YouSaid · the spoken record

Dinesh SINGH

lines on the record: 65
first: 1969-09-24
most recent: 1993-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
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

“The Security Council and its permanent members have a special responsibility to ensure the faithful implementation of the 22 November resolution. 123. The first thing should have been not to permit the aggressor to retain the fruit of his aggression and use it as a means of bargaining. However, we are given to understand that, in the interest of a mutual adjustment, a wider solution of the Middle Eastern problem is being attempted. Even so, there is no movement towards a peaceful solution, and hostilities continue to flare up from time to time, with even more dangerous consequences. 124. Furthermore, there is an unfortunate attempt by some interested parties to give religious overtones to a problem that is essentially political.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Such a Government would be in a position in Viet-Nam to supervise the withdrawal of foreign forces and prepare for holding fair elections. To facilitate this process for bringing peace to Viet-Nam the international community should pledge its full co-operation and support. 120. I cannot conclude these brief remarks on the situation in that country without paying a tribute to the late Dr. Ho Chi Minh, in whose death Asia has lost an indomitable soldier for freedom. 121. In the Middle East, Israel continues to be in possession of large areas of territory it overran by force in June 1967. The human problem of large numbers of Arab refugees is an element in that tangled situation to which we must not and cannot close our eyes. 122. Almost two years ago, on 22 November 1967, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 242 (1967).”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“All parties to that dispute agree that the people of Viet-Nam should be left free to determine their own destiny, and no one seems to hold a brief for keeping foreign forces in that land. The first step to be taken is the immediate cessation of hostilities. Thereafter, necessary arrangements have to be made for the withdrawal of foreign troops to enable the people of Viet-Nam to decide their future, free from foreign interference. This process can be carried out effectively only if arrangements which inspire the confidence of all parties concerned can be established. It would, therefore, seem necessary to have a Government which is adequately representative to command the confidence and the support of all sections of the people.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“This last stronghold of prejudice, reaction and colonialism must be made to surrender to the work of this august Assembly and to conform to the objectives of the United Nations Charter. 118. In Asia, too, we see conflicts which have persisted from the days of the founding of this great Organization. I refer specially to Viet-Nam and to West Asia. 119. There has been no lack of appreciation of the desire to achieve peace in Viet-Nam. But to what extent has this desire been translated into action? The stopping of bombing by the United States of the Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam has enabled talks to take place in Paris to find a peaceful solution. The next steps have now to be taken.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“If this has not been achieved so far it is because those Member States of this Organization, which are in a position to bring about a solution of these problems, have been evasive in their response to the appeals and demands of the international community. They have voted for, and supported, various resolutions in these halls of the United Nations, against the racist and the colonialist policies. But at the same time, they have stopped short of taking effective action to implement these very resolutions. Perhaps their attempt is to persuade the international community that the problems faced by the peoples of the southern part of Africa are beyond solution. We cannot agree with them.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The racist policies of South Africa, rampant and oppressive colonialism of the Portuguese in Angola and Mozambique as well as in other Territories, the racist oppression and reactionary exploitation of the people of Zimbabwe by a white minority and the lack of progress in the liberation of Namibia are amongst such problems. 116. It is a terror of might and blackmail by means of sophisticated weapons that is helping to keep the African peoples in the southern part of Africa under racial and colonial subjugation. This situation causes us great anguish, more so because it was there that Mahatma Gandhi first preached and practised non-violence in the struggle against racial discrimination, colonial oppression and violation of human rights. 117. The United Nations Charter contains within itself the means for dealing with these problems.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“But we have noted with great disappointment the lack of enthusiasm in putting those intentions into action. Disenchantment with the whole process of our way of working in this Organization is growing. On the eve of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations we have to give serious thought so that this attitude of despair is turned into one of hope. We have, therefore, to devise effective means of implementing our declarations. 115. We are, even today, continuing to deal with some of the problems which were with us when the United Nations was born.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“If the recognized leaders of mankind who have control over engines of destruction, work wholly to renounce their use, with full knowledge of its implications, permanent peace can be obtained ... If even one great nation were unconditionally to perform the supreme act of renunciation, many of us would see in our lifetime durable peace established on earth.” 113. Peace, renunciation of force, respect for international law, these cannot be mere slogans. They need to be given substance through greater co-operation in practical everyday international life. 114. Unfortunately this co-operation has been lacking so far. While every opportunity is taken to make good pronouncements, the will to implement them is conspicuously absent. We have heard, in this Assembly, many intentions expressed, declarations made and resolutions passed.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Prime Minister of India, Shrimati Indira Gandhi, speaking in this Assembly in 1968, said: “Two years hence, in 1970, the United Nations will complete 25 years. Can we make it a year of peace? A starting point of a united endeavour to give mankind the blessings of a durable peace?” [1693rd meeting, para. 177.] Can we not ensure that during this period we begin to reduce expenditure on armaments and can we not also ensure that a credible declaration for the renunciation of force in settling disputes is made during this year? 112. Gandhiji believed that truth and non-violence could bring peace, not only to individuals but also to nations and the international community. More than 31 years ago he wrote: “Not to believe in the possibility of permanent peace is to disbelieve the godliness of human nature ...”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The adherence of all of us to the United Nations Charter commits us to the principles of peaceful co-existence between States with different social and political systems; respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of one another; non-interference in the internal affairs of each other; denial of the fruits of aggression to the aggressor; respect for fundamental human rights and the dignity and worth of the human person. Yet, we see these noble ideas trampled upon in the march of nations towards narrow selfish goals. Has the time, therefore, not come when we should reaffirm our commitment to these obligations and make a declaration which will have, one hopes, binding force? 111.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Charter of the United Nations, which was fashioned and drafted for the post-war world and in Gandhi’s life-time, concerns itself with all the three: discrimination, decolonization, and economic development benefiting underprivileged everywhere. 108. Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, our first Prime Minister, sought to reaffirm the Gandhian doctrine and to give form and content to it in his policy of peaceful coexistence. He proceeded on the basis that freedom not fear, faith not doubt, confidence not suspicion can lead to friendly relations between States in a world riven by conflict. 109. When he addressed this Assembly nine years ago he drew attention to the fact that the propagation of this concept was no empty idealism since, in practical terms, the choice before the world was to co-operate or perish. 110.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Permit me to say that those of us who saw this man in flesh and blood, who were inspired by his soft voice calling us to action, feel that this great Organization could experience by his life-work and use some of his methods to combat the horde of problems that beset the world community today. 106. It is significant that the three causes for which the Mahatma struggled non-violently throughout his life were: first, elimination of racial, social and religious discrimination, second, freedom from colonial subjugation of his own people and others in different lands, and third, liquidation of poverty and ignorance. 107.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“As I speak to this august Assembly, the thought uppermost in my mind is his message for his countrymen, for the peoples of the world and for generations yet unborn. It is a message of peace and co-operation. 103. The Mahatma demonstrated to us by his deeds that man is capable of rising above his baser self to a plane that befits his calling. Even while he fought the inequities of a powerful colonial Power that subjugated his motherland, he never let bitterness and prejudice envelop us. 104. Gandhiji set for us exacting standards. He wanted us to be tolerant, non-violent and generous in our everyday life. We do not claim that we have lived up to his precepts. We have faltered many a time, even recently. But nobody can accuse us of not earnestly trying to follow the path set for us. 105.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Our distinguished Secretary-General, U Thant, who has become, through the years, the repository of the conscience of humanity, is carrying a heavy burden with faith and fortitude. His role as peacemaker is difficult and delicate and yet he has persevered relentlessly. We can do no less than to assure him of our co-operation and support for all that he is doing to uphold the Charter. 102. A full hundred years ago today, a light was lit in a small coastal town in India. Within its life-span its brilliance reached the dark corners in every land. It became the symbol of hope for the down-trodden everywhere. Today, we in India and millions of people all over the world celebrate the centenary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“99. I should like first of all to offer our congratulations on the election of the honourable Angie Brooks of Liberia to the Presidency of this twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly. It is a fitting tribute to her long association with this Organization, and to her particular dedication to the cause of freedom of the colonial peoples. We have every hope that under her wise guidance this Assembly will make rapid progress on the many important items of the present and the future. 100. I should also like to pay a tribute to the memory of her distinguished predecessor, the late Mr. Emilio Arenales, who presided over the twenty-third session of the General Assembly with such courage and purpose. His untimely death is a great loss to his country, to the Latin American States and the United Nations. 101.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)