NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Foreign ministers of the non-aligned group of nations early Sunday concluded a four-day meeting by adopting the 'Nicosia Declaration' expressing its willingness to 'contribute actively and constructively to the ongoing efforts for solving regional and global problems.'
Shortly before the 92 foreign ministers concluded the conference, Yugoslavia was unanimously approved to head the group for the next four years, succeeding Zimbabwe. It marks the second time Yugoslavia has headed the organization founded in 1960.
The foreign ministers declaration welcomed the rapprochement between the United States and the Soviet Union and progress achieved in disarmament negotiations. But it noted 'serious problems and conflicts still exist and threaten to jeopardize the progress made.'
The declaration condemned 'South Africa's illegal occupation of Namibia, Israel's continued illegal occupation of Palestine and other Arab territories, and pressures and threats in Central America, particularly against Nicaragua.'
The non-aligned countries, the declaration said, were the first to start an organized campaign to halt the arms race, reduce tension between the super powers, and promote complete disarmament under effective international control.
It recommended that the United Nations adopt and implement a program for the elimination of nuclear weapons.
In the economic field, the declaration said the global situation is 'uncertain and gloomy' and that changes taking place in the international economy favors only a small part of the world while socio-economic conditions in the least developed countries remain precarious.
'It is not possible to sustain a world divided between haves and have-nots, as such a situation is inherently unstable and bound to give rise to human suffering, despair, violence and social and political instability,' the declaration said.
Foreign ministers also reaffirmed the principle that outer space should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, applauded a plan presented by India for a nuclear-free and non-violent world order, denounced the collaboration of 'certain NATO countries and Israel in developing and strengthening the nuclear potential of South Africa, and called on all non-aligned countries not to provide military bases and logistic facilities for great power rivalries.'
While condemning South Africa for its apartheid policies, it praised current negotiations between Angola, Cuba, South Africa and the United States for a solution of the conflict in South-West Africa.
Much of the document was devoted to the Palestinians and their 'just struggle under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, their sole legitimate representative, for the restoration of their usurped national rights, the recovery of the occupied territories.'
It said 'a just and comprehensive peace in the region could only be based on Israel's total and unconditional withdrawal from all Palestinian and other occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem.'
