Security Council resolution 321 (1972) [Complaint by Senegal]

Resolution 321 (1972) of 23 October 1972

The Security Council,

Considering the complaint of the Republic of Senegal against Portugal contained in document S/10807,^[1]

Having heard the statement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Senegal,^[2]

Taking note of the letter of the representative of Portugal contained in document S/10810,^[3]

Considering its resolutions 178 (1963) of 24 April 1963, 204 (1965) of 19 May 1965, 273 (1969) of 9 December 1969, 302 (1971) of 24 November 1971 and the report of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts^[4] of the Commission on Human Rights, of 2 February 1971, concerning Portuguese acts of violence in Senegalese territory,

Deeply disturbed by the attitude of Portugal, which persistently refuses to comply with the various resolutions adopted by the Security Council on this question,

Deeply concerned about the multiplication of incidents which entail the risk of a threat to international peace and security,

Reaffirming that only complete respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Senegal and all the African States bordering the Territories of Guinea (Bissau), Angola and Mozambique, and for the principle of self-determination and independence defined in particular in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, will make it possible to eliminate the causes of tension in those regions of the African continent and create a climate of confidence, peace and security,

1. Condemns the frontier violation and attack on the Senegalese post at Nianao committed by regular forces of the Portuguese army on 12 October 1972;

2. Recalls its resolution 294 (1971) of 15 July 1971 condemning the acts of violence and destruction committed by the Portuguese forces against the people and villages of Senegal since 1963;

3. Demands that the Government of Portugal stop immediately and definitively any acts of violence and destruction directed against Senegalese territory and scrupulously respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of that State and all other independent African States;

4. Calls upon the Government of Portugal to respect the principle of self-determination and independence, define in particular in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), and to take immediately all necessary steps to apply that principle;

5. Declares that if Portugal does not comply with the provisions of the present resolution the Security Council will meet to consider other steps;

6. Decides to remain seized of the question.

Adopted at the 1669th meeting by 12 votes to none, with 3 abstentions (Belgium, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America).

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1 See Official Records of the Security Council, Twenty-seventh Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1972.

2 Ibid., Twenty-seventh Year, 1667th meeting.

3 Ibid., Twenty-seventh Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1972.

4 See E/CN.4/1050 and Corr.1, chap. V.