Question of South West Africa

XVIII. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE FOURTH COMMITTEE
1899. Question of South West Africa

The General Assembly. Having considered the question of South West Africa, Having considered the report on this question submitted by the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,[1] Having heard the statements of the petitioners, Bearing in mind the principles of the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples, set forth in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, Recalling all its resolutions relating to South West Africa, especially resolutions 1702 (XVI) of 19 December 1961 and 1805 (XVII) of 14 December 1962, Considering the decisions relating to decolonization adopted at the Summit Conference of Independent African States, held in May 1963 at Addis Ababa, particularly those concerning South West Africa, Deeply regretting that the Government of the Republic of South Africa has taken no steps to implement the resolutions of the General Assembly on South West Africa and, in particular, that it has refused to allow a United Nations technical assistance resident representative to be stationed in that Territory, Further deploring the refusal of the Government of South Africa to co-operate with the Special Committee, which has prevented the Committee from discharging the tasks assigned to it by General Assembly resolution 1805 (XVII), Noting with deep concern the continuing deterioration of the situation in South West Africa resulting from the intensification of the policies of apartheid, which has been unanimously censured and categorically condemned by the General Assembly in resolutions 1761 (XVII) of 6 November 1962 and 1881 (XVIII) of 11 October 1963, Observing with Profound regret that the Government of South Africa has persistently and deliberately failed to fulfil its international obligations in the administration of the Mandated Territory of South West Africa, Considering that any attempt by the Government of South Africa to annex a part or the whole of the Territory of South West Africa would be contrary to the advisory opinion of the International Court of justice of 11 July 1950[2] and would constitute a violation of that Government's obligations under the Mandate and of its other international obligations, Considering further that the continuing support received by the Government of South Africa from certain Powers or certain financial groups encourages it to persist in its attitude and enables it to do so, Deeply concerned at the present critical situation in South West Africa, the continuation of which constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security, Taking into consideration the special responsibilities Of the United Nations with regard to the Territory of South West Africa,

1. Approves the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples on the question of South West Africa, particularly its conclusions and recommendations, mid expresses keen appreciation for the work of the Committee;

2. Solemnly A, reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of South West Africa to self-determination and independence;

3. Condemns the Government of the Republic of South Africa for its persistent refusal to co-operate with the United Nations in applying the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and implementing the resolutions of the General Assembly;

4. Considers that my attempt to annex a part or the whole of the Territory of South West Africa constitutes an act of aggression;

5. Requests the Secretary-General:

(a) To continue his efforts with a view to achieving the objectives stated in paragraphs 5 and 6 of General Assembly resolution 1805 (XVII)

(b) To invite the Government of South Africa to inform him of its decision regarding the provisions of those paragraphs not later than 30 November 1963;

(c) To report to the General Assembly immediately after lie has received the reply of the Government of .South Africa,

6. Decides to draw the attention of the Security Council to the present critical situation in South West Africa, the continuation of which constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security;

7. Urges all States which have not yet done so to take, separately or collectively, the following measures with reference to the question of South West Africa:

(a) Refrain forthwith from supplying in any manner or form any arms or military equipment to South Africa;

(b) Refrain also from supplying in any manner or form any petroleum or petroleum products to South Africa;

(c) Refrain from any action which might hamper the implementation of the present resolution and of the previous General Assembly resolutions on South West Africa;

8. Requests the Special Committee:

(a) To continue its efforts with a view to discharging the tasks assigned to it by resolution 1805 (XVII) ;

(b) To consider, in co-operation with the Secretary-General and the agencies of the United Nations, the implications of the activities of the mining industry and the other international companies having interests in South West Africa, in order to assess their economic and political influence and their mode of operation;

(c) To report on these questions to the General Assembly at its nineteenth session;

9. Derides to maintain the question of South West Africa on the agenda of its eighteenth session and to resume consideration of this question in the light of the reply of the Government of South Africa, given in accordance with paragraph 5 above, and immediately after receipt Of that reply.

1257th plenary meeting,
13 November 1963.

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[1] Ibid., addendum to agenda item 23, document A/5446/Rev.1, chapter IV. [2] International status of South-West Africa, Advisory Opinion: I.C.J. Reports 1950, p. 128