YouSaid · the spoken record

Alladaye

lines on the record: 282
first: 1973-09-24
most recent: 1979-09-24
sittings or episodes: 6
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Vast populations of the world continue to live in colonial and neocolonialist slavery quite simply because their territories have major resources or else are of strategic interest. Constant threats of "destabilization" hover over the countries of the third world. To some extent in all quarters of the world, a war is being waged and immense stockpiles of nuclear weapons are endangering humanity with total destruction. 348. More than 145 sovereign States are represented at this forum, where for more than 100 days their plenipotentiaries will review these urgent problems which threaten world peace. 349. The dearest wish of my country, the People's Republic of Benin, is that these discussions will make everyone face his responsibilities before history.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“While our Organization and all peace- and justice-loving States of the world make praiseworthy efforts to bring just solutions to the grave problems which afflict the international community, problems which are not only shameful in the world of today but are also a constant threat to international peace and security, the advocates of the monopolistic, imperialist capitalism are obstinately bent on devising subtle plans to doom all these solutions to failure. 347. Thus and in spite of all the wise and pertinent resolutions of the United Nations and the efforts made by peace- and justice-loving nations, three fourths of all mankind have been reduced to the utmost destitution.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“My delegation maintains that the problem of nationalities be resolved not by a policy of military annexation but in the context of their recognition of the right to self-determination and independence of these national minorities within larger communities where friendship, justice, harmony and co-operation prevail. 346. The time has come to conclude. Any watchful observer of international relations such as they are today cannot fail to feel sad and disheartened by so much waste and political short-sightedness.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Since then, the Saharwi people has been fighting with even greater vigor and determination, since this unholy act was perpetrated by two brother countries whose mission in history was to protect and help the young, independent State. 344. The problem of Western Sahara is not one of a border dispute among Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania. The problem of Western Sahara is a problem of decolonization, and our Organization must treat it as such. 345. Also, the totally incomprehensible colonialist and expansionist policy of Indonesia has led the peoples of South Moluccas, of Papua New Guinea and if East Timor to take up arms to defend their right to self-determination and independence. My delegation would solemnly address a word of warning to these States of the third world against such regrettable and tragic historical errors.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“The problem of Western Sahara is one of a people which is fighting and dying because it has been treacherously deprived of the most precious thing that exists for an individual and for a people-its freedom. The people of Western Sahara, at the end of a long and painful liberation war, have succeeded in putting an end to political domination and economic exploitation which was exercised over its territory by the reactionary Spanish regime. This courageous and historic action has been saluted by all peace- and justice-loving peoples of the world. Therefore, what was our surprise and our grief at seeing the Saharan territory invaded militarily and cynically divided up by two fraternal and neighboring States in contempt of all resolutions of international organizations and counter to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Although these problems are not vitally different from those of the countries we have also mentioned, we nevertheless wish to make a special mention of these cases because the aggression perpetrated by imperialism against these States is of a much subtler nature than in the other cases, because it is through other States of the third world, some of which have only just acceded to full independence, that the peoples of Western Sahara, of East Timor, of Papua New Guinea and of South Moluccas have been treacherously deprived of their right to self-determination and independence. 343. These cases are, moreover, too well known by this Assembly to warrant any major exposition.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“The course of history shows that victory is on the side of just causes, on the side of those who fight for freedom and independence. 340. My delegation notes with great satisfaction the numerous victories which are being carried off by the peoples of the world in their struggle to free themselves completely, once and for all, from political oppression and economic exploitation. 341. I should now like to regress somewhat and give the point of view of my delegation on certain problems whose specific nature and gravity merit their being given special mention. These problems are the following: the problem of the decolonization of the Western Sahara; the problem of the decolonization of East Timor; the problem of the decolonization of Papua New Guinea, and the problem of the decolonization of South Moluccas. 342.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Thus, my delegation believes that it would be a dangerous illusion for the developing countries to await gifts from the imperialist countries for their freedom and economic progress. 338. This is why my country believes that it is absolutely crucial for the third-world countries to remain united and even better to continue to make untiring efforts to strengthen their unity and to wage a resolute and consistent struggle for the total eradication of the numerous humiliations and injustices of which they are the victim. 339. My delegation would like to address a solemn word of warning to the fraternal States of the third world which, knowingly or unknowingly, are playing the game of international imperialism, thus becoming a real danger to the liberation and emancipation of the peoples of the third world.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Thus, while the economic situation of the countries of the third world continues to deteriorate dangerously, the major Powers of international capitalism are actively colluding to empty of their real content the scant advantages which the countries of the third world have managed to obtain through the surprise effect following the Fourth Conference of Non- Aligned Countries held at Algiers. 337. Basing ourselves on these elements, we are obliged to recognize that the interests of the developing countries of the third world and those of international imperialism are diametrically opposed. It is, moreover, what is proved by the experience of the peoples of the third world who have not been able to obtain anything except by struggle.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Why are we powerlessly standing by and watching the failure of all international conferences on development and the continued deterioration of the international economic system? Quite simply because imperialist Powers obstinately refuse to make any concession on the numerous and base advantages which they have usurped to the detriment of the peoples of the third world. This is why sessions of UNCTAD succeed each other and make no progress. This is why the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, solemnly adopted by our Organization at its twenty-ninth session, has remained a dead letter. This is why the Paris Conference is marking time.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“That is a true and honest picture of the situation in divided Korea, where imperialism is attempting to create in the southern part of that territory a base from which to continue exercising its control over the countries of the region and the surrounding shipping routes. 334. That is a true and honest picture of the situation in Panama and in Puerto Rico, from which international imperialism wants to continue to monitor and control the independent States of the Caribbean, Latin America and the surrounding shipping routes. 335. It is also a true and honest picture of the inhuman repression which is being perpetrated against the forces of freedom in Chile, in Lebanon and in other countries of the third world. 336.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“This is a true and honest picture of the situation in southern Africa, where Western imperialism has from the outset been bent on building in South Africa an unassailable base surrounded by puppet States in its pay, from which it can continue to maintain its domination over independent African States and the route around the Cape. 332. That is a true and honest picture of the situation in Palestine and in Cyprus, where international imperialism is attempting to create and establish bases in order to continue to exercise its control over the immense oil resources of that region and over the eastern Mediterranean. 333.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“The constant concern of imperialism to maintain an economic system which is devised entirely to satisfy its gluttonous appetites is today the basic reason for the lack of solution to the numerous problems which continue to be paraded before our Organization. 330. What, furthermore, is the reason for the continual failure of all the wise and pertinent attempts of our Organization to resolve the problems of decolonization, if not the constant and permanent concern of Western imperialism to maintain under its direct or indirect control those vast Territories the raw materials of which are necessary for its industries and which are markets for its manufactured products, and to maintain bases from which it can exercise its direct or indirect control over the shipping routes which are absolutely essential for its trade? 231.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Flow can the imperialist West today agree willingly to give up the super-profits which it derives from unequal trading relations and consent to pay a fair and remunerative price for the raw materials which it takes from the countries of the third world for its industries? 327. How can the imperialist West today renounce the super-profits which it is making and agree willingly to sell at a fair and honest price its manufactured products to countries of the third world? 328. How, finally, can the imperialist West today willingly give up the super-profits which it makes in its financial dealings to the detriment of the countries of the third world? 329.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“The main obstacle obstinately obstructing a just solution to the numerous problems facing the international community today is nothing but the stubborn determination of the imperialist Powers to hold on to all the numerous and base advantages which they have usurped to the detriment of the peoples of the third world. Thus international imperialism, which has built its prosperity on the wanton and systematic depredation of the resources of the third world, will not agree today -and this is understandable- to the just claims of those countries for greater prosperity. How can the imperialist West today agree willingly to give up the super-profits which it makes in the direct exploitation, and without reciprocity, of the natural wealth and resources of the colonial Territories which it maintains in its grip? 326.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“And, in our view, there is no reason for surprise, because all these problems which we have just mentioned, and which continue to come before our Organization-most of them for almost 30 years-are, in point of fact, all connected and, in the view of my delegation, they all stem from a single, concerted and perfectly coherent plan of international imperialism. 324. All these problems, whether of a political nature like decolonization and attempts at colonial reconquest, or of an economic nature, like the constant impoverishment of the third-world countries and the lack of progress at development conferences, all, I say, are connected and can only be understood and appreciated if placed in their proper context. 325.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“The food deficit of the third-world countries also continues to increase. This deficit is currently 20 million tons in food-grain products,, and it will reach 100 million tons in a few years. The absence of an equitable international monetary system continues to aggravate these economic difficulties which the developing countries are experiencing. 323. Thus all these problems, which are of capital importance for the third-world countries, are passed on from conference to conference, without the developed countries ever finding a really satisfactory and just solution to them. If at times certain partial solutions have been found, they have very often been much less the result of friendly and concerted concessions than that of Victories achieved by resolute struggle on the part of the third-world countries.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“The deficit in the balance of payments of developing countries only increases: from $US 12.2 billion in 1973 to $US 33.5 billion in 1974, and to more than $US 40 billion in 1975. According to estimates, this deficit will reach the impressive figure of $US 112 billion in 1980. The external debt of the countries of the third world, which was $US 100 billion in 1973, will be more than $US 200 billion at the end of 1976. Development assistance, as conceived by the international community within the context of the two international Development Decades, has not attained its target. The flow of financial resources to the developing countries has reached only some $20 billion out of the $57 billion provided for in 1975; whereas for the same period expenditure for arms reached the phenomenal figure o $300 billion.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Despite the adoption by our Organization of the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States [resolution 3281 (XXIX)], no marked progress has been achieved thus far in putting an end to the shameful system of exploitation and economic oppression, or to the unequal relations prevailing in international economic transactions. At the present moment, the exports of 12 main commodities, excluding petroleum, representing about 80 per cent of all the export earnings of the developing countries, earn the latter only approximately $US30 billion, whereas, through unequal trading relations, these same products, after minimal processing, are resold for more than $US 200 billion.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Also on our agenda we have the distressing problem of a Korea divided in two, of the Comoros severed from the island of Mayotte, of the Western Sahara, of Puerto Rico, of Palestine and of Cyprus. Similarly, we are confronted today with the problems of the decolonization of the territories of East Timor, of Papua New Guinea, the Southern Moluccas and Panama, which, although not on the agenda of this session, exist nevertheless. 322. Despite the sessions of UNCTAD, despite the special sessions of the United Nations devoted to the problems of development, despite various international negotiations, the gap between the industrialized countries and the poor countries of the third world is still widening.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“The Security Council has adopted 16 resolutions, the International Court of Justice has given four advisory opinions and passed a Judgment. And yet the situation of Namibia appears to have changed somewhat thanks only to the ever increasing military pressure being exercised today by the Namibian people under the leadership of SWAPO. 320. The panic we are witnessing today in the imperialist circles of the capitalist West is nothing but a reflection of the impending collapse and the total and definitive eradication of their interests in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Azania, a collapse which patiently and courageously African martyrs have written with their blood on the walls of those ghettos which serve as their dwellings and in the countryside in which they live in slavery. 321.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Here also the problem remains, and my country, the People's Republic of Benin, would like to know how we can explain this attitude of the United States Government to the conscience of mankind. 319. Today, the problem of the decolonization of southern Africa is disturbing the world and filling the inter-national press. Suddenly the most ingenious initiatives have proliferated. Plans have been devised, and these are even more ingenious. But must we believe that these are deliberately willed and undertaken by the country in question to restore peace to this region in full ferment? The problem of the decolonization of the southern part of the African continent has been with the United Nations for almost 30 years. In connexion with the Namibian problem alone, the General Assembly has adopted 103 resolutions.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Thus the problem of Viet Nam is still with us, and my country, the People's Republic of Benin, wonders how the United States Government's attitude can be explained to the conscience of the world. 317. Moreover, we must note with bitterness that, despite all the relevant recommendations and resolutions of our Assembly, it was only following a long and painful liberation struggle and an armed victory that the former Portuguese colonies of Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, Angola and Mozambique seized their right to independence and freedom. 318. And yet the problem of Angola remains on the agenda of this present session because the Government of the United States of America has vetoed the accession of this brother State as a Member of the United Nations.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“But we are duty-bound bitterly to recognize that it was only through the sacrifice of its sons and daughters that Viet Nam managed to disentangle itself from the clutches of its colonizer and international imperialism. Only by accepting the gravest sacrifices that can be imposed upon a people was the people of Viet Nam able to regain its independence and freedom. Only through an armed victory was it able to grasp its freedom and independence. 316. And yet the problem of Viet Nam remains on our agenda at this session. The problem of a free and independent Viet Nam is still before us because the Government of the United States of America vetoed the admission of that country as a full Member of our Organization.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Its main instrument is General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples. In addition, our Organization has always dealt seriously with all the problems of decolonization with which it has been seized and has made wise recommendations for their solution. 315. The painful problem of the decolonization of Viet Nam has been a subject of discussion in this hall for more than 30 years. Our Organization has adopted many resolutions recommending to the conscience of the nations of the world just solutions to put an end to the sufferings imposed upon that people. For more than a quarter-century the problem of the decolonization of Viet Nam was before this Assembly, and just and relevant resolutions were adopted in order to resolve it.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Despite all the wise and relevant resolutions of our Organization, the great Powers continue to spend fabulous sums to acquire the most perfect means of warfare available and to accumulate weapons of mass destruction, over-shadowing mankind with the threat of a nuclear cataclysm. 314. Since its birth our Organization has been constantly concerned with the problem of decolonization and the liberation of peoples. In accordance with the very principles of its Charter, die United Nations could not fail to deal with a problem so crucial to contemporary humanity, one so repugnant to human conscience. Patiently surmounting all the subterfuges and obstacles placed in its path by those belonging to this odious group, our Organization has forged a complete philosophy for the liberation of peoples still colonized.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“Despite unanimous condemnation by the inter-national community, vast populations of our earth continue against their will to be arbitrarily maintained in repugnant and intolerable slavery. 312. Despite the many recommendations and resolutions of our Organization, dark clouds heavy with hatred continue to accumulate. dangerously between the developed countries and the countries of the third world. The gap between the industrialized countries and the developing countries continues to widen, and yet UNCTAD and the many other conferences on development succeed each other without managing to promote a real policy of economic interdependence between the countries of the world. 313.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“The People's Republic of Benin would finally like to extend a very warm welcome to the delegation of our brother State of Seychelles, which has just entered the United Nations. My delegation would like to assure the representatives of that country of its active solidarity and its brotherly, frank and militant co-operation. 310. The thirty-first session of the General Assembly of our Organization is initiating its work in an international situation which is still tense, uncertain and fraught with threats to the security of mankind. Indeed, despite the many recommendations and resolutions of our Organization, wars continue to rage in several parts of the world. Arms continue to cause destruction and irreparable suffering for the working populations of those areas, which aspire only to peace, freedom and justice. 311.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“I should also like to take this opportunity to express from this rostrum my Government's sincere appreciation of the effective, positive and sustained work accomplished by our Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, for the triumph of our noble humanitarian ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations to safeguard and preserve international peace and security. 308. In rapidly taking stock of the activities of our Secretary-General my delegation is firmly convinced that he could do even better and find for the acute problems of the moment reasonable, just and acceptable solutions for all parties were he to benefit from the confidence and disinterested co-operation of all and more particularly of the major Powers. 309.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“I should like to express to him the deep satisfaction felt by the People's Republic of Benin at seeing him guiding our work this year. My delegation is convinced that under his wise and clear-sighted direction the work of the thirty-first session will be crowned with success. 306. The President succeeds Mr. Thorn, an outstanding statesman from Luxembourg who, in an exceptional and praiseworthy manner, guided the work of the thirtieth session. I should like to express here the deep satisfaction of my delegation as well as our great appreciation of the able way in which this experienced parliamentarian guided the work of the thirtieth session and found solutions to the very delicate problems with which we were faced. 307.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“I should like to extend to the President the warm and sincere congratulations of the delegation of Benin on his election to the presidency of the thirty-first session of the General Assembly of our Organization. His election is a tribute to him for his eminent talents as a well-informed diplomat and for his personal qualifications-qualities that we have already noted and admired in him during the difficult negotiations that he has been conducting among various groups of countries as President of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. His election is also a tribute to his country, Sri Lanka, which has just acted as host, with so much success, to the Fifth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, and all the countries of the third world.”
1976-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 31 (1976)
“But we must take care that poetic justice does not lead to a state of affairs in which those who are the strongest today become the weakest tomorrow and the law of the jungle turns out to be the only law suited to our ways and our thinking. 154. No, it seems to me that the raison d'etre of the Organization is precisely to avoid such a state of affairs. Let us therefore so act that this precious instrumentality of the United Nations may truly serve the cause of justice and peace in the world.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“Today more than ever before it has become essential that we should pause for thought, should seek the causes of the paralysis and impotence of the Organization in respect of the tragedies confronting mankind. We can no longer wait to see the dead bury their dead'. 153. The same problems arise in connexion with economic relations among nations at different levels of development. Our endless recommendations for a more just balance in the distribution of the planet's goods and resources all too often remain dead letters. The wealthy nations will move only when their interests are threatened or when we confront them with the only weapon available to us: the price of our raw materials. In other words, the rule of might continues to be the supreme rule.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“While the Organization can take some pride in the fortunate outcome of some of the burning problems that had been before it recently, we must note with some bitterness that most of those problems have been solved virtually outside the United Nations. The changes in Portugal and the progress achieved in colonial matters seem to have been less the result of positions we have taken or recommendations we have adopted than the normal outcome of the struggles and sacrifices by the peoples concerned. 152. At the very most, our support-often very timid support-for the liberation movements may have helped to galvanize the energies of the freedom- fighters.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“In any event, exploitation of the international zone must not be entrusted to multinational corporations on the unconvincing pretext that the international authority does not have the required technical and financial means a formula that would betray the concept of the common heritage of mankind. The industrialized countries that already have the means necessary to undertake the exploration and exploitation of the re-sources of the international zone can demonstrate their willingness to co-operate by placing themselves at the disposal of the authority until it is financially capable of acquiring those means itself. 151. Those were the various agenda items on which my delegation wished to .share its thoughts as the twenty-ninth session of the General Assembly begins its work.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“That idea, which offers the best protection for the interests of the underdeveloped countries with regard to the law of the sea, is based on the physical and legal unity of the zone in question, from the standpoint of its size, of the intermediate column of water, of the seabed and the subsoil, and of the corresponding resources. 150. With regard to the regime for the seabed beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, the delegation of Dahomey believes that the international authority to be established should be endowed with extensive powers in connexion with not only the exploitation and exploration but also the sale of the resources, in order to prevent a decline in the prices of the minerals from the deposits on dry land, and in particular of those produced by the developing countries.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“That is why it firmly supports the logical and very coherent notion that a State's territorial waters should be extended to a maximum of 200 nautical miles, thus , assimilating the exclusive economic zone to the territorial sea. It goes without saying that in its national oceanic space the coastal State would exercise full jurisdiction and full sovereignty. However, in addition to accepting the traditional obligations, it would agree to guarantee to its landlocked neighbors the right of access to the sea and the right of free transit under bilateral or regional agreements. 149.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“The Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, whose second session has just finished at Caracas, has brought home the need to establish a new international legal order governing the ocean spaces. The new law of the sea now being drafted must take into account first and foremost the interests of the developing countries. It must therefore be a fundamental element in the creation of new forms of international co-operation. 148. Dahomey, aware of its interests in that sphere, agrees with many other countries that the requirements of economic growth and national security make it necessary that the coastal States have a national oceanic zone that is as broad as possible.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“For our part, we in Dahomey believe that the main problem is henceforward as clear as day. What we must do is replace the old international economic order, which has been based on the balance of force and domination, by a new international economic order taking into account, among other things, the interdependence of our respective economies, respect for the sovereignty of every State, the necessary solidarity between the various nations of our international community , and assistance by the richer to the poorer, without any discrimination between the socio-economic systems freely chosen by the latter. For the development of the developing countries' resources to satisfy the needs of their masses and of the peoples of other countries adds to the wealth of the world and to the progress of mankind. 147.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“That special session, held here in April and May this year, drawing lessons from the various crises, particularly the petroleum crisis, that had strikingly demonstrated the interdependence of our economies, had the merit of clearly and precisely defining the roles that should henceforth govern economic relations between rich and poor countries, through the establishment of a Program of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order. 145. For the first time in the history of international economic relations, the rich countries recognized the existence of a basic problem requiring immediate solution. No matter what reservations may be expressed, they detract in no way from the problem of substance, which requires an urgent response from our community in the clearly understood interests of all. 146.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“We are deeply convinced that no lasting solution to our difficulties can be found unless this structure of international economic relations based on a balance of force unfavorable to the development of the poor countries is called into question. 144. That situation, which certain industrialized countries had already,-described as intolerable, was bound to give rise to tension and confrontation if the international community did not seriously tackle it in time. That was clearly understood, Mr. President, by your Head of State, President Houari Boumediene, when on behalf of the non-aligned countries he proposed the convening of the sixth special session of the Assembly, on raw materials and development.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“Hence, it has seemed to us that if no measures are taken for their effective application, the recommendations of international conferences designed to improve our countries' prospects for development recommendations that often have had little effect will be no more than mere palliatives that will be quickly offset by the deleterious consequences of crises which upset international trading relations and of which we are the main victims. 143. That dramatic situation with which we are faced has further strengthened our bonds of co-operation and our faith in the policy of agreeing on a thorough study of the political, economic and social problems confronting us, having regard to the structure of international economic relations dominated by the industrialized countries.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“As we approach the end of the first half of the Second United Nations Development Decade, the successive crises -monetary crisis, food crisis and so forth- and the imperialist measures of a protectionist and restrictive nature undertaken by the rich countries have deeply disturbed the pattern of international economic relations. 142. There can be no doubt that the position is very disturbing indeed for the 25 least developed countries, including Dahomey.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“Our international community, aware of the necessary interaction between politics and economics, and its role in the maintenance or non-maintenance of world peace, has convened various meetings attended by all countries with a view to finding ways of remedying so many injustices from which the poor countries suffer, and to harmonizing, for the greater good of mankind, economic relations between the various States in order to bridge or reduce the gap between rich and poor countries. But the failure of the first three sessions of UNCTAD and the near failure of the First United Nations Development Decade have shown the Third World countries clearly that it is the selfish interests which alone prevail in the wealthy countries. 141.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“The legitimate actions of the petroleum-producing countries in imposing fair prices for their product provoked the fiercest opposition from the industrialized countries, which were all too quick to speak of crisis while actually throwing on to the developing countries the weight of the effects of the rise in the price of energy and the cost of capital goods of which we had urgent need. Indeed, some of these industrialized Powers do not hesitate to make threats rather than seeking a solution in more realistic terms, namely, that of the economic interdependence of great and small and of the need for a just and equitable remuneration for the products and the labor of each and all. 140.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“It is not right that we should always be the only ones to pay the cost of the implacable law of supply and demand. It is not right that we should always have suffered and go on suffering from the perpetual worsening in the terms of trade. It is not right that our already fragile economies should always suffer the limitations of chronic under-equipment. It is not right that we should continue to support without any assistance the burden of external debt and debt-servicing which considerably reduces our capacity to finance development projects, whereas our creditors continue to extract the maximum exploitation from our resources. It is not right that we should continue to suffer so much injustice and so much discrimination in regard to freight, insurance and other matters at the hands of the big companies that govern the world markets. 139.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“Panic provoked by the difficulties of the world economy has led certain countries to seek ways and means of stemming the crisis, if necessary through protectionist and restrictive means, the consequence of which would be to block the expansion of international trade. For our part, in the developing countries, impoverished by the shameless exploitation of our national wealth by th<? colonial Powers and the great international trusts, our situation is unspeakably tragic. The economic crisis Which is raging all over the world strikes us doubly hard since it adds to the injustice we have always and everywhere denounced. 138. It is not really right that we should continue, without reacting, to be refused free access to the markets of the wealthy countries.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“135. The case of Honduras, where thousands of people have just die**, their homes destroyed and their fields laid waste, is an illustration of the scourges which are visited periodically on the world. I should like to take this opportunity of asking the delegation of Honduras to accept the expression of the deepest sympathy of the delegation of Dahomey. 136. Our community has addressed, itself with peculiar felicity to the problems raised by these various crises. The Committee of 20,40 despite the complexity of the question, is seeking solutions with a view to improving our international monetary system. Other specialized agencies, like FAO and WHO, are doing their best to counter the depredations of malnutrition, famine and disease. 137.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“While a double standard may have been understandable in 1946, it no longer reflects the reality of 1974, and it would be a grave mistake to go on perpetuating it. 133. Before concluding I cannot forbear to speak of a problem which is of the utmost concern to my country and to the international community: the economic crisis through which the world is now passing. 134. The international economic situation in recent years has been marked by a series of crises: a crisis of the international monetary system, with galloping inflation and rising prices, the food crisis, and the threat of famine in some parts of the world where food shortages are creating a critical situation. The picture would not be complete if we did not add to all the foregoing the ravages caused by the consequences of natural disasters such as drought, floods and cyclones.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“The best proof is that from the some 50 Members which then constituted the United Nations, the Assembly today is composed of 138 equal Members. This is a reality which cannot long remain ignored. The balance of forces has changed and the .text that governs the Organization must be adapted to this new situation. Accordingly, my delegation unreservedly will support any initiative to that effect which would seek to restore justice and equity in the Organization. A thorough-going revision of the Charter is necessary. Some interests will certainly be encroached upon. But the overwhelming majority of the Assembly will agree because it is in the interests of the United Nations and of its credibility. 132.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)