Question of Southern Rhodesia.

34. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED WITHOUT REFERENCE TO A MAIN COMMITTEE
192. Question of Southern Rhodesia

The General Assembly, Having considered the question of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Having examined the relevant chapters of 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,[1] Having heard the statements of the representative of the administering Power,[2] Having heard also the statements of the representatives of the Patriotic Front[3] who participated in an observer capacity in the consideration of the item, Recalling its resolutions 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and 2621 (XXV) of 12 October 1970, containing the programme of action for the full implementation of the Declaration, as well as all other resolutions relating to the question of Southern Rhodesia adopted by the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Special Committee, Reaffirming the responsibility of the United Nations in support of the struggle of the people of Southern Rhodesia for the exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination and independence, Bearing in mind that the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as the administering Power, has the primary responsibility for decolonizing Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in conformity with resolution 1514 (XV) and putting an end to the critical situation which, as repeatedly affirmed by the Security Council, constitutes a threat to international peace and security, Noting that the Government of the United Kingdom has resumed its responsibility as the administering Power and is committed to decolonize Southern Rhodesia on the basis of free and democratic elections which will lead Southern Rhodesia to genuine independence accepted by the international community, Bearing in mind the resolution on Zimbabwe adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its thirty-third ordinary session, held at Monrovia from 6 to 20 July 1979,[4] especially its affirmation of the Patriotic Front as the sole, legitimate and authentic representative of the people of Zimbabwe, Bearing in mind also the relevant provisions of the Political Declaration adopted by the Sixth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Havana from 3 to 9 September 1979,[5] Concerned about the threats South Africa poses to the independence, unity and peace of Zimbabwe, Concerned also about the threat posed by mercenaries to the establishment of genuine independence in Zimbabwe, Bearing in mind that the negotiations at Lancaster House in London were the direct result of the armed struggle by the people of Zimbabwe led by the Patriotic Front, their sole legitimate representative, Commending the firm determination of the people of Zimbabwe, under the leadership of the Patriotic Front, to achieve freedom and independence, Deploring the moves by certain States to lift sanctions unilaterally, in violation of the measures imposed by the Security Council under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

1. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of Zimbabwe to self-determination, freedom and independence and the legitimacy of their struggle to secure by all means at their disposal the enjoyment of that right, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and in conformity with the objectives of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV);

2. Reaffirms the principle that there should be no independence before majority rule in Zimbabwe and, in this regard, takes note of the agreements reached at Lancaster House intended to bring about genuine independence on the basis of free and fair elections;

3. Commends the Patriotic Front for its decisive contribution in the negotiations and solemnly declares that a just and lasting settlement in Zimbabwe is possible only with the full participation of the Patriotic Front at every stage of implementation of the agreements reached at Lancaster House;

4. Calls for the full and faithful implementation of the agreements reached at Lancaster House;

5. Strongly condemns the racist régime of South Africa for its intervention in Southern Rhodesia, including the presence in the Territory of its military and security forces;

6. Strongly condemns also the presence of mercenaries in Southern Rhodesia;

7. Calls upon the administering Power to ensure the immediate and complete withdrawal of South African forces as well as all mercenaries from Southern Rhodesia;

8. Calls upon the administering Power also to ensure that South Africa shall not carry out its threats to undermine the implementation of the agreements reached at Lancaster House;

9. Declares that Security Council resolution 253 (1968) of 29 May 1968, imposing mandatory sanctions against Southern Rhodesia, can be revoked only by a decision of the Council and that any unilateral action in this regard would be in violation of the obligation assumed by Member States under Article 25 of the Charter;

10. Calls upon the Security Council to follow the situation closely until the people of Zimbabwe achieve genuine independence and majority rule;

11. Requests all States to give urgently substantial material assistance to the Governments of Angola, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia to enable them to rebuild their socio-economic infrastructure adversely affected by constant acts of aggression by the illegal racist minority régime in Southern Rhodesia and by the application of the mandatory sanctions imposed by the Security Council;

12. Requests the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to keep the situation in the Territory under review and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session.

108th plenary meeting
18 December 1979

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[1] Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-fourth Session, Supplement No. 23 (A/34/Rev.1), chaps. V-VIII. [2] Ibid., Thirty-fourth Session, Fourth Committee, 29th meeting, paras. 5-17, and 36th meeting, paras. 29-33; and ibid., Fourth Committee, Sessional Fascicle, corrigendum. For the full text of the statement made at the 29th meeting, see A/C.4/34/L.27. [3] Ibid., 26th meeting, paras. 9-23, and 31st meeting, paras. 11-19; and ibid., Fourth Committee, Sessional Fascicle, corrigendum. For the full texts, see A/C.4/34/L.26 and 28. [4] A/34/552, annex I, resolution CM/Res.719 (XXXIII). [5] See A/34/ 542, annex, sect. I, paras. 51-60.