to enforce the provisions of Decree No. 1.

The fourth resolution, entitled "Action by intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations with respect to Namibia" and sponsored by 53 states, inter alia (1) requested all UN agencies and organizations, in consultation with the Council for Namibia, to prepare assistance programs for the Namibian people and SWAPO; (2) requested all UN organizations to consider granting full membership to the Council for Namibia so it might participate as the administering authority for Namibia in those organizations; (3) requested all intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, bodies, and conferences to ensure the protection of Namibian rights and interests and to invite the Council for Namibia to participate whenever such rights and interests are involved.

The Fourth Committee approved the resolution by a vote of 118 to 0, with 7 abstentions (U.S.) and the Assembly adopted it by a vote of 120 to 0, with 7 abstentions (U.S.).. 147 The United States abstained because it could not support the paragraph calling for assistance by the specialized agencies to a liberation movement. (For a fuller discussion of the U.S. position on this issue see p. 344.)

The fifth resolution, eventually sponsored by 54 states, concerned "Dissemination of information on Namibia." Stressing the need to arouse world public opinion to assist Namibia, the resolution in its main paragraphs (1) requested the Council for Namibia to send a mission to the headquarters of specialized agencies and nongovernmental organizations to discuss the dissemination of information and assistance to Namibians; (2) requested the Secretary General to direct the Office of Public Information of the UN Secretariat, in cooperation with the Council for Namibia, to promote and continue publicity through all media on the Council, SWAPO, and the struggle for independence in Namibia in order to mobilize public support for Namibia; (3) decided to observe the week of October 27 as a week of solidarity with the people of Namibia and SWAPO; and (4) requested the preparation of a comprehensive UN map of Namibia reflecting the territorial integrity of the Territory of Namibia.

The Fourth Committee approved the resolution by a vote of 124 to 0, with 4 abstentions (U.S.), and the Assembly adopted it by a vote of 123 to 0,

14/ Resolution 31/149.

with 4 abstentions (U.S.).15/ The United States abstained because, among other things, it opposed the excessive expenditure of UN funds which would be required for the publicity campaign recommended by the resolution.

The sixth resolution, sponsored by 53 states, was on the UN Fund for Namibia. Among other provisions, it (1) approved the conclusions and recommendations of the report of the Council for Namibia on the activities of the Fund for Namibia; (2) decided to allocate to the Fund $300,000 from the regular UN budget for 1977; (3) appealed for generous voluntary contributions to the Fund from governmental, intergovernmental, and nongovernmental entities; (4) requested the UN specialized agencies and other organizations to give priority to the allocation of funds for material assistance to the Namibian people, and to assist the UN Institute for Namibia in all possible ways, including the provision of specialists, lecturers, and researchers.

This resolution was adopted without objection by both the Committee and the Assembly.167 The United States supported the resolution, but reaffirmed its view that UN voluntary funds should be maintained by voluntary contributions and not by disbursements from the regular budget.

The seventh resolution, eventually sponsored by 51 states, concerned "Observer status for SWAPO." Recognizing the "crucial phase" reached in the struggle of the Namibian people and the added demands placed upon their liberation movement, the resolution invited SWAPO to participate as as observer in the sessions and work of the General Assembly, all international conferences convened under the auspices of the General Assembly, and all international conferences convened under the auspices of other organs of the United Nations. It then requested the Secretary General to take steps to implement the resolution and to grant all the facilities required.

The resolution was approved in the Fourth Committee by a vote of 114 to 0, with 13 abstentions (U.S.), and adopted by the Assembly by vote of 113 to 0, with 13 abstentions (U.S.). States abstained because, although it viewed SWAPO

15/ Resolution 31/150.

16/ Resolution 31/151.

17/ Resolution 31/152.

bY79

The United

as an important element of any future state of Namibia, it did not consider SWAPO to be the sole legitimate representative of all the Namibian people. The U.S. Representative objected that the resolution "would seem to preclude any role for any other Namibians at the United Nations," and that it did not advance the prospects for negotiations.

The final resolution, introduced by Finland and sponsored by 28 states, presented a "Nationhood Program" that, after reaffirming the UN determination to fulfill the responsibility it had assumed for the people and Territory of Namibia, decided to launch, in support of the nationhood of Namibia, a comprehensive assistance program within the UN system, covering both the present struggle for and the initial years of independence in Namibia. The Program would include the planning and implementation of a comprehensive and sustained plan for assistance by UN organizations. The resolution called upon the Council for Namibia to elaborate, in cooperation with SWAPO, the guidelines for the program and to direct and coordinate its implementation; invited all states to support measures for assistance to Namibians and to contribute to the UN Fund for Namibia and the UN Institute for Namibia; and called upon all UN organizations to participate in the planning and implementation of the Nationhood Program.

The resolution was adopted without objection by both the Fourth Committee and the Assembly.18/ The United States joined in the consensus because it endorsed efforts to prepare the people of Namibia for independence, but explained that this did not change its position on the status of SWAPO.

The U.S. Representative, after explaining his votes on the various Namibian resolutions in the Fourth Committee, pointed out that, despite its disagreement with a number of points in the resolutions, the United States remained steadfast in its policy of seeking to promote a conference of the parties involved in the Namibian problem, under UN auspices, with a view to achieving early independence. He stated the continued U.S. support for the Security Council resolution 385 (see above, p. 317) concerning the future of the territory. He reiterated statements by Ambassador Scranton and Secretary Kissinger pledging support for majority rule and independence in Namibia, so that, in Secretary Kissinger's words, "It may . . . be a proud achievement of this organization and a symbol of international cooperation." The U.S. votes on the

18/ Resolution 31/153.

resolutions, Mr. Hess explained, reflected the U.S. view that they did not positively contribute to this goal.

SOUTHERN RHODESIA

The question of Southern Rhodesia has been the subject of extensive consideration by both the Security Council and the General Assembly since the white minority led by Ian Smith unilaterally declared independence from the British in 1965. In 1976 the question took on new and added importance because of intensive consultations by Secretary Kissinger with leaders of South Africa, the frontline states of southern Africa, and with Ian Smith himself. The Secretary's consultations led to the announcement on September 24, 1976, by Ian Smith of the Rhodesian regime's acceptance of a plan worked out by Secretary Kissinger which would lead to black majority rule in the territory. The immediate result of the U.S. initiative was the convening of a conference in Geneva between the Smith regime and the four prominent nationalist groups. The conference was chaired by the United Kingdom, in the person of the U.K. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ivor Richard. At year's end the conference was embroiled in a discussion over the form of the transition government.

SECURITY COUNCIL

On two occasions earlier in the year the Security Council considered items related to Rhodesia.

Offset Assistance to Mozambique

On March 17 the Council unanimously adopted a resolution197 which appealed to all states and to the UN system to provide immediate assistance to Mozambique to help it offset the financial losses it would incur as a result of its full enforcement of UN sanctions against Southern Rhodesia. The Council on this occasion acted as a result of a request from Mozambique following the announcement on March 3 by Mozambican President Samora Machel that his nation would immediately close its borders with Rhodesia. The closure of the crucial rail link between Rhodesia and the Mozambique port city of Beira blocked one of landlocked Rhodesia's main

19/ Resolution 386 (1976).

routes of access to the sea. The economic losses to Mozambique of rail fees and export duties was later estimated to be $49 million annually.

In a statement before the Council on March 17, Ambassador Bennett said that the United States was pleased to join other delegations in commending Mozambique for its actions and appealing for aid. He stated that the United States would give favorable consideration to assistance to Mozambique in offsetting the heavy financial burdens it would incur. (Later in the year the United States gave Mozambique $12.5 million in grant assistance and food supplies.) Ambassador Bennett emphasized the total dedication of the United States to majority rule and opposition to the Smith regime.

The Security Council's appeal was subsequently endorsed without vote by ECOSOC on May 11 and August 320/and by the General Assembly on December 1.

Expansion of Sanctions

On April 6 the Security Council considered

the 1975 report of its Sanctions Commifred

In

The Coun

21/

that report the Committee recommended expanding the program of economic sanctions to include the areas of insurance, trade names, and franchises within the scope of mandatory sanctions. cil unanimously adopted a resolution23/which decided that all states should take measures to insure compliance by their nationals and persons within their territory with the sanctions in the areas recommended by the Committee.

The United States joined the 14 other Council members in cosponsoring the resolution. In a statement after the vote Ambassador Scranton reiterated U.S. support for majority rule and quoted a statement from President Ford that the United States was "totally dedicated to seeing to it that the majority becomes the ruling power in Rhodesia."

20/ Resolution 1987 (LX) and 2020 (LXI).

21/ Resolution 31/43.

22/ The Sanctions Committee, which has the same composition as the Security Council, was established by the Council on May 29, 1968, by the same resolution that imposed comprehensive mandatory economic sanctions against Southern Rhodesia.

23/ Resolution 388 (1976).