production, storage anddeployment ofnuclear andchemical weapons, thefirststage inaprocess aimedatthereduction andtotaldestruction ofstockpiles ofthese weapons. Thisisaquestion notonlyofthesurvival ofmankind, butalsoofthe welfareofmankind, sincethehumanandmaterial resources thatwouldbefree~ because afreezecouldthenbedeveloped toensurethewell-being ofmankind. This isadreamwhich ~isOrganization andeachoneofourcountries musttryto transform intoareality overtheyearstocome. InBurundi thisisadreamforusalsobecause webelieve inthecommonfuture ofmankinJ, andbecauseitisincreasingly clearthattheworld,despiteits diversity, despite theconflict intheideas,beliefs andinterests ofourvarious states,constitutes asinglewholeasfarasmanyproblems areconcerned.00/24 A/40/PV.S 101 (Mr.Nzeyimana, Burundi) ontheeveofthecelebration ofthefortieth anniversary oftheunited Nations, wemustmakeadecision: eitherstatesconsideritasaninstrument to ensurethattheirviewsprevail tothedetriment ofothers, andthusitwouldbea forumforconfrontation andantagonism; orelsestatesmakeofitapolitical systemforharmonization, solidarity andinterdependence, Mdthusaforumforthe searchforpeaceandcollective security, justice andbalance, economic andsocial well-being. Itisthelatteroptionthatwemusttake;thatist.'leoptivil ~ichmy countrywillpursuewithintheUnitedNations. Let~stherefore strengthen themachinery provided intheCharterofthis Organization, asproposed bytheSecretary-General, particularly thecollective systemfot'themaintenance ofinternational peaceandsecurity. Letushereenter intothecollUllitment totrytoreducetension, touseourOrganization asaforum formultilateral disarmament, takingnoteofthelinkbetween disarmament and development. Letusresolve andbesufficiently politically responsible to recognize thatthisOrganization hasthemandate topromote theeconomic andsocial well-being ofallitsMembers byestablishing fairness andbalance ininternational economic relations. Thatistheonlywayforthissession tomakethefortieth anniversary ofthe UnitedNations ahistoric milestone. Mr.HAMEED(SriLanka): Attheoutset,letmecongratulate Ambassador dePiniesonhiswell-deserved election asPreGident ofthishistoric fortieth sessionoftheunitedNations General Assembly. Bislongandvaried association withtheunitedNations anditssystem, aswellashisreputation as oneofSpain's mostexperienced diplomats, iswellknown.sriLankahasexcellent relations withSpainand,onbehalfofmydelegation, Iassurehimofourfullest support andco-operation inthetasksahead.00/24 A/40nV.~ 102 (Mr.Hameed,SriLanka) ourappreciation ~sdueinlargemeasure toAmbassador Paul Lusa~aofzambia, whoduringthethirty-ninth session demonstrated rarediplomatic skillsand capabilities inpreparing thewayforthisfortieth session. OnhehalfofthepeopleandtheGovernIIY~nt ofSriLanka,letmeexpress our profound griefattheheavytollinhumanandmaterial termsclaimed bythe earthquakes whichtragically struckMexicolastweek.Ourheartsreachouttothe Government andthepeopleofMexicoatthishtiurLatheirhel'oieendeavours towards rescue, recovery andrehabilitation. Thesession onwhichwehaveembarked isimportant, notonlybecauseitmarks 40yearsinthelifeoftheunitedNations, butalsobecause thecurrent international situation holdsprospects foradecisive breakthrough inquestions whichhadseemedintractable inthepast.Itis'ourviewthatnosituation is completely bereftof.hope; noissueissobleaktobeincapable ofsolution. We canrenderthisfortieth session morethansymbolic ifweseizethepotential for peaceandbuildonthoseareaswhereresults appearpossible. History, as ArnoldToynbee oftensawit,isasuccession ofchallenges andresponses, anditis thesolemndutyoftheinternational community torespond tothesechallenges to enabletheconstruction andmaintenance ofafairandjustsociety. Thepromise ofeconomic co-operation onaglobalscalehasbeenturneddownby thosewhohavetheeconomic muscle. Unilateralism andmyopiceconomic competition seemtobetheorderoftheday.Thenegotiating tablesfortherestructuring of international economic relations standbareandunattended. Themicrophones of dialogue havebeenabruptly stilled. Theprospects ofaninternational economic orderbasedonequity, justice andco-operation seemtobefaroff.BG/24 A/40/PV.5 103-105 (Hr.Hameed, SriLanka) AswegatherattheunitedNations forthisaMualcollective surveyofthe worldsituation, tumultucus eventsareunfolding inSouthAfrica. Thatcountry's turnDil hasr~relybeensointense andwidespread asithasbeeninthelastfew months. Therepressive actsofthewhiteminorityregimehavebeenextended to affectevenlittlechildren. Buttheresistance anddetermination ofthePeOpleof Africatobefreehasnotbeenshakenbytheseverity ofthemeasures thathave beenimposeda Daybydayinternational opiniunisbeL'9awakened i.~toa realization ofthemoralandphysical atrocities ofaparthei.,2. MoreandJfl10re