21. To those who are often at pains to stress the need to maintain the dignity, authority and credibility of the Secu- rity Council-and indeed, we are all agreed on this-1 would only wish to pint out how greatly these attributes are undermined by the Council’s apparent impotence to deal with the present situation. This is the third time this year alone that South Africa has invaded Angola, and we all know that South African troops have never left Ango- Ian soil, despite Pretoria’s professions to the contrary. This is the seventh time this year that the Council is formally confronted with Pretoria’s transgressions, of one kind or the other, of the Charter of the United Nations and inter- national law. 22. The representative of South Africa comes before the Council only to challenge its authority openly by repudiat- ing its decisions in advance. How long can such intransi- gence and arrogant defiance of the Council go unpunished? How long must the most powerful organ of the United Nations bow supinely to the duplicity and pre- varication of a recalcitrant Member State? How long before the Council becomes a laughing-stock, if it has not become one already? We must in all honesty ask ourselves these questions. Our response, I suggest, should be an unequivocal condemnation of South Africa and unani- mous and swift action to make it comply with its Charter obligations. 23. The PRESIDENT: The next speaker is the represen- tative of South Africa. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. 24. Mr. von SCHIRNDING (South Africa): Permit me, on behalf of the South African delegation, to convey to you, Sir, our warmest congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing a political issue, specifically the lack of action by the United Nations Security Council in response to South Africa's invasions of Angola, and the implications of this inaction. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that it is a formal speech or statement. The content is focused on the political and diplomatic aspects of the issue, rather than any economic, social, or environmental aspects.

**Category**
International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief