YouSaid · the spoken record

Efon

lines on the record: 56
first: 1972-09-24
most recent: 1974-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

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“The admission of three new Members is part of the thrust towards universality, which must be one of the objectives of our Organization if it really wishes to be the major center for harmonizing the actions of all the nations of the world so as to maintain international peace and security, to develop international relations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character. In a word, to usher in a genuine world civilization in conformity with the provisions of Article 1 of the Charter.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“We should also like to extend this tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Benites, who so wisely and responsibly directed the difficult proceedings of the twenty- eighth session and, above all, the sixth special session. 84. A sign of the times: it is under your presidency that we joyfully welcome for the first time the delegation of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, that brother State whose independence, proclaimed on the field of battle a year ago, tolled the knell for the last and oldest of the colonial empires. We welcome the admission to this Assembly of our brothers from Guinea- Bissau and of our friends from Bangladesh and Grenada, and we extend to them our warmest congratulations. 85.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“It is also a tribute to the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, whose valiant people have won imperishable laurels not only through its heroic struggle against colonial oppression, but also because of its continuing fight against the injustices of imperialism as denounced at the last special session, convened in fact on the initiative of your famous head of State, President Houari Boumediene. 82. And it is a tribute, finally, to yourself, a diplomat of consummate skill, a tireless freedom fighter and impassioned defender of the dignity and independence of the peoples of the third world. Beyond the mere ritual of congratulations, believe me, Mr. President, my delegation feels itself directly touched by these tributes paid by the most noble world Assembly to the head of the delegation of a friendly sister country. 83.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“I hope that the delegations of Honduras and Peru will accept the deeply felt condolences of the delegation of Cameroon in this painful hour. Far from being discouraged, such trials should, on the contrary, strengthen our solidarity and shore up our hopes for a better future. 80. You will, therefore, understand, Mr. President, that my delegation, moved by this hope, appreciates the three-fold tribute represented by your enthusiastic and unanimous election to the presidency of the twenty-ninth session. This is, first of all, a tribute to the people of Africa who, thanks to the dynamic and resolute stand of OAU over the past few years, particularly since the last session, have played a considerable role in reaffirming and strengthening the ideals of freedom, independence and solidarity set forth in the Charter of the United Nations. 81.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“We hope that with the distinguished and dynamic encouragement of the Economic and Social Council, and with the assistance of our tireless Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, to whom we should like to reiterate our congratulations, the work of the specialized agencies will continue and expand. 78. It is therefore under the banner of hope that we come to take part in the work of the twenty-ninth session. It is, of course, a qualified hope, but a hope that will one day be realized through the determination of some, the understanding of others and the firm purpose of all who bear the name of man. Our hope is a world where peace, justice and human solidarity will prevail. 79. When we speak of human solidarity, our thoughts naturally go to Honduras and Peru, whose peoples have been so sorely tried by a terrible hurricane.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“Where tLsre has been some progress towards political detente it has often been outside the United Nations, Similarly, in the field of co-operation we cannot seem to find, inside our Organization, a platform acceptable to both industrial and third-world countries whereas, outside the United Nations, in a bilateral, subregional, regional or multilateral context, some positive action is possible. 77. Can we therefore conclude that the United Nations has failed in its mission? Not at all. Over the 29 years of its existence the United Nations, because it is unique and universal, has emerged as an outstanding forum for contacts, for the exchange of views, and for collective reflection on the common problems of all mankind. Furthermore, in the specialized agencies major efforts have been made and positive results achieved.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“My delegation particularly welcomes the Special Program established by resolution 3202 (S-VI), in which the General Assembly calls on the whole United Nations family to undertake immediately an emergency assistance operation in order to aid those of the developing countries most deeply affected by the present world economic crisis. My delegation notes with satisfaction that many countries have already clearly indicated their willingness to make voluntary contributions to that Special Program. 76.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“One of the most important results of that session was the unanimous recognition of the interdependence of the industrialized countries and the countries of the third world that provide raw materials, and the interdependence of problems of trade, development financing and the international monetary system. To solve those problems we need co-ordinated solutions, both on the national and on the international level. The Declaration on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order and, above all, the Program of Action for the establishment of this new international economic order, indicate both the objectives to be attained and the means of attaining them. 75.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“In other words, the real problem facing mankind is that of a better distribution of resources, services and technology, and this can only be achieved by a vigorous policy of international co-operation, which was what the Second United Nations Development Decade seemed to be aiming at with, among other objectives, the transfer of technology. 73. We are not asking for charity from the wealthy countries, even though history tells us that those countries in large part built their colossal fortunes and ensured their own development by the exploitation of our peoples and the plunder of our natural resources. What we are asking is merely a new and more equitable economic order. 74. The General Assembly at its sixth special session showed the way to avoid the errors of the old economic system which led to the present crisis.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“With these rising prices, the level of living in industrialized regions has substantially improved, and the populations of Western Europe and North America have thus entered an age of luxury and even waste. The developing countries can only look on helplessly while this is happening for, while our production increases thanks to energetic development efforts, the income that we derive from it continues to decline. 72. Until a. just and proportionate relationship is established between the prices of manufactured goods and those of raw materials, we shall never be safe from technological aggression.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“But did the developing countries have to go so far before the international community finally woke up to the situation and decided to come to the aid of our frail economies, by setting fair prices for our raw materials? 70. All of us in this Assembly have an idea of the way in which bilateral and multilateral aid is granted to the developing countries. While the gratitude of those countries should be emphasized here, we may ask for how much longer this aid will continue to be forthcoming, and what is its real impact on our economies, when all the other factors necessary for harmonious, accelerated, extensive and lasting development are lacking. 71. We have noted that since the end of the Second World War the prices of manufactured goods have increased year after year.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“It has been said that today 15 per cent of the human race possesses 85 per cent of the world's wealth; and the majority of those people live in Western Europe and North America, while hunger, ignorance, disease, poverty and natural disaster are the lot of the countries of the third world. 69. In recent years we have drawn the attention of the international community to the many and grave problems of the third world. Perhaps we were not understood. It seems to me that the petroleum-producing countries, in their frustration, have merely burst the abscess of a crisis which had long been gathering. Their position is well known.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“According to the economists, the relationship between prices and incomes is direct, which is to say that high living standards are matched by high wages which in their turn lead to rising prices. But this situation does not prevail to an equal degree everywhere in the world. 67. It is true in the developed countries, where the majority of the people earn salaries above the average. But when the developing countries, whose active population must content themselves with low wages, are caught up in the machinery of inflation, their purchasing power undergoes a sharp decline. Thus, the poor become every day poorer and the Governments, destitute of resources, encounter insurmountable difficulties which can jeopardize the functioning of essential institutions. 68.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“The sixth special session of the General Assembly, the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, held at Caracas, and, most recently, the World Population Conference held at Bucharest, revealed the importance of the subjects they dealt with, the urgent need for fair solutions, and at th« same time the stubbornness of selfish national interests that render all efforts of cooperation practically useless. 66. Twelve months ago, when the energy crisis be-came widespread, we realized how precarious our situation was; but our problems did not begin yesterday. For several years now, world prices for certain commodities have been continuously rising.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“That is why my delegation, aware of the tense situation which continues to prevail in Cyprus and, if truth be told, throughout the eastern Mediterranean, will look favorably upon and support any initiative from no matter what quarter tending definitively to restore peace to the island and to resolve no less definitively, in the interests of the Greek and Turkish communities of the island, the political problem posed by an untoward arrangement whose failure all deplore. 65. I should like now to address myself to a matter of concern which is crucial to detente, and I refer to international co-operation.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“As a non-permanent member of the Council, Cameroon was happy to contribute to those efforts, which must be continued. 63. Much remains to be done in this direction, in as much as that resolution of the Council and the other subsequent resolutions, the Geneva Conference and other initiatives in the same direction have not produced the desired effects. One of the things the Assembly must do at this session is to seek an appropriate solution to this problem, in which humanitarian considerations must take precedence over political aspects. 64.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“The guarantors of the island's status -the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey -have been unable, and with good reason, to find immediate ways and means of restoring peace, which is a prerequisite for the search for a negotiated solution to this problem, the implications of which, by endangering an established system, could threaten world peace. 62. Confronted with this impasse, the world was in good conscience obliged to react and to call for an end to human suffering and the immediate withdrawal of foreign troops, with the praiseworthy objective of creating conditions favorable for the final settlement of the question by the establishment of the independence, unity and territorial integrity of the island. Those were essentially the concerns of the Security Council in its resolution 353 (1974) of 20 July 1974.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“My delegation accordingly considers that the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia must resume its rightful place in the United Nations without further delay. 60. We welcome all the efforts of the United Nations and on a bilateral basis to restore peace to the Middle East, but we still say that, in order to bring about a just and lasting solution, these efforts must be based essentially on the withdrawal of Israel from all the occupied Arab territories and the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. 61. In the island of Cyprus the constitutional edifice erected so laboriously in 1960 has been taking terrible punishment which reached its peak in July 1974 and has already cost thousands of innocent lives.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“Similarly, we consider that following the dissolution of the United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea the time has come to withdraw all foreign troops still stationed on Korean territory. It is only in a situation free from outside interference that the people of Korea will be able freely and effectively to resolve the problem of the independent and peaceful reunification of their country. 59. In Cambodia, powerfully and firmly united behind its President, Samdech Norodom Sihanouk, in the National United Front of Kampuchea, the Cambodian people are successfully combating aggression. More than 90 per cent of the territory of Cambodia with more than 80 per cent of the population is now liberated and under the direct administration of the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“The encouraging prospects we have just mentioned concerning decolonization should not, however, make us forget that detente remains fragile so long as hotbeds of tension or bones of contention continue to exist in Viet Nam, Korea, Cambodia, the Middle East or Cyprus and so long as brutal or covert interference by foreign Powers in the internal affairs of other States continues to spread. That is why our desire has always been that a lasting and just peace should rapidly return to those regions. 57. As far as Viet Nam is concerned, we look for the complete withdrawal of foreign troops so that the Vietnamese people, within the framework of the Paris agreements, may bind up their wounds in freedom and set about rebuilding their economy laid waste by long years of war. 58.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“My delegation unreservedly supports the decision taken recently by the Assembly [resolution 3207 (XXIX)] to invite the Council to consider frankly the relations between South Africa and the United Nations, and will spare no effort in the Security Council to ensure the triumph of the just cause of the African people of Azania. 55. I take this opportunity of paying a well-deserved tribute to all the friendly countries which so far have given their material, financial or political support to the African liberation movements. As I did in the course of the good-will mission which I have just carried out in some of thole countries at the head of a delegation of the Co-ordination Committee for the Liberation of Africa, on the express instructions of the OAU, I wish to reiterate to all those countries the deep gratitude of Africa. 56.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“In other words, and in accordance with United Nations resolutions, Pretoria must put an end to the illegal occupation of Namibia. The Government of the United Kingdom, the administering Power, must restore legality in Rhodesia by establishing a genuine democracy, resulting from negotiations with the liberation movements, which are the sole authentic representatives of the people of Zimbabwe. As for apartheid, which is a disgrace to our century, the United Nations must stop at nothing in order to bring to heel the South African racists who have made racism a State policy. 54.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“We also hope that the Portuguese example will inspire all the other colonial Powers to speed up the inevitable decolonization of the colonial territories they still occupy. To this effect, we support the efforts of the French Government to speed the process of decolonization of the Comoro Islands. 52. We also take note of the recent statements of the SpanisL Government concerning what is called Spanish Sahara, and we are closely watching political developments in that territory in the light of the relevant resolutions of the Organization of African Unity [iOAU] and the United Nations which should lead to effective and genuine decolonization, 53. Finally, we hope that there will soon be a happy outcome in the case of Zimbabwe, that of Azania and that of the international territory of Namibia.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“But if the events of April 1974 are to become a genuine revolution worthy of the great humanist traditions of Portugal, if they are to become part of the logic of detente, the dialectical process must proceed to the very end. In other words, the political liberalization which has been taking place in the metropolitan country and which is no more than a necessary prerequisite must be followed by the rapid accession to independence and freedom of the Portuguese colonies as well. 50. We are following and we welcome all the efforts being made by the new Portuguese regime in this direction. We hope that nothing will arrest its progress along the honorable road upon which it has embarked, at the end of which it will And the respect and friend-ship of the African countries and of all the peoples of the world who love peace and justice. 51.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“The Portuguese people, subjugated by one of the last Fascist regimes of our century, was unable to liberate itself so long as the Portuguese Government was bent on pursuing overseas and by force of arms a policy of colonial occupation which history, the determination of the colonized peoples and world opinion condemned to inevitable failure. 48. As things turned out, in their heroic and just struggle against colonialism, the valiant liberation movements in the Portuguese colonies contributed substantially to the liberation of the Portuguese people itself. The glory for this is theirs. Today, after half a century of Fascist and obscurantist dictatorship, the Portuguese people can at last live as a free people, devoting itself to the urgent task of development and resuming its place in the community of nations. 49.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“For many years, from this rostrum and others, the non-aligned countries have constantly called for peace and detente -a far-reaching general detente which would lead to international understanding and co-operation. As pointed out by the Secretary-General in the introduction to his report on the work' of the Organization [AI960llAdd.l], it is comforting to see that here and there in the world there is continuing progress towards detente. 47. One serious threat to international peace and security, as we have never ceased to condemn, is the persistence of colonialism and racial discrimination in Africa. However, there are very promising developments in the Portuguese colonies of Africa. History teaches us that a people which oppresses another cannot be free, and this truth has been amply confirmed in Portugal.”
1974-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 29 (1974)
“That concept provides our non-alignment one of its corner-stones, which reflects the will of my country to participate, in freedom, in the building of the common destiny of mankind."”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“At the conclusion of his analysis he stated: "The interests, the wisdom and the importance of the vast majority of medium and smaller Powers cannot, at this point in history, be ignored in any durable system of world order." [A/8701/Add.l, p. 2.J 115. That means that in order to bring about peace, true peace, we have no choice but to appeal to all nations, large and small. As the Head of State of Cameroon has said: "What we must do is to build upon the material solidarity of mankind a moral solidarity based on common values build a universal civilization based upon the original and unique contribution of each people. That being said, it is not surprising that the foreign policy of the Cameroons is based upon the dual principle of peace and international co-operation with all nations of the world without discrimination.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“The Foreign Ministers of this group, who met at Georgetown last August, noted the development of an expanding multi-polar system which will replace the present division of the world into two antagonistic blocs. They also noted that, in the course of this evolution, new centers of power are appearing, while at the same time the aspirations of many countries to independence are being reaffirmed. We note that this analysis coincides with that which the Secretary-General of our Organization expressed recently, when he gave what we consider a valid opinion on the very concept of the Security Council itself.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“There is no doubt that these positive developments in the international climate will lead to a realignment of relations among States both in the political area and in the economic field. 112. This is the conviction which guides us and the groups to which my country belong, namely, the group of non-aligned countries at the political level, and the Group of 77 developing countries at the economic level. The Cameroons remains solidly aligned with these groups, which represent the developing countries. 113. In the world of today peace, security and progress are achieved through the democratization of international relations. 114. This assertion, which emanates from the Conference of Foreign Ministers of Non-Aligned Countries, is worth thinking about.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“Racial discrimination and colonialism of the most backward kind continue to devastate the African continent, despite the condemnation of world morality. 108. Lastly, inequality persists in international economic relations, widening the gap which separates the developed nations from the under-privileged nations. 109. These various aspects of the world situation today make of inestimable value the search for peace. Whether bilaterally, within OAU, or at the level of the United Nations, my country has constantly worked, within its means, to find a solution to the problems which create tension. We shall continue along this course and we hope that peace, which is mankind's most precious asset, will prevail. 110. This hope, although not a certainty, rests on certain recent changes in the international climate. 111.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“We are happy to note that problems of development have been kept constantly in mind by the representatives of the 114 countries participating in the Stockholm Conference, and we hope that, whatever the forum, those problems will be mentioned at any meeting convened to give further consideration to this burning problem. 105. The picture which we have just sketched of the international situation in the world today contains many dark spots and the conditions in which we are living, despite a tendency towards a relaxation of tension, are unfortunately still far from encouraging. 106. The principles of equality among States, respect for national sovereignty and non-intervention in the affairs of other States are little respected throughout the world. 107.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“Despite their hesitation at the early stages of the preparation for the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, the African countries finally made a positive contribution to the work of that Conference. 102. The developing countries have acquired an increased awareness of the problems involved in improving the human environment. 103. In so far as concerns the United Republic of Cameroon, a knowledge of the natural environment and in particular its effects on the problem's of health, hygiene, and housing is a matter of high priority. Similarly, the safeguarding of the environment for the well-being of mankind requires that remedial action in the management of natural resources must be taken here and now. In saying this, we wish to emphasize our interest in anything which concerns the problems of the environment. 104.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“The outmoded Bretton Woods monetary system has been so severely criticized that my delegation will not dwell on the process of collapse which has afflicted it since its creation. 100. With the collapse of this system, new solutions must be found, but with the co-operation of all those who are affected by this monetary system during great crises. The whole world knows that the developing countries have paid a very heavy price as a result of the successive devaluations of the so-called strong currencies, to such a point that the increased participation of these countries in discussions with regard to monetary reform has proved indispensable. 101.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“The fact remains, however, that the essence of the unsolved problems will be taken up at subsequent conferences, for which thorough preparation must be made, taking into account the experience we have gained. For its part, Cameroon will strive to give its utmost support to UNCTAD and to the forthcoming negotiations within the framework of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade [GATT] with a view to eliminating tariff barriers. In this regard, we hope for the co-operation of GATT and UNCTAD with a view to reaching solutions likely to satisfy the countries of the third world. 98. We also place much hope in the negotiations on the International Cocoa Agreement, which is a strategic commodity for some countries, including Cameroon. 99.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“True, the richer countries undertook to associate the third world with the forthcoming monetary and trade negotiations; they also agreed to grant special assistance to the 25 developing countries which are identified as the least developed. But the great problem of stabilizing commodity prices was left unsolved, as was that of access of manufactured goods to the markets of the developed countries. 97. It is true that in this area of international trade relations vast interests are at stake. It is also true that these problems can only be solved over the long term. We must also deplore the lack of cohesiveness in the group of under-developed countries and the lack of any strategy.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“Everyone agrees in recognizing that the third session of UNCTAD did not yield the hoped-for results despite extremely thorough preparation for the work and the huge organization, which was practically perfect; credit for this of course goes above all to the Government of Chile and to the secretariat of UNCTAD. 96. We must recognize that the paucity of results is owing primarily to the highly negative attitude of the rich countries, which share the primary responsibility for this failure. To the rightful claims of the countries of the third world they adopted an attitude of deplorable selfishness. As a result of the third session of UNCTAD we must record an atmosphere of despair which may poison relations between the third world and the developed countries.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“That is why Cameroon will not hesitate to intensify the moral and material assistance it is providing to the African liberation movements in order to offset the persistence of colonialism and the cynical reinforcement of racial discrimination. 93. The efforts of the international community to tackle jointly, through the organs of the United Nations system, certain major economic problems of the day relating to trade and development, the international monetary crisis and the environment, because of their importance and their long-term effects, merit particular attention. 94. In this area there have been two recent developments: the third session of UNCTAD held at Santiago, Chile, in April and May of this year, and the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held at Stockholm in June. 95.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“Furthermore, feeling the ground crumbling under its feet, as was demonstrated by the special mission sent to Guinea (Bissau) from 2 to 8 April 1972 by the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, it is making crude attacks on independent African countries, and is also engaged in installing millions of new settlers in Cabora Bassa. 91. We cannot cease stressing the heavy responsibility for this criminal enterprise that is shared by certain Powers. The sordid commercial ties between these Powers and the oppressors of African peoples in fact constitute the principal factor delaying the victory of the just cause of the freedom-fighters. 92.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“If these principles are not respected, we can be sure that the people of Zimbabwe will have no recourse but to pursue with even greater vigor the course of violence taken by frustrated peoples, with the help of the OAU and with the assistance of all freedom-loving peoples. 89. We are also aware that such a warning has but little chance of being heard by the racist forces of Salisbury, since they draw their inspiration directly from the principles and methods of blind Portuguese colonialism. 90. Portugal, which would be better off devoting its resources to the prosperity of its own people, for more than 10 years now has been stubbornly pursuing a genocidal war although it knows that war is doomed to failure.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“It is for that Government to take effective measures to enable that people to exercise their inalienable right to sovereignty. Such measures require no special study because they should simply follow the democratic process which has been repeated so many times by the United Nations, namely: first, the restoration of all democratic freedoms and the release of the African militants; secondly, negotiation with the nationalist leaders representing the majority of .he people of Zimbabwe; thirdly, submission of the terms of the agreement to the universal suffrage of the entire adult population of Rhodesia, under the supervision of the United Nations; and fourthly, no independence before the setting up of a government chosen by a democratically elected majority. 88.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“There was talk then of negotiation with the racist rebel regime in Salisbury. Hence it was with indifference that we witnessed the failure of an undertaking which had been marred by injustice and immorality from the very outset. 86. The people of Zimbabwe, which some believe have no voice, did in fact make themselves heard unambiguously despite countless acts of intimidation and repression. It is with the representatives of this people that negotiations should be held on a footing of equality in order to reduce the tension prevailing in that area. 87. The United Kingdom, which has in the past given so many examples of its devotion to freedom and to the rights of peoples, should today have a clear awareness of its responsibilities to the people of Zimbabwe.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“We should like to take this occasion to state that we have followed with much interest the efforts of the Secretary-General to discharge the exceedingly difficult mandate entrusted to him by the Security Council. We are bound to add, however, that for us there can be no compromise or concession on the question of the dignity and freedom of peoples. Any steps must be directed towards persuading the racist Government of Pretoria to withdraw from Namibia and replacing the illegal South African occupation by the administration of the international community with a view to preparing the people of Namibia for self-determination and independence. 85. Throughout the previous session we, together with the other African delegations, tried in vain to draw the attention of the General Assembly to the tragicomedy which was being rehearsed in Rhodesia.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“Since our last session, the minority and racist regimes which are oppressing millions of men in southern Africa have only further strengthened their hateful system. In South Africa repression has been intensified: priests, professors, journalists and students by the hundreds are crowded into the gaols of Pretoria. Everyone is aware that that country has the largest prison population in the world and also holds the infamous world record for executions. Far from being upset by this, the white minority which holds sway in Pretoria is even extending its Nazi-type system beyond its frontiers, in particular, to the international territory of Namibia, and is strengthening its administration there, despite the repeated appeals of the General Assembly and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice given last year. 84.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“But we must stress two acts which have engendered so much hope among the oppressed peoples of Africa. I refer, first of all, to the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples [resolution 1514 (XV)]. Then there is the welcome accorded by the General Assembly to the Manifesto on Southern Africa [resolution 2505 (XXIV)], which the Head of State of Cameroon, in his capacity as the then President of OAU, had the privilege of presenting from this very rostrum. 82. These two documents contain all the principles whose implementation should be ensured by the international community to remedy a situation which is clearly deteriorating and jeopardizing more and more each day the conditions necessary for the maintenance of peace. 83.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“My country, with growing determination, will support the struggle of all peoples against colonialism and racial discrimination, which are a denial of the equality and dignity of man. 79. It would be ungracious of us not to recognize the interest which the United Nations as such has always shown in the problems of the liberation of the African countries which were subjected to colonial oppression and racial discrimination. 80. How indeed could it be otherwise, since this Organization was born of the will of a group of men determined to put an end for all time to the wrongs engendered by the denial of freedom and equality to all men? 81. There is no need to recall the long list of resolutions which have been adopted in this area, both by the General Assembly and by the Security Council.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“That is why we unreservedly support the collect position taken by Ministers for Foreign Affairs of non- aligned countries who, when they met in Georgetown, Guyana, from 8 to 11 August 1972, reaffirmed their devotion to peace and called for the immediate democratization of international relations which would guarantee peace to all States, large and small, and would respect their natural right to participate freely and equally in the common search for solutions to the great problems of the world. 78. Cameroon will therefore tirelessly continue to seek world peace and to oppose with increasing determination all forms of aggression as well as the threat or use of force against the freedom, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“Indeed, Security Council resolution 242 (1967) contains the elements which constitute an acceptable basis for carrying forward negotiations between the parties to the dispute with a view to achieving a just and lasting peace in that part of the world. 75. The United Nations in general and the great Powers in particular should spare no effort to try to restore peace to that part of the world, which is so dear to our hearts. 76. My delegation is deeply convinced that all these situations of tension and confrontation which have been of concern to us for so many years would be completely eliminated if the policy of natural supremacy and egoism pursued by certain great Powers with their pernicious effects of material and ideological domination, could cease. 77.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“There is no question that all the proposals and programs put forward by the parties directly concerned do contain some positive elements, and we for our part are convinced that with a minimum of mutual trust, and good-will on both sides, it should be possible to make substantial progress at the Paris peace talks. 74. The situation in the Middle East, the cradle of so many brilliant humanistic civilizations and the treasure house of so much natural wealth, is of equal concern to us. Five years have elapsed since the adoption of the Security Council resolution on the Middle East which gave rise to such great hopes; nevertheless the solution seems as uncertain as ever.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)
“More than 10 years of fighting involving the great Powers directly or indirectly, and to a lesser degree the rest of the world, thousands of millions of dollars poured out by both sides, about a million soldiers confronting each other in the field, tons of bombs dropped every day: is not all that enough to cause the parties involved in that distressing conflict finally to give serious thought to reaching a negotiated solution which will enable the great people of Viet-Nam to devote themselves to the building of their destiny in independence and peace? 73.”
1972-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 27 (1972)