YouSaid · the spoken record

Van Elslande

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS VAN ELSLANDE

lines on the record: 101
first: 1973-09-24
most recent: 1976-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

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“The nine Powers will establish common positions on issues discussed in our Organization, and they will state those positions increasingly through a single spokesman. 123. That unity has been just as effective in relations between the Community and the developing countries. In the Lome Convention signed on 28 February 1975, the Community wished to rethink its relations with 46 developing countries of Africa, the Pacific, and the Caribbean islands. In particular, by creating a fund to stabilize export earnings, and by bringing about a new form of industrial cooperation, the Convention of Lome has broken new ground. 124. We also welcome the results of the seventh special session of the General Assembly, which came to an end last week. There the member States of the Community negotiated as a single entity.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“But we will succeed in bringing that about only if our policies are based on the democratic values which are the foundation of the European Community. 121. The nine Governments of the Community have constantly worked together to build Europe, but that co-operation also extends to foreign policy problems. Hence the European countries have been concerning themselves very much with the political developments in Portugal. Europe is the cradle of democratic values and wishes to remain a rallying point for these values. The Portuguese people, repre-sented in democratic and pluralist institutions, would be welcomed in the Europe to which they belong. 122. This common political action among members of the European Community is a development which also finds expression within the United Nations.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Two States exist at the present time on the Korean peninsula. That is a fact, and the principle of unification, which some say is a prerequisite before membership can be considered, is particularly unconvincing because it is invoked in one case but not in others. 119. The disputes between the two legitimate Governments are a subject of great concern to us. My Government therefore hopes that further efforts will be made to rally the majority of the Members of this Organization in support of a resolution respecting the sovereignty of both States and maintaining peace machinery. 120. More than ever the unity of Europe remains the corner-stone of the policies of my country. Our objectives are the creation of an economic union and a strengthening of political union.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“To my words of welcome to the three new Member States, I should like to add an expression of my regret that we do not have among us a number of Asian States, first and foremost of which are the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of South Viet Nam. Universality is a principle which can brook no exceptions, and every State which meets the standards of Article 4, paragraph 1, of the Charter is entitled to join our Organization if such is its desire. 117. That is why my delegation voted in favor of resolution 3366 (XXX) of 19 September, calling upon the Security Council to reconsider the applications for membership of those two new States. 118. In thus stating our position, we must confess that, at the same time, we are deeply disturbed that the Republic of Korea has also introduced a similar request.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“In Rhodesia and in South Africa over the past few months we have noticed that the positions of Pretoria and Salisbury have become more flexible; but they have become flexible to such an insignificant degree that we have not changed our position, for we are convinced that solutions can be agreed upon only when those authorities make an effort going far beyond the efforts which they have made heretofore. 115. On this occasion I would like to welcome, as the Foreign Minister of Italy did speaking as the acting president of the European Community [2357th meeting], the three new countries of Mozambique, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe. The world Organization will find that their contribution is an appreciable one. 116.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“If it is to be constructive, it must be objective, and if it is to be objective it seems to me to be essential that the procedural rules which we adopted last year must once again be followed this year, and then the delegations of the two communities must be heard in the Special Political Committee before the debate in the General Assembly. 112. The views of Belgium on the problems of southern Africa are clear and have remained unchanged. 113. The recent declaration of the nine Powers on 26 August is a faithful, unequivocal and comprehensive reflection of our position on Namibia. Apartheid remains a policy which cannot be justified. 114.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Belgium is disappointed that the remarkable efforts of the Secretary-General have not made it possible for the dialog between the Greek and Turkish communities on the island to move toward a settlement of the Cypriot problem. Further efforts must be made as soon as possible and the United Nations role is to encourage the parties to reach an agreement. It is then essential that no unilateral action which might lead to a deterioration in this situation be taken. 111. Our Assembly will be holding a debate on this subject.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Therefore further progress must be made this time between Israel and Syria; concrete efforts must be made to satisfy the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinian people so that they too may be able to live in peace with all the States in the area. 109. I do not wish to leave the problem of the Middle East without also mentioning the present tragic events in Lebanon, a country with which we have ties of friendship. The territorial integrity and independence of that State are essential elements in the equilibrium • in the Middle East. May we express the hope that, without any foreign interference, peace may be restored to it very soon? 110.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“The agreement reached, from the purely formal viewpoint, is, to be sure, a mere agreement on military disengagement. We believe, however, that thanks to the desire for peace and the wisdom of the Egyptian and Israeli authorities, this agreement has a special political dimension and may well constitute a decisive step towards peace. Of course, peace will not truly exist until a global settlement is reached, but we agree with Mr. Kissinger, the Secretary of State of the United States, whose action made such a major contribution to the agreement, that peace must be built methodically and by successive stages. To be successful, the process must continue uninterruptedly.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“The undoubted importance of nuclear disarmament should not make us lose sight of the many and much more diversified dangers of the accumulation of conventional weapons throughout the world. Because of the political and technical complexity of these issues, regional negotiation is undoubtedly the form of negotiation which stands the greatest chance of leading to progress. Certain aspects of control of conventional weapons, in particular trade in weapons, could, however, be better dealt with at world level. 107. It is impossible to mention the problems of leace without referring to existing conflicts. 108. The agreement just entered into by the Egyptian and Israeli Governments should improve prospects for a settlement of the problem of the Middle East.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“In the same context, and with the same objective, the two super-Powers might well point the way in their Strategic Arms Limitation Talks by fixing their strategic weapon ceilings lower than those envisaged in Vladivostok. 105. While we appreciate the obstacles that exist regarding the fundamentally divergent positions of the nuclear States on nuclear disarmament, Belgium remains firmly in favor of the total cessation of nuclear tests for military purposes. No effort should be spared towards that end, but the results must be credible: there must be provisions of a binding nature and there must be control of the type accepted in the nuclear test ban Treaty.6 106.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Thus world public opinion is growing increasingly impatient about what must be done as regards disarmament and the control of weapons. In no other sphere have negotiations taken so long in getting under way, or proved so difficult when they have been begun. 103. There is little likelihood that 1975 will prove any less discouraging. The problems of nuclear armaments are more timely now than ever before, for doubts are beginning to be felt regarding the effectiveness of the non-proliferation Treaty. 104. All States which, rightly, have refused to equip themselves with military nuclear capacity are entitled to call on all the nuclear-weapon Powers to discharge their special responsibility and to take concrete action to put an end to the arms race. If they do not do that, the present fragile equilibrium cannot be maintained.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“However, genuine detente is conceivable only if an improvement in political relations goes hand in hand with a concrete improvement in military security, and that means that satisfactory results must be achieved in the negotiations on the reduction of forces in central Europe. 102. Military expenditure on a world-wide scale more than $200 billion according to some estimates- consumes more funds than education and public health together. The proportion is reversed in my country where the defense budget, as a matter of fact, is less than half the budget for education. But what is particularly ominous in the world is the development of the nuclear potential, which today is capable of destroying 25 times the population of the world.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Here, may I take up the following three major issues already mentioned: peace and security, international economic co-operation and respect for human rights. 100. The stability to which Belgium is particularly devoted involves security on the entire European continent. My country firmly believes that security cannot be attained by turning inward; it implies active commitments and a movement towards ever deeper and increasing solidarity. 101. Belgium, with its security guaranteed by commitments which it has endorsed makes its contribution to the development of detente on the European continent. The Final Act of ] August which marked the conclusion in Helsinki of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe was an important stage in this process. Now it is for us to see to it that our deeds match our intentions.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“There are a good many others which should be studied as a matter of priority, in particular those which were brought out in the report of the Group of Experts on the Structure of the United Nations System.5 98. The whole world aspires to peace. Since it ensures security, non-recourse to violence is undoubtedly an important element in the building of peace, but it cannot alone build peace: peace can be ensured only if there is positive co-operation among States in all fields, and in particular in economic co-operation, which is a factor in social justice among peoples, However, once positive co-operation among States exists, individuals must be assured of respect for their human rights. To our way of thinking, that transcends the rights of States and the problem of their relations. 99.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“We are convinced, however, that such an operation should be carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in the Charter itself. Belgium agrees that amendments to the Charter which are indispensable for improving the performance of our Organization should be made, but at the same time we urge that careful thought be given to the nature of such an exercise and to its possible consequences. We believe that in such an important area it would be a mistake to yield to impulse because the results might very well fall far short of expectations. 97. Amendment of the Charter is by no means the only way of resolving some of the difficulties with which the United Nations must deal.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Indeed, it is within the framework of the Charter and in compliance with its principles that the United Nations has been able to play that major political role which is so readily acknowledged, and it is in that way that it has been able both to maintain and even to strengthen its universal character. 96. Does that imply that the Charter is perfect or that it should remain unchanged? We should realize the fact that over the 30 years which have passed since the United Nations was created, the world has seen much turmoil and has been the witness of many momentous changes. Is it not then logical to think in terms of a review in the Charter, and we appreciate the fact that some would like to move in that direction?”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“To make such joint action possible the nine Powers are determined that the Charter and the rules of procedure now in force should be respected in order to ensure the rule of law. 95. The Charter, frequently termed the constitution or the basic instrument of our Organization, is the sole source of that law. It is that Charter, the purposes and principles defined in it and the machinery provided by it for their fulfillment that are endorsed by sovereign States when they join the United Nations. It is not by adopting measures which would do violence to the spirit and letter of the Charter that we can possibly hope to strengthen the role of the United Nations, nor a fortiori to modify its basic instrument.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“May I, first, congratulate the Secretary-General on his report on the work of the Organization [Aj 10001], As usual, it is an excellent one, and in the introduction [A!10001)Add. 1], without trying to please one side or the other, he clearly points to the weaknesses of international action. 93. The Declaration of the European Council made on 17 July 1975, by the heads of State and Government of the European Community, amply indicates Europe's interest in the role and future of the United Nations. After repeating their confidence in the United Nations, the nine Powers expressed their determination to pull together to help the Community to carry out its full responsibilities in an effort to foster conciliation and dialog. 94.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“91. Mr. President, Europe and in particular the member States of the European Economic Community feel deeply honored by your election to the presidency of the General Assembly of the United Nations at a time when our Organization is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. The deep friendship between our peoples and our States, which you mentioned yesterday; my gratitude to you for the sensitive manner in which you paid a tribute to the memory of the great statesman Mr. Spaak, who was our first President; the high esteem in which I hold you; our constantly shared concerns are all reasons for the warmth of Belgium's congratulations and justify our confident certainty that you will make a decisive contribution to the success of our Assembly, 92.”
1975-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 30 (1975)
“Unless there is respect for such rights our Organization cannot hope to fulfil the mission entrusted to it — that of being a centre for harmonizing the action of nations in the attainment of common ends.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“However, I think it would be advisable also to consider the usefulness of setting up permanent emergency machinery for food aid problems as a whole. 472. The field of action of this machinery would be twofold. It would be both a centre of information and study and an emergency relief agency for critical food situations. I think that such an arrangement could be developed from what is already operating within the framework of FAO. 473. I wish to limit my statement to the crisis in the Middle East and to the two major matters of constant concern to all countries: political and military detente and co-operation for development. In our opinion, the need for action in these three fields derives from the fundamental principles of the Charter: justice and respect for the equality of rights of peoples and individuals.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“Our aid was provided bilaterally as well as through the co-ordinating machinery set up by FAO. 469. The work done by the latter organization deserves our praise. In reading the reports of the teams we have sent into the field, I am, however, struck by the amount of improvisation which was inevitable at the initial stage of relief co-ordination. I fear that the effectiveness of the voluntary action must have suffered as a consequence. 470. In order to improve the utilization of our aid capability, action on two levels might be considered. 471. The proposal submitted by the Secretary of State of the United States for the organization of a world food conference in 1974 seems to me to meet a fundamental medium-term need.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“Similarly, the monetary negotiations should take into account the interests of the developing countries and the increase in the resources which may be transferred to them. 467. The recent occurrence of a tragic situation has drawn the world's attention to one particular aspect of the idea of collective economic security. I am referring here to the surge of the drought which has stricken the populations of Sahelian region in central Africa. 468. Like so many other Governments, the Belgian Government has tried to express the feeling of solidarity which has emerged spontaneously among our populations in a tangible and effective form. To the extent that our means allow, we hope that we have helped to meet the needs which were, and still are, enormous.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“But over and above this regional approach, the disadvantages of which should be greatly reduced following the enlargement of the Community, the Europe of the nine has set itself the goal of co-operating with the developing countries on an increasingly world-wide scale. The system of generalized preferences is the start of this trend in the direction of a more general approach. 465. The promotion of commodity agreements is also' part of this approach. As is common knowledge, the purpose of these agreements is to help to stabilize the prices of commodities and to intensify the trade of the developing countries, and this intensification should also facilitate the future multilateral trade negotiations carried out within GATT. 466.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“In both cases, the aim is to forge friendly links among all nations and to achieve international co-operation through the solution of international problems by promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all, as provided in Article 1 of the Charter. 463. My country is fully aware of the particular duties incumbent upon it in this matter. Economic integration, of which it is a beneficiary within the framework of the European Economic Community, is not an end in itself. The nine countries have now set up a specific framework for establishing their trade relations and their economic cooperation with the African countries and Madagascar. Important negotiations were recently begun for the purpose of extending these links to other countries and gearing them to the new requirements of development. 39 464.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“The Organization has indeed addressed itself, during the current decade, to a review and evaluation on a continuing basis of the progress achieved in implementing the Development Strategy with respect to both the developing and the industrialized countries. It is clear that by systematizing the study of development problems the Strategy will make it possible to mark the road already covered, to measure the laps that have been completed, to review the priorities set, and to lay down new guidelines. 462. As far as Belgium is concerned, co-operation with the developing countries is based on the same principles as those underlying our efforts to promote detente and cooperation in Europe.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“On this subject, the efforts being made to formulate working programmes and medium-term plans for the Organization and its related institutions — a matter closely linked to an improvement in budget forecasts — are gratifying. 459. The multiplicity of the problems mentioned and the complexity of the programmes undertaken make the necessity for consolidation more and more pressing, at both the conceptual and the operational level. 460. Without any doubt, it is for the Economic and Social Council and the Assembly to effect such consolidation and to become the rallying-point for thinking on the matter. 461. The adoption by the Assembly in 1970 of the International Development Strategy [resolution 2626 (XXV)] provided a framework for working out the necessary consolidation.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“It is quite possible that we may be at one of these junctures in history. 457. With increasing sharpness, the United Nations is questioning the directions being taken by the international community in the fields of economic and social development. This critical analysis is being conducted both in the light of the traditional basic tenets of the growth concept and in the light of concerns that have become more imperative, such as the population explosion and the preservation of the human environment. 458. This critical rethinking is also proceeding with a view to improving the management of the international Organization and enhancing its effectiveness.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“The development of international economic relations over recent years shows that the concept of collective economic security could usefully be studied in greater depth both at the research level and concurrently, preferably, within the framework of the specialized agencies. Whether we are concerned with the monetary crisis, with the preparation of tariff negotiations, with the problems resulting from the existence of multinational companies, with energy requirements, or with the limits to the resources of our planet, our universal interdependence and, consequently, the usefulness of thinking seriously about the conditions for economic security, become more and more apparent. 456. It has often seemed that men discover wisdom only when compelled to do so by the force of events.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“It seems to me, moreover, that the basic research will be useful not only in connexion with the problems of war and peace in the conventional meaning of those terms. In the context of our relations in times of peace, the' research could also make an essential contribution to the thinking of statesmen and to informing public opinion. What is more, this has already been done. I have in mind, inter alia, the line of thinking to which the work performed at the instigation of the Club of Rome has given rise, as well as the studies conducted by UNCTAD or in connexion with its activities. 455.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“My country initiated this action because, in our opinion, fundamental research into the bases and the conditions of peace, into the sources, motivations and development of conflicts, can make a great contribution to the mission of peace of our Organization. The listing of the work already achieved is far from complete, considering that a great number of research centres have not yet responded to the action taken by the Secretary-General. 453. Furthermore, my delegation has had the opportunity on several occasions to describe the scope of our proposal, which goes much further than a simple compilation of peace-research efforts. We therefore believe that the undertaking must continue and we hope that the report which the Secretary-General will submit at the next session of the General Assembly will be more comprehensive. 454.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“My country also welcomed the agreements concluded between the United States and the Soviet Union in their search for an adjustment in their bilateral relations and in their desire to reduce the risk of nuclear confrontation between the two Powers. 451. Furthermore, we have noted with satisfaction the fact that the dialogue between the United States and the People's Republic of China is proceeding in furtherance of greater stability in Asia. My Government is gratified by the progressive normalization of relations between those two great countries. 452. May I be allowed to thank the Secretary-General of our Organization for his first report on the studies conducted by the peace-research institutions [A/9130 and Add.l].”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“In point of fact, such relations and contacts have so far been limited to a strict minimum, that is, to only those absolutely necessary among the leaders and officials of the countries concerned. The negotiations on a mutually balanced reduction of forces are also a step that could serve as an example because, in the view of the Belgian Government, they could be the prelude to a general reduction of armaments throughout the world. Belgium was gratified, moreover, at the progress achieved in the contacts of the SALT negotiations. This is reassuring with regard to the commitments undertaken by the nuclear Powers on the conclusion of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [resolution 2373 (XXII)].”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“To my way of thinking, a detente of this kind implies not only a continuing exchange of products but also a guaranteed interchange of people and ideas. 449. The negotiations on balanced reduction of forces constitute a particular element in our efforts to consolidate detente in Europe; they represent at one and the same time a test and a step that could serve as an example. It is a test, for we -cannot visualize any serious effort in the matter of detente without a concomitant concern with regard to reducing the weapons for waging war or intensifying threats or tensions. 450. This concern for some tangible and voluntary manifestation of detente should be seen in the light of our concern for the further development of human relations and contacts.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“I do not lose sight of the fact that order and stability in international relations demand strict observance of the rule of non-interference in the internal affairs of States. This is the raison d'etre and the wisdom of Article 2, paragraph 7, of the Charter. Belgium has no intention of departing from that precept. However, it must be emphasized that non-interference cannot mean indifference, insensitivity, lack of concern for others. It seems obvious that, if it is impossible for us to build between us bridges of a certain human solidarity, the limits of our forthcoming agreement will be extremely narrow, not to say distorted. 448. What we have in mind is a detente that is not fictitious, but real and genuine, a detente among open societies.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“We consider, indeed, that detente in Europe will be neither complete nor lasting so long as people are unable to meet together freely, without hindrance of any kind, so long as they are unable to express themselves without constraint and see what they wish to see, so long as there are still obstacles and barriers that prevent those who wish to do so from reading or being read. 445. In this context I associate myself with the warning of my British colleague, who stated that detente must be genuine and not an illusion [2128th meeting, para. 124]. 446. The lot that we assign to a man — considered as an individual, as a member of a family or of the various groups constituting our societies — the lot of man determines to a great extent the quality of the relationships we propose to establish among States. 447.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“In our view, talks and negotiations between East and West represent the next stage and a step towards that ultimate objective. 443. The Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe must therefore be placed on a sound and secure basis. In this connexion, we attach particular importance to the development of the human relationships with which the Conference must concern itself. On that occasion too, a step must be taken towards enlarging the exercise of human rights. 444.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“To consolidate detente and security in Europe means to seek out and create the necessary conditions for multifaceted co-operation among all the countries of the continent. As a prior condition to the search for security and co-operation of Europe as a whole, it was necessary to normalize relations between the two German States. Similarly, and in a wider context, we believe that normalized relations between all the European States — States whose economic and social systems are different — should provide an essential contribution to the establishment of the world community. 442. I have sought to place the integration efforts of the countries of the European Community in the perspective of a more distant goal, that of the universal community of all nations.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“The initial role of the European Community will be to show that it is possible to constitute a powerful entity on the production level and on that of human creativity, fully adapted to the industrial and technological requirements of our time, without, however, yielding to the temptations of what some have called the nationalist universalism of the great Powers. We believe that the realization of this ambition will be greatly facilitated if, at the same time and progressively, the constituent rules of the universal community grouping all the nations of the world are clearly spelled out on the basis of the provisions of the Charter. 441. It is in this spirit that my country, like the other members of the European Community, wishes to avail itself of the opportunity afforded by the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“The political purpose of that Community, as instituted by treaties, was recalled and confirmed by the summit conference of its nine members held in Paris in October 1972. At the same time, that Conference spelled out the terms of the challenge that the peoples of Europe intend to take up. By virtue of that challenge, the European Community proposes in particular to make a creative contribution, within the limits of its human, intellectual and material resources, and to affirm its own concepts in international relations in keeping with its desire for an open policy for progress, peace and co-operation. 440.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“To desire detente is to renounce the aims of war, even when one believes that one can achieve them through non-violent means. 437. To desire detente is to eliminate the fear of an attack. It is to engender at the same time security, which is the first condition for any co-operation. True peace, a peace that is not a mere armistice, implies the rule of law; that is to say, a state where the rule of law prevails and respect for human rights is recognized for all citizens without distinction. 438. The sometimes uncertain and always cruel play of unbridled nationalism is certainly not the best road to peace. This is a truth that the peoples of Europe learned to their sorrow and at great cost and much suffering. This truth so dearly bought has led them to establish a "Community" as a framework for their reconciliation and co-operation. 439.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“At the same time that it reaffirmed the inalienable right of the peoples of the Portuguese Territories to self-determination and independence, the Security Council recognized the legitimacy of their struggle to acquire that right. In this spirit Belgium is prepared to consider the granting, through international organizations, of humanitarian assistance to the victims of that struggle. 435. We also express the hope that in Namibia, Southern Rhodesia, Korea and Viet-Nam, decolonization and detente will very soon, for the happiness of those peoples and in the interest of relations among nations, add to the universal character of our Organization. 436. The basis of the two trends — decolonization and detente in terms of closer co-operation among all countries of the world — is unquestionably the recognition of fundamental human rights.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“In its bilateral relations with Portugal, as well as in the international bodies where it sits side by side with that country, Belgium, as in the past, will strive to convince the administering Power that it is up to that Power, first and foremost, to take the necessary steps to that end. 433. We are gratified to find that a spirit of mutual understanding has permitted the authentic representatives of Papua New Guinea and the Australian Government to proclaim the independence of that territory not later than 1975. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas has already joined us, following fruitful negotiations with the former administering Power. May these two glowing testimonies of accession to independence through negotiation encourage Portugal to do likewise. 434.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“In this connexion we are duty-bound to note with regret that resolution 322 (1972), adopted unanimously by the Security Council on 22 November 1972, remains a dead letter in all its parts. Belgium continues to uphold this resolution, for which it voted, because it believes that the exercise of self-determination and independence cannot be refused to the peoples of those Territories. 432. The purpose of the negotiations recommended by the Security Council is to transfer power to freely elected political institutions representing the whole of the populations concerned.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“It is also the fruit and the symbol, one might say, of the evolution we have seen in Europe and throughout the world of late. Cold war tensions are followed by detente; the era of multiple confrontations is succeeded by the present, the time for negotiation. 430. We must underline the fact that the two German States sought to complete the normalization of their relations through their entry into our world Organization. The logical effect of this admission, it seems to me, should be the abrogation of the provisions of Articles 53 and 107 of the Charter, which mention "enemy States". 431. We should also like to express our concern at the persistence of certain situations which jeopardize the Organization's desire for universality. Such is the case with regard to the African Territories of Mozambique, Angola and Guinea-Bissau.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“The Belgian Government condemned most formally the overthrow by force of democratically elected bodies, and I cannot remain silent or fail to voice our concern regarding the maintenance of human and political freedoms in a country that is dear to us for more than one reason. 429. In the introduction to his report on the work of the Organization [A/9001/Add. 1] the Secretary-General emphasized the progress achieved by our Organization in its search for universality. We are happy to welcome the representatives of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. As a European, I have special reasons for being gratified at the admission to the United Nations of the two German States. Their admission is the result of a realistic and courageous policy followed by the leaders of both States.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“My country, together with its European partners, will contribute to this end in order to establish secure and recognized boundaries in that region that are guaranteed by international commitments and protected by the presence of international peace-keeping forces. A situation of this kind would have made the present confrontation impossible. 427. I shall say no more for the moment, but, as a European country that has known two deadly wars, I appeal to the Security Council to take action to stop the bloodshed. 428. Mr. President, you are a citizen of Latin America, that vast continent whose peoples are striving to create a promising future. A gigantic task is being carried out in hope, and also in suffering and pain. With profound concern my country followed the evolution of the situation in Chile.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“But it could not resign itself to believing that weapons would be preferred to diplomacy. War sometimes brings victories; rarely does it bring solutions. We have known this for thousands of years. In such circumstances, our Organization must not be discouraged; it has the obligation to attempt once again to achieve the reconciliation and pacification for which it was created. 424. The Security Council is in session — that is its duty. In our opinion, it must order rapidly the cessation of all fighting, and this without seeking first to determine the responsibility for this new confrontation. 425. Then, this time, and without delay, Security Council resolution 242 (1967) must be implemented. 426.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)
“Egypt and Syria consider that Israel's refusal to withdraw from the occupied territories, its reluctance to accept the principle of non-acquisition of territory by force, could no longer be tolerated. The Palestinian people did not see approaching the moment when its legitimate aspirations would at long last be taken into consideration; Israel was becoming irritated at the difficulties of beginning a negotiation which would bring a peace that none of the parties would contest and by which its right to existence would be confirmed, thereby removing forever the spectre of its destruction. 423. Belgium was cognizant of the sincerity of the positions of each of the parties, believed in their desire to conclude peace and felt their concern at the prolonged deadlock.”
1973-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 28 (1973)