YouSaid · the spoken record

Waldheim

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS WALDHEIM

lines on the record: 53
first: 1968-09-24
most recent: 1969-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

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“It is our firm conviction that this will not only be in the interest of the peoples of Europe, but indeed serve the interests of all nations and further the purposes for which this world Organization was created. Austria pledged its full contribution to that effort.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Europe has suffered throughout history from the lack of unity between its nations and the unending conflicts resulting from it. The challenge of our time and of our future is indeed great. The technical revolution in the age of nuclear energy and the exploration of outer space, the economic and social evolution of the vast developing areas of our world, the maintenance of peace and security in the age of nuclear weapons are tasks which will require the full contribution of all nations, and not least the nations of Europe. 183. I should like to voice the hope that at this hour the nations of Europe will be aware of their responsibilities and opportunities, that they will be able to overcome the barriers of ideology and different political systems and find the common ground on which a policy of co-operation can be based.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Let me emphasize, however, that the peaceful co-operation for which, despite recent setbacks, we are all striving can be achieved only if all States respect the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the rule of international law, and the sovereignty, integrity and independence of all nations. Only if all States adhere to those principles can there be hope for a new era of international co-operation. 181. In that connexion the idea of holding a conference on questions of security problems affecting the whole of Europe could become of great importance. My Government has therefore given a favourable reply to the recent initiative taken by the Government of Finland. 182.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Obviously the solution as now envisaged can be acceptable to the Austrian Government only if the elected representatives of the minority, in their competent political organs, regard the proposed new autonomy as sufficient and if they accept the substance as well as the procedure of the settlement. 179. For the further development of the problem a constructive approach by all the parties concerned will be of decisive importance. Austria surely will not fail to do its part in this respect. We trust that the Italian Government will also make the contribution necessary for the termination of the dispute between our two countries. 180. Equally, it has been our consistent policy to resolve through negotiations all problems between Austria and its Eastern European neighbours and to achieve and maintain friendly relations with all of them.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“As to the substantive aspect of the problem, I declared at last year’s session of the General Assembly that there existed basic agreement on the content of the envisaged autonomy. Differences of opinion have emerged, however, with regard to a number of specific provisions of the measures to be taken for South Tyrol. Thorough efforts have been required to arrive at the necessary interpretations and precise definitions of these differences. 178. The Italian side has now formally made known its position on these unresolved questions. It will be the subject of careful examination, in view of the decisions to be taken on the political level.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The substantive aspect concerns the content of the legislative and administrative measures to be taken by Italy for the purpose of granting to the German-speaking population of the Province that amount of autonomous authority necessary to safeguard the ethnical, economic and cultural development of the South Tyrolean ethnic group. The procedural aspect consists in the necessity of finding a system which will ensure the effective implementation of the above-mentioned measures for South Tyrol. In a series of meetings, at the expert level, it was possible to reach an understanding on a procedure designed to ensure the implementation of the measures envisaged, without prejudice to the respective juridical positions of the two countries. 177.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“We have made continuous efforts to settle all problems with all our neighbouring countries through negotiations. In this connexion I should like to report to the Assembly on the developments in the question of South Tyrol during the past year. The Assembly will recall that the question was dealt with in resolutions 1497 (XV) and 1661 (XVI). In those resolutions the General Assembly at the time urged Austria and Italy to resume negotiations with a view to finding a solution to all differences relating to the implementation of the Paris Agreement of 5 September 1946. The Agreement deals, as is well known, with the status of the German-speaking population of the Province of Bolzen. 176. Last year I reported to the General Assembly on the two principal aspects of the problem [1692nd meeting].”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“This situation, as our Secretary-General stressed recently in the introduction to his annual report [A/7601/Add.1] , has deteriorated further during the past year. We can regret this fact, but we must recognize it. In our opinion, it underlines the imperative need for co-operation between all nations, irrespective of their political and social systems; it is necessary on all levels, world-wide, regional and bilateral. 174. To foster such co-operation is indeed in line with the policy of a neutral country. Austria, ever since it re-entered the international scene in 1955 as a fully sovereign and permanently neutral State, has considered — as it will continue to consider — as one of the main objectives of its foreign policy the active promotion of peace, stability and co-operation, particularly in Central Europe, of which it is a part. 175.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Like any other nation, the people of Namibia must be given the right freely to determine their own future. 172. In South Africa the Government, ignoring the relevant resolutions of the United Nations concerning its policy of apartheid, has shown no sign of compromise and continues its discriminatory policies. The Austrian Government has time and again expressed its rejection of the concept of apartheid — as indeed its rejection of any political concept based on racial, religious or ethnic discrimination. I wish. to reiterate this position now in the strongest possible terms. 173. Thus there exists a striking discrepancy between the purposes and goals of the United Nations and the present international situation.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“With regard to the problems of southern Africa, we can only express our distress that since last year’s session of the General Assembly this complex and difficult issue has not come any nearer to a solution. 170. The course taken by Southern Rhodesia will lead almost certainly to a further aggravation of the confrontation between world opinion, as represented by this Organisation, and the régime in the Territory, which persists in depriving the majority of the population of their inalienable political rights. We support the decisions which the Security Council has taken on the subject and note that the problem is still before the Council. 171. In Namibia the South African authorities continue to refuse to implement the decisions of the United Nations. We cannot but deplore this.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Yet they all represent potentially hazardous situations which at any time could develop into larger confrontations. There is hardly a major region of the world where unrest and conflict have not flared up. 168. The civil war in Nigeria is continuing into its third year. We know how much suffering has already been caused by this unfortunate conflict. We must feel involved in the humanitarian aspects of the tragedy. We appeal to both sides to remove all obstacles in the path of international efforts to bring relief and aid to the starving and wounded, regardless of the side to which they belong. We hope that the latest appeal of the Organization of African Unity will have positive results and that its conciliatory efforts to bring about an end to the hostilities will be continued. 169.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“We welcome the efforts by the major Powers and hope that they will find an appropriate basis on which Ambassador Jarring’s mission can be successfully completed. At the same time, however, we must be aware of the realities of the situation. A lasting solution, we are convinced, can be achieved only if the nations of the area have the wisdom and determination to agree to a settlement of their deep-rooted differences by peaceful means, and if they have the political will to implement it. 167. The two conflicts which I have mentioned are no doubt the two most dangerous conflicts at this time. They are, unfortunately, not the only ones. In several areas of the world, situations of strife and tension persist and new ones are constantly coming into existence. Some of these conflicts may at this time appear less explosive.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“We must note today that, as our Secretary-General remarked only recently in the introduction to his annual report [A/7601/Add.1], a virtual state of active war now exists along much of these cease-fire lines. We had hoped that the Security Council resolution of 22 November 1967 [242 (1967)] would bring about within a reasonable period a generally acceptable and lasting solution to the Middle East crisis. Unfortunately, those hopes have not been realized. All endeavours inside and outside the United Nations to produce a settlement have so far failed. 166. Austria, which like other Member States provides military observers for the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, will continue to support all United Nations efforts to facilitate a peaceful solution. We support the continuation of the mission entrusted to Ambassador Jarring.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“We hope that all parties will take further measures to de-escalate the war and that the process of military de-escalation will gradually lead to a complete cessation of hostilities and to the restoration of peace. 164. The conflict in Viet-Nam thus shows at least some elements which entitle us to have some hope. But at this time we can, unfortunately, see no encouraging development in the Middle East. On the contrary, it appears that over the past year the positions of both sides have only become more inflexible. 165. In my speech to the General Assembly last year [1692nd meeting] I expressed the concern of the Australian Government that belligerency had not come to an end and that tension along precarious cease-fire lines persisted.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The increasing international co-operation manifest on a number of long-term questions is unfortunately violently contradicted by the continued existence of open confrontations in many regions of the world. 163. The war in Viet-Nam is continuing. In past years we have expressed from this rostrum our grave preoccupation with this military confrontation. Time and again we have urged the cessation of the hostilities and a political settlement of the conflict through negotiation. In the light of those considerations we welcomed the fact that both sides to the conflict agreed to meet in Paris for negotiations to end the war. We also welcome the decision of the Government of the United States to discontinue the bombing of North Viet-Nam and to reduce the number of its forces in Viet-Nam as encouraging steps.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Conference of the Committee on Disarmament at Geneva is continuing its efforts to elaborate a treaty banning underground nuclear-weapon tests, as well as its work on the prohibition of chemical and bacteriological weapons and the demilitarization of the sea-bed. Various proposals have been submitted to the Conference and to this Assembly. We consider an early solution of those problems to be of particular importance. 161. Interrelated with the problem of disarmament is the problem of security. Far-reaching proposals on this question have been made to this Assembly by the Foreign Minister of the USSR [1756th meeting]. We shall study them with great care and attention. 162.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“It is therefore a matter of real regret to us that the Treaty has not yet entered into force. We are disappointed that the two major nuclear Powers, which were so active in its final elaboration, have so far not ratified it. 159. To accelerate further progress in the field of disarmament, the General Assembly last year urged the Governments of the USSR and the United States to enter, at an early date, into bilateral discussions on the limitation of strategic weapons. We regret that these negotiations have so far not taken place. Perhaps our present session will provide a suitable opportunity of initiating these long-delayed conversations and thus, at long last, give impetus to a de-escalation of the armaments race. 160. There are other issues of the disarmament problem which are no less urgent than the ones I have already referred to.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In that context the problem of disarmament assumes particular importance. There have been few questions which over so many years have been marked by so much hope and such deep disillusionment, by such devoted effort and by such limited concrete results. Last year, at long last, we were able to achieve a significant breakthrough with the elaboration and endorsement by the General Assembly of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [resolution 2373 (XXII)]. From the beginning we supported the conclusion of such a Treaty. Austria has signed and ratified it. Although we recognize that the Treaty is by no means perfect and does not as yet establish a true balance of obligations between the nuclear and the non-nuclear countries, it is our conviction that its conclusion was in the interest of all nations.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“If we look at the agenda of the General Assembly, we detect a considerable number of such items—disarmament, the peaceful uses of outer space and the ocean floor, the problems of human environment, the programmes of economic development, such as the First and Second Development Decades, with their decisive influence on future economic and political relations, the elaboration of international agreements in the field of human rights. 157. The accent of the General Assembly’s work has thus shifted to a certain degree from the old issues of confrontation to items requiring at least co-ordination of policy. From this co-ordination we must now advance to real co-operation — and this I firmly believe will be the central point on which the efforts of this Organization will have to focus during the years to come. 158.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The landing of the American astronauts on the moon was indeed an achievement of outstanding significance, not only in the exploration of outer space but in the entire history of mankind. It has won universal admiration. 155. This age which those events have inaugurated — the bridling of nuclear energy and the conquest of outer space — will have to be one of co-operation. It is to the credit of our Organization that it has already focused much of its attention on long-term problems requiring such co-operation—problems which at this time may perhaps not be of an immediately explosive character but which represent potential dangers for the future, unless we succeed now in agreeing on appropriate rules and regulations to forestall such a development. 156.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Arenales, the Foreign Minister of Guatemala. Like other speakers who have preceded me on this rostrum, I wish to express not only our feelings of mourning but also our high esteem for a man who served the United Nations with such distinction and courage. 153. The establishment of the United Nations coincided with an event of far-reaching consequences: the inauguration of the nuclear age. Ever since, atomic energy, in the form of nuclear weapons, has presented the greatest danger to mankind, and, in the shape of nuclear power for peaceful purposes, has represented mankind’s major hope for development and prosperity. 154. When we celebrate the Organization’s twenty-fifth anniversary next year we will have witnessed another scientific and technical event of the highest magnitude: man’s entry into outer space.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“150. Madam President, it is a privilege to convey to you our sincere congratulations upon your election to the highest office of this Assembly. In our forthcoming deliberations we will be fortunate indeed to be guided by a President who, through her long association with the United Nations and international relations, has acquired great experience and a deep insight into the problems and procedures of our Organization. 151. It is also a great personal pleasure for me to express once again the sincere appreciation of my Government to our distinguished Secretary-General, U Thant, for the outstanding devotion and ability with which he has continued to work for the community of nations and the cause of world peace. 152. At the same time, it is my sad duty to pay tribute to the memory of our past president, the late Mr.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“What it does call for, it seems to us, is a realistic reappraisal of both our possibilities and our limitations. We are convinced that, in the light of such realistic evaluation, the essential and important role which the United Nations plays and has to play on the present international scene will become even more apparent. 42. Let me reaffirm our belief in the future of our Organization and renew our commitment to the principles and ideals of the Charter.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“Ever since the inception of the United Nations, the peoples of the world have looked with idealism to the objectives and principles of the Charter and have hopefully anticipated that they would be translated into reality. The fact that our Organization has not been able to find solutions to some of the key problems our nations are facing today, that it has not been able to take effective action in various situations and conflicts endangering international peace and security, the fact that many of its resolutions have remained unheeded, has resulted in considerable disappointment and disillusionment. 41. Admittedly, the difficulties and problems facing the United Nations are very real. Yet we feel that the answer to this should not lie in an attitude of pessimism.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“I should like to take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his kind comments on the efforts of the Federal Government and the municipal authorities of Vienna to assist and provide facilities to international organizations and conferences. His remark that “Vienna is rapidly acquiring an international status as the headquarters of major international agencies and the site of important United Nations meetings and conferences” [A/7201/Add.1,para. 98] is greatly appreciated by the Government and the people of Austria. May I also, on our part, extend to the Secretary-General our sincere gratitude for the help which we have invariably received from him and for his tireless efforts in the cause of the United Nations and world peace. 40.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“Austria recognizes the primordial role the United Nations family plays and will have to continue to play in order to help ensure that all resources are put to optimal use in the interest of a continuous and well-balanced growth process. We are confident that the second United Nations Development Decade will bring us a decisive step forward in our endeavours to develop the urgently needed strategy for development, providing at the same time a strategy for international co-operation and mutual assistance. 38. Particular emphasis must be placed on the human and social components of the development process. In this respect, the creation of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization — to which Austria has the privilege to be the host — constitutes an important step in the right direction. 39.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“International attention has rightly and to an ever-increasing degree been focused on the problems that result from the extreme disparities existing between the standards of production — and in consequence of the levels of living - of the technologically advanced countries and the standards of those nations which still have to strive hard in order to develop more adequate methods and structures in their economy. The solution of this problem requires a pooling of resources on the one hand and a universal strengthening of efforts — not only of a financial nature — on the other. Equally important, however, is the need to develop the conceptual framework for mastering this immense challenge. 37.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“I should like to reiterate on this occasion that Austria does not recognize the régime in Southern Rhodesia and that my Government will implement the Security Council resolution imposing sanctions against that country. 35. In addressing myself to the problems of southern Africa, I wish to reiterate our firm rejection of the policy of apartheid. Austria’s position in this respect is well known to this Assembly. We categorically reject all forms of racial discrimination. 36.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“We are deeply convinced that the people of Namibia have the inalienable right, like any other nation, freely to determine its future. Let me state once again that the United Nations has assumed direct responsibility for South West Africa. The termination of the Mandate is, in our view, legally binding. These important decisions have committed our Organization. 34. With regard to the situation in Southern Rhodesia, the Security Council has debated this question intensively. As a result of these deliberations the sanctions against Southern Rhodesia, which have proved inadequate, have been considerably tightened. Austria has laid down its position on the question of Southern Rhodesia in its note to the Secretary-General of 31 July 1968.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“We have followed up these relief measures by sending a special representative to Lagos and other capitals to examine all possibilities for further help. The mission was conducted in close contact with the International Red Cross in Geneva. In taking these measures we were encouraged by the recent resolution of the Organization of African Unity calling upon all parties to ensure immediate humanitarian relief aid. 32. I am distressed that the complex and difficult situation in the southern part of Africa has not come nearer to a solution since last year’s Assembly. This disturbing situation not only has not improved, but in fact has even deteriorated. 33. I must express here my sincere regret that the resumed session of the last General Assembly did not succeed in its attempt to solve the problem of South West Africa.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“Austria indeed considers it one of its foremost tasks to extend all possible humanitarian help to those in need — wherever they may be and without regard to political considerations. It is in pursuance of this policy that, within the limits of our possibilities, we have rendered humanitarian assistance through the International Red Cross to both South Viet-Nam and North Viet-Nam. 31. It is under the acute impact of the awareness of human misery that the Austrian people has followed with deep-felt sympathy and strong emotion the developments in the eastern region of Nigeria. In our attempt to do everything possible to help the victims of the hostilities in that area, the Austrian Government has, as a first step, put money and relief supplies at the disposal of the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“It is our hope that similar measures will be possible with regard to the ocean floor and that international co-operation will be possible in the economic exploitation of its resources. 29. . The General Assembly has proclaimed 1968 as the International Year for Human Rights. It is indeed appropriate to commemorate in this way the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the General Assembly. I feel that we should make a decisive effort in the closing stage of this year to translate into practice at least some of the principles of the Declaration. A considerable number of States have already done this by taking concrete steps to alleviate the suffering of people in various areas of conflict. 30.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“Much as we were pleased with the achievements of the Vienna Conference, we must now bear in mind that the Conference was not envisaged as a final but, on the contrary, as a first step in our efforts to bring the practical benefits of space exploration to all nations. It seems important that these efforts should now continue with increased emphasis. 28. The fruitful work which the United Nations has been able to achieve in the field of outer space justifies our hope that we will be equally successful in the new area to which the Assembly turned its attention last year: the reservation of the sea-bed and ocean floor for peaceful purposes. We have been able in international treaties greatly to limit military activities and, in particular, the threat of nuclear weapons in outer space.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“The past year was not only another year of continuing scientific and technical progress in space exploration, but also one marked by great efforts to strengthen international co-operation in this field. 27. The first United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which took place in Vienna in August of this year, was convened specifically to examine the practical benefits to be derived from space research and exploration and to study the possibilities for non-space Powers. and in particular for the developing countries, to enjoy these benefits. The Conference has shown, I believe, the promising possibilities in this respect.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“While we advocate additional measures in the field of disarmament, we should not forget that the non-proliferation Treaty, in order to be effective, still requires a great number of signatures and an even greater number of ratifications. The recent deterioration in the international climate has apparently led a number of countries to hesitate about signing or ratifying the treaty. It is our conviction that the Treaty will effectively enhance the security of all of us. We therefore hope that it will soon become a universal document. 26. We note with satisfaction the continuing international co-operation in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“The nuclear Powers, in article VI of the Treaty, have accepted a clear commitment in this respect. It is our sincere hope that this process will be set in motion as soon as possible, and that it will lead to concrete results. 24. We note with satisfaction in this connexion that the Conference of the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee agreed to give first priority in its work to further effective measures relating to the cessation of the nuclear arms race and to nuclear disarmament. We trust that the work of the Committee, to whose efforts I wish to pay a tribute, will continue with urgency and at the earliest possible moment. 25.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“We also share the view of those who believe that the International Atomic Energy Agency could serve as the appropriate international body through which the non-nuclear-weapon States should obtain these benefits, under article V of the Treaty, if they choose do so. We recall in this connexion that the General Conference of the Agency last month devoted its attention to the problems involved. 23. We have already expressed on previous occasions the opinion that the non-proliferation Treaty has not as yet established a true balance of obligations between the nuclear and the non-nuclear countries and that the Treaty should not be considered an end, but rather a starting point for further disarmament measures and a step towards general and complete disarmament.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“In particular, the Conference dealt with the complex problem of security assurances, and advocated the acceleration of the process of nuclear and general disarmament under effective international control. The Conference also recalled that it is imperative to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the flow of nuclear materials and of scientific knowledge and nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and to ensure that non-nuclear States can enjoy the benefits of peaceful applications of nuclear explosions on a non-discriminatory basis. 22. We believe that the International Atomic Energy Agency is the appropriate organization to be entrusted with the tasks resulting from the non-proliferation Treaty with regard to the development of the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the problem of safeguards.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“The approval by the General Assembly, in June, of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [see resolution 2373(XXII)], and the fact that this Treaty has been signed since then by more than eighty nations, are major steps forward towards a goal which the United Nations has been seeking ever since the beginning of the nuclear age. 21. It is now to be hoped that further measures outside and complementary to the Treaty will be stimulated by its acceptance. The Conference of Non-Nuclear-Weapon States, which concluded its very useful deliberations only a few weeks ago in Geneva, stressed a number of measures which should now be taken in this respect.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“Those negotiations are still going on. 19. The Austrian Government is resolved to proceed with calm and determination in the way which we have chosen. In accordance with the mandate given to us by the United Nations we are ready to make our contribution towards a satisfactory solution of the problem. We trust that the Italian Government on its part will take all steps conducive to achieving that goal. 20. In the long and often discouraging history of our disarmament efforts, the past year has at last led to certain concrete results.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“The Italian Government, recognizing the necessity of improving the situation of the minority, in 1961 entrusted a special commission with the task of studying the problems of the Province of Bozen and reporting to the Italian Government on the results of its inquiry. That commission elaborated a series of proposals in the light of which the bilateral negotiations were resumed. In the course of those negotiations, basic agreement was reached on the substance of the above-mentioned autonomy. Our present efforts concentrate on working out a procedure which will enable us to settle the pending dispute. This has proved particularly difficult because both sides to the dispute maintain different juridical positions. Under these circumstances we have agreed to conduct the negotiations without prejudice to the respective juridical positions.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“You will recall that the General Assembly, in 1960 and 1961, unanimously adopted resolutions 1497(XV) and 1661(XVI) urging Austria and Italy to settle through negotiations the dispute relating to the interpretation and implementation of the Paris Agreement of 5 September 1946 concerning the South Tyrol. 17, The bilateral negotiations which were taken up in accordance with the above-mentioned resolutions focus on two main problems: one of substance and one of procedure. The problem of substance consists in granting to the German-speaking population of the Province of Bozen the amount of autonomous authority necessary to safeguard the ethnic, economic and cultural development of the South Tyrolean ethnic group. 18.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“The United Nations can arrange and help to maintain armistice agreements. The United Nations can assist in alleviating the problems of refugees. A lasting solution, however, can be achieved only if the nations of that area themselves have the wisdom and determination to agree to a settlement of their deep-rooted differences by peaceful means, and if they have the political will to implement it, guided by the principles laid down by the Security Council last November. 15. History has created manifold links between Austria and all peoples in the Middle East. It is with this in mind that we hope and trust that the peoples of that area, aware of their proud past, will lack neither imagination nor courage to find a common road to peace and into a promising future. 16. I should like to turn now to the problem of South Tyrol.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“On 22 November last year, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 242(1967) laying down what we consider equitable and realistic principles for a settlement of the situation in the Middle East. We trust that, if executed in all its parts, it will bring a lasting solution to the crisis and the problems of that troubled area. 13. In the same resolution the Security Council asked the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative to promote agreement and assist efforts to reach a peaceful and accepted settlement. We know that Ambassador Jarring has spared no effort in the :meantime to achieve the purposes of that resolution. We fully support his mission. 14. We must, however, be aware of the realities of the situation. The United Nations can provide the machinery to assist the parties in negotiating a settlement.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“No initiative in this respect should be discounted, and any step which may open the road to peace should be taken with courage and determination. 11. The Austrian Government also expresses its concern that, over the past year, it has not been possible to bring peace to the Middle East. The basic problems of that area which so often in the recent past have led to the outbreak of hostilities remain unsolved. Belligerency has not come to an end. Tension along precarious cease-fire lines persists. The consequences of last year’s hostilities have not been liquidated. 12. There have, indeed, been numerous efforts during the past year to bring about a solution to the conflict.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“We have therefore repeatedly urged the cessation of hostilities and a political settlement of the conflict through negotiations, on the basis of the Geneva Agreements of 1954. In our view, this seems to be the only realistic hope for a termination of the war and for the restoration of peace to the people of Viet-Nam, which must be given the right to determine their future by their own free will. 10. We were heartened by the fact that the Governments of both the United States and the Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam agreed to meet in Paris for preliminary talks to end the war. Like others, we are worried about the lack of progress in those talks. We renew our appeal to all parties concerned to take whatever steps may appear likely to set in motion the process of de-escalation of hostilities.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“At this juncture we can express only the sincere and earnest hope that everything possible will be done to ease the situation and to remove all external restraints, in accordance with the wishes of the people of Czechoslovakia, so that mutual confidence, which is a prerequisite for stability, will be restored. 9. Let me turn now to those conflicts which for years have perturbed the international community. We cannot but view with grave concern the continuing war in Viet-Nam. Apart from the tragic human suffering which every day of prolonged fighting inflicts upon the people of Viet-Nam, its impact and its international repercussions represent a serious danger to international peace and security.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“Austria therefore deplores and rejects all acts, wherever they may occur, which violate these principles and thus endanger the order on which the security of all of us depends. 8. Although Austria and Czechoslovakia adhere to different political and social systems, it is obvious that events in that country, with which we share a common border and with which we have been linked throughout our history in so many respects, are followed by the Austrian people with particular attention. The developments of the recent past have naturally caused deep concern among the Austrian people.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“The events which have taken place in our immediate neighbourhood could only produce a feeling of anxiety and disillusionment. 7. Ever since 1955, when Austria re-entered the international political arena as a fully sovereign and permanently neutral State and became a Member of the United Nations, it has been — and continues to be — one of the main objectives of its foreign policy to promote actively peace, stability and co-operation, especially in Central Europe, of which Austria is a part. However, peaceful co-operation can be achieved only if all nations, large and small, will respect the principles of the United Nations Charter and of the Declaration of Human Rights, the rule of international law, the sovereignty, integrity and independence of all nations.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“That report, as well as the general debate during the past two weeks, reflect the deep and widespread concern about the fact that the war in Viet-Nam, with all its tragic consequences, is still continuing, that it has still not been possible to restore peace to the Middle East, and that a new element of insecurity in international life has been created by the events in Czechoslovakia. 6. In our statement in the general debate last year [1578th meeting], we were able to note with satisfaction the relatively encouraging development in Central Europe. Remarkable political stability had been achieved in an area where the acrimony of the cold war had, at long last, been replaced by a certain détente and by increasing co-operation between the nations of that region. This development has been seriously endangered in recent months.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)