textoftheActwhichcouldbeapproved nolongerseemsanimpossibility, orevena labourofyears. However, Iinsistonceagain-andiknowthatinthisIamjoinedbythe representative Governments ofColombia, MeXic0andVenezuela -thatinaddition to thepolitical willforpeacethatmustsoonbeexercised bytheD1S/4 A/40/PV.10 13 (President ArditoBarletta) countries ofCentral America -with'whichtheContadora Grouphasbeenholding discussions andco~rdinating mnetings, drafting andrefining agreements, promoting andfostering conciliation -theresponsibility forpeacegoesbeyondthescopeof Contadora;itextends totheGovernmen tsofcountrieswithinterestsandtiesin thisregion, whereviolence amongbrothers sowsgriefanddesolation. Weareclosetopeace,butwearealsoclosetoincreasingly dangerous and serious risksofageneralconflict, whoseunforeseeable consequences couldhavean impactontheentireworld. Weareinthetwilight between nightandday;atthis historic timeforCentral America,itisof~undamental importance thatweoptfor thedawn. AsanactiveMemberoftheUnitedNations, Panamaenergetically condemns the armsrace,whichcontinues togrow. Therivalry between thesuper-Powers isofdeepconcern tous,asarethe violent actions whichthreaten worldpeaceonthevarious continants. Besupport thepeaceful settlement oftheproblem oftheKoreanpeninsula throughdirectdialogue betweenitstwoparts. Wealsowishtoexpress ourwish thattheRepublic ofKoreaandtheDemocratic People's Republic ofKoreamaysoon jointheUnitedNationsasfullyfledged Members,sothatbothpartsoftheKorean peninsula maybepresent inthisOrganization. ItisourwishthatGeneral Assembly resolutions onthewithdrawal offoreign troopsfromAfghanistan befaithfully implemented, andwesupport the Secretary-General's efforts tobringaboutanegotiated political settlement ofthe problems ofthatnation. Wereaffirm theneedforrespect fortherightsofthePalestinian peopleand ofthepeop~eofIsrael, aswellasthoseoftheotherStatesandpeoples ofthe region, toliveinpeacewithinsecureboundaries.I ---- il_EMS/4 A/40/PV.IO 14-15 (President ArditoBarletta) WestressthatthewarbetweenIranandIraqmustcometoahalt,alongwith theforeign occupation ofcyprusandthetr~gicsituation inLebanon. webelieve asolution satisfactory toArgentina shouldbereached inthe situation oftheMalvinas Islands. Thealarmin~ situation inAfricaisofgreatconcern tous.Werecognize Africa•svitalneedtodevelop andtofreei.tselffromtheservitudewhichhas condemned millions ofAfricans tohungerQ Wesupport African nations intheirstruggle tofree thems~lves onceandfor allfromallsystems andformsofdomination, exploitation andracism. Wesupport theeffortsofthefront-lina countries against colonialism intheregionandstand insolidarity withthedesireofthepeopleoftheSahraoui ArabRepublic for self-determination andindependence.BHS/ed A/40/PV.lO 16 (President ArditoBarletta) Weareoutraged atSouthAfrica's policyandpractice ofracismandapartheid whichshocksallcivilized nations andallthosewhobelieve inthedignity, equality andtheinalienable righttojustice andhappiness ofthehumanperson. Westrongly condemnitsillegal occupation ofNamibia. Terrorism inallitamanifestations isapractice whichourcountry rejects andcondemns becauseitviolates thefundamental principles governing coexistence insocieties andbecauseitaffects innocent menandwomenthevictims ofcrimes whichhavebaenfoundreprehensible byallmank~nd. Wemustpromote peaceandjustice. I.amconvinced thatwecanwithout delay takeadvantage ofthepossibilities whichareopening uptowards therealization of ourowndestinies andtowards theelimination ofinequality andimbalances in development thatdividecountries intwotraditional blocs. Weareconvinced of thecapacity forcommunication amongmen,ofthewishofpeoples tocoexist andof therealpossibility toachieve peaceintheworld. Everyone canmakeacontribution towards enhancing communication between men andbetween peoples. Weareespecially proudtohavehadsuchanhistorical noble responsibility foralmost500years,infacilitating thepassage ofgoodsandmen between theoceansthrough theisthmus ofPanama. Hencewehaveoptedlorpeaceful negotiation inthehighestspiritofconsultation andmutualrespect inour dealings withtheUnitedStatesofAmerica overthethornyproblem ofthePanama Canal. TheTorrijos-Carter treaties of1977showthatbothcountries arewell disposed toanorderly andharmonious transition oftheprimary responsibility for administering anddefending thiswaterway untilthelastdayof1999,whenitwill befullyPanama's. Panamaaskedforandreceived international support forits cause.Itpledgeditselfbeforetheworldtoactwithagreatsenseof responsibility, andithasdoneso.Todaywecontinue todevelop ourdemocracy,
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement by the President of Panama, addressing various global issues, international relations, and regional concerns. It touches on topics such as peace, conflict resolution, human rights, and international cooperation. While it does not explicitly focus on economic development or natural resources, it does mention the Panama Canal, which is a significant economic asset for the country.

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