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GV PAN EXTERIOR Flags of member nations outside United Nations building in New York
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SV U.N. Secretary-General Dr. Kurt Waldheim speaking in English as Zimbabwe Prime Minister Robert Mugabe looks on
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GV Dr. Waldheim speaking TILT UP Zimbabwe flag being raised
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SV INTERIOR Prime Minister Mugabe addressing U.N. General Assembly in English as delegates listen (3 shots)
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WALDHEIM: "The government and people of Zimbabwe are now empowered for the task of national reconstruction. Considering the prolonged conflict which the country had to endure it needs and deserves not only the goodwill of the international community but also practical support. With the wise policy of reconciliation which the government of Zimbabwe, under the leadership of Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, has adopted, I'm confident they will establish a solid foundation for the country's development and also make an important contribution to the peaceful solution of the problems of the region.



"With these words I am happy to order the raising of the flag of the Republic of Zimbabwe." (APPLAUSE)



MUGABE: "So in my country we are now engaged in the major task of rehabilitation and resettlement of thousands of our people who had been displaced or forced to become refugees. We have also embarked on a concerted programme of reconstruction of our economy whose physical and social structure had been destroyed, damaged or disrupted in the more recent years of the national struggle for independence and freedom. This reconstruction programme, which over the next two years will cost upwards of 350 million United States dollars, will merge into the development phase and the full magnitude of the task over the same period will be in the order of one point five billion U.S. dollars. Our foreign policy is also based on positive non-alignment and peaceful co-existence among countries having different socio-economic systems. We are a member of the non-aligned movement and stand ready to co-operate with other members in striving to uphold the principles of independence and self-determination among all nations, big or small. We will co-operate with other countries in contributing to solutions to pressing world problems while upholding the principles of objectivity and fairness. We would not however wish to have our friends choose for us who should be our friends." (APPLAUSE).





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Background: A two-week long special session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York began on Monday (25 August) with the admission of Zimbabwe. The newly-independent African state became the 153rd member of the U.N.

SYNOPSIS: Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Robert Mugabe accepted membership on behalf of his nation. Prior to addressing the General Assembly he looked on as U.N. Secretary-General Dr. Kurt Waldheim conducted the flag-raising ceremony.