96 (Kr.Gonzalez, Spain) Thismayproduce theparadox thattheindustrial nations maintain disjointed financial policies whilebythepressure ofexternal restrictions theyforcethe debtorcountries tofighttopreserve theirinternational solvency, sometimes ata veryharshsocialandpolitical cost.Itisevenmoreunreasonable toaskthe debtornations toapplypolicies ofstructural changewhiletheindustrial nations increasingly resorttoprotectionism asawayofavoiding adapting themselves to thechanging conditions oftheworldeconomy. Thus,thedebtproblem demandseffortanddiscipline onthepartofthedebtor nations, butalsorequires fromtheindustrial nations clear-cut, intensive co-operation farexceeding merefinancial agreements ontherenegotiation of liabilities. Spain,because ofitsrelatively modestsizeeconomically, cannothopetoplay aleading roleindealing withtheseproblems, butitwillnotsuccumb tothe temptation ofirresponsible rhetoric. Webelievethattheexisting difficulties mustbeovercome through international co-operation withinanadequate time-frame andbytakingfullyintoaccountalltheinterests involved. IcanassuretheAssembly ~~atSpain,which,likeothernations, hasinterests ofitsownintheissue,andhasadeepunderstanding oftheproblems ofthedebtor nations andveryclosetieswithsomeofthem,iswilling toparticipate inthis co-operation andtostimulate it.Tothisend,weshalldefendthesepointsof viewinalltheinternational forumsinwhichweparticipate andinforumsinwhich weshallparticipate intheverynearfuture, suchasthoseoftheEuropean ., Community. This,inbroadoutline, isthedisturbing picture thatarapidsurveyofthe international scenereveals. Thisisnottheworldtowhichweaspireorinwhich theCharter oftheUnitedNations klasledustobelieve. Nevertheless, this ,:J I':>Nil/at A/40/PV.IO Si (Mr.Gonulez! Spain) Organization ha3donemuchinthelast40yearsforthepeaceofaankind andhuman progress. Thejudgement ofworldpublicopinion on+.heUnitedNations dependsingreat partonitscontribution tothellaintenance ofinternational peaceandsecurity. Inthisregard,itwouldbeunjusttoforgetwhattheOrganization hascontributed 1.nkeepingsituations oftension fromdegenerating itttoopenconfrontations orin limiting theeffectsoflocalconflicts. Inthefinalanalysis, theobligation of allStatestojustifytheirinternational actions inthisforUllincreases the political costofanybehaviour thatiscontrary tothespiritortheletterofthe Charter. ThereareotherarenasinwhichtheworkoftheUnitedNations, seenin historical perspective, isimpressive. Nowthatweareo~thevergeof commemorating thetwenty-fifth anniversary oftheDeclaration ontheGranting of Independence toColonial Countries andPeoples, howcanwefailtorecallthatthe UnitedNations hasbeenaprotagonist ofdecolonization andthatitsinfluence has beendecisive inaccelerating thatprocess? Itistruethattherearestillquestions pending, butinallofthemthis Or9~~ization hasdrawnupanappropriate framework forasolution, whetheritbe through theexercise oftherightofself-determination orthrough theapplication oftheprinciple ofterritorial integrity. Oneofthepending colonial questions directly affects mycountry. Ireferto thecaseofGibraltar. Recently, SpainandtheUnitedKingdofIl havetakenan importantsteptowards thedefinitivesolutionoftheproblem byconcluding the Brussels Declaration, whichprovides fortheopeningofnegotiations onall questions, including, therefore, thequestion ofsovereignty. Weareconfident thatwecanthusputanend,inaccordance withthedirectives oftheunited Nations, toananachronistic dispute which,likeothersintheworldnolongerhasNIl/at--.--,--.-_._.~------~----~---~----------- A/40/PV.lO 98 (Mr.Gonzalez ~Spam) anyreasonforexisting between twonations unitedbytheircommonaembership in Buropean institutions. unfortunately, thedecolonization efforthasnotbeensufficient. Many countries haveremained trappedinthevicious cycleofpoverty, madeworseonmany occasions bytheconsequences ofnaturaldisasters. Inthisareatoo,theUnited Nations hasmadeprodigious efforts through theestablishment offundsand development programmes, technical co-operation andhumanitarian andemergency aid, ~ichhavebenefited millions ofhumanbeings. TherecordoftheUnitedNations, therefore, isnotinsignificant, butwemust admitthatcompared withtheenormous taskthatstillliesaheadithasnot responded fullytothehopesofthefounders oftheOrganization ormetthe expectations ofthepeople::;. Thishasbrought aboutacertain devaluation of multilateralism asamethodof,ordering international society. Itisparadoxical thatinanincreaaingly interdependent worldthatneeds international co-operation thereisevermoreinsistent talkaboutthealleged crisisofmultilateral channels andtheUnitedNationsiscriticized, attimes
**Analysis**
The text discusses the debt problem and the need for international cooperation to overcome it, highlighting the paradox of industrial nations promoting protectionism while expecting debtor nations to implement structural changes. It also touches on the topic of decolonization and the role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security. The text emphasizes the importance of multilateralism and the need for international cooperation to address global challenges.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade, Humanitarian aid and relief