YouSaid · the spoken record

Diefenbaker

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS DIEFENBAKER

lines on the record: 65
first: 1957-09-24
most recent: 1960-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
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

“We have nothing to fear from inspection of the Arctic regions, and I speak now for Canada when I say that. We unequivocally render and will continue to render available for inspection all our northern and Arctic areas. 57. In addition to inspection, the other Western proposals also included in the first stage a limitation on the size of armed forces, a ban on the use of nuclear weapons except in the case of defence, and "international supervision" to ensure that the production of fissionable materials should be for peaceful uses only. 58. We believe that these proposals are eminently fair and workable, but for some reason the Soviet Union has cavalierly and contemptuously refused to consider them seriously.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“While treating the suspension of nuclear tests as a matter for immediate action, the eleven-point Western proposals made such suspension dependent on the establishment of nuclear watching posts in the territories agreed on of the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union and other countries. It must be admitted, too, that the need for inspection is not fully understood by many well-meaning people, largely because of a popular view that atomic or hydrogen explosions can be detected anywhere in the world. According to the scientific opinions that I have had, that is not so. 56. So far as we in North America are concerned, the danger of a surprise attack on or from North America would be through the Arctic regions. Canada and the United States have no aggressive designs against the USSR or any other nation.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“But there are well-intentioned people - many people - who believe that a ban on atomic tests is a panacea for all the ills of mankind. In all the clamour there has been over this, some have lost sight of the fact that the suspension of tests is not going to stop the stockpiling of nuclear weapons or the atomic armaments race. The only way to do this is to divert fissionable material from the manufacture of weapons to peaceful uses, and the western proposals very sensibly linked an agreement to do this with a continuance of the suspension of the tests. 55.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Our strategic position in the world, embracing as it does the Arctic area in which Canada owns and exercises sovereignty over great areas, makes Canada one of the most vulnerable nations in any future war. 54. I do not intend today to deal in any detail with the terms of the disarmament proposals that were put before the Sub-Committee of the Disarmament Commission by the four Western Powers [DC/113, annex 51, but I feel it well to refer for but a moment to the question of discontinuance of tests of nuclear and atomic weapons. The suspension as provided for in the Western proposals would be for a year, conditional on a convention on disarmament being entered into, and this would be renewable for a second year if satisfactory progress had been made towards a cessation of the production of nuclear weapons.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“What one country has today, the other nations will have tomorrow, and the day is not far distant, if this continues, when there will be armouries of these rockets. While a few years ago a new era was introduced by the development of nuclear weapons, today an even more frightening and awful time faces mankind. That is why I say that it is a matter of sombre urgency that this Assembly should act, and act effectively if we are to bring about the control of the use of this dread menace, the ultimate engine of destruction. 53. While it is only the great Powers that can afford the vast expense to build these earth-spanning missiles, the small nations are concerned. Canada is vitally concerned, for we are the closest neighbour of the United States and the USSR.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Until the Second World War took place, a surprise attack was almost impossible: no nation could conceal the mobilization of its forces; but today, when a nuclear attack could be mounted in a few hours and secrecy maintained until the atomic bombers appeared on the radar screens, the danger of a secret and surprise attack is one of the things that all mankind fears. And the danger of a secret and surprise attack has been multiplied with the potential development of the intercontinental ballistic missile. 52. The fear of surprise attack is the cause of the major tension of these days. For that reason there is a sombre urgency about the work of this General Assembly. Experience has taught us that no country ever possesses a monopoly of any device.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Now I intend to say a few words with regard to the question of disarmament, because it is a matter of first importance to this Assembly. After nine years of stalemate after the San Francisco Conference, in 1954 Canada joined in co-sponsoring proposals to get resolutions before the Disarmament Commission if that was necessary then, it is more necessary today, when the total amount being expended for war materials for defence, mobilization and manpower totals some 85 thousand million dollars per annum. 51. What mankind fears today more than anything else is that war will come about suddenly and precipitately, without warning and without there being any opportunity for defence. The whole question of surprise attack is of pre-eminent importance to people everywhere in the world.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“If the notes delivered by the Soviet Union since 4 July 1957 to our friends in the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Norway, Turkey and the United Kingdom are indicative of any new trend in Soviet policy, then in our opinion there is more need today than ever before for the maintenance of the unity of NATO. The repetition of spurious propaganda by the Soviet Union that the existence of NATO is a threat to world peace and that the existence of NATO is the reason why permanent peace has not been established is a travesty of reason. Canada wants peace, and if NATO had aggressive designs anywhere in the world, Canada would not remain a member of that organization. Believing as we do, we intend to continue to support it with all the power at our command. 50.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“I think it is clearly established and is irrefutable that, if the United States were aggressive and sought territorial advantage and fomented war, as its enemies contend, Canada would not have maintained its existence as an independent nation. 48. Then there is another phase of our policy, Canada’s membership in The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which in our opinion constitutes a major bulwark against the forces of aggression and to which Canada will adhere regardless of threats from whatever source they may emanate. 49.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“It is incredible that the British should be described here on occasion as "imperial and colonial masters", in view of this far-seeing policy which grants self-government so widely; and I am confident that our friends from Ghana and the Federation of Malaya would be glad to invite comparison with what has happened to Hungary and to many other freedom-loving nations which have been subjugated by the Soviet Union in the past four decades. 47. But our membership in the Commonwealth, while fundamental to our destiny, does not detract in any way from the closeness and neighbourliness of our relationship with the United States. We are joined with our neighbours in the United States by what I have called before our "built-in stabilizer" for unity, our traditional respect for the rights of man and our unswerving dedication to freedom.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“We believe that the emergence of these new nations is an indication of growth and expansion of the concept of self-government and of the manner in which nations, one after another, attain independence but still remain members of that association of free nations which is known as the Commonwealth, which represents many different areas, colours and cultures, which has no rules or regulations and no constitution but which is a unity forged by the sharing of a heritage of common ideals and a love of freedom under law. 46. Over the last years, hundreds of millions of people in Asia and Africa have achieved independence and sovereignty, for which the credit must go to the statesmen of the United Kingdom.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Indeed, our views of the value of this Organization are epitomized in the Introduction to the annual report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization (16 June 1956 - 15 June 1957), which states that: "If properly used, the United Nations can serve a diplomacy of reconciliation better than other instruments available to the Member States. All the varied interests and aspirations of the world meet in its precincts upon the common ground of the Charter." [A/3594/Add.l, page 3.] 45. Canadians have a special pleasure, too, in welcoming the Federation of Malaya, the newest member of the Commonwealth, as a Member of the United Nations. At the eleventh session, another member of the Commonwealth, Ghana, was elected to membership.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“So far as Canada is concerned, support of the United Nations is the cornerstone of its foreign policy. We believe that the United Nations will grow stronger because it represents the inevitable struggle of countries to find order in their relationships and the deep longing of mankind to strive for and attain peace and justice. 44. We believe, too, that countries like Canada, acting in consultation with other friendly nations, can exert an influence far stronger than would be possible outside the United Nations.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“In the last few months there has been a change of government in our country, but I hasten to assure the Assembly at once that, as in all democratic countries dedicated to peace, this does not mean that there has been any change whatsoever in fundamental international principles or attitudes. I say that because I have been asked on a number of occasions where Canada now stands with regard to the United Nations. My appearance here gives public evidence of Canada's stand. Indeed, it is the first time in twelve years that a Prime Minister has been present with our Foreign Minister, which is evidence of the fact that we stand on this question now where Canada has always stood since April 1945, and - I emphasize this - with the support of the party which is now in power.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Mr. President, may I, not in a perfunctory manner, congratulate you on behalf of the Canadian delegation on your election, and offer you our best wishes? Having known you throughout the years, I realize that the General Assembly's action was an expression of its faith in you as a man uniquely qualified for this high office by reason of your long and devoted service to the United Nations. At the same time, may I also pay the tribute of Canada to your predecessor, Prince Wan Waithayakon, who presided over a session of great length and stress with wisdom and skill. 43.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)