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General Assembly-Twenty-ninth Session-Plenary Meetings

that the German Democratic Republic is ready, now as before, to play its part. 142. From their experiences in the Second World War, the peoples have learned the lesson that it is only by way of equal and growing co-operation among all peace-loving nations that mankind will be able to achieve its loftiest aspiration: to maintain a secure

and lasting peace. A post-war settlement along anti-Fascist and democratic lines was the hard core of the decisions and agreements reached by the principal Powers of the anti-Hitler coalition. On behalf of the German Democratic Republic, I can state here our view that with the great system of treaties that has come into being since 1970, a post-war settlement has been agreed which makes possible good cooperation among the States and peoples. The decisive pre-condition of the progress which was reached on the road to detente in Europe and hailed by the peoples of the world was the definite recognition in terms of international law of the results of the Second World War and of post-war developments. Therefore, demands based on wishful thinking and reflecting outlived and yet dangerous ideas for changing the map of Europe are not at all helpful to European and international security.

As far as the national question on German soil is concerned, history settled it long ago. Freely exercising their right to self-determination, the people of the German Democratic Republic have once and for all chosen the socialist system of society. Today there are on German soil a socialist State, the German Democratic Republic, in which the socialist nation is developing, and the capitalist Federal Republic of Germany, in which the capitalist 143.

nation exists. Between socialist and capitalist States

there can only be relations of peaceful coexistence, the principles of which can safely be assumed to be known everywhere. 144. The historic chance of living in peace is becoming more real with the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. An early and good conclusion of that Conference would therefore be in full harmony with the legacy of those who fought against fascism. In the light of present-day realities this would be the best contribution all European States could make, as the Charter of the United Nations says " .. . to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in .our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind ...".

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145. Despite artificial obstacles, detente is being advanced also in other parts of the world. The German Democratic Republic pays a particular tribute to the growing role the non-aligned countries have played, both inside and outside the United Nations, in removing international conflicts, strengthening international security and enforcing the right of peoples to self-determination. We are very happy to note that our traditionally friendly relations with those States are growing in strength.

146. Detente creates more favourable conditions for the just struggle of the Asian, African and Latin American peoples to gain national freedom, strengthen their political independence and achieve their economic independence. This is borne out by developments.

147. The admission to the United Nations of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, a country with

which we maintain friendly ties, is a clear indica-

tion that the situation on the subcontinent has improved. 148. The withdrawal of the foreign troops from South Korea as urged by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is in the interest of the Korean people and would have a favourable impact on security in Asia. 149. We are resolutely opposed to the permanent violations of the Paris Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Viet Nam by the Saigon Administration and its foreign backers, and demand that it be strictly observed. The Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Viet Nam is an equal party to the Paris negotiations and therefore has the incontestable right to participate without any discrimination in international co-operation, and this

also within the framework of the United Nations. The national liberation movement, supported by the solidarity of the socialist States and democratic forces all over the world, has achieved great success in liquidating the remnants of colonialism. It is in this sense that we view Grenada's admission to the world Organization. Another case in point is the admission of Guinea-Bissau to the United Nations. Bonds of friendship and active solidarity link us with the people. of Guinea-Bissau. The overthrow of the Fascist regime in Portugal and the new Government's commitment to the right of peoples to selfdetermination should make it easier for this session of the General Assembly to adopt effective measures aimed at eliminating all forms of colonial and 150.

racist oppression.

IS!. During the session of the Special Committee against Apartheid held in Berlin, capital of the German Democratic Republic, last May, the States of the socialist community, their citizens and mass organizations convincingly manifested their firm determi-

nation to strengthen their solidarity with the peoples of southern Africa. An end must be put to racist terrorism in all its forms. Acting in this spirit, the German Democratic Republic signed and ratified the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid tresolution 3068 (XXViII). annex] immediately after it was ad-opted'. 152. It is gratifying to point to the substantial progress in creating a more healthy International climate. But the opponents of detente are far from laying down their arms. While they could not reverse the trend, their incessant attempts to create new hotbeds of international tension and maintain existing ones, to fuel the arms race and defend colonialist

and neo-colonialist oppression require not just close

attention but resolute resistance on the part of the United Nations also. 153. Is not the attempt to abolish the sovereignty of Cyprus a very striking example?

Together with tbe other socialist States and the non-aligned countries, the German Democratic Republic stands for vigorous action by the United Nations-to maintain the non-aligned status of Cyprus, to restore constitutional order, to have all foreign 154.

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