theforthcoming sWllIllitmeeting between theHeadsofStateoftheUnitedstatesand oftheSuvJ.etm-,ion,pogitivte andconcrete stepstowards slowing thearmsrace couldberealized. Inthepastfewyeat'st.l\ematterofthesecurity ofsmallStateshasbeen addressed invarious i.nternaticnalbodies, including theGeneral Assembly. The Commonwealth, theOrganization ofAmerican States (OAS),theNon-Aligned Movement andtheUnitedNatiuns Confe~ence onTradeandDevelopment (UNCTAD, haveallplayed animportant roleinidentifyi~g theproblems ofsmallStates. SmallStatesareparticularly vulnerable tothevagaries oftheinternational economic system. Whenglobaleconcmic crisesoccur,thealready fragile economic structures ofsmallStatesarefurther wea~en~. Also,manysmallStates, likethe Bahamas, arearchipelagos, andtheirconfiguration makestheabsence ofadequate transportation andcommunication aformidable obstacle toeconomic development. Addedtothisdisadvantage isthefactthatmanysmallStates, particularly inthe Caribbean region, facethethreatofexclusion frominternational developmental aid onthegrounds thattheyarenotamongthemostneedy. TheWorldBa.nk'sprocess of "graduation" isonethatignores therealneedsofsmallStates. InpartiCUlar, it overlooks theneedtodevelop thedomestic economic infrastructure ofmanysmall States. Equally important intheeconomic contextisthefactthatalargenumberof smallStatesareconstantly grappling withtheneedtodevelop economic alternatives insocieties thatoperate largely ononemajorsourceofeconomic activity.AMH/4 A/40/PV.1S 9-10 (Mr.Maynard, Bahamas) ManysmallStatesarepronetonaturaldisasters, suchashurricanes, tornadoes andfloods. Theprecautions for,andtheaftermath of,suchnatural disasters causeaseveredrainonscarceresources. Vai:ious illegalactivities threaten thestability andsecurity ofmanysmall States.I thasbeenthefateoftheBahamas, duetoourarchipelagic make-up, to bethesubject ofasignificant illicittransittraffic innarcotic drugs, violations ofairandmaritime space,andillegal fishing. Attimes,wehavebeen Virtually helpless inthefaceoftheseadverse developments. Othersmallstates haveexperienced illegal flowsofarmsandmigration. Thesmallness ofour populations and,insomecases,thewidedispersal ofterritory, doesnoteasily enaDLeustopoliceourborders. Inthepresence oflarger, morepowerful neighbours whothreaten their territorial andpolitical integrity manysmallStatesfeelcompelled toincurthe expense ofbuilding upadefence forceatgreatcostinmanpower andfinancing. Giventhedifficulties manysmallStatesfaceintheeconomic sphereandin allocating human,financial andotherresources tocombatillegalactivity, andin endeavouring tomaintain theirterritorial andpolitical integrity, itisincumbent upontheinternational community tohelpsustain theireconomic viability and assuretheirsovereignty. TheBahamas, adeveloping islandState,wouldappealto theinternational community toadherestrictly totherulesandnormsenunciated in theCharter, whichareindispensable tothestability andsecurity ofsmallStates.00/5 A/40/PV.lS 11 (Mr.Maynard, Bahamas) TheGovernment andthepeopleoftheBahamas havealready conveyed their profound sympathy andcondolences totheGovernment andthepeopleoftheRepublic ofMexicoregarding therecentdisastrous earthquakes. Inthiscelilfieetioii, my Government washappytobecome asponsor oftheUnitedNations resolution on international relieftoMexico andapplauds theswiftactiontakenbythisAssembly inadopting it. TheGovernment oftheBahamasisgravely concerned aboutthedeterioration of thesituation intheCentral American sub-region, whichfurther imperils regional andinternational peaceandsecurity. Webelieve thatthethreatoruseofforcecanonlybecounter-productive and shouldnotberesorted tobyanycountry. Wetherefore continue tosupport the Cantadora Groupinitsefforts tobringaboutanegotiated solution totheproblems ofthatsub-region. TothisendweconcurwiththeviewoftheContadora Group thattheGovernments ofCentral America musttakeactiontoimplement the agreements arrived atintheDocument ofObjectives ofSeptember 1983. TheGovernment oftheBahamas believes thatthepathtopeaceintheMiddle East,whileelusive, isonewhichtheinternational community mustcontinue toseek withtanacity. Thecrucial milestones onthispathareasvariedandtenuous as theconflicts themselves. Recognition oftherightofthePalestinian peopletoa Stateoftheirown,implementation ofSecurity Council resolution 242(1967)and recognition oftherightofIsraelandallStatesintheregiontoexistpeacefully
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges faced by small states, particularly the Bahamas, in terms of economic development, security, and international relations. It highlights the vulnerabilities of small states to global economic crises, natural disasters, and illegal activities, and emphasizes the need for international support and cooperation to address these challenges.

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