Security Council resolution 403 (1977) [Botswana-Southern Rhodesia]

Resolution 403 (1977) of 14 January 1977

The Security Council,

Taking note of the letters dated 22 December 1976^[1] and 12 January 1977^[2] from the Permanent Representative of Botswana to the United Nations, and having heard the statement of the Minister for External Affairs of Botswana^[3] concerning hostile acts against Botswana by the illegal minority régime in Southern Rhodesia,

Gravely concerned at the dangerous situation created by the provocative and hostile acts committed by the illegal régime 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 régime against Botswana aggravated the situation,

Deeply grieved and concerned at the loss of human life and damage to property caused by the acts of the illegal régime 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 régime,

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 provocation and harassment, including military threats and attacks, murder, arson, kidnapping and destruction of property, committed against Botswana by the illegal régime in Southern Rhodesia;

2. Condemns all measures of political repression by the illegal régime 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 régime 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 régime 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 régime 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 the 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 Agricultural 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 planned development projects.

9. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

Adopted at the 1985th meeting by 13 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America).

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1 Ibid., document S/12262.

2 Ibid., Thirty-second Year, Supplement for January, February and March 1977, document S/12275.

3 Ibid., Thirty-second Year, 1983rd meeting.