YouSaid · the spoken record

Zea

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS ZEA

lines on the record: 123
first: 1963-09-24
most recent: 1967-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
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

“But we must not resign ourselves to that fact: it is our duty, in the light of our grave responsibility as leaders of our respective countries, to fight stubbornly and tirelessly, undaunted by the most formidable obstacles, to build a future of prosperity for man in a world at peace.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“As this new session of the General Assembly opens, my country expresses the hope that we may reach fundamental agreements on the real and more acute problems facing the nations, that we may find suitable ways of settling disputes, that we may work out sound ways of relieving human suffering, eradicating violence and banishing fear, that each human being may gain some degree of well-being-, however small. As mankind grows and science advances, producing the wonders that civilization has placed before our astonished eyes, the ideal of justice becomes more elusive.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“In his splendid encyclical Populorum Progressio of 26 March 1967, Pope Paul VI gave the leaders and the people of all nations a counsel that we must not forget and that I shall venture to quote to you: "The same duty of solidarity that rests on individuals exists also for nations: 'Advanced nations have a very heavy obligation to help the developing peoples'...Given the increasing needs of the underdeveloped countries, it should be considered quite normal for an advanced country to devote a part of its production to meet their needs.” 71.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“Thousands of voices have been raised in denunciation of this tremendous injustice, which is growing greater with every day that passes. Today the world has before it the spectacle of great prosperity on one side and poverty on the other. Such a world cannot and must not continue — and it certainly will not continue for many years.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“For a world in which the elementary needs for food, housing and clothing are calling more and more urgently for some relief, even temporary, it is a source of perpetual resentment to see such extraordinary sums invested in armaments, military equipment and powerful offensive devices. And, worst of all, while that expenditure tends to increase, the money invested in external aid is daily growing less. Moreover, external aid is granted on a bilateral basis and in such circumstances it is generally the political and economic interests of the country granting the aid that prevail over the real needs of the recipient country. Thus the developing countries are placed in a position of inferiority and insecurity. 70.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“The whole economic orientation of international trade and industrial production is designed to make things more difficult for the countries which live, precariously from the proceeds of their basic products, the prices of which decrease from day to day on the international market while the prices of manufactured products increase. 69. Recently, in an important article by Josué de Castro, attention was drawn to the impressive fact that, at a time when the external aid given by the industrialized countries to the developing countries amounted, at the most, to an annual total of $8,000 million, the military budgets of those countries amounted to more than $150,000 million. The author of the article said that the comparison between those two figures was the most serious indictment of the policy of the great Powers.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“In the Declaration of the Presidents of America signed at Punta del Este on 14 April 1967, there is something that directly concerns the leaders of the world economy; it is the part that refers to the relations of the Latin American countries with the industrialized countries and the need for external financial and technical help to carry oat the development programmes. 68. With regard to the first point, it is common knowledge that it is the adverse terms of their international trade that has seriously hampered the progress of our countries. There is still a tremendous and lamentable lack of understanding oil the part of the developed countries of the terms on which their trade relations with the developing countries are carried out, and unfortunately this spirit does not seem to have changed.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“The international community and the world Organization which is its authorized mouthpiece cannot remain indifferent to such acts; for that reason, and in accordance with the decision unanimously adopted by the States members of our regional system, the facts will have to be carefully analysed here. 67. In the context of the great efforts that the international community has been making to correct the increasing disequilibrium in social and economic matters in the world, Latin America can offer some comforting facts.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“The immense majority of the Latin American countries have severed diplomatic and commercial relations with the Government of Cuba. They have, however, gone no further. Their object was to form a sanitary cordon in order to protect their way of life, but they have never tried to interfere in the internal affairs of Cuba or to replace the regime in power there by one chosen by themselves. 66. On the other hand, the persistent, blatant and calculated action of the Government of Cuba in intervening in the internal affairs of the Latin American countries is beyond all doubt a scandalous violation of the principle of non-intervention enshrined in the United Nations Charter and in General Assembly resolution 2131 (XX).”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“There, decisions were taken with the object of halting the action of the Government of Cuba, which, as is well known, is designed to promote, finance and direct subversive movements in the Latin American countries. Such movements have made themselves felt in varying degrees in different Latin American countries, although in none of them have they actually represented a serious danger to the stability of its institutions. As far as Colombia is concerned, I can state that propaganda and sensationalism have exaggerated a situation that has never been so serious or marked by such unrest as they claim. My country is proceeding with its orderly and peaceful development, within a legal and political system of deeply rooted freedom. 65.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“In the complex world of today, when the blocs of nations which were formed in the Second World War are disintegrating and when each of them tries to make its own interests prevail even over the principles of our basic Charter, it is necessary that Latin America should proclaim before the international community a line of conduct that may help to clear away the shadows of this confused world and produce some clarity. For this effort Colombia offers its most determined co-operation. 64. As a result of persistent acts which had been widely broadcast to world public opinion, the organ of consultation of the Organization of American States met recently at Washington.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“Latin America must have its own policy, which reflects the common aspiration of our peoples. It is true that the countries of Latin America have followed the line of the Western nations faithfully and with conviction — not simply out of opportunism, or for a whim, or for advantages, but on the basis of an ordered body of philosophical and political doctrine. We believe in representative democracy, in the importance of certain spiritual values and in the permanence of inherent juridical principles.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“By reason of its broad and constant tradition of respect for law, and of defence of legality and peace, its deep-rooted culture, the brilliance and mental capacity of its internationalists and the invaluable contribution that it has made in the history of culture to the formation and concept of international law, Latin America must play an important part in the decisions that affect the future of the species. But in order to do so it must work and act in unity. 63. This united position, the presence of all our countries with one single point of view — and the more so if that point of view is supported by sound moral and legal arguments — can at least gain the allegiance of a considerable part of the honest opinion of the other nations of the world. And this has proved true on other occasions.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“The unanimous action of the countries forming the Latin American group in the discussions that the General Assembly held in order to consider the warlike conflict between the Arab States and Israel gives my country — and, I hope, its brother countries — a theme to ponder, which I think I should deal with in this speech. I am doing so precisely because it refers to what can be and what should be, in my Government's opinion, the role of the Latin American countries in the elucidation of the problems that affect the world. 62.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“This, of course, implies the comprehensive collaboration of all nations, and in particular the great Powers; not the collaboration that has been given up to now, which has consisted of arms and instruments of destruction that inevitably provoke fresh and more bloody and dangerous armed attacks, but constructive aid, mediation in the cause of peace, restorative action that would banish fear and anxiety for ever from this area that is of such importance and of such significance in the history of mankind and replace it with creative tranquillity. 61.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“I cannot accept the idea that the situation that has been created, and that is becoming more inflammable day after day, may not at any given moment affect general peace. Even if that were not so, the sight of groups of human beings confronting each other, ready to annihilate each other, causes all nations anxiety and uneasiness. Yet everyone advises these countries to adopt an attitude in which the ardour that they have displayed would give place to reciprocal efforts of collaboration and understanding, which would undoubtedly bear fruit.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“Colombia must state here that its conduct, both within our regional group and in the Assembly, has been strictly confined to principles which it has warmly defended throughout its life as a nation and which are immutable rules in relations among peoples. None of its words or attitudes could have been considered partial. At every moment it has sought justice and it has found identical intentions among its brother countries of the continent. It has never harboured any feeling of aversion for any of the countries that were involved in this conflict. I should like to express the admiration of my Government and my people, and their feelings of friendship and affection, for each one of the Arab States and for the State of Israel. 60. The tension in that part of the world affects us all.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“If that is impossible, it will be equally impossible for us to place ourselves at last in the only position that is admissible for this world Organization, which, if it fails to take that position, will see its prestige diminishing day by day in public opinion: namely, its full ability to prevent war and to safeguard peace. 58. The United Nations General Assembly will at this session concern itself once again with the conflict that has occurred in the Near East between the Arab States and Israel. I should like, on behalf of my Government, to make a fresh appeal for common sense, and even human brotherliness, in order that we may arrive at a lasting settlement based on justice. 59.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“And in this stormy process the Members of our Organization are either the main protagonists or are involved or compromised. To speak of the non-aligned countries is almost meaningless. All countries are fettered to situations which certainly do not allow them complete freedom of action and, as is natural, each one or each group wants its own interests to prevail. Thus the true and supreme interests of mankind are relegated to a lower plane in this grim struggle, this fight between the Powers, this surge of material appetites and transactions and calculations. It would be inconceivable in such a world that the members of the Security Council would be willing to forgo their veto power and in democratic fair play to submit to a competent majority that would impose certain obligations on them against their will.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“The ability of our world Organization to fulfil the essential purpose of its existence, its true raison d’être, that of saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war, is still in question and is a serious matter not only for its prestige but for its very survival. Once again, in the recent Arab-Israel conflict, to which I shall refer later, the United Nations has shown itself powerless to prevent it. 57. We realize, however, that to bring about any change in the situation I have described is no easy matter. With the passage of time since the victorious Powers of the Second World War and their then allies conceived and created this Organization, subsequent developments have produced a world in which the marvels of technological progress are accompanied by a sharpening of social conflict and international mistrust.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“Our peoples are overwhelmed with need, even to achieve minimum conditions for leading a life worthy of human beings and for enjoying the benefits of civilization. All that we can invest in this effort is a mere trifle compared with the magnitude of the need, and if one of the countries of Latin America were to decide to manufacture nuclear weapons we should soon see the others following suit, committing a large part of their scanty resources to it. We do not, therefore, want to be confronted with this state of affairs, which would be fatal for a region that is desperately striving to achieve development and which would thus see all its hopes of recovery shattered. 56.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“If we review the history of mankind, we see clearly that ambition and the desire to predominate have never known any barriers, and certainly not that of consideration of the inexpressible horrors that any armed conflict entails. Even today we hear macabre conjectures of the advantage that an atomic war could be for over-populated countries. 55. It is nevertheless encouraging, in the midst of this gloomy picture, to record the adoption at Mexico City, on 14 February of this year, of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America. For Colombia the paramount interest of this Treaty lies in the fact that it prevents nuclear competition among the Latin American countries in that it imposes upon them the obligation to refrain in future from possessing or manufacturing such weapons.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“The industrialized countries do not want to fall behind or to be at a military disadvantage in relation to the countries which possess such weapons and it would not be surprising if even the less-developed countries too might want, to test their devices. For the time being there are two countries which are completely outside any international control for the testing and manufacture of nuclear and thermo-nuclear weapons and which possess them; France and Communist China. 54. It is no good belittling the danger that the proliferation of nuclear weapons presents for the world by arguing that the very fact of their terrifying destructive power, which could wipe out our present civilization, will always inhibit States from starting a conflagration of this kind.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“It also explains why it was unable to adopt any effective means of preventing the sad conflict in the Near East. The truth is that we cannot go on like this; the truth is that we cannot look on with cold indifference, or, if you wish, with anguish, while the world moves towards the abyss, nor can we afford to refrain from action to prevent the perpetration of the deeds that are going on before our eyes. 52. The non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is the first concern of the world of today and it will remain so as long as the spectre of an atomic conflagration looms up as a horrifying future prospect. Unfortunately, the efforts that the General Assembly has been making to halt the production and expansion of nuclear weapons have not made much progress. 53.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“Violence is breaking out everywhere, with its train of bitterness and sorrow, and we are all filled with a foreboding that if certain situations are not remedied promptly, it may well be that world disaster may prove unavoidable. 51. In my statement on behalf of Colombia in the general debate at the twenty-first session [1416th meeting], I analysed the defects of our Organization and the efficiency it has occasionally shown in the preservation of peace. They are structural defects which, instead of being corrected, have been accentuated; far from there being any firm collective determination to rectify them, there seems to be an inexplicable design on the part of some Governments to retain them. That explains why our Organization has been unable to take action to achieve and impose peace in Asia.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“I do so with the respect that my country has always felt for the representatives of all the peoples of the world that have their place here and I come imbued with my country's traditional spirit of peace and resolved to apply this spirit to the decisions of this world Organization. I am glad, therefore, to reiterate these sentiments to you, to offer you our respectful greetings and to assure you of the admiration and affection that the people of Colombia feel for each of the peoples represented here. 50. We could not really feel satisfied, calm or in agreement with the situation with which we are faced at the beginning of this session of the General Assembly. The world has been unable to rid itself of fear, malaise and injustice, which are still characteristics of the present era.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“48. Mr. President, on behalf of Colombia I should like to join in the well-justified congratulations that have been addressed to you upon your assuming the high office of President of the General Assembly at this twenty-second session. Those of us who welcome your election do so in the certitude that, in conformity with your clear record and your career as a statesman, an eminent internationalist and a staunch friend of peace, you will direct our work with impartiality, justice, propriety and intelligence, in a task that will not be easy but that, encouraged by these lofty purposes, will of necessity help towards the solution of the serious problems with which we are called upon to deal. 49. This is the second time that, as Foreign Minister of Colombia, I have come to address this august forum.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“Herein lies our hope for a less troubling future.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“A great deal of national pride and wealth will have to be sacrificed for the benefit of the majority. It has been said that inequalities do not last for ever, or, as one great President of this Assembly, Zafrulla Khan, put it, if one part of the organism is diseased, the whole will soon he diseased. 37. Colombia wishes to be a part of this co-operative and redemptive undertaking, which should consist, not of adopting recommendations of merely literary value, but of taking measures which can lead to the solution of our difficulties. We realize that we who have here united our wills cannot ensure that the positive results we seek will actually be achieved or will lead to new trends in international conduct. But at least we can expect those whose obligations towards the Charter are greatest to live up to and implement its principles.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“It is they who must live up to the obligations of international solidarity, provide the developing countries with technical and financial assistance, and facilitate the construction of an egalitarian and progressive society in a disarmed and peaceful world. 36. There are many obstacles along the way. The greatest of these is lack of understanding, which breeds fanaticism and intolerance. Men themselves have sown the path of life with pain and sorrow. Human actions have produced a world in which only a few receive the benefits of health and knowledge, while the majority continue to live an obscure and hopeless life. This imbalance must be corrected. The labour of all must be paid for in the same coin — that is, there must be adequate compensation.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“We must appeal loudly and clearly to the conscience and intelligence of the world's leaders in the hope that, through acts of understanding and great deeds, they may preserve, consolidate and strengthen this Organization, and make it a true instrument of peace, a forum where the claims of the dispossessed, the complaints of those who are suffering injustices, the voice of the persecuted minorities and of the peoples who are victims of aggression will be heard and answered. 35. The greatest responsibilities, of course, still fall upon those Powers which are privileged to hold a permanent seat in the Security Council. It is they above all who must abandon their antagonistic positions and give to the rest of the world an example of constructive and harmonious coexistence.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“If this Organization cannot deal with the immense problems of the international community in these troubled times; if it cannot stop conflicts which might lead to the annihilation of the human race or to the destruction of the civilized world; if it cannot contribute effectively to the well-being and security of the inhabitants of this planet and to the attainment of at least moderate levels of cultural and scientific advancement in areas which today are deprived of the benefits of civilization; if, finally, it cannot achieve the goals set when it was founded, its prestige will necessarily decline, and It may well disappear eventually in a cloud of melancholy ineffectiveness. 34. This is the grim reality we face; this is what our peoples as well as our Governments must realize.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“In making these observations — and Colombia has deliberately chosen to be utterly frank — our only purpose is to help meet one of the major needs of the present moment: the strengthening of the United Nations; for considering the difficult circumstances in which it must operate today, it lacks the influence it should wield over international events. 33.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“I ask you whether such support of armed subversion in other nations, directed against democratic institutions, like those in my country does not constitute an open, flagrant and totally unacceptable violation of the principles which I have just quoted. 31. Of course, the well-known attempts to penetrate our continent in order to destroy democracy and to implant totalitarian systems characterized by the brutal repression of all liberty and unconditional submission to extracontinental Powers have been unsuccessful, but have sometimes left in their wake a tragic toll of suffering and death. The international community cannot remain indifferent to these acts which contravene the resolution cited, which work against the self-determination of our peoples and which represent therefore clear-cut threats to the peace of America. 32.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Consequently, armed intervention and all other forms of interference or attempted threats against the personality of the State or against its political, economic and cultural elements, are condemned." And the resolution continues: "... Also, no State shall organize, assist, foment, finance, incite or tolerate subversive, terrorist or armed activities directed towards the violent overthrow of the regime of another State, or interfere in civil strife in another State." 30. Yet we have witnessed the convening of intercontinental conferences, attended by officials of the Governments concerned, whose primary objective, openly expressed, is to give moral and material support to subversive movements in various parts of the world, and particularly in Latin America.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“But, as is well known, frequent attempts are made to violate that lofty principle, affecting the security of our nations, and these may lead to extremes which could aggravate our present difficulties and hamper the enormous efforts of our peoples and our Governments to conquer under-development. It is pertinent to recall the terms of that resolution, which was adopted unanimously, in order to contrast the principles embodied therein with the practices of certain countries, which unquestionably constitute open interference in the internal affairs of others. Operative paragraph 1 solemnly declares: "No State has the right to intervene, directly or indirectly, for any reason whatever, in the internal or external affairs of any other State.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“We have therefore stressed the need for a foreign investment policy which will harmoniously and equitably combine the legitimate interests of the investor with the permanent needs of our nations, that is, with what we wish to be and must be." 29. During the last session of the General Assembly, Colombia participated in the drafting and discussion of resolution 2131 (XX) on non-intervention. This text, which, like many others, has become an historic expression of the Assembly's resolve to ensure international coexistence, must he zealously adhered to by the Members of the United Nations, for otherwise world peace will be gravely endangered.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“We urgently need sufficient external income to acquire those valuable capital goods which are necessary for the acceleration of economic development; and we maintain that international financial assistance should be provided on a reasonable basis and in pursuance of a policy which in no way affects the independence or dignity of our countries. We want, not colonial economies — whatever semblance of prosperity they may offer — but nations which are masters of their own destinies, nations which can maintain normal economic relations with the rest of the world and ensure freedom for the movement of capital.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Carlos Lleras Restrepo, stated as much in words I would like to repeat before this Assembly, since they express so clearly the meaning and scope of this document, conceived according to the broadest definition of continental solidarity: "We regard as indispensable the economic integration of Latin America and the furtherance of an international policy which will make the great markets of the world more accessible to our products. We defend the prices of the primary commodities which constitute the bulk of our exports while endeavouring to diversify these exports.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“The text of the Declaration gives expression to the fervent desire of the peoples of America to achieve, through cooperative efforts, high levels of social well-being which, we hope, will gradually eliminate the desperate backwardness and ignorance of large masses on the continent. 28. Besides the statements of a strictly political character, this Declaration, reflecting the desire to strengthen the inter-American system, to strive for the consolidation of peace, to express solidarity with the peoples struggling for their own development, and to defend representative democracy as the essential basis fox achieving liberty, progress and social justice, contains a clear, constructive programme for bringing about the integration of the Latin American nations into one great economic community. The President of Colombia, Mr.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“But I have also mentioned certain negative factors, and an awareness of these should stimulate the developing countries to redouble their efforts towards making maximum use of their own resources and technologies, thereby overcoming the limitations of their present condition, and towards uniting with peoples in similar situations, so as to seek in economic co-operation and the exchange of experience the path to redemption. 27. It was with this in mind that, on 16 August of this year, the so-called Declaration of Bogota was signed and issued officially by the Presidents of Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Colombia. It was circulated as an official document of the United Nations [A/6410] in connexion with agenda item 42, entitled "Regional development".”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“In view of the need to intensify technical and economic co-operation through our Organization, more and more efforts and resources must be devoted to the United Nations Development Programme, to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. The final establishment of the latter, in accordance with the draft resolution prepared by the Ad Hoc Committee is, without a doubt, one of the fundamental objectives of this session. 26. It is clear from all I have said that there are grounds for optimism, particularly in the programmes of technical and economic co-operation which our Organization has fostered.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“A further disturbing fact recently pointed out by the Secretary-General must also be borne in mind, namely, that while the national Income of the developed countries is Increasing, the proportion of that income allocated to international assistance for the developing countries is decreasing. In the case of several Powers that proportion has not yet reached the 1 per cent of net income called for by the 1964 Geneva Conference in accordance with earlier recommendations of the General Assembly. The contrast between this relative decrease in international aid and the growing urgency of the need for that aid constitutes one of the most tragic negative signs of our times. 25.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Thus, wealth has continued to accumulate in a few nations which represent a small part of the world's population, while in the areas with the bulk of the population a scarcity of resources and of technical and economic assistance makes ever more difficult the task of the peoples who are striving to achieve a higher level of development. 23. As can be seen, the economically under-developed countries are the victims of a world situation which does not seem likely to change very soon. Many of them are far from attaining the 5 per cent increase in national income which is one of the goals of the United Nations Development Decade. On the other hand, the coolness with which the industrialized countries received the recommendations of the first United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has been deplorable and hard to understand. 24.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Consequently, the most urgent task which our Organization must undertake is to reduce, on the international plane, the ever widening gap which separates the rich countries with a high per capita income from the developing countries, and, on the national plane, the gap between the small minorities who are well off and the large majorities who live in grinding poverty. 22. It is true that the efforts made to correct this situation have had some success, but here, just as in the situation that has already been analysed, there is a dangerous degree of stagnation, particularly as regards relations between the industrialized countries and those which make a precarious living either from basic commodities that are subject to the vagaries of the market or from fledgling industries.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Such inequalities tend to create centres of disturbance throughout the world which prevent a calm and dispassionate analysis of problems and situations. Satisfactory solutions are thus impossible to attain and will continue to be so as long as they are subordinated to purely local interests or to the ambitions of the great Powers. 21. It has thus come to be realized that the true strategy of peace is to be found in the effective and harmonious solution of the grave economic problems in the various areas of the world.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“An awareness of peace must be inculcated in youth through an immense educational effort that will banish from their sight the tinsel glitter of military apparatus which fires the early imagination of children and develops in them an admiration and worship of war heroes, whose fame far exceeds that of the artist or the scientist. Only by discarding the nationalistic concepts which today are a basic ingredient of education and supplanting them by a loftier concept of the great family of mankind, will peace one day be established on earth. 20. That, however, presupposes an unqualified acceptance of the rule of justice, for so long as inequalities between nations and men become sharper instead of disappearing and so long as economic imbalance becomes more acute, it is quite impossible for violence to disappear from human relations.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“The world cannot continue to be divided into antagonistic blocs that cling to irreconcilable positions concerning the systems of government that will make their peoples happy. Nor can nationalistic feelings be allowed to prevail over the universal interests of living together in harmony. Peace must be built on something more substantial than the cold formation of international co-operation or the illusion which the socialist countries have called peaceful coexistence. The need for understanding and brotherhood among peoples grows more imperative each day.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“However, it would not be fair for us to demand this of him if Member States do not intend to take positive steps to change the circumstances he mentioned when he announced a decision which we all regret and which we hope will be revoked. I think there can be no doubt within this Assembly about the serious questions that would arise if we had to elect a new Secretary-General now. May I, on behalf of Colombia, express the wish that the Secretary-General will reconsider his position and reflect on how important these additional services we are asking of him may be for the cause of peace. 19. I should now like to reaffirm various views which I stated in this Assembly on behalf of my country a few years ago and which are still fully valid today.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“As the representative of Colombia it was my privilege, at a time when the United Nations was going through one of its gravest crises, to co-operate in his felicitous appointment and to make known publicly on behalf of the Latin American group, the satisfaction felt by our Governments and our continent at his election. Today we can say that the hopes placed in his administration have been fully justified. No major error can justly be attributed to him in the discharge of his duties. Hence, the Latin American nations did what was right in expressing the desire that U Thant would agree to offer his services and endeavours to the world community once again. 18.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)