Security Council resolution 326 (1973) [Provocation by Southern Rhodesia]

Resolution 326 (1973) of 2 February 1973

The Security Council,

Taking note of the letter dated 24 January 1973 from the Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations (S/10865), and having heard the statement made by the Permanent Representative of Zambia concerning recent acts of provocation against Zambia by the illegal régime in Salisbury,^[1]

Gravely concerned at the situation created by the provocative and aggressive acts committed by the illegal régime in southern Rhodesia against the security and economy of Zambia,

Reaffirming the inalienable right of the people of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) 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 resolution 232 (1966) of 16 December 1966, in which it determined that the situation in Southern Rhodesia constituted a threat to international peace and security,

Convinced that the recent provocative and aggressive acts perpetrated by the illegal régime against Zambia aggravate the situation,

Deeply concerned that measures approved by the Council have failed to terminate the illegal régime and convinced that sanctions cannot put an end to the illegal régime unless they are comprehensive, mandatory and effectively supervised and unless measures are taken against states which violate them,

Deeply disturbed by the continued illegal presence and by the intensified military intervention of South Africa in Southern Rhodesia, contrary to Security Council resolution 277 (1970) of 18 March 1970, and also by the deployment of South African armed forces on the border with Zambia, which seriously threatens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Zambia and other neighbouring African States,

Deeply shocked and grieved at the loss of human life and damage to property caused by the aggressive acts of the illegal régime in Southern Rhodesia and its collaborators against Zambia,

Reaffirming the primary responsibility of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland over its colony of Southern Rhodesia, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions,

1. Condemns all the acts of provocation and harassment, including economic blockade, blackmail and military threats, against Zambia by the illegal régime in collusion with the racist régime of South Africa;

2. Condemns all measures of political repression that violate fundamental freedoms and rights of the people of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), in particular, the recent measures of collective punishment.

3. Calls upon the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to take all effective measures to put an end to such actions by the illegal and racist régime of Southern Rhodesia and that of South Africa;

4. Regrets that measures so far taken have failed to bring the rebellion in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) to an end;

5. Condemns the continued presence of South African military and armed forces in Southern Rhodesia, contrary to security council resolution 277 (1970);

6. Demands the immediate and total withdrawal of South African military and armed forces from Southern Rhodesia and from the border of that Territory with Zambia;

7. Calls upon the Government of the United Kingdom, as the administering power, to ensure the effective implementation of paragraph 6 of the present resolution;

8. Requests the Security Council Committee established in pursuance of resolution 253 (1968) concerning the question of Southern Rhodesia to expedite the preparation of its report undertaken under Security Council resolution 320 (1972) of 29 September 1972, taking into account the recent development in Southern Rhodesia;

9. Decides to dispatch immediately a special mission, consisting of four members of the Security Council, to be appointed by the President of the Security Council after consultations with the members, to assess the situation in the area, and requests the mission so constituted to report to the Council not later than 1 March 1973;

10. Calls upon the Government of Zambia, the Government of the United Kingdom and the government of South Africa to provide the special mission with the necessary co-operation and assistance in the discharge of its task;

11. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Adopted at the 1691st 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., Twenty-eighth year, 1687th meeting.