tespect, the United Nations had played an important role in elaborating concrete measures to put an end to the apartheid system. The Eastern European States which had consistently supported that objective, reiterated their support for the Declaration adopted by consensus at the sixteenth special session of the General Assembly. The implementation of that Declaration remained a vital task of the international community. 42. Mr. VAZQUEZ (Argentina), speaking on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, said that rarely in the history of the United Nations had a meeting been convened for so gratifying a purpose, for Nelson Mandela symbolized the aspirations of subjugated, exploited and oppressed peoples everywhere. 43. Latin America and the Caribbean, like Africa, had emerged from a difficult colonial past, and the two regions continued to be faced with similar concerns. Both continents sought a future of well-being for their peoples within the I• • • A/AC.115/SR. 641 English Page 9 (Mr. Vazquez, Argentina) framework of liberty and, in that quest, Nelson Mandela shone as an example of perseverance and courage. For 27 years, his tenacity, and the clarity of his ideas, had broken through the prison walls to proclaim to peoples and to their oppressors that men and peoples would ultimately triumph because they had faith in life, liberty and justice. 44. As the anti-apartheid struggle entered what would perhaps be its most difficult phase, Nelson Mandela was the ideal person to seek a negotiated political settlement. Negotiations -based on the principle of equality for all -would undoubtedly lead to a solution. Pretoria had taken certain steps which were very encouraging. However, partial reform must not constitute an end in itself. The Latin American and Caribbean States hoped that the process of democratic change in South Africa would continue until the policy of apartheid was replaced by a united, 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a speech or statement made by a representative of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States at the United Nations, discussing the importance of Nelson Mandela and the fight against apartheid. The language used is abstract and focuses on the themes of freedom, equality, and human rights, rather than specific economic or environmental issues.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Culture