YouSaid · the spoken record

Zorome

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS ZOROME

lines on the record: 68
first: 1967-09-24
most recent: 1969-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

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“If, however, the Member States of the United Nations show themselves capable of choosing the path of co-operation and active solidarity, and realize that they have common interests and a common destiny, then there is every reason for hope, since the progress of science and technology, if proper advantage is taken of it, can ensure a better future for all. 77. The Republic of the Upper Volta is ready to make its modest contribution towards furthering any initiative, no matter what its source, which may lead to peace, international security and the progress of mankind. We express our warmest good wishes for the full success of the work of the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Despite its weaknesses and its vicissitudes, it remains an essential instrument for co-operation and a privileged place where it is possible to meet and take counsel in the most difficult moments. Each Member State must exercise self-control, and all peoples must be imbued with the idea that their destinies are inextricably linked and that progress and peace depend on co-operation. Neither war nor the defence of selfish interests, contrary to the principles of the Charter, can bring us any nearer to a solution of our problems.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The greater the power and influence, the greater should be the responsibility. 75. We also believe that the small Powers, which make up the majority in our international community, should not underestimate the contribution they can make to the strengthening of our Organization. Since they are the ones that have suffered the most from the decline of our Organization, the small Powers should pool their efforts and seize every opportunity offered through bilateral contacts and relations, to draw the attention of the great Powers to the dangers resulting from the inability of the United Nations to act. 76. We in my country continue to place our hopes in the United Nations.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“There are two reasons for this impotence: the fact that the United Nations is without adequate means to implement its decisions, and the attitude of certain Member States that refuse to co-operate with it. For, while it is true that, legally speaking, no Member State directly challenges the fundamental principles of the Charter, the fact remains that the behaviour of certain Member States constitutes a negation of those principles. This impotence of the United Nations is to a large extent brought about by the attitude of the great Powers, whose differences destroy cohesion among its Members. It is necessary therefore that the great Powers should become aware of their responsibilities and act in such a way as to strengthen the United Nations and make it more effective, as prescribed in the Charter.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“As is the case every year when the time for stocktaking comes round, we feel bound to raise the question of the future of our Organization as an instrument for the maintenance of peace and the settlement of disputes. 73. My delegation would wish in the first place to express its appreciation of the Secretary-General’s tireless efforts both to relieve the tension in situations of crisis and to ensure that our Organization plays its full role. 74. The feeling that we still have today is that our Organization is impotent, because many of the decisions which we take, sometimes almost unanimously, remain a dead letter. At times of serious crisis, the United Nations, weakened by its contradictions and the conflict of selfish interests, is unable to find the solutions that are needed.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Today, more than 20 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, racial intolerance is a scourge which is still with us and must be fought. The explosive situation in southern Africa is due largely to the policy of apartheid instituted by the authorities in Pretoria. All States must whole-heartedly condemn the policy of racial discrimination practised by the South African authorities, and bring the maximum pressure to bear on that country so that it will renounce that form of domination. We continue to believe that apartheid is a standing threat to international peace and security and that our Organization should tackle the problem of apartheid from that standpoint. 72.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“South Africa has steadfastly refused to co-operate with the United Nations on the question of Namibia, and it becomes clear, therefore, that the measures that should be taken to oblige South Africa to withdraw from Namibia are those laid down in Articles 41 and 42 of the Charter. 70. Our Organization must show that it is and will remain the paramount body to which peoples suffering injustice and oppression can appeal, for its prestige and its very survival are at stake. In our view, those who sell arms to South Africa are its accomplices, for the only purpose of those arms is to strengthen that State and thus to encourage it to continue its policy of defiance of our Organization and of domination over Namibia. 71.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“It is true that Portugal is strongly supported in its colonial policy by Members of our Organization, but it must be remembered that the valiant freedom fighters of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea (Bissau) have behind them the peoples of Africa and every peace-loving and freedom-loving State. We ourselves once again take the opportunity to assure them of our whole-hearted support. 69. My delegation considers that the situation in South Africa and in Namibia, which is under illegal occupation, constitutes an imminent threat to international peace and security. The resolutions so far adopted by our Organization have done nothing to change the situation.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“But it is already clear that the people of Zimbabwe, in order to recover their independence and freedom, will have to rely first and foremost on themselves, draw upon all their physical, economic and moral resources, and courageously continue their struggle. We are certain that with the assistance of all peace-loving and freedom-loving States, the people of Zimbabwe will triumph. 68. As regards the territories administered by Portugal, the Lisbon authorities continue with impunity to defy the wishes of the peoples of those territories and international public opinion. Portugal has still not learned that it is time to end this arrogant form of political domination; but the tide of decolonization cannot be turned back, and Portugal will learn this to its cost; of this we are convinced.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Once again we should like to voice our indignation and concern at the explosive situation created and maintained in southern Africa by the colonialist and racist States and their accomplices. In Rhodesia, the situation is getting worse. With the manifest complicity of the administering Power the rebel minority has consolidated its position. Every attempt made by the peace-loving and freedom-loving Member States of the United Nations has had to contend with the selfish interests of certain Member States which, directly or indirectly, are the economic, commercial and diplomatic allies of the Rhodesian rebels. In view of this situation and the obvious failure of the policy of sanctions, my delegation hopes that the General Assembly will, at this session, take the measures that are now necessary.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Another thing to bear in mind is that the process of decolonization must be brought to completion. One of the greatest dangers to international peace and security is the continued existence, in the middle of the twentieth century, of regimes based on the colonial domination of a racist minority, backed by forces that seek to remain hidden but which all of us can readily identify. On the problem of decolonization, it has to be recognized that there has been a failure to act. The refusal, or at all events the powerlessness, of the United Nations to take appropriate measures to ensure the implementation of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) and all the other resolutions that we have adopted by large majorities provides ample reason for the disappointment felt by the peoples of the colonial countries. 67.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The reason why we have always refused to consider this aspect in isolation is that Upper Volta remains convinced that the surest, and perhaps also the most humanitarian, way to a genuinely lasting solution is to recognize the territorial integrity of Nigeria, a Member State of our Organization. There is every reason to believe that, once self-seeking and passion have died away, the guns too will fall silent, so that brother Nigerians who were yesterday at loggerheads can become reconciled and work shoulder to shoulder in the future for a prosperous Nigeria. We therefore address a solemn and urgent appeal to all States, particularly to those whose actions or inaction can have some influence on the parties, to join in the quest for a solution, which must necessarily be an African one. 66.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“We continue to believe that this war must be brought to an end, for there is no longer any reason why it should go on. 65. I cannot pass over in silence the tragedy of Nigeria, which is a tragedy for the whole of Africa. We must deplore the action of those who, from outside Africa, and by a clever and calculated policy, have brought about the present situation in the State and sister nation of Nigeria. General Lamizana, the President of Upper Volta, said in 1967: “If Europe is for the Europeans, and America for the Americans — something that no one disputes — then why should not Africa be for the Africans?” The civil war is still raging, with all its misery and suffering. All of us here are greatly concerned at the very distressing humanitarian problems resulting from the situation of the civilian population.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“With regard to the conflict in Viet-Nam, my country both deplores its continuation — a major obstacle to co-operation among the States of that region and to the relaxation of international tension — and regrets the failure of the parties to make any serious effort to turn to account the various opportunities that have arisen for putting an end to it. The Paris talks aroused some hopes at the beginning, but since then they have made no headway and this is a disquieting sign for the future. In the opinion of the Government of Upper Volta, if the withdrawal of United States troops were speeded up, that would create a new situation which the parties should take advantage of to put an end to the conflict on the basis of the Geneva Agreements of 1954.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In my country’s view, the discussions between the great Powers on the Middle East question have been a fresh and encouraging feature of the search for a solution to the crisis. Despite their different viewpoints on this question, and despite the diversity of their interests, we believe that there is no reason why the great Powers should not make proposals for settlement to the parties involved. We therefore appeal to those parties not to reject from the outset any proposal that might lead to peace. 64.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“It is to be feared that the violations of the cease-fire line by both sides, inevitable in the present circumstances, may lead the parties to a new and violent confrontation; hence the need to find a just and lasting solution to this conflict. 62. My delegation is of the opinion that the Security Council resolution [242 (1967)] of 22 November 1967 provides an. adequate basis for settlement of the conflict in the Middle East and that any differences of interpretation to which its text may give rise — and in fact it is quite clear — should not lead the parties to reject it. On the basis of the idea that all States in the region have a right to existence and that the territorial integrity of each must be respected, a number of compromise solutions can be found for the other problems. 63.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“For that reason, we have sought to establish relations with more countries, on the basis of the principles of independence, non-interference in domestic affairs, mutual respect, and economic and cultural co-operation. Present-day experience shows that interdependence is undoubtedly one means by which mankind can eliminate the painful spectacle of poor countries desperately struggling to break free from their unhappy destiny. 60. Our common aspirations for peace and progress could be realized if the international community were not preoccupied every day by the tensions and clashes which afflict certain parts of the world. How much effort is wasted in these fruitless struggles whose sole result is to bring insecurity and misery to regions whose sole desire is peace! 61. In the Middle East the situation deteriorates from to day.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In an age when the world has been made so much smaller by technical and scientific progress, it is more than ever essential that States should be animated by the desire to work together to achieve peace and progress. It is more than ever essential that they should, once and for all, turn their backs on war and on intolerance in all its forms, in particular racial and religious intolerance. Many of our problems would be more easily solved if the great Powers would only forget their differences, often dating back to a bygone age, which have gradually led to the present division of the world into opposing blocs, the source of most of the grave crises familiar to us all. 59. Upper Volta has been made aware of the dangers of this situation through the obstacles placed in the way of relations between States.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“As a result, the poor countries, already heavily in debt, will see their indebtedness increase still further. We find it all the more difficult to understand the World Bank’s decision, because in September 1968 it decided that greater efforts should be made to ensure that the services of international financial institutions were available in the first instance to the developing countries. 57. Unfortunately, economic problems are not the only ones we have to face. The world is perhaps m a more disturbed state today than it ever was before. We seem to be living again the events which 30 years ago led up to the Second World War. In the opinion of the Government of Upper Volta, the international community must find solutions to the burning problems of the modern world, so that all nations may at last enjoy peace and security. 58.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“As we know, the First United Nations Development Decade is closing in failure, for the target of a 5 per cent growth rate which, when all is said and done, was a modest one, has not been attained. To us, this adverse result is a clear sign of the lack of international solidarity and the tragic absence of political will. 55. Of course, we hope that States will draw the necessary inferences from the failure of the First Development Decade and try to make the Second a success. But, even so, we have justifiable misgivings at the non-participation of certain States in the preparations for the Second Development Decade, and regard this as a matter for serious concern. 56. The developing countries are also concerned at the rise in the World Bank’s interest rate, now 7 per cent.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Some States have spent enormous sums, equivalent to the budgetary expenditure of a small member State for hundreds of years, and displayed extraordinary energy and determination in order to accomplish outstanding technical feats: the placing of the first men on the moon is a vivid example of this, if example were needed. At the time we applauded this historic exploit, but we continue to experience day by day the reality of our economic difficulties. In this connexion, we cannot but feel that the same effort, though infinitely superior in terms of moral and humanitarian values, could be made to improve the lot of millions of human beings caught up in an endless round of suffering. If this were not the case, the poor countries would feel even greater bitterness at the indifference of the wealthy Powers to their poverty. 54.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The present trade pattern, which is very much to their advantage, cannot last indefinitely; sooner or later, the States that are the victims of this deplorable situation must be expected to react against it, with the gravest consequences for international peace and security. Accordingly, we feel that, in the spirit of solidarity which should characterize our world, now so small, the developed countries should have the political will to co-operate with the developing countries in the quest for equitable solutions to the problems of international trade. 53.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Upper Volta remains convinced that, so long as the problems facing the developing countries are not considered with the necessary objectivity and detachment, the international community will continue to live under the shadow of insecurity, with all that that entails in the way of threats to the safety of each of its members, until there is a general conflagration. 52. As the First United Nations Development Decade draws to a close, it is distressing to note that no substantial progress has been made towards solving the problems of international trade and in particular the problem of the deterioration in the terms of trade. We must not just resign ourselves to the failure of the New Delhi Conference. To break the deadlock, we urgently appeal to the developed countries not to adopt an unhelpful and selfish attitude.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The present level of our economic development, the responsibilities that we must assume both in the short and in the long term, and the needs we must meet in the process of transforming an under-developed country into a modern and fully sovereign State, naturally play their part in providing the guidelines for our foreign policy. 50. In view of the importance we attach to economic problems in general, this is the appropriate moment to emphasize the serious problems encountered by developing countries in the process of building up a modern economy. 51.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Once again we wish to thank all those States and international agencies that are assisting us in our development effort and to express our special appreciation of what they are doing. At this point I should like to mention the considerable assistance provided to Upper Volta by France and the other member States of the European Economic Community. The way in which this aid is planned and carried out provides an example which many States or groups of States might well imitate, of course with the necessary adaptations. 49.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Sound and well-balanced public finances, an expanding trade and broader diplomatic horizons: such is the present-day picture in Upper Volta. This is a situation which my country is resolved not merely to maintain, but also to improve — with the assistance of all its friends, of course, but above all in the conviction that it must count first and foremost on itself and on its own resources. 47. Upper Volta is ready to face other difficulties and to make the sacrifices necessary for strengthening its independence, for the people of my country would never forgive their leaders if they chose the easy and humiliating way out by resorting to mendicancy and national abdication. 48.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“We have laid great stress on the development of our external trade, because of its importance for the financing of our development and because of the leading part it plays in balancing our national accounts. 45. From that standpoint, our trading activities are well sustained and are based on a policy of seeking a wider range of trading partners, in the interests of the country as a whole and of producers. We wish here to draw attention to the steadily expanding trade between Upper Volta and the States of Eastern Europe, access to which, until recently, had for a variety of reasons been difficult for us. 46. I should also like to mention that the volume of our foreign trade in 1968 has been encouraging, since it was 15 per cent higher than in the previous year.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Today, therefore, Upper Volta feels that it has learned something from the trials through which it has passed since independence; some of these were imposed by the vicissitudes of history, and others, closer at hand, by our enemies on all sides. These trials have heightened the feeling of national identity, so enabling our leaders, concerned for the common good and striving after rapid economic and social development, to look boldly beyond our frontiers and to strengthen our co-operation with all States which respect the new situation brought about by the popular uprising of 1966. 44. The Government brought to power by that uprising has worked unremittingly to restore the national economy of Upper Volta, and the results are encouraging.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In my last statement from this rostrum [1568th meeting] I referred to the serious problems confronting new States, and I mentioned in particular those arising from economic development, which is the basis of any State’s political future. 42. In this connexion I am glad to be able to say today that the revolutionary upheaval which took place in Upper Volta early in 1966 proved in the long run to be beneficial. After finding itself to begin with in a situation of grave economic crisis and administrative disorganization, the present Government of Upper Volta, with the unreserved support of the people — which unhesitatingly accepted the sacrifices dictated by the need to preserve our independence — has succeeded in restoring and Strengthening the foundations of the State, so gravely shaken by a succession of administrative errors. 43.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“My delegation is convinced that these ideals will inspire and guide you in directing our proceedings. 39. Upper Volta cannot refrain from expressing its disappointment and apprehension at the events of 1969. We are disappointed, for these events have not strengthened the United Nations. And our disappointment is all the greater because the San Francisco Charter appears to be under increasing attack by forces challenging its purposes and principles. Our apprehension arises from our concern about the very future of our Organization. 40. Actuated by these two sentiments, and in a desire to see my country make a modest contribution to the solution of the problems exercising us, I wish to set forth my Government’s views on certain issues as we see them from the standpoint of our general foreign policy. 41.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Your unanimous election to one of the most difficult offices of our time is a mark of respect both for your country and for yourself, whose sense of duty, skill and long experience have so often been placed at the service of our Organization. 38. We regard your widely acclaimed election as a recognition by the international community of the increasingly important role of the African continent and of its true representatives in dealing with issues affecting the peace of the world and our Organization. Furthermore, you represent a country which upholds the same ideals as mine, and one with which my country maintains the most cordial relations. Your country’s history, geography and traditions have progressively impelled it to devote its best efforts to the defence of peace and to the attainment of the purposes and principles of the Charter.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“36. As the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly of our Organization opens, I should like with your permission, Madam President, to begin by saying a few words about your predecessor, the late Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, Mr. Emilio Arenales. The tragic death of that great diplomat was a heavy blow, not only to this country, to which we desire to express our condolences, but also to this Organization. After his warmly supported election as President of the twenty-third session, he was unable to complete the task he had so courageously undertaken. We desire to pay a well-deserved tribute to his memory. 37. Madam President, I must make a reference to the event, so important for us Africans, of your election as President of the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The United Nations must strengthen its moral authority and its international prestige in order to meet more adequately the difficult demands of modern times. May future generations be the fortunate beneficiaries of the out come of our deliberations.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“In concluding these reflections, my delegation would like to reiterate that the world must work for the survival of the right of every people to safeguard its unity. The world must apply its genius to bring to an end the tragic meetings which work to the detriment of third States. We ardently wish for a successful outcome to the work of our Assembly. At the end of our present session, may we all have been strengthened by the staunch conviction that peace is founded exclusively on justice, co-operation and the consent of all the peoples of the world. Today nations have to live together, whether they like it or not; and there is no other choice but to live together in mutual respect, tolerance and mutual assistance. War is no more the ineluctable fate of mankind than peace is a gift from the strongest Power.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“The backward-looking supporters of apartheid continue to hold our black brothers in the most heinous slavery and their criminal measures of genocide are stepped up with every day that passes. Portugal and South Africa continue to strut about within these walls, exchanging conspiratorial smiles, in the conviction that we are incapable of enforcing the dozens of resolutions adopted with virtual unanimity. To take a very recent example, Israel declines to implement resolutions adopted without a single dissenting voice. All this seems to us to augur ill. Each year it seems to us more out of place to devote our time to the now traditional ritual of ineffective oratory. We submit to it only because we cherish the hope that our faint warning will be heard. 116.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“We must not only reaffirm our will and our determination to live together in peace and brotherhood; we must also, indeed above all, express that will in deeds. We must provide the Organization with the means it requires to impose its decisions, if the need arises; we must also keep our commitments, for if we fail in this we shall witness a steady whittling away of the authority of the Organization, and we shall move, slowly hut surely, towards the disappearance, pure and simple, of its usefulness. 115. This is not a mere fanciful notion. In point of fact, 200,000 Whites in Rhodesia persist in trampling under foot the "historic" decisions taken by the international community.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“While it is a fact that the United Nations has succeeded in defusing a few bombs and that it has up to now fulfilled its role as the world’s political barometer, there is cause for regret that it is showing increasing signs of exhaustion, that it is sinking into a disturbing state of impotence and real ineffectiveness. The outlook for a needed revision of the Charter, the disappointments and the disenchantment reflected in certain statements, continue to alarm us. And yet, no other rostrum can so well serve to bring nations together in a concerted effort to improve the international climate. In order to survive and to play Its role fully, the United Nations must adapt its spirit and its structures to the pressing needs of today; otherwise it will be unable to deter the dark forces which seek to destroy it. 114.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“There is one important problem which we must deal with frankly this year, despite the real difficulties it poses: what means does our Organization have, or should It have, to implement the decisions we shall once again be taking here, at times by a nearly unanimous vote of Member States? In the introduction to his report (A/670l/Add.1), the Secretary-General is not optimistic. In his opinion, 1967 is likely to be a bad year for the United Nations. It is for us to see that it ends well, to correct the pessimistic impression of a man with heavy responsibilities whose efforts we must support and sustain by our unstinting co-operation. 113. In fact, what do we find? We find a dangerous development in this supreme peace-keeping body.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“As to the question of the Middle East, my delegation strongly urges the parties to that conflict to work out rational solutions to the following problems: the recognition of Israel's right to exist; the reintegration of the refugees; the withdrawal of Israel's forces to the pre-5 June 1967 frontiers; the settlement of the status of Jerusalem through agreement between the parties concerned and in accordance with resolutions 2253 (ES-V) and 2254 (ES-V) adopted at the fifth emergency special session. 112. As every year, we are met once again to take stock of what is happening in the world and to propose urgent and effective remedies.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“The whole world looks to the United States to make the first move, for its awareness of its responsibility in the settlement of the conflict must be concomitant with its power and influence. 110. My delegation expresses its deep sympathy for the grief-torn people of Viet-Nam, We hope that that brave people will soon enjoy the peace towards which it has aspired for a quarter of a century. The Government and the people of Upper Volta are grateful to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for his unceasing efforts to bring the conflict to an end through a negotiated settlement. 111.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“The systematic massacres which occur daily before our eyes are an indication of the powerlessness of our Organization to impose a negotiated solution to a political problem, 109. Consequently, the bombing must be stopped in order to bring about a slackening of tension which will ensure the success of the subsequent stages, namely: the withdrawal of foreign troops, then an internationally supervised referendum with a view to the country's reunification. Such a return to the 1954 Geneva Agreements is all the more urgent and pressing in that the United States itself, through Its permanent representative at the United Nations, Mr. Goldberg, has ruled out any idea of a military settlement and has recognized the necessity for a political settlement.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“Man appears to hare reached an impasse: the threat of thermonuclear suicide has already given rise to great waves of indignation in most countries, whatever their political system. Yet even if world public opinion were aroused sufficiently to force the great Powers to refrain from provoking a general conflagration, there would still be one imperative need for our salvation: recourse to negotiation. 108. The distressing events taking place in South-East Asia are one of the main obstacles to the easing of tension in international relations. We are witnessing interference by one of the greatest military Powers of modern times in the Internal affairs of the Viet-Namese people.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“I am referring to fear and to hope: the fear of man's destructive power, which today knows practically no bounds, and the hope which millions of starving people place in the development of International solidarity, which is making such slow progress. This perilous passage through the narrow straits separating fear and hope is the central fact of life of our generation. 107. Until 1945, it was possible to maintain the myth that war affected only active combatants or military installations. The myth vanished for ever in the mushroom cloud which arose over Hiroshima. From that time on, those who saw themselves as the champions of what is good were forced to acknowledge that they were rising weapons incapable of distinguishing not only between men, but between nations and races.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“As for the problem of South West Africa, my delegation notes with deep concern the casual way in which the Council Committee which was set up has discharged its responsibilities; we should like to draw its attention to the fact that South West Africa is scheduled to attain independence "by June 1968" (see resolution 2248 (S-V)). 104. The situation in the Territories under Portuguese domination is also of concern to us. We take this opportunity to express once again our unreserved support for the brave forces in the swamps of Mozambique, Angola and Guinea-Bissau. 105. Before concluding, I should like to add something more. 106. Two giants dominate our world. I do not mean West or East; I am not referring to Washington or Moscow.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“Indeed, what difference is there between the manoeuvrings of mercenaries harassing the Congo and the behaviour of those who have seized power in Rhodesia? The only difference lies in the fact that the activities of Ian Smith and his cronies were tacitly backed by the trusteeship Power, which clearly has done nothing to dissuade them from their course of action. We shall never cease to condemn with equal vigour the racist regimes of Salisbury and Pretoria and any ideology or action favouring them either directly or indirectly. My delegation hopes that at this twenty-second session the General Assembly will request the Security Council to take all necessary measures to restore legality in Rhodesia, drawing a lesson from the lamentable failure of the so-called sanctions adopted so far. 103.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“In present circumstances, when international relations are characterized by a chronic tension hampering the development of friendly relations between States, financial interests which cannot be dissociated from the Governments and countries where they originate are undertaking massive operations against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of some independent States. The criminal employment of mercenaries is a constant threat to peace and security in a part of Africa whose only crime is to be endowed with extensive natural resources. The whole of southern Africa is subject to the criminal activities of mercenaries, who have had more success in Rhodesia and South Africa than in the Congo. 102.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“What shall we say about the danger to mankind from those who in this twentieth century are behind the times? International obtuseness has taken on an acute form indeed: that of racism. In mid-twentieth century it is unthinkable that so-called "civilized" people should practise and foster the insanity of a concept of human inequality. The hateful policy of apartheid practised by the fascist authorities in Pretoria and by those who slowly but surely are coming to emulate them does credit neither to so- called civilized peoples nor to our era. 101.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“All that money and all those energies are devoted to preparations for slaughter, or rather, to the mere pleasure of playing with fire. The tragedy is all the more agonizing in that these engines of destruction are being constantly perfected and that we are standing by as though hypnotized, or disillusioned, or powerless, watching this progress towards nuclear holocaust. 99. Nevertheless, there are more and more indications that lead us to believe that all is not lost. Regional associations based on economic interdependence are being created or developed; vast movements of solidarity are being launched, often spontaneously, to come to the rescue of men threatened with extinction. We must encourage these praiseworthy efforts aimed at relieving the poverty of the disinherited and the outcasts of the earth. 100.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“Proof of this is that the testing of one ballistic missile alone costs approximately $6 million, or around what it would cost to provide housing for 1,500 homeless families; that in 1957 one great Power spent more than §1,000 million on long-range ballistic missiles, or the equivalent of the budget of some United Nations Member States for nearly twenty-five years; that the two super Powers are preparing to spend fabulous amounts of money to perfect their respective defence systems; that more than $2,000 million were spent last year on armaments, or 10 per cent of the value of world production. The escalation of this collective madness is daily taking on alarming proportions: proof of this is that, according to reliable sources, the United States is going to spend around $27,000 million to support its war effort in Viet-Nam.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“This accelerated deterioration of exchange rates is helping to widen the gap between rich and poor. In the middle of the twentieth century we are faced with the fact that two thirds of mankind do not have at their disposal in a year what the other third wastes every month. 98. Furthermore, the amount of aid at present being allocated bears no relationship to what is needed in order to improve substantially the situation prevailing in the Third World. The wealthy countries undoubtedly possess sufficient resources to provide more substantial aid to the other countries.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)