The United Nations Secretary-General, Dr. Kurt Waldheim, arrived in Quito, Ecuador, on Friday (23 March) to attend the 15th session of the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA).

Dr. Waldheim told the opening session of the conference on Friday that the United Nations would be unstinting in its assistance to Latin America as part of its war on underdevelopment. The Commission is meeting to discuss a two-yearly appraisal of U.N. development strategy.

He urged Latin American states to work together towards a goal of integration and progress, for which all were striving. "In this era of large economic units, such integration would enable them to produce for bigger markets and join together to defend their legitimate interests," he said.

SYNOPSIS: Dr. Waldheim was greeted by government officials. Later in the day, at the Commission's opening session, he pledge unstinted U.N. assistance to Latin American countries in what he termed as a war on underdevelopment.

He inspected a guard of honour before leaving the airport. The Economic Commission for Latin America is meeting to discuss a two-yearly appraisal of U.N. development strategy.