text: human dignity. While, therefore, we would continue to make the sanctions as effective as we can, despite flagrant and most cynical violations by many countries, we must not overlook the broader context of the struggle for freedom which the people of Zimbabwe are waging and waging successfully. We are convinced that they shall win, even if these sanctions are ineffective and therefore the struggle becomes more bitter, more long-drawn and more full of human tragedies. If through the application of sanctions we can shorten the struggle and make it a little less painful, we shall have contributed just a little. 62. Mr. DE GUIRINGAUD (France) (interpretation ,frc~m French): Mr. President, may I first of all add my congratu- lations to those of other members of the Council who have already expressed to you what a great pleasure it is to see you take over the presidency of our work during the month of May. We are convinced that under your guidance our work will be conducted with effectiveness and also with wisdom. 63. May I also say to your predecessor, the Ambassador of Peru, Mr. l%rez de CuBlIar, how very much we admired his diplomatic talents, as well as his courteous authority, in the course of the delicate debates which occupied US last month. 64. On the agenda item I shall be brief. The Council has indeed on many occasions considered the question of sanctions against Southern Rhodesia and our position in regard to their application has always been clearly stated. 65. Although from the outset we felt some doubts about the results to be expected from sanctions in seeking a soiution to the Rhodesian problem, we voted in favour of their establishment in 1968 in order to respond to the expectations of the African countries and to the request of 
analysis: The text appears to be a speech or statement made by a representative of a country in the United Nations Security Council, discussing the issue of sanctions against Zimbabwe (formerly Southern Rhodesia) and the struggle for freedom in the country. The text does not specifically mention economic development, natural resources, or environmental issues, but rather focuses on the political and humanitarian aspects of the situation.