YouSaid · the spoken record

De Freitas Valle

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS DE FREITAS VALLE

lines on the record: 60
first: 1949-09-24
most recent: 1956-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
sources: un-general-debate

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“During its history, the United Nations has never before been beset by so many problems of a political and economic nature. May I express the hope that, at the end of our labours, the world will say that the eleventh session of the General Assembly was worthy of the great hopes that mankind placed in it.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“It might be wise for the General Assembly to envisage certain, practical measures to ensure the implementation of resolution 377A (V) paragraph 8, in order that the armed forces of every Member State might have, on a permanent basis, one or more units always available to the United Nations. These units, the size of which would be left to the discretion of the Member State concerned, could perhaps some day fly the flag of the United Nations together with their own national flag. The psychological effect to be derived if this suggestion were accepted would tend to create, on a world-wide basis, a feeling of greater respect for our Organization, and the requisitioning of troops in obedience to resolutions adopted either by the Security Council or by the General Assembly would come to be regarded as normal procedure. 14.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“We recognize the special interests of the Soviet Union in the settlement of the German question, but we cannot admit that it would be in the interest of the Soviet Union to keep alive this issue and by so doing to block the natural peaceful development of progress in Western Europe. As regards the Far East, Japan has to play an increasingly important role in world affairs. To this end, it is urgent that Japan be admitted to the United Nations and that the manoeuvres that have so long impeded that action cease forthwith. 13. I have already mentioned the formation of the United Nations Emergency Force as a highly commendable development of far-reaching implications for the future effectiveness of United Nations action.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“The sooner the mighty Russian nation recognizes this fact, the better it will fare in the long run, for the real and loyal friendship of free nations has always proved a better guarantee of security than any other form of influence or domination. 12. I shall now say just a few words about two important international issues, one on the European scene and the other in the Far East. Unity in Europe is an indispensable element to world peace. Unity in Europe can never be achieved without the reunification of Germany. Conditions in the modern world have changed so radically with the advent of atomic power that the danger of a recurrent German aggressive spirit is no longer an important threat to the security of the countries neighbouring that once powerful nation.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“I am referring to the action undertaken by the armed forces of the Soviet Union to quench and raze the legitimate aspirations of the gallant people of Hungary. During the debate that took place on this issue during the second emergency special session of the General Assembly, my delegation had the opportunity of expressing its opinion on this tragic event [569th meeting]. I only want to add that we are convinced that those who lost their lives fighting in the streets of Budapest did not die in vain. Their cause, which is the cause of freedom, cannot be destroyed by the sheer weight of power. Among those countries which are closely linked to the Soviet Union, a trend has been set which is irreversible.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“On the other hand, we see the developed countries trying to perpetuate a system of international relationships that will guarantee for them in the future, as it did in the past, a virtual lifeline of essential supplies to which their economies have become adapted through long periods and whose disappearance would entail readaptation hardships they are not psychologically or economically prepared to face. The very problems arising from the competition between the free enterprise group of nations and the centrally planned economies must be, in the long run, solved by the ability of each group to foster or speed up economic development. 11. With the President’s permission, I shall now make a few remarks on the other event that has stirred the feelings of the whole world in recent weeks.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“There are very obvious economic motives behind all the phenomena we are trying to understand. It seems quite clear that most of the political and military pressures that were brought to bear recently on the international scene have been fundamentally at the service of the most basic economic needs of the different participants. On the one side, we see less developed countries, whose peoples cannot accept under-development any longer, in a frantic search for the means by which to accelerate their development process, entering different systems of military alliance in the hope of thus deserving a greater degree of help from the leaders or sub-leaders in those systems.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“Great statesmanship is required now both from the Arab States and from Israel, and I feel confident that their Governments will prove equal to the tremendous task that confronts them. 9. It seems to my delegation that the greatest possible mistake we could make in this difficult moment would be to fail to analyse the deep underlying causes of all those disturbing facts. By its quick and decisive action, the United Nations may have prevented or postponed the dangers of a military conflict, but it cannot be said that the great pressures that created the conflicting factors have been removed. It is up to us all, in the Assembly, to put utmost frankness at the service of world peace and try, through it, to point out the causes of disturbances that must be removed before the basis for a lasting and just peace can be found. 10.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“On the other hand, the grievances suffered by the Arab nations as a result of the emergence of Israel are only too easily understandable. Their reluctance to discuss peace with Israel on equal terms springs from these feelings of antagonism created as a result of the turmoil that has taken place in the Middle East since the Arab-Israel war. The period of time that has elapsed since those tragic days has not proved long enough to allow for the necessary moderation and clear-sightedness on the part of all the Powers concerned. We have, however, reached a crossroads on the general international scene that calls for an immediate and decided effort to settle all the problems that might kindle the spark that may set off catastrophes of unforeseeable consequences.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“We should also like to emphasize once again that we could under no circumstances condone any action from any quarter that would bar the right of free passage through the Canal to any country for any reason whatsoever. 7. The bases for a lasting settlement of the state of belligerency that has been prevailing since the days of the General Armistice Agreements between Israel and the Arab countries are more difficult to envisage and to formulate. A few principles, however, govern our attitude and, in our opinion, should be generally accepted. 8. First, Israel is a sovereign State with the same rights and obligations as those of ail Members of the United Nations. Its desire to live in peace with its neighbours seems to us legitimate and conducive to a happy settlement of this thorny question.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“Since the Middle Eastern problems are going to be discussed during the eleventh session of the General Assembly, it would perhaps prove of great relevance if the United Nations were to approve certain directives that might serve as a basis for discussion on these two outstanding issues. 6. On the question of the Canal, a number of general, principles have already been accepted by all the parties concerned. On behalf of the delegation of Brazil, I want to stress that we shall favour a solution to that problem that takes into account the legitimate interests of the users of that international waterway but that would in no way impinge upon the sovereignty of Egypt.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“While I am dealing with the questions connected with the situation in the Middle East, I must emphasize once again that no solution is apt to bring fruitful and lasting results if the very delicate and complex problems that lie behind the surface of the present crisis are not dealt with courageously once and for all. Two questions are of paramount importance in relation to the unstable peace in that troubled region of the globe. The first is the situation brought about by the forcible seizure of the Suez Canal, and the other is the relations between the State of Israel and its Arab neighbours.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“May I be allowed, at this juncture, to express the deep appreciation of my delegation of the initiative taken in this connexion by the Secretary of State for External Affairs of Canada. Mr. Pearson has rendered a great service to the cause of peace with justice. We also agree heartily with the proposals made by the Secretary-General — whose outstanding performance of his duties is a source of pride to all the Members of the United Nations — concerning the duties and functions of the Emergency Force [A/3289, A/3302]. And we hope and pray that this new experiment in world diplomacy may yet prove to be the nucleus from which will emanate the strength that will lend to this Organization the physical power which it has so sorely lacked. 5.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“It is common knowledge that the alliance which it was possible to forge against the destructive might of fascist aggression could not be maintained in the years that followed the establishment of a wavering peace. This unfortunate circumstance is at the root of all the troubles which beset the world today. 3. The fact that the United Nations was never able to Marshal sufficient military strength to ensure peace and security wherever a threat of aggression occurred or a breach of the peace was imminent has also contributed largely to the unsatisfactory state of affairs that endangers the very life of every human being all over the world. That is why we rejoice in the establishment of the United Nations Emergency Force that has been set up to enforce the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on recent momentous occasions. 4.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“Mr. President, I count it a great privilege to be one of the first to express to you my congratulations on your unanimous election as President of the eleventh session of the General Assembly. Your services to the cause of peace, and especially your devotion to our United Nations, have long qualified you for the high office to which you have been elected and which, I feel certain, you will discharge with impartiality and skill. 2. I now turn my attention to the recent events in the Middle East which brought the world closer to a general war than it has ever been since the forces of Nazism were crushed by the power of the Allied armies.”
1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)
“Before I leave this rostrum, I beg to inform the General Assembly that the Government of Brazil has decided to receive those prisoners of the Korean war still in the custody of the Indian authorities, subject to the fulfilment of minimum immigration requirements and their willingness to live among our people.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“But countries like my own, whose main source of income stems from the production of basic commodities, are affected not only by fluctuations of supply and demand, but also by the rising production of similar goods in colonial territories, the output whereof has been increasing partially by virtue of financial aid granted for the benefit of the colonial Powers themselves. As a matter of course, the standards of living in colonial territories determine a cost of production which brings the price of commodities to a level so low as to impair the competitive ability of traditional producers. It is urgent that through technical assistance and appropriate financial machinery we strive for the elimination of the economic and social grievances that affect the harmonious relations between peoples. 15.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“My Government would, however, like to point out that any transformation of such covenants into radical and whimsically idealistic, declarations ought to be avoided. It is only too clear that the very States which have traditionally upheld those same fundamental rights will be prevented from subscribing to declarations of this kind. 14. Before closing my remarks, may I be, allowed to draw the attention of the General Assembly to the need for a greater effort to correct the tremendous disparity in economic levels amongst the various regions of the world. This is, as a matter of fact, one of the essential purposes of our Organization. We cannot ask, of course, that all countries be equally wealthy.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“This being the case, while acknowledging the desirability of reviewing the Charter, it would be wiser, in the opinion of the Brazilian delegation, to take now a decision in favour of holding that conference, referring to the next session of the Assembly the task of setting a definite date for it. To our mind this would render it possible for Member States, then guided by a stronger spirit of harmony, profitably to review those provisions of the Charter which, in the light of experience, have proved unsatisfactory. 13. In the field of human rights, Brazil had not the opportunity to participate more actively in the drafting of the proposed covenants, as it was not represented in the bodies which undertook this task.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“Although not adopted at the time, our proposal was to a certain extent met by Article 109, which directed the General Assembly to consider, ten years thereafter, whether it was advisable or not to hold a conference for the purpose of reviewing the Charter. It would appear, however, that the international scene today did not warrant much hope that enough support would be forthcoming for the text that might result from such revision to ensure its approval. This applies not only to its adoption in terms of votes, but also to the more protracted process of ratification.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“The deadlock, that might have been broken long ago, deprives the Organization of that universality winch should be one of its characteristics if Article 4 of the Charter is to be properly observed. If the new spirit of understanding and mutual concessions could be made to prevail among all the members of the Security Council, I trust that many States would be recommended to the General Assembly for admission to the United Nations. 12. The delegation of Brazil suggested in San Francisco in 1945 that the United Nations Charter might be reviewed automatically every five years and that no veto should apply.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“The political maturity of the countries represented at the Bandung Conference was emphasized by the very fact that, while firmly stating their position on many controversial issues, they took into account the realities of the international situation and the problems that the necessity to coexist creates for every nation. 10. In the Far East, we are gratified to note that the efforts of the Secretary-General towards the liberation of the United Nations airmen so arbitrarily detained by the Government of Peiping have met with success. To Mr. Hammarskjold goes our gratitude. The United Nations is fortunate indeed to have as its principal official a statesman whose great ability is matched only by his modesty. 11. I know of no other problem so vital for the United Nations as that of the admission of new Members.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“It is only natural, therefore, that their sympathies flow to those who are demanding independence. This sentiment, however, springs from the heart and should not overcast the mind. May I recall, gentlemen, the words of Napoleon: “Le coeur d’un homme d’Etat doit être dans sa tête”. 8. Thus it would appear that the role of the United Nations is to avoid premature actions which, once adopted, may one day be sorrowfully regretted. Red independence is the fruit of the natural growth of political institutions, founded on a sound economic and social structure. Let the people mature arid their institutions develop fully. Then independence will be a blessing; otherwise it will be just a dangerous illusion. 9.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“The continuance of the present division of Germany cannot but be detrimental to the much desired political and economic stabilization of Europe. This unhappy state of affairs is also bound to keep alive a dangerous potential source of unrest. We trust that the unification of that nation, coupled with a comprehensive world disarmament programme embracing the great Powers, would only discourage any aggressive spirit that still may linger in Germany. 7. Now that the tension in international affairs is on the wane, we can more clearly discern controversies that beset relations between peoples and nations alike. I refer to the so-called colonial question. Almost all the American nations achieved their independence through insurrection, and to this day they derive pride and strength from their valiant struggles and feats of arms.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“This is highly comforting and has a touch of chivalry seldom seen in the international relations of our time. 5. But ten years ago, the fervent hopes of men and women — emerging from the horrors of the war — were focused on the United Nations. May Almighty God permit that this Organization of ours be enabled to pursue unhampered its endeavour towards securing a just and lasting peace. 6. I am inclined to believe that the world will never regain its balance unless the security of Europe is assured. This inevitably leads us to the problem of the unification of Germany. It is not merely a question of giving to the German people — whose qualities we all acknowledge — what is their due. We must also give Germany its full share of responsibility in the maintenance of peace.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“The Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, convened as a consequence of the momentous initiative taken before the General Assembly by the President of the United States of America [470th meeting], provides the most recent evidence of the merits of making ample use of our Organization. That Conference made abundantly clear not only the benefits that mankind will derive from atomic power but also the apocalyptic threat that hangs over humanity if the force of the atom be diverted towards destruction. We saw scientists from 70 countries — some of them closely connected with the forging of atomic weapons — working hand in hand, exchanging relevant information freely and openly on the benefits that may come to the world from this epoch-making discovery.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“It is enough to recall the outstanding record of the Security Council in London, where within one single month many issues of major importance were settled. It is enough to bear in mind the critical situations dealt with by the General Assembly with firmness and wisdom, particularly in the years 1947, 1949, 1950 and 1951. And I am mentioning but a few examples. Hence it would not be out of place to deplore the fact that it should have befallen our Organization to be somewhat by-passed in the last few years. Nevertheless, we welcome what has been successfully accomplished outside these halls, and we crave for more. 4.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“Now, as a result of that most welcome meeting, the Secretary of State of the United States of America and the Foreign Ministers of France, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union will shortly join their efforts to face with courage and determination the problems that still keep them apart. Peace cannot be brought about à coups de miracles, as Mr. Spaak has said with his usual insight. If, however, the answers to the problems to be examined in Geneva should not suffice to bring to light the miracle of peace, they will at least restore the confidence of the world in the days to come. 3. It is a fact that the old-timers of the United Nations can never forget that many difficulties have been successfully solved within the framework of the Organization.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“1. May I be allowed to come to this rostrum to present my respectful compliments to my friend, the President of the General Assembly, a distinguished statesman of Chile, a country which I have just left and for which I have the greatest admiration. 2. Brazil has always addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations with faith and frankness. Once again we are together in this hall, this time at a moment when new horizons seem to be dawning before our eyes, and the whole of mankind longs to be freed from the sombre threat that haunts its path. The anniversary celebrations of San Francisco, where disagreements lost their edge, were followed by the four-Power conference “at the summit’’ in. Geneva, where the virtues of frankness were stressed.”
1955-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 10 (1955)
“The fifth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations is confronted with a most dramatic choice: light or darkness.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“Let us be honest with the men and women of the generations to come, whose only inheritance from us will be intricate problems, whereas it is our clear duty, in recognition of the fight for democracy put up by their fathers, to pave their way to a destiny of happiness. 19. We all speak earnestly here of peace and disarmament, human rights and education, security and freedom. But we cling — why not avow it? — to rigid points of view, and that is why we do not reach the understanding which is the very reason for our association. Musical notes are likewise diverse and immutable, but from their harmonious fusing arise the most inspired melodies. Why not boldly seek to reduce our differences and reconcile our divergent opinions? 20.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“Let us be worthy of this opportunity, which faces us with a dilemma: either to keep harrowing ourselves, thus destroying the hope still placed in the United Nations, or else, with our eyes set on the Creator and our hearts raised in a resolute effort to spare mankind the scourge of a new war, to reascend to a level which we should never have abandoned. 18. Peace is a matter of honesty. What was said over twenty years ago holds true today more than ever. Let us be honest with one another. Let each of us be honest with his fellow nationals who, without exception, hate war and detest violence.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“But even in those organs the proceedings are often inadequate and incomplete, and this can be traced back to the atmosphere to which we have referred. 16. The Brazilian Government awaits with the utmost interest the report on the measures to be taken towards avoiding the proliferation of our agencies and meetings, the number of which, as was ascertained during the fourth session, have been increasing at an alarming rate. 17. This fifth session of the General Assembly, proclaimed by the President of the fourth session, General Romulo, as the most historic of all, is, in the words of one of my colleagues, pregnant with destiny.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“What is truly indispensable is to achieve a complete change in the state of mind which has prevailed in the Security Council. We should think of what the Council should and can do and should not concentrate merely on technicalities of its rules of procedure, which are intended to guarantee the honest search for truth but which have nonetheless been used to block the functioning of the United Nations. The men who sit in the Council and the governments they represent ought to prove themselves equal to their mission, and so restore universal confidence in the Security Council. The world needs that confidence. 15. This severe but constructive criticism does not apply to the General Assembly or its Interim Committee, generally known as the “Little Assembly”, over which Brazil had the gratifying honour to preside this year.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“When normally carried out, its activities are an indication that everything else in the Organization is functioning normally. If, on the contrary, this main spring gets jammed, everything else — even the specialized agencies — will be headed for trouble. The least of those predicaments — but still a serious one — is a resulting atmosphere of distrust, and sometimes of acrimony, among people who should work with a mind always open to unlimited co-operation. 14. It has been suggested that the way to deal with the situation would be to enlarge the functions and strengthen the powers of the General Assembly, to the detriment of the Security Council. But the Council is the organ primarily responsible for the maintenance of peace, and it would be impossible to curtail its powers without incurring risk.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“On the other hand, horresco referens, we have not as yet conceived a practical device for compelling States to respect or to restore, when by any means violated, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. However, so dominant was the desire in San Francisco to ensure definitely such rights and freedoms that the promise is six times enunciated in the Charter. And those who, like my very dear friend, Sir Gladwyn Jebb, happened to sit in the Co-ordination Committee at San Francisco, will recall that the same promise appeared twice as often in the drafts voted upon by the twelve committees. 13. It is quite impossible to go on without referring to the proceedings of the Security Council.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“Mutual assistance among the Member States is the corner-stone of our grand alliance. In the introduction to the excellent report in which he demonstrates how much has been achieved by the United Nations during his tenure of office, Mr. Trygve Lie directs our attention to Article 103 of the Charter, which rightly determines that the obligations assumed by Member States in the Charter shall prevail over any other international obligations. 11. Apart from the paramount task of preserving peace, many questions were successfully settled. Others still challenge our decisions, among which I beg to mention those on the disposal of the former Italian colonies and on the adequate protection of the Holy Places, including — which is equally important — the free access thereto. 12.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“The generous idea of helping those regions to help themselves, so that for the benefit of all they may produce and consume more, can never be deemed overly ambitious. This problem is one of such magnitude that, although the Organization has already given attention to it, more and more comprehensive and positive measures are still needed. 9. Moreover, the fact can never be too often emphasized that, owing to the lack of an adequate programme for economic and financial assistance, many Member States are not yet in a position to render to the United Nations all the co-operation they would like to give. The problem which confronts those States is the simple one of developing their physical strength in order that they may offer it for the defence of the Organization. 10.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“But they demonstrated also — and there no longer seems to be any doubt on this point — that it is necessary better to equip our Organization, the establishment of an international force and the creation of a system for the prompt mobilization of all common resources being kept in mind. The Member States did not fail to show solidarity with the United Nations. But upon one of them, one whose action in the cause of democracy commands the respect of all free men, has fallen almost the entire burden of the fighting. Some are joining it in this effort. Many others have not yet been able to transform their good intentions into actual material assistance. 8. This deficiency on the part of many — a deficiency arising through no fault of theirs — stems partly from economic under-development.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“It is evident that the Soviet Union would not be arousing the ever growing condemnation by the whole world of its hitherto negative attitude, were it not inspired by some constructive aim. May the Soviet Union some day decide to set forth the motives behind this unwarranted attitude, thus clearing the road for an understanding with those who put trust in its loyalty when it joined us as a co-worker for peace. Is it not expressed in Article 1 of our Charter that one of the purposes of the United Nations is to be a “centre for harmonizing the actions of nations”? A man has grounds to suspect he is wrong when he is sure he is right at a moment when everybody else thinks otherwise. 7. The events in South Korea, arising from the aggression unleashed from the north, motivated immediate and effective action by the Security Council.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“If, just for the sake of demonstration, we wished to substantiate that assertion by the enunciation of a single fact, we should hardly need to do more than to ask why the noble Italian nation has not yet been allowed to sit among us, in keeping with what was solemnly stipulated at the Paris Conference. Is it not true that the new Italy was given the assurance that it would come to work with us, on an equal footing, once the peace treaty it signed with its former enemies was ratified? Have we not seen, and are we not still seeing, as a consequence of the veto, fundamental decisions affecting Italy being taken without its full participation therein? 6. On the other hand, as was said from t this very rostrum one year ago, whoever purposely misuses this forum shows thereby an implicit belief in it.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“Such hope has come to take the place which belonged, and should still belong, to confidence. There was confidence at San Francisco when, on stating the vote of Brazil for the rule of veto, it was possible for me to say: “Such constructive step is taken as a demonstration of our belief in the good faith with which the four sponsoring Powers seek the granting of the right of veto as an inescapable necessity to the maintenance of peace and as a token of our confidence that they will make a prudent use of said right.” 4. None of us would today reiterate those words, for the plain truth is — and we all know it — that the right of veto has been abused. 5.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“Because I am the first representative to have the honour to address the fifth session of the General Assembly, I beg to pay tribute to the memory of one of the founders of the United Nations, Field-Marshal Jan Christian Smuts, who passed away last week. In doing so, I feel sure that I speak the thoughts of all of us. Marshal Smuts was a brave soldier and it was because he fought many wars that he became one of the most enthusiastic leaders of the movement for peace in the world. 2. The General Assembly of the United Nations is not a stage. However, as we gather here, the eyes of the world turn to us as though we were on a stage; and this is due to the fact that all believe this Organization to be able to help the world to live. It is still the hope for peace that unites us, as figures in a drama, to the vast attentive audience. 3.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“de Freitas Valle expressed the earnest hope that the current session would make speedy progress and that the inspiration of political instinct and greatness of soul would result in the solution of some of the problems which were causing so much distress, in particular, that of the former Italian colonies, the fate of which depended on the wisdom and fairness of the decisions the United Nations would make. 20. Reaffirming the confidence of Brazil in the United Nations, he added that no apologies were necessary for the frankness of the Brazilian delegation in pointing out some of the shortcomings of the Organization, since it was Brazil’s desire to see them corrected for the betterment of international life and the welfare of the human race.”
1949-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 4 (1949)
“It was, fortunately, the duly of the Trusteeship Council to be on the alert and to curtail such tendencies. 18. The administrative organization of the United Nations, although handicapped by the lack of a better geographical distribution in the Secretariat, was already marked by the outstanding quality of its services and by the regularity with which its increasingly difficult task was being fulfilled. The completion, in 1950, of construction work on the new headquarters would free the Organization from the inconveniences and loss of time incurred by the holding of meetings outside New York, with the consequent impairment of efficiency and the heavy burden on the budget. 19. In conclusion, Mr.”
1949-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 4 (1949)
“The emergence of colonial peoples to independent life had undoubtedly given rise to a major political revolution. It was to be hoped that the process would be expedited and facilitated by the activities of the Trusteeship Council, which bore an immense responsibility in its function of representing the international consciousness of peoples who were as yet deprived of autonomous political expression. It was not without some concern that the Brazilian Government viewed a certain tendency on the part of metropolitan Powers, governing non-autonomous territories to make use of administrative unions, whether for the purpose of reducing the area of international supervision or whether — which was far more alarming — as a preparatory stage for political absorption.”
1949-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 4 (1949)
“It was satisfying to recall resolution 217 (III) of the General Assembly, adopted on 10 December 1948, proclaiming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which would be followed by a covenant on human rights and measures of implementation, and by the codification of international law. The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, approved by the Assembly in its resolution 260 (III) of 9 December 1948, also represented a step towards the maturity of the juridical conscience and the settlement of the question of international penal responsibility. 17. Although it had not yet had any direct part in the activities of the Trusteeship Council, the Brazilian delegation had been observing them with great interest and attention.”
1949-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 4 (1949)
“On the other hand, it should be recognized that many of the efforts in question had not been expended in vain. In the, economic field, for instance, the organization of a broad programme of technical assistance for economic development — the pattern for which had been based on President Truman’s high-minded proposal — constituted an important and constructive task. Only with the organization of the plans for large-scale technical assistance would the Economic and Social Council come of age. 16. In the field of social progress, many important achievements were on record.”
1949-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 4 (1949)
“de Freitas Valle himself was not there to make charges; still less to denounce that which should be known to all. He realized, however, that some Members might be unaware of the circumstances, since not all had been able to attend the countless meetings, while the Members which had attended had often failed to be adequately represented. 14. The purpose of all Members — for in San Francisco and in London the thoughts of all had been centred on the United Nations of the future — had been to assemble the many international agencies together under what might be called the new Super-State, not to complicate, but to simplify international life. The results in that field could perhaps be said to show that the procedure had been erratic. It would be well to admit that fact and try to remedy the situation. 15.”
1949-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 4 (1949)
“The result had been the almost automatic creation of agencies and commissions to solve the problems which were daily submitted to the United Nations as new ones. The problem was not solved but an international apparatus was forthwith created for its detailed study, which tended only to make it more complicated and its solution more difficult. 12. The number of meetings called in consequence of the ever-growing tendency to establish new international machinery was incredible: during 1947, 1948 and 1949, the various organs of the United Nations had held respectively 3,504, 4,092 and 3,683 meetings, and 3,850 were already planned for the following year. 13. Brazil considered that such a procedure was not only misguided but detrimental to the prestige of the United Nations. Mr.”
1949-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 4 (1949)