Areas of Tension
I had occasion to refer earlier to the tensions which still persist in many areas of the world. It is regrettable that while peace has returned to Indo-China ominous clouds of great power rivalry have thickened over the Indian Ocean. The non-aligned countries, together with the other littoral and hinterland States of the Indian Ocean, have been exerting every possible effort in the United Nations to make the Indian Ocean into a zone of peace. It is unfortunate that against the express will of the littoral States, the base in Diego Garcia is being expanded. We have urged that this could not but result in a dangerous arms race.
The non-aligned countries should concentrate their efforts in future consultations in the United Nations and in other forums on the basic objective of eliminating great power rivalry, bases, and tensions in the Indian Ocean. We trust that a clear call would issue from this conference to all the great powers to leave the Indian Ocean in peace, and not to introduce the arms race into this area to advance their own narrow, national or strategic interests and ambitions.
Turning now to the global economic situation, we cannot help noticing that little has changed in the picture since we met at the sixth special session of the U.N. last year, which could give comfort or confidence to the non-aligned or developing countries. We remain a small shareholder in world trade, industry and technology. Prices of most of the commodities we export remain depressed, except for occasional but unsustained and undependable increases.
Prices of most of the manufactured goods we buy maintain their steady rise reflecting the high rates of inflation in developed countries. The value of our reserves continues to be eroded both by inflation and by fluctuations flowing from decisions, in whose making we are not allowed to have a part. Nearly half of the countries present here have been officially recognised as most seriously affected by the exceptional rise in the prices of food, fuel and fertilizers.
The only major exception is that of the oil-producing developing countries which have been able to safeguard their interests, and this is a tribute to the unity and the solidarity of the developing countries. But, for the majority of us, the scenario of vulnerability that I have described above is a fact of life.