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

“Our delegation will put forward its views on the current situation in the appropriate Committee, and for the moment I would simply express our ardent desire that substantial progress may be achieved this year as a consequence of the Moscow agreement. The world cannot now or ever feel confident or at ease, so long as huge arsenals are being continually built up and refined. Disarmament is a complex process, because it must take into account the defence requirements of States; and in the planning of the various stages and phases of disarmament, fear and mistrust can open up unbridgeable gulfs. But if there Is a determination to achieve it some day, there will be no difficulties that human ingenuity cannot overcome in a manner satisfactory to all. 131.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“At this session, as at previous ones, the most important debates of the General Assembly will be on disarmament, which is now being discussed with renewed optimism. If, as the world believes and hopes, the great Powers are sincere in their desire to modify their stand on international problems, this is the time and place to prove it. The efforts made by the United Nations, both in its ordinary committees and at the Geneva Conference, have succeeded to a certain degree in reducing the great differences between the draft treaties for general and complete disarmament in a peaceful world, submitted by the United States and the Soviet Union.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“That force which wells up from the depths of the being will one day have to find expression, before it erupts and sweeps away the orthodox leaders of communism, the enemies of reform; people with open minds must emerge to channel that force, to soften its impact, to open sealed doors, to let in currents from outside. Little by little the Berlin wall, that symbol of a closed society, will crumble. Just as in the democratic world today crude individualism has been buried and replaced by new notions of society, so in the communist world the aspirations of the masses for economic betterment, national independence, and material and intellectual freedom cannot be suppressed Indefinitely, much less transformed into conscious acquiescence. 130.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“The tremendous errors of communism, and the fact that they could not be rectified when they should have been, could not but open the eyes of thousands of men and women who, after all, are not sheep incapable of realizing their disastrous plight. Those who are shut away behind the Berlin wall, men who have lived under the blind rule of freedom enchained, understand that there can be no decent, happy society unless the right of dissent, the right to criticize and even depose the rulers, the right to express ideas openly and to defend them without the slightest fear for personal safety, are guaranteed. 129.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Probably no one in the non-socialist countries could now oppose what used to be the banner of communist parties, namely, the need to end the exploitation of man by man, to give everyone a fair and decent share of the national income, to extend wealth to areas which had never known it hitherto, to do away with privilege, and to consider vain any democratic system which has not eliminated inequalities due to economic chance and in which wealth confers power, the workers are not protected from oppression of every kind, and human beings cannot assert their rights and their demands for a life of endeavour without heart-break. 128. While this is taking place in the free world, however, the yearning for freedom is quietly spreading in the communist countries.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“History has shown that totalitarianism of the right is as ruthless as communism in its repressive methods. 127. Nevertheless, fact and truth are Inexorably coming to light. The emergence of the masses into community life, the growing needs of great aggregations of people, and the obligation to satisfy those needs, have led to rapid advances by the State and to ever-increasing subordination of purely private or group interests to the overriding public interest. Thus the "gendarme" State has become the welfare State; untrammelled freedom has given way to intervention in private affairs and finally to socialism, which has gradually prevailed in the constitutional reforms of many States now called democratic.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Any public, or even private, debate on Marxist philosophy is impossible in the so-called socialist countries, and anyone who disagrees with the communist hierarchy, whose duty it is to explain and interpret that philosophy, or who even ventures to suggest some modification or improvement, stands condemned by the whole system. There have been many cases of persons imprisoned, exiled or executed simply because they spoke the truth as they saw It. Something similar occurs in the Western camps, though with less rigour, severity or cruelty. In some Western countries, intellectual freedom and the expression of certain ideas are even now curtailed, and anti-communist propaganda is often laced with exaggerations or misrepresentations that are not easily dispelled or refuted.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“In each camp there are fanatics and reactionaries who strive in vain to arrest those trends. Why not, then, take from the two systems whatever is best suited to the needs of contemporary society and to man's spiritual being? 126. There are many difficulties in the way, however. Marxist orthodoxy considers "revisionism" —that is to say, the mere possibility that its own leaders might undertake a review of its doctrine— as the greatest threat-to the future of communism in the world. Errors of procedure can be, and are, accepted by the communist leaders, but errors of basic principle, never.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“If the two sectors of humanity continue in these entrenched positions, annihilation will one day be inevitable. What we vitally need is a brainwashing, a review of such attitudes, a quest for their replacement, in the minds of political and cultural leaders all over the world, by a sober and analytical outlook. Peaceful coexistence among nations must be transformed into harmonious and constructive living together. 125. Within the two systems —which some people regard as irreconcilable— there are, we know, powerful trends distorting their essential patterns and driving them closer together. I refer to the spread of some forms of socialism in the capitalist countries and the unquenchable thirst for freedom in the communist countries. This is an indisputable fact in the world of today.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Life in a disarmed world will require not only coexistence, but genuine living together. Peaceful coexistence, as it has been understood and practised, has meant an armed peace, violence in word and deed, and underground warfare. As long as we think that only our own systems of government and ways of life are good and others evil, there will always be a desire on both sides to destroy what is considered bad. The communist leaders loathe capitalism; they see in it the root of all human afflictions, of slavery, of the keeping of great masses of people in despair and ignorance, and they want a different life, modelled on their systems and their philosophy. Tor many in the West, on the other hand, communism is something ominous, reprobate, and profoundly disturbing —the blind force of materialism challenging the forces of the spirit.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“The Moscow Treaty, which offers such hopeful prospects for this great endeavour, must in the world of today lead to demonstration of rapprochement and understanding which will for ever abolish mistrust, soften the harsh language of war, and replace fears and misgivings by security and confidence. To achieve this we must start, as President Kennedy said, by reviewing our positions, by looking into our consciences to see whether we, who have enrolled on one side against the other, are really keepers of the truth or whether we may be to some extent swayed by error. We have to clear our minds; in short, we have to seek and find a true understanding. If we can do that, all the happiness that we desire for mankind will one day be possible. 124. But if that is to be, we cannot be satisfied merely with peaceful coexistence.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“There, he announced the agreement with the Head of the Soviet Government, Mr. Khrushchev, and the Head of the United Kingdom Government, Mr. Macmillan, for the initiation of high-level talks in Moscow with a view to producing this Treaty. The talks later came to a successful conclusion. The significance, the transcendent importance of the agreement flows from that historic message, which at the time was probably not recognized as having the import which we now perceive and acclaim. 123. We are trying to achieve peace, to consolidate peace, to preserve peace, and to make peace fruitful.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“After tremendous efforts had been made by the United Nations, and by the Eighteen-Nation Committee which met at Geneva to consider general and complete disarmament, for the cessation of nuclear weapon tests; after humanity had been stricken with terror by the accumulation of the weapons of annihilation in the arsenals of the Powers and exposed to the lethal effects of radio-active pollution of the atmosphere and to the aggressiveness which in recent years has characterized relations between the socialist and capitalist worlds, there came a voice, the voice of the leader of the most powerful group in the history of man, President Kennedy, calling eloquently and solemnly for peace in one of the most important documents of recent years —the speech given at American University, Washington, on 10 June 1963.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“The statesmen who concluded it were united in declaring that this agreement is, or could be, but the beginning of other more important steps to end international tension and the so-called cold war. The world trusts that this maybe so. Those in whose hands the destiny of the human race lies will bear a grave responsibility before history if they fail now and betray this anguished and earnest hope. However, the circumstances under which this agreement was signed, the statements in which it was announced to the world at large and the original moves which led to its preparation, all encourage optimism. May it not prove illusory! 122.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“My delegation hopes, that, If we confine ourselves to the simple goal of adjusting the composition of those organs to constant growth of the Organization, those Members which have shown reluctance, not because of the substance of the reform but on purely circumstantial grounds, will set aside their reasons in a spirit of understanding and join in with a will to settle a problem that cannot be postponed without an inexcusable lack of fairness to the African States, which constitute a very large proportion of this Assembly. 121. Colombia gladly signed the recent Moscow Treaty banning nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water [see A/5488], Humanity, with some exceptions which can be explained but not excused, greeted this long desired and hard-won achievement with delight.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“There is one amendment, however, which should not give rise to any major controversy and which is necessary from every standpoint. My delegation wishes here and now to support the recommendation made by both the Security Council and the Committee on Arrangements for a Conference for the Purpose of Reviewing the Charter that the number of seats in the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council should be increased, in order to give adequate representation on those bodies to all geographical regions. In our opinion, this reform should be considered and, we hope, approved at this session, in accordance with the terms of Article 108 of the Charter.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Some day, the General Assembly will have to abolish this system, which is contrary to the most elementary principles of juridical equality and international democracy. We ourselves realize, however, that this would not be possible while we live in such an atmosphere of distrust and tension as has filled our lungs for over a decade, all through this period of cold war. We realize, too that in this environment of mutual fear and mutual mistrust the United Nations, without the veto system, might many times have begun to disintegrate. The desire now is that this atmosphere may be lightened, that in the future it may be more propitious to a judicial reform, that mistrust may be dispelled, and that we may reach a profitable agreement on this question. 120.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Steps have been taken in that direction and we must persevere with them, despite the difficulties facing us in this vital task. 119. There is perhaps no Member State which does not consider a reform of the United Nations Charter desirable or necessary. Some may be undecided as to the timing, but the fact is that there are points of substance which should be amended and others which, although procedural, are equally important and therefore should also be amended. Even at San Francisco, for instance, several of the countries which helped to found the United Nations, including Colombia, had comments to make on the privileged power of veto granted to the victorious Powers —that is, to the five permanent members of the Security Council. The misgivings they expressed at that time have been confirmed many times over.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Yet the achievements of the world Organization thus far offer it no release from the challenge it faces daily in the enormous tasks which lie before it. There is more, much more, and every day there will be still more, to do than has already been done. In the evolution of man, throughout his stormy history, more has been achieved, and is still being achieved, by dint of a gigantic struggle against the most adverse circumstances. The important thing, however, is to have shown that there exists the will to overcome any obstacles and the moral and intellectual capacity to succeed. We must, of course, consider what tools we have at hand for the tasks of the future and must determine the defects in our Organization in order to correct them.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Technical assistance; economic aid; contributions to the spiritual development of peoples; exchanges of ideas between the leaders of the International community —all this has been of the greatest benefit to this generation and has brought to the world such progress as was never dreamt of in the past. Therefore we must feel gratified and optimistic. But it would be unjust not to pay a well-deserved tribute to those who have directed the administrative work of this Organization; to the members of the Secretariat at all times, and in particular, with special gratitude, to our distinguished Secretary-General, U Thant, whose actions have fully justified the confidence placed in him by the Assembly when it appointed him to a position of such grave responsibility. 118.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“A body founded upon so lofty a doctrine, upon such high philosophical principles, can scarcely die. If that should happen, in the age in which we live, mankind itself, or at least its culture and civilization developed over thousands of years, would surely die with it. 117. Those who lack confidence in the Organization's work do not fully appreciate the magnitude of its achievements. It has been in existence for eighteen years, and already the percentage of mankind not represented here, not claiming its rights, achieving its aspirations and asserting its interests in a profound feeling of equality, is very small. The gravest crises of international politics, many of which could plunge us into a new world conflagration, have here been resolved.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“I hope that they will convey to their respective Governments, the admiring tribute which Colombia pays to all their peoples and our good wishes for their progress and happiness. 116. Despite the gloomy predictions made my many, the world Organization is today stronger and more self-confident. It may be said that, now that the first stages are past, it has got strongly under way and there is daily less possibility of its collapse or attenuation. Its influence on relations between peoples is undeniable. The admission of newly independent countries has injected new blood in its veins. Its existence today is protected by the affection of all nations which place their trust in it as vital to their own survival and which, above all, believe in the immortal principles set forth in its Charter and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Colombia, and the delegation which represents it, are particularly gratified by your election as President of the General Assembly of the United Nations. We feel proud that our proceedings will be directed by a son of Venezuela, a country with which, needless to say, we have fostered a brotherly friendship rooted in the past and in our common devotion to our founder and liberator, Simón Bolívar, which with the passage of time will grow ever stronger and will inevitably ensure the prosperity of two sister peoples in a future that will, we know, be a glorious one. Mr. President, please accept our Government's warmest congratulations. 115. On behalf of my Government, I should also like to offer a cordial greeting to the representatives of the countries of the world seated here.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)