text: established incloseco-ordination withtherealization oftheprinciples of self-determination ofallnations andnationalities, inclUding thepreservation of theiridentity andthedevelopment ofsuchnational phenomena aslanguage, literacy, literature andthearts. Thankstotheadvantages ofthesocialist system, thepeoples oftheSOviet union,oppressed inthepast,backward anddivided, nowstandtogether, unitedand therefore strong, andhaveoverahistorically shortspanoftimereached theJOOst advanced frontiers ofeconomic development andcreated aflourishing spiritual culture andattained theheights ofhumancivilization. Webelieve thatthisisthepaththatnotonlyleadstoeconomic andspiritual prosperity but.alsocontributestothebuilding oftrustbetween peoples and,on thisbasis,tobringing themclosertogether andconcerting theirefforts inorder toattainthegoalscommontoallmankind. Thatishowweunderstand theessence ofthequestion oftherightsandfreedoms oftheindividual andpeoples. TheunitedNations. byvirtueofitsCharter imustplayanimportant rolein encouraging anddeveloping respect forhumanrightsthroughout theworld. This provision, whichlaidthegroundwork fo~international co-operation inthefieldof humanrights, wasincluded intheunitedNations Charter ontheinitiative ofthe SOvietUnion. ~'ortyyearshavegonebysincethattimebut,regrettably, tothis verydayflagrant, massive violations ofhumanrights andfundamental freedolnB areMLG/at A/40/W.6 77----_._-----~~-----------, (Mr.Shevardnadze, USSR) takingplace. Thisisaninherent character isticofasociety wherethepowerand wealthofaIDinority existattheexpense ofthemajority ofthepopulation. Such violations havebecomeanormoflifeinthoseStateswhoseleaders aretryingso hardtodepictthemselves aschampions ofhumanrights. Ishouldlikeonceagainto.drawmembers' attp.ntion toaproblem, thesolution towhichwilllargely shapetheworldofourchildren, grandchildren andgreat grandchildren. Iamreferring totheproblemofthepeaceful exploration ofouter space. Untilonlyrecently, spacewastherealmofscience fiction, butithasnow becomeatheatreefman'spractical activities.Thepeaceful exploration ofspace holdsoutformankind trulylimitless prospects ofutilizing scientific and technological achievements topronote theil!conomic andsocialprogress ofthe peoples oftheworldandtosolvethetremendous problems facingmankind onEarth. However, thesetrulycosmicdimensions -andhereIamnotspeaking figuratively butliterally -alsopresent newrequirements totheinhabitants of theEarthandabovealltotheleaders ofstates. Thereshouldbenorepetition ofthemistake madefourdecades agowhenStates andthepeoplesoftheworldwereunabletoprevent thegreatintellectual achievement ofthemid-twentieth century -therelease oftheenergyoftheatomic nucleus -frombecoming ameansofm~ssannihilation ofhumanbeings. Thisisa follywhi6&'ishouldnotbeallowed turecurattheendofthisc-entury wheniiiankLiO, havingfilledthefirstpagesofitsspacehistory, isfacingachoice: spacewill eitherhelptoimprO'le thelivingconditions onourplanetoritwillbecomethe sourceofanewanddeadlydanger.MLG/at A/40/PV.6 78 (Mr.Shevardnadze, USSR) IIn"'ialling tocontr!butetoman'sprogress towards newheightsof inclusion intheagendaofthissessionoftheGeneral Assembly ofanitementitled "International co-operation inthepeaceful exploration ofouterspacein conditions ofitsnon-militarization". Atthesametime,theSovietUnionhassubmitted totheGeneral Asseuhly specific proposals regarding themaindirections, areasandprinciples ofbroad international co-operation intheexploration anduseofouterspaceforpeaceful purposes. OUterspaceisindivisible andallstatesshouldbeabletotakepartin itspeaceful exploration. Thismeansthatprogress shouldbemadebyjointefforts inbothbasicand applied areasofspaceexploration, sothatallpeoples canbenefit fromspace research. Itisourviewthatsuchco-oparation couldbestbecarriedoutwithin theframework ofaworldspaceorganization. Andthiscouldbecomeareality provided thatallchannels forthemilitarizing oftheboundless regions ofouter spaceareblockedoff. Tocounter thesinister plansof"starwars",theSovietUnionisplacing beforetheinternational community theconcept of"starpeace". TheSOvietunionhopesthatitsproposals willbecarefully examined bythe Gene~al Assembly. TheSovietdelegation hassetforththeviewsandproposals oftheSoviet Unionwhichwehavefounditnecessary andtimelytosubmitfortheconsideration oftheUnitedNations. Itisourhopathattheywillberegarded with understanding byallStatesrepresented inthisHallandbyallthepeoples which makeupaunitedmankind.MLG/at: A/4OfeV.6 79--80 (Mt.Shevardnadze, USSJ!) Muchusefu1work forthebenefitofpeaceandinternatiClllal co-operation has beendonebytheUnitedNations overthepast40~ara.. However, thel.Jnitea Raticos hasstillagreatdealmoretodosinceitappearsthatwearenowentering uponamstcrucial period'inthehistoryofmankind, whenit:w111havetotakea decision onthisquestion ofparamount iJlportance: whethertoliveinpeaceor perishinnuclear war. I-~~------ SK/21 A/40/Pv.6 81
analysis: The text appears to be a speech or statement by the Soviet Union's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eduard Shevardnadze, addressing the United Nations General Assembly. The main themes discussed are the importance of human rights, peaceful exploration of outer space, and the need for international cooperation. The text also touches on the concept of "starpeace" and the Soviet Union's proposal for a world space organization.