YouSaid · the spoken record

Rallis

lines on the record: 47
first: 1978-09-24
most recent: 1979-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

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“I can assure the Assembly that my Government will continue to support the Government of Cyprus and to support the tireless efforts of the Secretary-General for a just and lasting solution of the problem within the framework of the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“They were designed to impose on the injured party, on the victim of aggression, a concept that would make it possible to set up the infrastructure for a division of the island at the opportune moment. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the Government of Cyprus refused to agree to compromise the survival of Cyprus as a unitary, sovereign and independent State before the negotiations had even begun. 216. In these circumstances, how can we fail to express our concern when numerous resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly continue to be unilaterally ignored? How can we fail to express our profound concern at the pretexts and subterfuges that are placed as obstacles to the resumption of dialogue? It is our firm hope that, given this situation, the General Assembly will demand that its voice finally be heeded. 217.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Kurt Waldheim, met with success on 19 May of this year, when the meeting between President Kyprianou and the head of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr. Denktas, led to a 10-point agreement that was to serve as a basis for the resumption of intercommunal negotiations. 215. Unfortunately, it appears that we rejoiced too soon. The Turkish Cypriot side apparently felt that the agreement of 19 May, which gave priority to the question of Varosha, did not suit it, and it chose to sabotage it. Thus it set forth prior conditions and introduced new questions that were conceived in such a manner that the initiation of a dialogue became improbable, if not impossible, because these conditions and questions were aimed at nothing less than obtaining concessions on substance, even before negotiations were begun.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Numerous General Assembly and Security Council resolutions remain dead letters. The Republic of Cyprus, a country which is an independent and sovereign Member of our Organization, continues to be deprived of the exercise of its sovereignty over almost 40 per cent of its territory. Some 200,000 refugees continue to live far from their homes, while the establishment of settlers arriving from Turkey has never ceased and recently seems even to have increased. 214. In these circumstances, the hope for a just and lasting solution to the problem is growing dim and depends on the sole procedure of intercommunal talks under the aegis of the United Nations. The renewed initiative of our Secretary-General, Mr.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“The ground covered by the Conference since its inception is, on the whole, satisfactory. Without wishing to minimize the complexity of the problems remaining to be solved, I would say that their solution would seem no more difficult than the obstacles which have been surmounted so far—provided that all countries evince a spirit of compromise. The interests at issue are no doubt important. But the benefits which mankind would stand to gain from the conclusion of an agreement of universal application are well worth the efforts and concessions necessary to reach that goal. 213. Before concluding, I should like to refer to the situation on Cyprus, which continues to be a major cause of concern. Five years after the invasion of the island, euphemistically called a "peace operation", foreign occupation forces are still there.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“For its part, Greece, which in the course of the last 30 years has taken major steps toward development, is prepared to continue to play its part in the pursuit of these objectives. 211. In the context of our particular interest in development problems, we have actively participated in the last two major international gatherings: the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development at Vienna, and the third session of the Committee of the Whole Established under General Assembly Resolution 32/174. 212. Finally, there is a subject the long-term economic implications of which are no less than its political or legal aspects. I am referring to the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea which, as is known, held two sessions this year.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“While the results were not as spectacular as one might have wished, they did, nevertheless, enable us to renew efforts toward a greater liberalization of international trade while in a number of cases there was a lessening of differences between the various groups of countries which participated in the session. Furthermore, we should not lose sight of the adverse economic conditions in the world, which make it more difficult to find solutions to problems such as inflation, the reform of the international monetary system, and so on. As for the main objectives of the Conference, my country views with much sympathy any initiative which would tend to alleviate the fate of the least-favoured nations such as, for example, setting up a fund for the stabilization of commodity prices.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“First of all, we are bound to note the ever-growing participation of our Organization in the establishment of a new international economic order, the final objective of which would be to eliminate the enormous disparities between rich and poor countries, to arrive at a better distribution of wealth on our planet and to secure for all its inhabitants a standard of living which, besides providing for their material needs, would enable them also to develop their intellectual potential and guarantee their fundamental freedoms which cannot survive in a world of deprivation. 210. One of the major events this year in the economic field was the fifth session of UNCTAD.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“But these humanitarian considerations, which I have just recalled, deserve, I believe, a quick solution independently of any political settlement—the more so since this is required under a series of United Nations resolutions. 209. I shall now deal briefly with certain economic questions.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“The same is true of some 2,000 missing persons, whose fate is still not known. The agreement reached on the latter point in the month of May last between the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the head of the Turkish Cypriot community to set up the investigatory body provided for in General Assembly resolution 33/172 had allowed us to hope that it would finally be possible to learn the fate of these persons among whom there are some scores of Greek citizens. Unfortunately, the agreement in question has remained a dead letter to date since the Turkish Cypriot leaders have not communicated to the Secretary-General their formal acceptance of the establishment of that investigatory body. 208. I intend to go into detail on the problem of Cyprus later in my statement.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Respect for human rights should be one of the paramount concerns of the United Nations. Greece, where the concept of the protection of human beings against abuses of power came into being 25 centuries ago, aspires to be in the forefront of the struggle to safeguard those rights as defined by a number of international legal instruments, in particular the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 206. That is why we are against any violation of human rights, whether within a country or imposed from outside by the force of arms. 207. If there is one people whose most elementary rights have been trampled underfoot in the course of the last years, it is the people of Cyprus. The existence of 200,000 refugees five years after the invasion of the island by foreign forces bears witness to this in a most distressing way.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“One of them concerns the non-use of force in international relations. The Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non- Use of Force in International Relations, which has been entrusted with the drafting of a convention to that end, held a fruitful session and prepared a report which is on the agenda of the present session of the General Assembly. Greece, which is a member of that Committee, is prepared favourably to consider any follow-up which might be given to that report, as well as any other initiative which might lead to the desired results. Faithful to the principles of the Charter, we firmly believe that force cannot be used other than for the purpose of self-defence and that only when other means of prevention of aggression have failed. 205.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“But such a reduction presupposes strengthening of the sense of security of countries, and particularly of the small countries, because a people which feels threatened has no choice but to arm itself, whatever sacrifices that might entail. What is needed, therefore, is to strengthen the means for the pacific settlement of disputes among States. The necessary machinery and organs exist. They are provided for under the Charter or flow from it. If need be, they can be strengthened or improved. But it is essential that all States, large or small, should accept and, if necessary, be persuaded to agree to renounce the threat and the use of force in order to have their points of view and their claims prevail. 204. In this context, it is fitting to recall the various initiatives aimed at the maintenance of peace and stability in the world.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“It suffices to consider the magnitude of the resources that could be placed at the service of far nobler causes, such as the development of the less fortunate countries, to realize the need to establish without further delay the principles and the machinery for a disarmament that would be as far- reaching as possible. 202. We are happy to note that the SALT Treaty signed in May last in Vienna by the chief executives of the two greatest nuclear Powers in the world represents a step in the right direction. 203. For our part, our position is well known: a balanced and progressive reduction of nuclear weapons, with a view to their complete elimination, should go hand in hand with a similar reduction in conventional weapons.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We hope that the Constitutional Conference convened as a result of the praiseworthy efforts of the United Kingdom Government, with the participation of the parties concerned, will be crowned with success. 200. Finally, to conclude this review of the situation in southern Africa, I am bound once again to refer to the stigma of apartheid. Our condemnation of the apartheid regime, which flies in the face of the most elementary requirements of human dignity, cannot be too categorical. 201. Disarmament continues to be an imperative necessity for mankind.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Those representatives must be designated by means of free elections held under international control and with the participation of all Namibian political forces, including the South West Africa People's Organization. 198. At the same time, my Government most energetically condemns the aerial attacks and armed incursions against neighbouring countries, which constitute a misuse by South Africa of its military superiority and a flagrant violation of the most sacred principles of the Charter. 199. Unlike what is going on in Namibia, the latest developments in Zimbabwe are promising. The decisions adopted by the Meeting of Heads of Government of Commonwealth Countries at Lusaka could and should serve as a basis for the establishment of a regime that would confer power upon the majority, while guaranteeing the rights of the white minority.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“The plan that the five Western members of the Security Council last year submitted to the parties concerned—to enable the Namibian people to accede to real independence has not yet brought about a rapprochement of opposing views—and this despite its acceptance by South Africa, the South West Africa People's Organization and the African front-line States. 197. On this point, too, the position of Greece is clear. Any jurisdiction of South Africa over Namibia ceased at the moment the General Assembly terminated its Mandate over the Territory. The only obligation of the Government of South Africa—and this is a clear and imperative obligation—is to co-operate with the competent organ of the United Nations, the United Nations Council for Namibia, in the transfer of power to the representatives of the Namibian people.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Without wishing to enter into the details of this complex problem, we must here reiterate our conviction that its solution resides in absolute respect for the territorial integrity of Lebanon and in the restoration of the authority of the Lebanese Government over the entire territory of the country. At the same time we should like to express our appreciation for the work accomplished by UNIFIL in southern Lebanon. 196. Alas, the Middle East is not the only part of the world where confrontation continues to prevail and where efforts designed to arrive at the peaceful settlement of conflicts have so far remained without notable results. Southern Africa is another striking example.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We believe that every effort towards a negotiated settlement of the Middle East problem must be encouraged in so far as there is an attempt in those efforts to apply these principles within the framework of a global solution. But at the same time it is necessary to avoid any action that might aggravate the situation and make the atmosphere in the region even more difficult. 194. In this context we cannot but deplore the policy of settlements pursued by the Israeli Government on the West Bank of the River Jordan, in Gaza and in the Golan Heights. 195. In the same spirit we deplore also the armed incursions into Lebanese territory, and we launch an appeal for the ending of all acts of violence in Lebanon!”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We have always been in favour of the complete application of Security Council resolution 242 (1967) and of the other relevant resolutions of that body and the General Assembly that call for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all the Arab territories occupied in 1967, as well as the right of all the countries of the region to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries. At the same time, we believe that the legitimate rights of the Palestinian Arab people, including their right to self-determination and to a country must be recognized within the framework of a global settlement. 193. It is in the light of those principles and their effective application that we view the Treaty of Peace between Egypt and Israel.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Side by side with some positive developments, we observe stagnation in the resolution of most of the problems that concern the world, most of which date back for many years. What is more, new hotbeds of tension have been added to existing crises, so that peace has seemed threatened more than once, and this at a time when mankind must face problems that concern people everywhere, on the solution of which mankind's very survival might depend. 192. In the Middle East, a region of very particular interest to my country because of its geographical proximity, but above all because of our fraternal links with our Arab brothers, the deadlock continues. The position of my country in respect of this problem is well known.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“It is also a pleasure for me once again to extend our most sincere congratulations and profound gratitude to our Secretary-General for his tireless efforts and his devotion to his difficult and sometimes thankless, but very important, task. The considerable successes of which Mr. Waldheim can be justly proud make him an irreplaceable champion of international peace. 190. Finally I should like most warmly to welcome Saint Lucia, which has just been added to the number of young and dynamic countries that have become Members of our Organization in the last few years. 191. The 12 months that have elapsed since the opening of the thirty-third session of the General Assembly have witnessed a wealth of events an assessment of which is unfortunately not very encouraging.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Africa, a continent which plays a preponderant role in the activities of the United Nations, and the United Republic of Tanzania, a country with which mine maintains the most friendly and cordial relations, could not have chosen a better representative to preside over the work of this body, which more than any other reflects the universal character to which the United Nations has aspired since it came into being. 188. At the same time I should like to express to the outgoing President, Mr. Indalecio Lievano, our appreciation of the authority and competence with which he guided the work of the General Assembly during a difficult period that was full of problems. 189.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“It is with great pleasure that I extend to you, Sir, the warmest congratulations of the Hellenic delegation on your unanimous election to the high post of President of the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. 187. During the many years you held the post of Permanent Representative of your country to this Organization you nave, on numerous occasions, given proof of your outstanding qualities as a diplomat and a statesman.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We know that the Government of Cyprus shares this same desire, and we will give full support to that Government in the hope that the Secretary-General's efforts will lead, with the assistance of other peace-loving and justice-loving Governments, to a resumption of the negotiating process in serious and positive conditions.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“I wish to declare on behalf of my Government that we favour a just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem within the framework of General Assembly and Security Council resolutions and that we shall lend all our assistance to assist the Secretary-General in carrying out his mandate of good offices with a view to settling this problem through negotiations between the two communities. To this end it would suffice for the proposals of the Turkish side to derive, however slightly, from the substance and spirit of our Organization's resolutions. 287.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“These have been four years of suffering and pain for the 200,000 Greek Cypriot refugees driven from their homes—four years of refusal by the party in possession to make reasonable proposals that would open the way towards constructive and fruitful dialogue; four years, too, of persistent efforts to impose faits accomplis which the conscience of this Assembly, representing, in the final analysis, the world conscience, resolutely rejects. These circumstances demonstrate a singular contempt for the principles of the Charter and of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 286.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“Indeed, the Secretary-General, to whom we owe all our gratitude for his untiring efforts in carrying out his mandate on the problem of Cyprus, affirms that the outcome of the efforts made to settle this problem is extremely discouraging, since it has been impossible to establish a basis for the positive resumption of the intercommunal talks, and that the situation in the island continues to pose a threat to stability and friendly relations in the Eastern Mediterranean. 285. None the less, four years have elapsed since this Assembly adopted resolution 3212 (XXIX), ratified by Security Council resolution 365 (1974).”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“Of course, it is indispensable that the final text should contain precise regulations which are absolutely unambiguous, and that binding international machinery should be provided for the settlement of disputes between States, by peaceful means and on the basis of international law and its practice. 284. I have left the matter of Cyprus for the end of my statement. Once again we must note that the Secretary-General, in his report, deplores the absence of progress towards a settlement of the Cyprus problem.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“In today's world, which is characterized by the interdependence of peoples, we cannot hope that fruitful co-operation can be established among nations before these unacceptable disparities and miseries have disappeared from all regions of the world. 283. As for the law of the sea, we are following with the greatest interest the progress of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, whose last session has just concluded in New York. We venture to hope that the Conference on the Law of the Sea will lead to a new international convention regulating all aspects of this vast problem.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“We cannot derive the same satisfaction from the results of the North-South dialogue. We do not conceal our disappointment that the: recent session of the Committee Established under General Assembly Resolution 32/174 has made no progress. We are troubled by that failure, in view of the seriousness of the world economic situation, the effects of which are painfully felt by the developing countries. As we have said in the past, we consider it urgent to carry out a restructuring of international society on the basis of a more equitable distribution of resources in order to achieve our aim, which is the establishment of a new economic order.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“With reference to human rights, we too note, if not general improvement in the real conditions prevailing in different parts of the world, at least a greater mobilization of the competent bodies of the United Nations, and in particular of world public opinion, with a view to the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and respect for the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Charter. Greece, which is firmly committed to the struggle against violations of human rights and against every form of racial discrimination, has taken certain initiatives on the specific question of torture and other inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. It is our intention to continue our action as vigorously as possible within the United Nations framework. 282.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“We shall unfailingly give our support to international efforts to ensure respect for human dignity, the. principle of equality, and the security and progress of all peoples in the region, without discrimination on grounds of race, colour or religion. More generally, we wish to stress the importance of respect for the independence, sovereignty, inviolability of frontiers and territorial integrity of all the African States, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the decisions of the OAU. It also seems to us to be essential that the introduction of elements of unrest of any kind into those countries be most carefully avoided. 280. I wish not to draw attention to three important subjects—namely, human rights, the North-South dialogue and the law of the sea. 281.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“Such a failure would be disastrous for peace and stability in the region. 278. The same considerations guide us with regard to Southern Rhodesia. On the basis of the principle of majority rule, we do not believe that it is possible to find a peaceful solution without taking into account the views of all the interested parties and the freely expressed will of the people of Zimbabwe. 279. As for South Africa, we regret that, as the Secretary-General points out in his report, "there is little or no indication that its Government is moving away from its basic policy of institutionalized racial discrimination" [see A/3311, sect. III]. I take this opportunity to repeat that Greece most emphatically condemns apartheid and any form of racial discrimination.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“Greece was among the first countries to apply strictly and faithfully the principle of the self-determination of peoples during the historic process of decolonization. Consequently, Greece has from the beginning supported the implementation of resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly on the exercise of the inalienable right of the Namibian people to self-determination and independence. We believe that the proposals put forward by the five Western States members of the Security Council are still the best way to achieve a negotiated settlement in accordance with Security Council resolution 385 (1976). Therefore we cannot but deplore the fact that those proposals were rejected by the South African Government. We should like to express the deep concern with which we should view any possible failure of the present efforts.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“But we must not lose sight of the fact that our aim is a comprehensive solution, a settlement which, in order to secure the agreement of all concerned, must be seen as just and equitable by all the parties concerned, including the Arab people of Palestine. From this point of view there is still a long and arduous road ahead of us. 276. We cannot speak of the problem of the Middle East without thinking of the tragedy that our friends in Lebanon are suffering. We hope with all our heart that peace will return to that tormented country. For the immediate future, we advocate the strict application of Security Council resolutions 425(1978) and 426(1978) and the restoration of sovereignty and the effective authority of the Government of Lebanon throughout its territory, particularly in the south. 277.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“It is in favour of a negotiated settlement of the problem of the Middle East based on the resolutions of this Assembly and of the Security Council. 274. Those resolutions provide for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Arab- territories which have been occupied since 1967, respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of all countries in the region, and recognition of the legitimate rights of the Arab people of Palestine, including their aspiration to a national home. 275. The Camp David meetings and the agreements reached there may be a step in the right direction, in so far as they seek to apply the principles that I have just mentioned.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“It is also important to speed up the conclusion of a treaty on the complete prohibition of nuclear tests. Finally, Greece, convinced that negotiations on a reduction of arms and forces in central Europe will help the cause of detente, hopes that these negotiations Will begin in the near future. Of course, such an outcome must not weaken the security of participating States, including-and this is a point which we wish particularly to stress—the security of those countries on the flanks of Europe. 273. The position of Greece on the problem of the Middle East and the problem of southern Africa derives from the immutable principles of the Charter. As we have repeatedly said in this Assembly, Greece is opposed to the acquisition of territory by force.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“A world conference on disarmament could also help if it were properly prepared. It goes without saying that the nuclear Powers will have a particularly important role to play in this respect. 271. In this context, should we stress the importance of the accession of all countries to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons? Greece hopes so. But it also wishes to stress the need to provide for the non-nuclear States which have accepted these obligations the scientific and technological means to enable them to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. 272. In view of its vital importance, we hope to see as soon as possible the conclusion of an agreement between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the second series of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“With reference to the crucial problem of disarmament, we consider that the tenth special session of the General Assembly broadly accomplished its mission, thanks to the efforts of all the participating countries. It gave a new impetus to the cause of disarmament, drafted a Programme of Action [resolution S-10/2, sect. Ill] at the world level aimed at general and complete disarmament under strict international control, in the sphere of both conventional weapons and nuclear devices, and gave the international community machinery that could help to check the senseless arms race. Those are encouraging results which we can welcome, and which in our view justify hope for real progress, to which the convening of a new session of the General Assembly at a later stage could give new momentum. 270.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“May I first assure the Assembly that my country's foreign policy is based entirely on the principles of the United Nations Charter, on international law, on the principles of the Final Act of the Helsinki Conference, on the non-use of force, or the threat of force, and on the settlement of disputes between States by peaceful means, and on the desire for a relationship of co-operation and friendship with all countries, particularly those closest to m. 268. Having supported the policy of detente, Greece has contributed energetically, by taking specific initiatives, to the promotion of that policy, and intends to continue to do so. At the same time, Greece has regard to its national security and is determined to defend itself against any pressure or threat. 269.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“States Members will therefore have to show political will in order to strengthen the role and effectiveness of the Organization and make it capable of carrying out the mission entrusted to it under the Charter. 265. The period just before this session of the General Assembly was a period of the greatest activity at the world level and one of the most rich in international meetings. 266. I shall not go through the results of all such meetings, which are quite recent. Rather, I should like to take the opportunity to give my Government's views and to express its position on some problems of particular concern to us. 267.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“As the Prime Minister of my country said during the tenth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, it is only within the framework of an international community which is inspired by the lofty principles of the Charter, and which applies them, that we shall be able to safeguard peace and give the United Nations the means to see that its resolutions and decisions are respected. In that context we might also give thought to a gradual reduction of military expenditure, which would enable those countries now groaning under the overwhelming burden of armaments to devote the major part of their resources to their own economic .and cultural development.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“Do we have to say again that the resurgence of unhealthy nationalism, violence and the use of force against the weakest and the disregard of the principles of the Charter and the resolutions of the United Nations are in flagrant conflict with an international society as contemplated after the Second World War? 263. In these circumstances it can come as no surprise that, despite every effort made in the past year, solutions to the major international problems, and in particular those of the Middle East, southern Africa and Cyprus, mentioned expressly by the Secretary-General in his report, continue to elude us. I hasten to add that this discouraging situation can scarcely be attributed to the Charter, which has never had the chance of being applied in toto, and even less can it be attributed to the Organization itself. 264.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“Indeed, the increase in the number of situations of conflict throughout the world and the marked tendency among States to avoid bringing their disputes before international bodies or even seeking the protection of the Security Council, which is entrusted with the responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, is sufficient proof that we are still a long way from achieving the ideals of the Charter, and in particular from devising an effective system of security and a world order which would enable peoples to live without fear and to devote their efforts to their own development and welfare. 262. The causes of this disquieting situation are unfortunately familiar.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“We welcome with joy also the admission to the United Nations of Solomon Islands, which yet again confirms the principle of universality of our Organization, and we wish to convey to that new Member our sincere congratulations and warmest wishes for the happiness and prosperity of its people. 261. The Secretary-General's report on the work of the Organization, which is most clear and lucid, deserves all our attention. The analysis made by the Secretary-General of the world situation and the present state of progress in the solution of international problems does not, I regret to say, differ very much from the comments and observations which we ourselves have had occasion to make over the last few years.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)
“258. It is my special pleasure to offer my warmest congratulations to Mr. Lievano of Colombia on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly. His election is a tribute to and a just acknowledgement of his high personal qualities, his experience of world affairs and the constructive part his country plays in the international arena. We welcome the fact that he represents a country with which Greece is linked by traditional friendship and by a common cultural heritage which goes back to the roots of the Greco-Roman world. 259. I am pleased also to take this opportunity of expressing; to our Secretary-General, Mr. Waldheim, our gratitude and deep appreciation for the high-mindedness and the great competence with which he carries out his important task. 260.”
1978-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 33 (1978)