UNITED NATIONS: An overwhelming majority of UN. Members approved an appeal to the Security Council for comprehensive mandatory sanctions against South Africa.
In a General Assembly vote they adopted by 1260 with 24 abstentions a resolution calling for the urgent convening of the Security Council which under the charter is the only U.N. body empowered to order enforcement measures.
Most of the abstentions were cast by western members.
The Assembly acted after four days of debate at a special session summoned to consider South Africa’s failure to implement a 1978 Security Council resolution setting terms for the independence of Namibia (South West Africa) The resolution upheld what was termed the legitimacy of the struggle of the Namibian people by every means at their disposal included armed struggle to repel South Africa’s aggression.
The proceedings were marked by success for United States efforts to deflect criticism of its policies towards South Africa. For Wana required two thirds majorities the General Assembly rejected a call on the Reagan administration to desist form linking a demand for the withdrawal of Cuban troops in Angola to Nemibian independence.
The vote was 65 to 48 with 27 abstentions and the President Humayun Rasheed Choudhury of Bangladesh ruled that the phrase “s not retained
The General Assembly voted 60 to 48 with 30 abstentions in favour of rejecting the Reagan administrations. Policies of constructive engagement and Cuban troop linkage. Choudhury declared therefore that this singling out of the Americans was also not retained.
Under the rules abstentions do not count in determining the basis for two thirds of majority.
Ghana led a bid to set aside the two thirds majority requirement but Choudhury ruling was accepted on the basis that there was ample precedent for it.
The United States has repeatedly accused the third world majority in the United Nations of anti-Americanism and warned that it would scrutinise voting patterns this year. Countries that persistently attacked the United States were put choice that their actions might influence American aid decisions.
Today’s Assembly action is expected to precipitate a meeting of the Security Council within a few weeks when the United States and Britain which oppose comprehensive sanctions against South Africa appear likely to veto any move for a sweeping embargo.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 26, 1986
