by the expressions of regard and appreciation that the Director-General conveyed to the World Food Programme on behalf of FAO. Let me take this opportunity to recall the kind references that the Secretary-General of the United Nations made in New York regarding the Programme on the occasion of the World Food Day. We are also grateful for the statement read out on his behalf by Mr Bi Jilong a while ago.
The Executive-Director has asked me to convey to you his deep regret at his inability to be present, and to express his thanks for the recognition of the Programme. Unfortunately, he had made firm arrangements to visit some Latin American countries many weeks ago, well before he became aware that this celebration was scheduled for today. It would have been discourteous to the Presidents of those countries if he were to cancel this programme, and so he had to leave yesterday. You will understand I speak on his behalf and convey his thoughts to you.
If the Programme has steadily progressed from its experimental beginning some 20 years ago to becoming the second biggest source of assistance, after the World Bank Group, in the UN system, this has been due to the support, guidance and counsel of the international community and the active cooperation of governments and project participants in making the assistance more useful, effective and progressively strengthened and refined. The persistent effort of a succession of Executive Directors and staff, both at Headquarters and in the field, has also been vital in this process.
The generous remarks made here today and in the discussions in the Conference last night reinforce our conviction that the action taken in 1961 was well devised and fruitful for the people of the developing countries. Therefore, it is very appropriate to mark this occasion by honouring one of the distinguished pioneers of the Programme, Dr Paarlberg, and we join in congratulating him. In doing so, we not only honour him and his country, but the work of all those throughout the world scholars, statesmen, public servants and peasant workers - who have demonstrated their confidence in food aid as an instrument of development.
The Programme has demonstrated its ability to apply food both as a humanitarian and a development aid, the two going hand-in-hand. It is a partnership of the international community with the poor and disadvantaged of the world, not only to provide them with access to food, but also to help them turn the assistance received towards achieving self-reliance and contributing to overall development within a framework of national development operations. Food is the staple of life, fundamental to human dignity. It is the role of the Programme to be an active agent and catalyst in making all this available to vast millions in many parts of the world who otherwise would be condemned to chronic hunger and indignity. While the basic impulse of food aid must never be overlooked, it is also recognized as a source of promoting development. Indeed, the World Food Programme increasingly should be seen as a funding organization which uses not finance, but food for investment in development.
Food is a specialized resource, and as you yourself have said, Mr Chairman, WFP's 20 years of experience have shown that it is possible, with planning and imagination, and in combination with other inputs from governments and international agencies, to give food aid a wide range of applications in support of development. As has been repeatedly mentioned by the Programme, no less than two thirds of its food assistance goes to finance rural development activities.
The experience of many countries, some of them large recipients of food aid, is that food aid has helped them channel the available resources to advance their self-reliance. This is the ultimate goal of all food assistance. The Programme, in collaboration with governments, will keep refining its project activities to advance this paramount goal.
On this particular occasion, our hearts go out to the millions of people in Africa suffering from the effects of drought and other natural and man-made disasters. The Programme has come to their assistance as promptly and effectively as possible. The Executive Director has announced before this Conference and elsewhere that all the Programme's resources for emergency food assistance will be committed by the end of this year. The Programme has set up a special operational task force to look after this. In addition, the World Food Programme is cooperating with FAO in the Joint FAO/World Food Programme Task Force set up to monitor the food situation in the 22 specially affected countries and elsewhere in Africa. We take this opportunity to join with the Director-General of FAO and the Secretary-General of the United Nations in urging all countries in a position to do so to enhance and accelerate their assistance, both multilaterally and bilaterally to the affected African countries.
Finally, the Programme is indeed grateful to the Conference for its endorsement of the Programme's pledging target for the 1985/86 biennium. Conscious of the trust and confidence placed in the Programme by governments, we approach the coming years in a spirit of humility, with courage, conviction and commitment.
Thank you Mr Chairman, for all your very kind words of cheer and appreciation and also our thanks to, through you, to all the distinguished delegates who have spoken and to those who have not. We feel truly encouraged in the mission ahead.
Applause
Applaudissements
Aplausos
IN MEMORIAM
CHAIRMAN: The next matter to be taken up is In memoriam where the Conference pays tribute to all FAO Staff members who have died while in service since the last Conference and who contributed with their work to the achievement of the objectives and ideals of this Organization. At this point, may I also add my personal condolences for the untimely passing of Ambassador, de Freitas, the Brazilian Permanent Representative to FAO. He was a dedicated and capable colleague and will be greatly missed by all.
One minute of silence
Une minute de silence
Un minuto de silencio
CHAIRMAN: We now turn again to the business of adopting the report for the session.
A.E. KARASAPAN (Turkey): During the vote on the Programme of Work and Budget of 1984-85, the head of our delegation could not be present due to circumstances beyond his control. I have now asked for the floor to indicate Turkey's full support, and request that this be recorded in the Minutes.
H M. CARANDANG (Philippines): Before you vote for the adoption of the Report, I remember yesterday, after a long day spent on the procedure of voting, the proposal for a review of procedures for election with the end view of saving the valuable time of the delegation, as the saying goes, time is gold". I remember yesterday you made a proposal that the Council and its appropriate subsidiary bodies review the procedure of elections, so that, if possible, and if the Member Nations of the Organization deemed it appropriate, that when there is only one post to be filled or if there is only the same number of candidates for the same number of elected posts to be filled up, that there could possibly be a way of shortening the procedures for election. I just wanted to be sure that this forms part of our recommendations to this Conference, and that it should be part of the Report that there is a recommendation that this matter be studied by the Council, and by its appropriate subsidiary body.
CHAIRMAN: If there is no objection to that recommendation, that it shall be a part of the body’s Report, then that review will be made. I see no objection. It does stand.
B. SEQUEIRA (Angola): Just a brief statement. We agree with the proposal which has just been made, and we note that that proposal is made in the spirit that provides that the process of voting will always be kept secret. It will be observed.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you. I now call upon the Chairman of Commission I.
J.R. LOPEZ-PORTILLO (Presidente de la Comisión I): Muchas gracias, señor Presidente, el día de ayer la Comisión I adopto unánimemente un proyecto de informe que recoge en unidad la diversidad de planteamientos e intereses expresados a lo largo de las 286 intervenciones durante las 14 sesiones de trabajo realizadas.
Los documentos C 83/REP/4 y REP/5 que contienen nuestro proyecto de informe fueron revisados y aprobados por nuestra Comisión, párrafo por párrafo e incluyen cinco proyectos de resolución, uno sobre la situación de la alimentación y la agricultura en Africa, otro sobre el concepto revisado de seguridad alimentaria, uno más incluye las 12 orientaciones revisadas' y actualizadas del Reajuste Agrícola Internacional, la cuarta es relativa al seguimiento del Programa de Acción de la CMRADR y la quinta sobre el Día Mundial de la Alimentación.
Señor Presidente, la madurez de los documentos me permite solicitar a usted los presente a la Conferencia para su adopción. Pongo a su consideración someter este informe sección por sección, en vista de que la mayoría de las delegaciones aquí presentes participaron ampliamente en nuestros trabajos.
Antes de terminar deseo hacer mención de algunas correcciones que deben introducirse en los documentos en vista de que no pudieron ser incorporadas: en la versión en inglés, en el documento C 83/REP/5, página 11, párrafo 23, en la primera línea se presenta la palabra which mal escrita, debe escribirse correctamente. Asimismo, en el párrafo 22, quinta línea hay un guión entre overall y la palabra but que debe ser suprimido. Asimismo, en esa misma página, en el párrafo 24 se omitió en la versión en ingles la palabra timely, al final del segundo renglón debe decir "which could contribute to the timely formulation". Más adelante, en la cuarta línea de ese mismo párrafo debe decir en lugar de "rough approximation" "an approximation". Es decir "while being an approximation".
Asimismo, en la versión en francés, en el documento C 83/REP/5, en el párrafo sexto de la página 20, al final de dicho párrafo debe hacerse referencia, en francés, a "y las mujeres rurales". Es decir debería decir "los campesinos pobres y las mujeres rurales".
Señor Presidente, tiene usted en sus manos el proyecto de informe, le reitero mi solicitud y respetuosa sugerencia de que pueda ser sometido a esta plenaria de la Conferencia sección por sección en vista de la amplia participación que la mayoría de las delegaciones, sin duda aquí presentes, tuvieron en nuestros trabajos.
Le agradezco su atención.
CHAIRMAN: We can proceed with the adoption of the Report in accordance with the recommendation of the Chairman of Commission I.
Paragraphs 1 to 24 approved
Les paragraphes 1 à 24 sont approuvés
Los párrafos 1 a 24 son aprobados
Paragraph 25 including Resolution, adopted
Le paragraphe 25, y compris la résolution, est adopté
El párrafo 25, incluida la Resolución, aprobado
Paragraphs 26 to 34 approved
Les paragraphes 26 à 34 sont approuvés
Los párrafos 26 a 34 son aprobados
PARAGRAPHS 35 to 63
PARAGRAPHES 35 à 63
PÁRRAFOS 35 a 63
B. FURNESS (United States of America): Upon reflection, we find that in paragraph 55 the statement that the Conference has called for the conclusion of a more effective agreement, that is an International Wheat Agreement, with price and stock clauses. We believe that may overstate the consensus. We respectfully request that our views be footnoted, specifically that the footnote be appended to the third sentence of paragraph 55, and that the footnote should read as follows: "The United States of America recalled its doubts regarding the desirability, feasibility, or advisability of a New International Wheat Agreement with price and stock clauses."
CHAIRMAN: That should be so noted. Are there any other subjects to be brought before this gathering, on the World Food and Agricultural Situation, paragraphs 1 to 63? Hearing none, that section is adopted.
Paragraphs 35 to 62, as amended, approved
Les paragraphes 35 a 62,ainsi amendés, sont approuvés
Los párrafos 35 a 62, así enmendados, son aprobados
Paragraph 63, including Resolution, adopted
Le paragraphe 63, y compris la résolution, est adopté
El párrafo 63, incluida la Resolución, aprobado
Draft Report of Plenary, Part 4, as amended, was adopted
Projet de rapport de la plënière, partie 4, ainsi amendé , est adopté
El proyecto de informe de la Plenaria, Parte 4, así enmendado, es aprobado
J.R. LOPEZ-PORTILLO (Presidente de la Comisión I): Mi respetuosa sugerencia Sr. Presidente es tratar cada uno de los temas del Programa, es decir el 7, el 8, el 9 y, finalmente, el 10, de manera que le hago la respetuosa sugerencia de ir del párrafo 1 al 21, del 22 al 30, del 31 al 44 y finalmente del 45 al 49. Gracias.
CHAIRMAN: We will proceed in accordance with Commission I Chairman's recommendation.
B. FURNESS (United States of America): A technical point, but the footnote expressing the views of the United States on the Resolution in paragraph 21 regarding the revision and updating of the Guidelines and Targets for International Agricultural Adjustment has been placed in paragraph 18, where the Conference is recording its expression of support for the reviews and updating of the Guidelines.
Mr Chairman, we would appreciate that the United States position on this be reported and be footnoted in the text of the Resolution itself, that is, wherever the Secretariat would deem it appropriate, either in the title or elsewhere as it is appropriate, to indicate that the United States has in fact disassociated itself from the new revised and updated Guidelines.
CHAIRMAN: That footnote can be moved and that will be put in the location as requested. Is there any other comment?
M. AHMAD (Pakistan): I was only going to invite reference to paragraph 20, in which it is stated that "Many countries requested that a reference to New International Economic Order be made". It is not merely a reference to the New International Economic Order, but it was decided "Many countries suggested that it should be indicated that the purpose is to promote a New International Economic Order", and I would suggest therefore that this be amended to say that "Many countries requested that a reference be made in Guidelines I to the effect that the purpose is to promote New International Economic Order".
CHAIRMAN: I would call upon the Chairman and see what is your reaction to that. Does that stand with the position taken by the Committee or not?
J.R. LOPEZ-PORTILLO (Presidente de la Comisión I): Efectivamente, muchas delegaciones hicieron referencia a la inclusión en las orientaciones de ese punto; es decir, que debía estar orientado hacia la constitución de un nuevo orden internacional.
Sin embargo, el trabajo del Grupo de Contacto llevó a la convicción de que no sería factible incluirlo dentro de las orientaciones porque no habría consenso.
No obstante esto, en el día de ayer varias delegaciones apoyaron y recordaron nuevamente sus planteamientos en torno a esta cuestión y solicitaron que un párrafo específico hiciera referencia a esas solicitudes, que si bien no se incluían dentro de la Resolución, sí se consideraran dentro del Informe de esta Conferencia, en los términos en que ha señalado el señor representante de Pakistán.
Me parece que este párrafo 20 pudiera corregirse en este sentido: "Muchos países pidieron que la Orientación 1 hiciera referencia a que esos esfuerzos debían estar ligados a la realización o a la tendencia hacia un nuevo orden económico internacional."
Considero con todo respeto, señor Presidente, que es perfectamente admisible la inclusión de este texto.
CHAIRMAN: My question is does that really change the substance of what paragraph 20 says? So I am not so sure that we have changed anything, and if we have not changed anything, I wonder why we should change it.
ZHONG SHUKONG (China): The Chinese delegation feels that our report, that is C 83/REP/5 should reflect the actual proceedings at Commission I. As the Chairman and Pakistan rightly pointed out at the Commission yesterday, many countries requested that specific reference be made in Guideline 1 towards promoting the establishment of a New International Economic Order. That was the exact proceeding, so the Chairman's suggestion we support.
Similarly do we support also Pakistani's amendment, because that is in order and that exactly reflects the proceedings of yesterday's proceedings.
R. RAHMAN (Bangladesh): There was a long debate held in Commission I leading up to the reflection of this particular point. Now, we had initiated the proposal that the last sentence of Guideline 1 should include the promotion of the establishment of a New International Economic Order. Ultimately, it was decided that this should be included in the Report itself.
Now, we would like to underscore three points because these are extremely important to us in this particular paragraph 20. These three points are firstly, that the preamble of the Resolution relating to the updating of these Guidelines does include reference to the NIEO, but it is not included in any of the operative follow-ups.
Secondly, the position in al 1 multi lateral forums with regard to social and economic development has shown a consistent position in which reference has been made to the NIEO. By omitting references in the operative paragraphs to the NIEO, we are reflecting an omission which may carry the connotation that there is a retrograde step taken or a change in policy. Therefore, we would like to arrange that in supporting the strengthening of paragraph 20, it was in effect a compromise position. It should be reflected in a stronger version than at the moment. Here it states that "Many countries requested". In itself, the paragraph leaves the question unanswered because we do not know what happened to that request. In any event, we would like to suggest that "Many countries - " the proposal that was made by Pakistan and seconded by China, we would like to support that, and a stronger version than the present text that is reflected. I think the word "requested" should be also changed and we should say that "Many countries proposed".
CHAIRMAN: I think I get the picture that some countries wanted a stronger reference here but it was not a consensus. As the Chairman says, it was not agreed upon and it was not established. The point is, does this sentence say what really happened? Does it give it enough emphasis? lfMany countries requested" or "proposed" - I think we are just talking words here - "that a reference to New International Economic Order be made in Guideline 1."
If you wanted to, you could say "However, a consensus was not arrived at". Now, that said what happened in my estimation.
H.M. CARANDANG (Philippines): I would like to support the Pakistan proposal because it reflects what really happened in the debate. The words "Many countries propose" I think already gives us an indication that it was not carried, the proposal was not unanimously adopted by the Conference. Otherwise it would have indicated the Conference adopted it and then it would have been effectively reflected in Guideline 1, so I think the wording as reinforced reflects what really happened during the debate.
CHAIRMAN: The European Economic Community has indicated they wish to speak. It is true that observers do not normally participate in the debate at this stage of the debate, and I think I would request that you talk to one of your member countries and let them speak for you if that would be all right, and if you still insist, maybe we will accommodate you, but we are trying to move forward.
B. FURNESS (United States of America): I think it is fair to say that my country was not one of those that supported the reference to a New International Economic Order, but we have listened attentively to the debate, and we think that the language proposed by Pakistan accurately reflects the tenor and tone of the debate. It is true that many countries did propose this, and on our own part, we have no problem in showing them the same courtesy that you have shown to us in ensuring that our views are recorded.
CHAIRMAN: Would the Secretary-General read that language that Pakistan provided, or have Pakistan read it if someone has it because I cannot recall what it was.
M. AHMAD (Pakistan): "Many countries" --I start with the word "requested" but I think it would be better if you changed it to "proposed" that a reference be made in Guideline 1 to the effect that the purpose is to promote New International Economic Order".
CHAIRMAN: May I ask is there objection to that wording on behalf of the delegates? Hearing no objection, that wording will stand.
Paragraphs 1 to 20, as amended, approved
Les paragraphes 1 à 20, ainsi amendés, sont approuvés
Los párrafos 1 a 20, así enmendados, son aprobados
Paragraph 21, including Resolution as amended, adopted
Le paragraphe 21, y compris la résolution ainsi amendée, est adopté
El párrafo 21, incluida la Resolución asi enmendada, es aprobado
Paragraphs 22 to 30 approved
Les paragraphes 22 à 30 sont approuvés
Los párrafos 22 a 30 son aprobados
Paragraphs 31 to 43 approved
Les paragraphes 31 à 43 sont approuvés
Los párrafos 31 a 43 son aprobados
Paragraph 44, including Resolution, adopted
Le paragraphe 44, y compris la résolution, est adopté
El párrafo 44, incluida la Resolución, es aprobado
Paragraphs 45 to 48 approved
Les paragraphes 45 à 48 sont approuvés
Los párrafos 45 a 48 son aprobados
Paragraph 49, including Resolution, adopted
Le paragraphe 49, y compris la résolution y est adopté
El párrafo 49, incluida la Resolución, es aprobado
CHAIRMAN: They call this a steamroller. I thank the Chairman of Commission I for his assistance here.
The meeting rose at 12.40 hours
La séance est levée à 12 h 40
Se levanta la sesión a las 12.40 horas