Secretary-General's visit to Eastern Europe.

• Position: Javier Perez de Cuellar

A common theme of Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar's discussions with the leaders of the four Eastern European countries which he visited in February was the importance of the role which the allies of the super-Powers could play in improving East-West relations.

He also briefed officials in each country on his recent African trip. He described his initiative on behalf of Africa and urged increased assistance to the continent, particularly in the technical field.

From 18 to 28 February, the Secretary-General visited Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria. In three of those four countries, Mr. Perez de Cuellar received honorary degrees. In addresses at Jagiellonian University, Cracow and at Charles University, Prague, he concentrated on the role of the United Nations in the formulation and application of international law.

Further details of the Secretary-General's activities follow:

Poland (18-21 February): Mr. Perez de Cuellar called on the Chairman of the Council of Ministers and General of the Army, Wojciech Jaruzelski, who reviewed in detail the internal situation in Poland and noted the relationship between this and the international situation. The General spoke of the need to continue and accelerate efforts towards peace and described various Polish initiatives to that end.

The Secretary-General thanked General Jaruzelski for Poland's consistent support of the United Nations and in this context referred to the Polish contingent in the Golan Heights. He then reviewed the international situation and stressed the necessity for dialogue between the nuclear Powers. The Secretary-General also raised the subject of his concern with human rights matters and expressed his appreciation for the release from custody of United Nations staff member, Ms. Alicja Wesolowska, which he termed an important step. General Jaruzelski had informed the Secretary-General during their meeting of this action by the Council of State. (For details see p. 33.)

Czechoslovakia (21-23 February): At separate meetings in Prague with President Gustav Husak and Foreign Minister Bohuslav Chnoupek, the Secretary-General discussed the international situation, with particular emphasis on the Middle East and East-West relations. The Secretary-General spoke of the important role of countries such as Czechoslovakia in helping to bridge the gap between the nuclear...