STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Decision
At the 2618th meeting, on 9 October 1985, prior to the adoption of the agenda,97 the President made the followina statement" on behalf of the members of the Council:
"The members of the Security Council welcome the n~ws of the release of the passengers and the crew of
97 The qenda for the meeting was: The Middle East problem includina the Palestinian question.
· S/17SS4.

the cruise ship Achille Lauro and deplore the reported death of a passenger.
"They endorse the Secretary-General's statement of 8 October 1985, which condemns all acts of terrorism.
"They resolutely condemn this unjustifiable and criminal hijacking as well as other acts of terrorism, including hostage-taking.
"They also condemn terrorism in all its forms, wherever and by whomever committed."

LETIER DATED 6 DECEMBER 1985 FROM THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. OF THE PERMANENT MIS.. SION OF NICARAGUA TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECU-
RITY COUNCIL

Decisions
At its 2633rd meeting, on 10 December 1985, the Council decided to invite the representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Syrian Arab Republic and Viet Nam to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "Letter dated 6 December 1985 from the Charge d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/17671)". 99
99 See OffiCial Records of the Security Council, Fortieth Year, Suppkment for October, November and December 1985.

At its 2634th meeting, on 11 December 1985, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the question.
At its 2636th meeting, on 12 December 1985, the Council decided to invite the representative of Zimbabwe to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the question.

LETIER DATED 16 DECEMBER 1985 FROM THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECU-
RITY COUNCIL

Decision At its 2637th meeting, on 18 December 1985, the Council proceeded with the discussion of the item entitled "Letter dated 16 December 1985 from the Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/ 17685)". 1oo
100 Ibid.

Resolution 579 (1985)
of 18 December 1915
The Security Council, Deeply disturbed at the prevalence of incidents of hostage-taking and abduction, several of which are of protracted duration and have included loss of life, Considering that the taking of hostages and abductions are offences of grave concern to the international community, having severe adverse consequences for the rights of the victims and for the promotion of friendly relations and co-operation among States,

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Recalling the statement of 9 October 1985 by the President of the Security Council, resolutely condemning all acts of terrorism, including hostage-taking, 101
Recalling also resolution 40/61 of9 December 1985 of the General Assembly,
Bearing in mind the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages, adopted on 17 December 1979, 102 the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents, adopted on 14 December 1973, 103 the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation, signed on 23 September 1971, 104 the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, signed on 16 December 1970, '0' and other relevant conventions,
1. Condemns unequivocally all acts of hostagetaking and abduction;
2. Calls for the immediate safe release of all
IOI See p. 24, Statement by the President. 102 General Assembly resolution 34/146, annex. 103 Ge~eral As~embly resolution 3166 (XXVIII), annex. I04 Un!ted Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 974, No. 14118, p. 178. IOS Umted Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 860, No. 12325, p. 105.

hostages and abducted persons wherever and by whomever they are being held;
3. Affirms the obligation of all States in whose territory hostages or abducted persons are held urgently to take all appropriate measures to secure their safe release and to prevent the commission of acts of hostage-taking and abduction in the future;
4. Appeals to all States that have not yet done so to consider the possibility of becoming parties to the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Interntionally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft and other relevant conventions;
5. Urges the further development of international co-operation among States in devising and adopting effective measures which are in accordance with the rules of international law to facilitate the prevention, prosecution and punishment of all acts of hostagetaking and abduction as manifestations of international terrorism.
Adopted unanimously at the 2637th meeting.

COMPLAINT BY LESOTHO AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA 106

Decisions
At its 2638th meeting, on 30 December 1985, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Burundi, Lesotho, Senegal and South Africa to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "Complaint by Lesotho against South Africa: letter dated 23 December 1985 from the Permanent Representative of Lesotho to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/17692)". 107
At the same meeting, the Council also decided, at the request of the representatives of Burkina Faso, Egypt and Madagascar, 108 to extend an invitation to Mr. Neo Mnumzana under rule 39 of the provisional rules of procedure.
Resolution 580 (1985)
of 30 December 1985
The Security Council, Taking note of the letter dated 23 December 1985 from the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of
106 Resolutions or decisions on this question were also adopted by the Council in 1976, 1977, 1982 and 1983.
107 See Official Records of the Security Council, Fortieth Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1985.
108 Document S/17700, incorporated in the record of the 2638th meeting.

Lesotho to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council, 109
Having heard the statement by the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mr. M. V. Makhele, 110
Bearing in mind that all Member States must refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or acting in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations,
Recalling its resolution 527 (1982),
Gravely concerned at the recent unprovoked and premeditated killings for which South Africa is responsible, in violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and their consequences for peace and security in southern Africa,
Gravely concerned that this act of aggression is aimed at weakening the determined and unrelenting humanitarian support given by Lesotho to South African refugees,
Grieved at the tragic loss of life of six South African refugees and three nationals of Lesotho resulting from this act of aggression committed against Lesotho,
Alarmed at the fact that the continued existence of apartheid in South Africa is the root cause of increased
109 Official Records of the Security Council, Fortieth Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1985, document S/17692.
110 Ibid., Fortieth Year, 2638th meeting.

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