RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AND DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL IN 1977

Part I. Questions considered by the Security Council under its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security

A. ITEMS RELATING TO SOUTHERN AFRICA
Complaint of the Government of Botswana against the illegal regime in Southern Rhodesia concerning violations of its territorial sovereignty, as contained in the letter dated 22 December 1976 from the Permanent Representatit.·e of Botswana to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Decisions
At its 1983rd meeting, on 12 January 1977, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Botswana, Lesotho, Morocco, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia to participate, without vote, in the discus.sion of the item entitled "Complaint of the Government of Botswana against the illegal regime in Southern Rhodesia concerning violations of its territorial sovereignty, as contained in the letter dated 22 December 1976 from the Permanent Representative of Botswana to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/12262)".1
At its 1984th meeting, on 13 January 1977, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Yugoslavia to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the question.
At its 1985th meeting, on 14 January 1977, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, the German Democratic Republic, Mali, Somalia and Toga to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the question.
1 See Official Records of the Security Council, Thirty-first Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1976.

Resolution 403 (1977)
of 14 January 1977
The Security Council, Taking note of the letters dated 22 December 19762 and 12 January 19773 from the Permanent Representative of Botswana to the United Nations, and having heard the statement of the Minister for External Affairs of Botswana4 concerning hostile acts against Botswana by the illegal minority regime in Southern Rhodesia,
Gravely concerned at the dangerous situation cre<tted by the provocative and hostile acts committed by the illegal regime in Southern Rhodesia against the security and well-being of Botswana,
Reaffirming the inalienable right of the people of Southern Rhodesia to self-determination and independence in accordance with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, and the legitimacy of their struggle to secure the enjoyment of such rights as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations,
Recalling its resolutions 232 (1966) of 16 December 1966 and 253 (1968) of 29 May 1968, by which it determined and reaffirmed, respectively, that the situation in Southern Rhodesia constituted a threat to international peace and security,
Taking note of General Assembly resolution 31/154 of 20 December 1976,
Convinced that the recent provocative and hostile acts perpetrated by the illegal regime against Botswana aggravated the situation,
2Jbid., document S/12262. 3 Ibid., Thirty-second Year, Supplement for January, February and March 1977, document S/12275. 4Jbid., Thirty-second Year, 1983rd meeting.

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Deeply grieved and concerned at the loss of human life and damage to property caused by the acts of the illegal regime in Southern Rhodesia against Botswana,
Noting with appreciation Botswana's decision to continue to give asylum to political refugees fleeing from inhuman oppression by the illegal racist minority regime,
Realizing the need for Botswana to strengthen its security in order to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence,
Reaffirming the legal responsibility of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland over Southern Rhodesia, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations,
1. Strongly condemns all acts of provocaticn and harassment, including military threats and attacks, murder, arson, kidnapping and destruction of property, committed against Botswana by the illegal regime in Southern Rhodesia;
2. Condemns all measures of political repression by the illegal regime that violate fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Southern Rhodesia and contribute to instability and lack of peace in the region as a whole;
3. Deplores all acts of collaboration and collusion which sustain the illegal regime in Southern Rhodesia and encourage defiance with impunity of the resolutions of the Security Council, with adverse consequences for peace and security in the region;
4. Demands the immediate and total cessation of all hostile acts committed against Botswana by the illegal regime in Southern Rhodesia;
5. Takes cognizance of the special economic hardship confronting Botswana as a result of the imperative need to divert funds from ongoing and planned development projects to hitherto unplanned and unbudgeted security measures necessitated by the urgent need effectively to defend itself against attacks and threats by the illegal regime in Southern Rhodesia;
6. Accepts the invitation of the Government of Botswana to dispatch a mission to assess the needs of Botswana in carrying out its development projects under the present circumstances and, accordingly, requests the Secretary-General, in collaboration with appropriate organizations of the United Nations system, to organize with immediate effect financial and other forms of assistance to Botswana and to report to the Security Council not later than 31 March 1977;
7. Requests the United Nations and the organizations and programmes concerned, including the Economic and Social Council, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, to assist Botswana in carrying out the ongoing and planned development projects without interruption as stated in paragraph 5 and envisaged under paragraph 6 of the present resolution;
8. Appeals to all States to respond positively in providing assistance to Botswana, in the light of the report of the Mission of the Secretary-General, in order

to enable Botswana to carry out its planr.ed development projects;
9. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
Adopted at the 1985th meetinR by 13 rotes to none, with 2 abstentions (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Nortlwm Ireland, United States of America).
Decision
At its 2006th meeting, on 24 May 1977, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Botswana and Sierra Leone to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "Complaint of the Government of Botswana against the illegal regime in Southern Rhodesia concerning violations of its territorial sovereignty, as contained in the letter dated 22 December 1976 from the Permanent Representative of Botswana to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council: note by the Secretary-General (S/12307) ."'·
Resolution 406 (1977)
of 25 May 1977
The Security Council, Recalling its resolution 403 (1977) of 14 January 1977, Taking note of the letter dated 18 April 19776 addressed to all States by the Secretary-General in accordance with paragraph 8 of resolution 403 (1977), Recalling further its resolutions 232 ( 1966) of 16 December 1966 and 253 (1968) of 29 May 1968, by which it determined and reaffirmed, respectively, that the situation in Southern Rhodesia constituted a threat to international peace and security, Having examined the report1 of the Mission to Botswana established under resolution 403 (1977), Having heard the statement of the Minister for External Affairs of Botswana8 on the continued attacks and acts of provocation by the illegal racist regime in Southern Rhodesia against Botswana, Convinced that international solidarity with Botswana, as a neighbouring State to Southern Rhodesia, is essential for the promotion of a solution to the question of Southern Rhodesia, 1. Expresses full support for the Government of Botswana in its efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence;
5Jbid., Thirty-second Year, Supplement for January, Februarv and March 1977.
·6Jbid., Supplement for April, May and June 1977, document S/12326.
7 Ibid., Supplement for January, February and March 1977, document S/12307.
8Jbid., Thirty-second Year, 2006th meeting.

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