YouSaid · the spoken record

Averoff-Tossizza

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS AVEROFF-TOSSIZZA

lines on the record: 99
first: 1957-09-24
most recent: 1962-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

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“Tomorrow, on the other hand, after detailed study by experts, these questions and many more will be presented in their true light and in their exact and precise dimensions, and this will make it possible, at a second stage, to evaluate them and to take the necessary decisions at the political level. 137. I shall now go a step further by proposing that the discussion at the political level should take place not in the Ten-Nation Committee on Disarmament, but in a smaller committee whose membership would reflect that of the Assembly, or would at least include the Chairman of the United Nations Disarmament Commission, who is at this moment that very distinguished man, Mr. Padilla Nervo, representative of Mexico. 138.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“I may even go so far as to say that the progress made by these experts is the greatest and the only really tangible achievement in the whole field of disarmament. 136. Today, at the political level, we speak of controls without knowing exactly what we mean. There is talk of balanced disarmament, the purpose of which is to protect one side from suddenly finding itself weaker than the other. There is good reason to sneak of this, for it is a serious obstacle that impedes effective progress, but we do not know exactly how this balanced disarmament can be brought about. Today the tremendous diversification of weapons, ranging from machine-guns to tanks, and from aircraft to nuclear missiles, makes an answer even harder to find.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“The experts — specialists in disarmament, defence and the application and control of the proposed measures, and also technicians and scientists — should be called upon to submit their conclusions to the United Nations within a reasonable time, possibly determined in advance. Such an arrangement, I believe, would take into account the remarks made by Mr. Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, in the course of his brilliant statement [882nd meeting]. It may be pointed out in this connexion that the experience acquired in other fields has been encouraging in so far as the usefulness of dealing with similar problems by technical methods is concerned. I refer to the conference of experts at Geneva on the detection of nuclear explosions.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Considerations of a technical nature constitute the basis and at the same time the primary condition for the adoption of any political decision on this matter, it is natural, therefore, that the technical aspect, which is preliminary but decisive, should have priority over the purely political aspect. We believe therefore that there is one essential prerequisite. 135. As the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom so eloquently put it in his statement [877th meeting], disarmament under effective control — and more particularly certain aspects of control — should be the subject of expert study.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“At the present time, the problem with which the General Assembly is faced is not that of finding a solution to the question itself, but rather of finding an adequate method whereby disarmament will cease to belong to the realm of words and will become a practical reality. In this connexion, I should like, very briefly, to describe the principles upon which my country's attitude to this problem is based. 134. It can, or rather must, be taken for granted that there is a basis of good will, but if we are to free ourselves from the present paralysis and avoid a descent into propaganda, the political aspect and the technical aspect, which together constitute the complex problem of disarmament, must be, separated.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Thus, at the very moment when armaments are increasing and being perfected, disarmament has been made into a means, a tool, of political antagonism. In other words, disarmament has become a weapon. In our contemporary world where so many words have lost their true meaning, we have thus arrived at the paradox of disarmament itself becoming a weapon. 132; However, though facts must be faced, lamentations are useless and superfluous. Instead we must look closely at the problem and see what we can do. 133. The Greek delegation, which is here to convey the ardent faith of the Greek people in peace, freedom and security, will spare no effort to contribute, as it has in the past, to the progress of this matter within the framework of the various United Nations bodies engaged in this task.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“On the contrary, the grave dangers created by the never-ending arms race are daily becoming more threatening. The entire international community is already faced with the spectre of total destruction. I mention these facts, which are only too well known, to emphasize our very heavy responsibility for the deadlock now affecting the disarmament question. 130. Despite the slaughter and the mountains of ruins caused by the Second World War and its aftermath, the progress in armaments during the past fifteen years has been gigantic. Rockets streak incessantly across the heavens while disarmament sinks deeper and deeper into a morass of endless discussions and printed matter. 131. While rearmament constitutes for all of us the real action and the real fact, disarmament appears for some States to belong only to the realm of words or propaganda.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“I mean the statements of General Ben Hammou Kettani, Commander of the Moroccan contingent of the United Nations Force in the Congo, who said, as reported by the Press throughout the world, "The United Nations troops have done their duty and, thanks to them, the situation generally is calm”. 128. I should like now to speak; of the problem, by far the most important with which we have to deal, which occupies and more particularly preoccupies us all: namely, disarmament. 129. The need for the regulation of armaments is specifically referred to in the basic provisions of the Charter. This means that there was created for us all — and for all without exception — an obligation to make a start on disarmament. Today, fifteen years later, this obligation has not been fulfilled.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“We firmly believe, therefore, that all who are Sincerely interested in the independence and wellbeing of the Congo should accept and support the assistance which only the United Nations can offer, for the United Nations is supra-national and universal and hence able to act as a disinterested and pacifying mediator, and the United Nations has executive organs whose capability and objectivity have already been proved in all the great crises with which we have so far been faced. We are convinced that they are being Similarly proved in the Congo today, and we have confidence in the action of these organs. If we needed a further example, we were given it a very few days ago by a person who can certainly not be accused of conniving with the colonialists.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“It only remains, therefore, for me to repeat that we hope whole-heartedly that order and well-being will be restored in the Congo under a Central Government which is both effective and legal from the international point of View. We firmly believe that this can only be brought about if all nations abstain from any intervention in the Congo’s internal affairs, since any action along these lines will inevitably provoke interference by other parties and turn a peaceful and independent country in the heart of Africa into a vast battlefield of the cold war. This cold war, which Africa certainly does not want, is only too likely, if it finds a suitable battleground, to degenerate into war pure and simple. 127.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“We have found this spirit, to cite only one instance that applies to a great many cases, in their official acknowledgement of the fact that independence was undoubtedly earned and deserved, and that it was at the same time offered with dignity, good will and promptitude. 126. It is true that the deep satisfaction evoked by the achievement of political recognition on the part of a vast continent has been somewhat marred by the situation in the Congo (Leopoldville), to which independence was also offered with good will and promptitude, On behalf of my Government, I had the honour, during the fourth emergency special session of the Assembly, of taking a stand on this matter, which is as important as it is painful.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Nkrumah, the President of Ghana, stated [869th meeting] so brilliantly — the African continent is a well-defined entity, it is none the less true that modern technology has brought the continents closer together than regions or even neighbouring valleys were to one another in the not so distant past. 125. The proofs that they can fully achieve such international recognition exist already not only for the relatively old African States but also for those which have just become Members of the United Nations. Their presence among us has already, made itself felt in a manner full of wisdom and dignity. Many delegations, certainly my own, have been impressed by their culture, the profoundness of their political thinking and their spirit of serious and constructive international collaboration.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Apart from the African States bordering the Mediterranean, which are the closest to us, Ethiopia, the Sudan, the Congo, Cameroun, Ghana, Nigeria and many other countries in that vast continent have been and are for us a second beloved and respected homeland. 124. Apart from this fact of particular interest to us as Greeks, we regard as members of the international family, the spiritual and political awakening of Africa as an event which will make a profound impression on the history of the world. All these States — rich in moral and material resources, and strong and vigorous in their youth and their legitimate aspirations to domestic progress and international recognition — will undoubtedly give new impetus to our family of nations. I say family, because even though — as Mr.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Today, however, in this more general debate, I should like to lay particular stress on the importance among us of the new African States, today sixteen in number, and tomorrow seventeen with the addition of Nigeria, that vast and populous State whose independence was proclaimed on 1 October 1960. 123. My country has been closely linked for thirty centuries with the ancient but ever young peoples of the whole northern coast of that vast continent. Our civilization and our interests are and have been influenced by them; their civilization and interests are and have been influenced by us. Moreover, for some decades, several tens of thousands of my compatriots have been living as brothers among almost all the African peoples.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Before venturing certain opinions on the most serious problems now before us, I should like to say a few words on the most outstanding event of the fifteenth session. I mean by this, of course, the admission of the new Members, and in particular those from Africa. The Republic of Cyprus is particularly dear to us for reasons which are well known and were referred to only a few days ago from this very rostrum. That is why I greeted with such emotion the affirmation of its international personality, completely free and independent, out of which will certainly spring a new flowering of its 3,000-year-old civilization.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“I say this because the thought that we are deliberately and wittingly setting about the business of weakening the United Nations is far from my Government’s mind and far from my own. 120. We believe that all peoples and all their representatives want peace and international understanding. The means differ, and, to use a very useful expression, the approach differs. 121. This is a point which I venture to bring to the Assembly’s attention, for the hour is truly grave, truly full of menace and danger to the most fundamental interests of all mankind. It is in this spirit and with full awareness of its responsibilities, as the representative of a people and as a founding Member of the United Nations, that the Greek Government is participating in the work of the fifteenth session of the General Assembly. 122.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Who among us can doubt that, in certain, crises of the post-war period, far more blood would have been shed and far more suffering would have been inflicted on mankind, without the intervention of this world body? 118. Who among us doubts that certain local conflicts have been avoided and others limited, and possibly a much greater conflict spared us, thanks to the United Nations? 119. But thanks to what United Nations? Thanks to the United Nations with which we are familiar, and not the United Nations whose outline seems to be emerging now. That is a fundamental point. We must concentrate upon it, particularly since it consists net of specific and tangible facts, but rather of an atmosphere which is being created and of trends which escape us and for that very reason may set our feet upon the downward path.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“It was founded by fifty-six nations which, after years of sacrifice, suffering and destruction, were determined, by following the United Nations Charter, to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and the violation of fundamental human rights, 117. The Organization has succeeded, not altogether, but to a very large extent, in fulfilling its task. If today feeling runs high over the fate of the Congo (Leopoldville) or less important matters and if we feel anxious on the subject, how can we forget that in the last fifteen years we have lived through far more serious crises which have been settled thanks to the United Nations?”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“If for the first time it is to change its functions and, if, instead of a home where the presence of the whole family helps to calm tempers, we are to make of it an arena where tempers are unleashed and are intensified by loudspeakers reaching to every part of the globe, then we shall have set the United Nations on the road to decline and bankruptcy, for I wonder how many of us would retain our confidence in and, consequently, remain faithful, to an Organization in which, instead of comfort, we found uneasiness, and in which, instead of understanding and reconciliation, we found only an intensification of differences and antagonisms. 116. There are certain fundamental truths which it would be well for us to remember. The Organization was founded upon the blood shed by millions of human beings who sacrificed themselves for a better world.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“The atmosphere in which the fifteenth session of the United Nations General Assembly opened and, still more, the atmosphere in which our work has at times taken place, has not been comforting. I am very much afraid that the anxiety and pessimism which have been almost universal for the past few months have in no way been dissipated but have rather been exacerbated as the result of our labours. 115. If, as I believe, this is true, we have failed in our duty. The United Nations reflects and has undoubtedly always reflected world tensions, but it is equally true that the United Nations has always helped to diminish these tensions, to encourage reconciliation and to solve very serious problems.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“As if that were not enough, for the first time in the history of mankind the vast energy inherent in inert matter has been liberated and harnessed to the will of man. 190. By paying complete respect to the rules of law and morality, we can block the road to destruction and follow the road to prosperity. The day may not be too far distant when that road will make all the riches of nature available to man, without distinction of colour, race and creed. But if we are to travel this road, we need the true and sincere safeguard of our principles Let us therefore return to our principles; let us return to them not in word but indeed.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“If these principles were applied, the discussions on disarmament, which are followed with such anxiety by the whole human race, would be crowned with success. In the absence of the full application of those principles, the fears of the human race and the hopes of the smaller countries would not be enough to avert catastrophe. Destruction could still be brought about by selfish interests, miscalculations or unpredictable accidents. 189. There is, however, a second path opened up for us by the great advance in technical knowledge. In all fields, science has progressed to an extent undreamed of by previous generations. Each day more and more of the riches of nature are placed at man’s disposal; each day they are employed more scientifically and usefully.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Among those principles, which, we must admit, we are always proclaiming but we do not always apply, that of the self-determination of peoples in the master principle which should guide us along the road of justice and peace, to borrow the expression used by the Irish Foreign Minister in his brilliant speech during this debate [682nd meeting]. Now, more than ever, we must be faithful to our principles, for the rapid rate of technical progress opens to us two very different paths. 188. One is the path of destruction. It is hardly necessary to occupy a responsible position in the world to know that the wholesale destruction of towns and areas is now possible and that there are no real political safeguards to avert the danger. The only really valid safeguard would be sincere and complete respect for the principles of the Charter.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“We feel that experience has taught us that nothing of any lasting or beneficial effect can be done in the Middle East so long as the two basic aspects of the problem are not taken into consideration: First, co-operation to raise the low level of living, even if this entails certain sacrifices for the more developed countries; and, secondly, full respect for the independence and national dignity of the Arab peoples. 187. It should not be difficult to meet these conditions, which are in conformity with the principles of our Charter.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“If it is true that the sea, the first and foremost means of communication, brings together the peoples that it divides, the Mediterranean has united us to the Arabs for the last 3,000 years. Some of the characteristics of the Greek people, that of the seafarer, the merchant, the emigrant who fraternizes with those among whom he lives - and there are some tens of thousands of them in those parts - have further strengthened our bonds with the Arab peoples. We therefore believe that we know them well. 186.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Let us take a more specific example, which in a somewhat different context concerns one of these countries. Whoever reflects upon the destiny of Egypt and its political situation, cannot fail to consider the problem of living standards in that country. Egypt is an essentially agricultural country, and while its arable area remains constant, the population has doubled in the last thirty years. What Egyptian Government, whether of the extreme right or the extreme left or of the best democratic type, could take action in other fields without relating it to the fearful problems raised by this determining factor, which affects the very existence of its people? 185. I do not propose to go into detail, but I must draw attention to some general considerations which it would really be too dangerous to ignore. Greece lies close to the Arab world.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Their national susceptibilities are more acute than those of peoples who have a long established tradition of independence and sovereignty that is respected by all. 182. If we fail to take account of these changes and of the actual situation, we cannot deal with the problems of the Middle East realistically. These are no mere words. I believe that therein lies the very substance, the very conditions, of an entire policy. 183. The failure to recognize a single one of these factors in its true light would upset all political calculations in the area. To propose or to apply, for example, a policy materially useful and just, but to do so in a manner offensive to the pride of these fine peoples, would be tantamount to adopting a policy that was doomed to failure. 184.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“And where the component parts of the nation are more closely knit and more homogeneous, the nationalism is more specific and hence much stronger. 181. At all events, we are confronted with a radical change in the attitude of these peoples. Although they are young nations, they know that at some time or another in history their ancestors occupied the place that other great nations have held in the moral and material leadership of the world. The élite among these young nations springs from the people and indeed often is the people; for this reason they will not suffer their brothers to live in worse conditions than do the peoples of other countries. These countries are young and economically under-developed, as are most of us in that area, and hence they aspire to economic development more earnestly than do the developed countries.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“The relics of this mentality are at the root of the present uneasiness in that crucial area, for they provoke reactions locally and more widespread reactions elsewhere. Unfortunately, the importance of a basic psychological factor, on which all Middle East policies should be based, is not realized. 180. The geographic and human core of the area is the Arab world, and it should be realized that the Arab world is no longer what it was some decades ago. Some traces of the past are still to be found, but the basic characteristic of the area today is the birth, the full consciousness and the pride of its nationalism. This pan-Arab nationalism burns with a single flame from Casablanca to the Persian Gulf whenever questions of common concern to all Arabs arise. At least two of these questions are known to us here.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“It has become even more important in recent years, especially since the time when it was recognized as a centre for the production and distribution of a large part of the oil consumed by the world in the development of its economic life. This explains why we all are and always have been deeply concerned in the maintenance of peace in the Middle East. 178. In the past, in order to safeguard the peace, the countries most immediately concerned, and particularly the great Powers, tried to occupy the Middle East by force or at least to impose themselves by winning the friendship of local potentates. Since the time of the Great King of Persia and Alexander the Great, this has occurred time and time again. 179.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Although I have resolved not to talk about Cyprus today, I do not think I can ignore the situation in an area which is near to that lovely but unhappy island and near also to my own country: I refer to the Middle East. 176. It is entirely proper that in this general debate several speakers should have discussed the Middle East at some length. That area of the world is one whose internal stresses are causing profound concern far beyond its frontiers. 177. Because the Middle East is a meeting-place of the most diverse religions and ideologies, as well as a junction of three continents and world shipping lanes, it has always been one of the nerve-centres of the world.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“As the representative of a country that for the past four years has been upholding the cause of a civilized people seeking to free themselves from the yoke of colonialism, I am especially happy to congratulate these two valiant nations on the new-found independence. 174. As the two countries I have just referred to were until lately under the control of the Colonial Office in London, I find no difficulty in paying a tribute, as they themselves have done, to the United Kingdom for having satisfied the aspirations of their peoples. But in so doing, I cannot but express our bitterness and astonishment that the United Kingdom should pursue a completely different policy in its dealings with Cyprus. 175.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“In this connexion, I should like to say that I was very happy to hear the Canadian representative expressing similar views on this subject in his able address during this general debate [683rd meeting]. 172. Speaking of the possible improvement of the United Nations, I should add that universality is indeed the aim that we should continue to pursue in the future. 173. It is for this reason that my country welcomes the recent creation of new States and the fact that they have become Members of the United Nations. Some days ago we expressed our pleasure at the admission of the Federation of Malaya and we have been happy to note that Ghana, which was admitted less than a year earlier, has already made a constructive and valuable contribution to the work of this Assembly.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“What is important above all is to localize, stop and quench the fire; in a word, to avert a general catastrophe. 170. Moreover, I believe that the existence of a United Nations force would have a, preventive effect. Situations are sometimes created for the sole purpose of turning them to advantage. Sometimes adventures are embarked upon in the hope that there will be time for the successful pursuit of some unavowed political objective. And sometimes undemocratic calculations related to internal politics - and who can claim never to have witnessed such things? - lead to dangerous trends, to provocation and even to ill-considered action. If the United Nations is in a position to deal effectively and promptly with all those who try to play with fire, this may well have a salutary preventive effect. 171.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“I shall merely say that the juridical basis of such United Nations forces might remain as it is now, namely, that they could not be used except with the consent of the countries concerned and the General Assembly. But we could also consider broader possibilities for the use of an emergency force. The idea would be to provide the United Nations with a fire-brigade, if I may call it that, ready to extinguish a fire wherever it broke out. 169. To extinguish the fire is far more important for world peace than to seek out and to condemn the incendiary. The texture and sequence of events are sometimes so closely knit that it is not always possible objectively to establish responsibility; and even if it is possible, it is likely to be too late.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“The precedent of the creation of the emergency Force will henceforth take its place as one of the most effective weapons in the arsenal of the United Nations, under the Charter, for the preservation of peace. We consider that it would be extremely useful to make a detailed study of all the aspects of this precedent in order to make it easier of application in any similar circumstances in the future. 167. We think that this study should be made by the General Assembly itself. It is not a theoretical study that is required here; it is a matter of establishing practical formulae of application. Hence it is natural that the task should be undertaken under the supervision and responsibility of the General Assembly itself, in order that all the delegations may be able to contribute and to express their views. 168.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“I do not think that this is of interest only to the small countries, which naturally favour any reinforcement of international law; it is of equal importance to the great Powers, for the danger of anatomic war lies not so much in the possibility of premeditated atomic aggression as in the outbreak of a more or less limited conflict, which might spread and set the world ablaze. Only a spark is needed to ignite the powder-keg; and the spark is more easily produced by the sharpness of local conflicts than by ideological or other antagonisms which are expressed on a broader scale. 166. It is therefore natural that the United Nations should be furnished with adequate means to act at any danger point.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“The whole world knows the part that Force played in the peaceful settlement of the great Suez crisis. It made possible the withdrawal of the troops of the belligerents and the application of the recommendations of the General Assembly at a moment of dramatic importance for the future of international life. 165. The United Nations Emergency Force has no precedent in history. From now onwards we have a precedent; would it not be useful to turn it to account for the future and to consider the adoption, in a permanent form, of a procedure which has already proved its merit? I am convinced that it would be.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“I take this opportunity to perform the pleasant duty of paying a tribute to Mr. Hammarskjold for the incalculable services he has rendered the United Nations and the cause of world peace. We have only to recall his contribution during the great Suez crisis in order to understand fully how much we all owe him. Consequently I was happy to learn this morning that the Security Council will propose his reappointment as Secretary-General, and I offer him my warm congratulations. I am sure that the General Assembly will unanimously confirm that appointment. 164. It was Mr. Hammarskjold who, at a very serious moment, contrived within less than forty-eight hours to put into effect the resolutions of the General Assembly concerning the establishment of the United Nations Emergency Force.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“All this is highly encouraging, but it is not enough. We are in the midst of an evolving situation, and we ourselves must develop and constantly adapt ourselves in order to be able to meet the circumstances. We are therefore faced with the question of how we can make our Organization even more effective. I shall deal with that question very briefly. I shall not repeat that, above all, the principles of our Charter must be applied and respected and that it is not enough merely to praise them; nor shall I indulge in generalities. I shall confine myself to drawing your attention to one question which in my opinion is of great practical interest. I was very glad to see that its importance was brought out in the excellent introduction to the Secretary-General’s annual report [A/3594/Add.1]. 163.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“In our day, the rapid development of technology has led to the predominance of the political concept of "world" over that of "region". The regional is increasingly determined by the universal. A grave crisis in a region - especially if that region is sensitive and important - can overnight become a grave crisis involving the whole world. 161. This is a new reality which calls for new political methods and concepts. In the United Nations, the world is no longer an abstraction: it has become a living reality. Henceforth even problems of an apparently regional nature will take on a universal aspect. Plans are made, projects are prepared, the point is reached at which action is about to be taken " yet more and more the question is asked: "What will the world say? What will the United Nations say?" 162.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“This proves that the General Assembly has become the instrument par excellence by which world public opinion can express itself and exert pressures - strong or weak, according to circumstances - upon international policies. That is no small achievement. Obviously, much remains for us to do. We must continue to build, for the foundations are there and they are sound. 160. The development of technology enjoins upon us an international life in common. For our grandparents, the world, the globe, was a more or less abstract political concept. What they thought of in practice was the region. For our fathers, this same world was an emerging political concept-which grew, however, side by side with the all-powerful concept of the enlarged region, that is, the continent.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Or should I recall the grave international crises which could not have been settled without the moral force and effective action of the United Nations? And what of this world platform which each one of us, whether the countries we represent are great or small, is immensely privileged to be able to ascend in order to proclaim his ideas and argue his case? 159. Moreover, who can deny that the United Nations resolutions, which are not binding and are sometimes too colourless, for reasons of which we are all aware, exert great political and moral influence? Who can deny that these resolutions are receiving increasing attention, even from those who refuse to comply with their recommendations?”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Equality of vote and equality in relation to certain fundamental rights make it possible for the small and medium-sized countries, through the United Nations, to take a stand and to bring their influence to bear, to a certain extent, upon great international issues. This is one of the chief and most useful functions of the United Nations. 158. I do not wish to discuss here whether the United Nations has fulfilled or disappointed the hopes placed in it, but I am obliged to declare that in any case it has accomplished great work. Need I mention the manifold activities which the United Nations and the specialized agencies are developing in a number of countries, for the benefit of their population?”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“In every human society, the weak or incapable man occupies, by the very force of circumstances, a position different from that of the strong and capable one. Nevertheless, they both have the same claims on life, and the fundamental principles on which the social order is founded apply equally to both. In the same way, countries small and large must enjoy complete equality in certain areas of international life, and more particularly in the General Assembly. 157. This equality is guaranteed in the United Nations by the uniform application of the rules, by freedom of speech and by equality of vote in the Assembly.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“In almost all fields, the great Powers occupy an eminently predominant position in the United Nations, either in virtue of their statutory rights or because of the influence each of them exercises in the Assembly. 155. What proposal - even the fairest, even the most justified - can command two-thirds of the votes in the Assembly if two or three great Powers oppose it? We know very well that it is not with their own two or three votes that these great Powers will obtain that result. In truth, I do not think that there is any cause for commiseration with the great Powers over their lot in the United Nations. But neither is there any cause to regret the juridical equality established among all Member States. It is more than justified. 156.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“153. Sir Winston Churchill, a great statesman whose name will go down in history, recently criticized the principle of the equality of all States in the Assembly's voting system. This is not a new opinion, and I have often heard it expressed. But it is an opinion which might do the United Nations great harm if it came to be widely held and adopted, for I firmly believe that it is not well founded - I would even go so far as to say that it was not founded at all. 154. I shall not maintain that the great Powers, which have responsibilities far larger than those of the small or medium-sized countries, should have de facto equality with them. The contrary is perfectly natural and that is the actual situation. Everyone knows this, but it can usefully bear repetition.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“The fact is that Cyprus raises a number of questions which reach far beyond its shores, questions such as the right of peoples to self-determination, which is being disregarded, the unfortunate effect of this issue on our relations with nations we respect and wish to have as friends, and the question of the continuation of colonialism and colonialist methods in the middle of the twentieth century. All this constitutes a serious international problem which will be discussed in the General Assembly, because we have again requested the Assembly's help in solving it and we shall have an opportunity to discuss the problem here. 152. Today I have come to the rostrum to speak on broader issues, those which should be dealt with in a general debate. To begin with, I should like to make some observations on the organization of the United Nations.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“This morning one of the representatives in this Assembly asked me whether my speech would deal mainly with the question of Cyprus. I was really pained by this, the more so as the representative in question is one I particularly respect and for whom I have great affection. It pained me because, while it is true that the Greek people feel such concern and even anguish over the question of Cyprus as they have rarely felt before, it is equally true that Greece takes a deep interest in the broader questions of international politics; I would even say that my Government's interest in the question of Cyprus is due in large part to its great interest in international issues. 151.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)