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The Herald, August 26, 1980
ZIMBABWE was yesterday formally admitted as a full member of the United Nations by the 11th special session of the organisation, which opened here to consider a global economic strategy.
By a rousing acclamation, the 152 member states unanimously approved a draft resolution to accept Zimbabwe’s application for membership that was submitted by the Prime Minister, Mr Robert Gabriel Mugabe on July 17.
The motion was proposed by Sierra Leone, Britain, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Russia, and Bolivia, Malta, the Sudan and nine other countries including Guyana, Jamaica, Nicaragua, and Papua New Guinea.
As Mr Mugabe was escorted as the head of his delegation to take up Zimbabwe’s seat in the United Nations chamber, the special session of the General Assembly rose to give the team a standing ovation.
There was prolonged applause as the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Senator Dr Bernard Chidzero, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Witness Mangwende, Zimbabwe’s ambassador to the UN and the United States, Mr E Mashingaidze, the Deputy Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Dr Naomi Nhiwatiwa, and two officials, strode behind Mr Mugabe to sit next to the Zambian delegation.
Mr Mugabe had earlier entered the chamber escorted by the United Nations Secretary-General Dr Kurt Waldheim.
He and the delegation occupied seats in an area reserved for special delegations until the draft resolution was passed.
Soon after the admission formalities, the chairman of the General Assembly, the Tanzanian Ambassador, Mr Salim, launched an appeal to the international community to assist the organisation’s 153rd member in its efforts to rebuild its war-ravaged economy.
Zimbabwe’s admission, he said, marked “a very special occasion” in the history of the organisation. After an arduous and turbulent past, marked by enormous sacrifice, the birth of Zimbabwe meant even greater UN responsibility towards the state, said Mr Salim.
“I appeal to the international community to pay particular attention to Zimbabwe,” he added.
His sentiments of financial assistance were immediately echoed by Nigeria which rose to congratulate the new member on behalf of the African Group at the UN.
The Nigerian Ambassador, Mr A Clark, called for the establishment of a fund for Zimbabwe along the lines of that proposed in 1976 by the United States and Britain.
In his message of welcome, Britain’s Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth office, Mr Neil Marten, said his government had already pledged aid to Zimbabwe.
“We must now help the government of Zimbabwe to heal the wounds of the past,” he said.
Speeches of welcome were also made by Afghanistan, Russia, Bolivia, Malta, Sudan, and the United States.
The Zimbabwe delegation later attended a champagne party given by Ambassador Legwaila of Botswana.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
- Zimbabwe was officially admitted as the 153rd member state of the UN on August 25, 1980 by the General Assembly acting on the recommendations by the Security Council.
- Founded in 1945, the United Nations now comprises 193 Member States. Its works are “guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding charter”.
- Since joining the international body, Zimbabwe has been an active member, which has also contributed to international peace-peeking missions around the world.
- Over the years, Zimbabwe became a member of a number of bilateral and multilateral organisations – guided by the foreign policy mantra – friend to all and enemy to none.
Online Reporter