text: existence. Manyofourbeloved compatriots madesupreme sacrifices forthesakeof freedom andjustice. Atnotime,however, didourpeopledespair orgiveupthe struggle. Weweredrivenbytheburning desirefordignity, justice andpeacein ourmotherland. Wedrewcourage fromthosewhostoodwithusagainstallodds. Inthatstruggle wewerejoinedbytheinternational community, whichgaveus all-round support andsustenance. TheNamibian peoplewillremainforever indebted to~veryone herewhostoodbyusduringthedarkest hou~s. Wecountthe Council forNamibia amongst thosethatwereattheforefront ofourstruggle. TrulytheCouncil wasareliable partner inourquestfornational liberation. ....J Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryBCT/fc A/44/PV.96 29~30 (MS.Amathila, Namibia) Theinvaluable contribution madebytheCouncil forNamibiawillremain,foreverin ourminds;itwillbeachapter inthehistory ofcurcountry anditspeople. Itakethisopportunity toexpress, onbehalfofmyGovernment andpeople, our sincere thankstothesuccessive Presidents oftheCouncil who,through their wisdomanddedl~ation, steeredittoitsfinqlgoal-namely, theachievement of national independence. Wearegrateful toallthemembers oftheCouncil for Namibia, whooftensacrificed theirownnational interests whilechampioning our cause. Nothing couldbemoraremarkable thanthat.Theybecamepartofthe Namibian family. Iwanttoassure themthatanindependent Namibiaisindeedtheir home. Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryRM/lO A/44/PV.96 31 (Ms. ~athila, Namibia) IsalutetheSpecial Committee of24anditsChairman fortheirmanyyearsof hardworkinsupport oftheinalienable riqhtofthepeople(IfNamibia to self-determination andnational independence. Wewishthemwellincontinuing theirchallenging taskandtheirverywinnable struggle toensurethatallpeoples regaintheirfreedom andhumandignity, inkeeping ~ithGeneral A~~embly resolution 1514(XV). Weshallnotforgetthemostvaluable services rendGred ourstru~gle overthe yearsbytheUnitedNations Secretariat. Itsmembers, too,occupyaspecial place inourhearts. Itisverypainful toremember thatofthosewhofoughtsohardallwerenot abletobepartofthejoyousmomentwhenNamibia bacameanindependent a.~d sovereign nationon21March1990. Amongthefallenheroes wecountnotonly Namibians butothernationals whomadetheirmarkonNamibian history aswell. One isimmediately reminded ofthelateSeanMcBride, formerCommissioner forNamiaia andatowering giantwhjsesteadfast dedication, innovation andforesight provided direction totheCouncil's workforyears. Withsimilar sentiments weremember thelateBerntCarlsson, thelast Commissioner forNamibia, whomethistragicdeathjustasthefinalchapter inthe decolonization ofNamibia wasbeingconcluded. Andweshallremember several others whomadetheirselfless contribution toNamibia's independence. TheGeneral Assembly underyourstewardship, Mr.President, hasmadeawise decision toconvene thisresumed session topay,inthemostappropriate manner, a well-earned homagetotheCouncil forNamibia, notonlyforitsservices toNamibia butforhavingbeenashining symbolofdedication tohumanity, freedom and justice. Weknowthattomanyofitsmembers thedissolution oftheCouncilis likeasaddream. Manyofuswhohavecometoworkclosely withtheCouncil feel Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryRM/10 A/44/PV.96 32 (MS.Amathila, Namibia)I thesame,butallofusareunitedandstrengthened bythefactthatthisveryact todaywillagainconfirm totheentireworldthattheinternati~nal community, ina ratherunique way,hasfulfilled itssacredt=ust: thatofreturning Namibia to itspeople. Although theCouncil, havingfaithfully andsuccessfully fulfilled its historic mandate, isbeing dissolved~ theGovernment oftheRepublic ofNamibiais strongly appealing totheinternational community, andespecially totheGeneral Assembly, toseetoitthattheongoing programmes andprojects underwhichyoung Namibians areundergoing training andfellowship shouldnotbesacrificed. Inthiswaythespecial responsibility thattheUnited N~tions hadassumed overourcountry andthathelped, inmorewaysthanone,toensureNambia's eventual decolonization canbebrought toadignified andworthyconclusion. This isthecollective viewoftheCabinet oftheRepublic ofNamibia. TothatendtheSecretary-General oftheUnitedNations shouldbegiventhe meansandempowered bytheGeneral Assembly, withadequate fUl~)Sandtechnical
analysis: This text appears to be a speech or statement by the Government of the Republic of Namibia, celebrating the country's independence and the role of the Council for Namibia in achieving it. The text highlights the struggles and sacrifices made by the Namibian people and their international allies, and expresses gratitude for the support received. It also mentions the dissolution of the Council and appeals to the international community to continue supporting Namibia's development.