YouSaid · the spoken record

Krishna MENON

lines on the record: 599
first: 1956-09-24
most recent: 1961-09-24
sittings or episodes: 5
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

“I have referred to the situation in Africa and to the Congo, as it is an immediate issue for us, but I should like to make it clear that neither this immediate issue nor any other should be allowed to delay the consideration of what I consider the most vital issue facing us in the world, that is, the disarmament issue. 147. I do not propose to deal with many other matters here but, in view of the controversy that is at present going on in the General Assembly, I should like to refer briefly to the question of the proper representation of China in the United Nations.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“But any attempt at bringing about these structural changes by an amendment of the Charter at the present juncture is likely to raise many controversial questions and thus add greatly to the difficulties we face. 144. It should be possible for us, even within the terms of the Charter, to adapt the United Nations machinery to meet situations as they arise, in view more especially of the increasing responsibilities of the United Nations. 145. If, as I earnestly hope, disarmament makes progress, then another domain of vast responsibility will come to the United Nations. It will have to be carefully considered how this responsibility is to be discharged. Possibly several special commissions, working together under the umbrella of the United Nations, might be charged with this task. 146.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“If the executive itself is split up and pulls in different directions, it will not be able to function adequately or with speed. For that reason, the executive should be given authority to act within the terms of the directions issued. At the same time the executive has to keep in view all the time the impact of various forces in the world, for we must realize that unfortunately we live in a world where there are many pulls in different directions. The Secretary-General might well consider what organizational steps should be taken to deal adequately with this novel situation. It has been suggested that some structural changes should take place in the United Nations. Probably some changes would be desirable, as I have indicated above, and because of the emergence of many independent countries in Asia and Africa.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“The Congo situation has emphasized the increasing responsibilities of the United Nations. Not only have military forces been sent there, but the problem of the development of a huge country has become partly the responsibility of the United Nations. These responsibilities cannot be shirked, and it may have to be considered how best to shoulder these responsibilities. 143. Two aspects have to be borne in mind. The broad policies in these grave matters must be laid down by the General Assembly or by the Security Council. In so far as executive action is concerned, it would not be desirable for the executive to be weakened when frequent and rapid decisions have to be made. That would mean an abdication of the responsibilities undertaken by the United Nations.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“It seems to me of great importance, in view both of past history and present conditions, that every type of Belgian military or semi-military personnel should leave the Congo. The General Assembly might well consider sending a delegation to the Congo to find out what foreign troops or other personnel, apart from those sent on behalf of the United Nations, are still there and how far they are interfering in local affairs. 141. Recently an emergency special session of the General Assembly considered the situation in the Congo and made certain suggestions. I think that the resolution [1474 (ES-IV)] adopted by the emergency special session has rightly indicated the broad lines of approach, and the basic principles laid down in it should be implemented. 142.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“I think that it should be the function of the United Nations to help this Parliament to meet and function so that, out of its deliberations, the problems of the Congo may be dealt with by the people themselves. Decisions must be those of the Parliament as representing the people of the Congo, and not of others. The functioning of Parliament may itself lead to the ironing out of internal differences. I hope that it will be possible soon for the Congo to take its place in the Assembly of the United Nations. 140. The Security Council has repeatedly laid stress on Belgian military personnel's leaving the Congo. These decisions have apparently not been given full effect. This is highly undesirable.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Foreign countries must particularly avoid any interference in these internal affairs or encouragement to one faction against another. 139. The role of the United Nations is a mediatory one: to reconcile and to help in the proper functioning of the Central Government. Help in the development of the Congo is again a tremendous and long-term problem. Ultimately it is the people of the Congo who will have to produce their own leadership, whether it is good or bad. Leadership cannot be imposed, and any attempt to do so will lead to conflict. The United Nations obviously cannot act all the time as policeman, nor should any outside Power intervene. There is at present an elected Parliament in the Congo, though it does not appear to be functioning.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Disruptive forces have been let loose and have been encouraged by people who do not wish well to this newly independent State. Some footholds of the old colonialism are still engaged in working to this end. It appears that many thousands of Belgians, including military men, are still in the Congo, more especially in Katanga Province. Because of past colonial history, this is particularly unfortunate and is likely to be considered a continuation of occupation, by whatever name it may be called. Also, it is an encouragement to the disruption of the State. We must realize that it is essential to maintain the integrity of the Congo for, if there is disintegration of the State, this is bound to lead to internal civil war on a large scale. There will be no peace in the Congo except on the basis of the integrity of the State.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“There is a tremendous ferment all over the continent of Africa, and this has to be recognized and appreciated and met with foresight and wisdom. 137. The question of the Republic of the Congo has come before us especially and cast on the United Nations difficult responsibilities. The first thing that strikes one is the utter failure of the colonial system which left the Congo in its present state. Long years of colonial rule resulted in extracting vast wealth from that country for the enrichment of the colonial Power, while the people of the country remained utterly poor and backward. 138. What is the role of the United Nations in the Congo? The situation there is a complicated and frequently changing one, and it is not always easy to know what is happening.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Thirdly, there is the question of some countries in Africa which are independent, but where that freedom is confined to a minority and the great majority have no share in it and, indeed, are suppressed politically, socially and racially in defiance of everything that the United Nations and the world community stand for. Racialism and the doctrine of the master race dominating over others can be tolerated no longer and can only lead to vast racial conflicts. 136. Recent developments in Africa have indicated the great danger of delay. It is not possible any longer to maintain colonial domination in any of these countries, and I think it is the duty and the basic responsibility of the United Nations to expedite this freedom.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“We can see very well that the United Nations has shown its readiness to help them in various ways. 135. There are three aspects of these African problems. First, there is the full implementation of the independence and freedom that have been achieved. Secondly, there is the liberation of those countries in Africa which are still under colonial domination. This has become an urgent task. Today, some of these countries are almost cut off from the outside world and even news is not allowed to reach us. From such accounts as we have, the fate of the people there is even worse than we have known in other parts of Africa.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“In that atmosphere, even some accidental happening may not lead to a final crisis. 133. In addition to this, such other steps as maybe considered necessary for the prevention of surprise attacks should be taken. Thus, if there is an agreement on the subject of nuclear tests and the use of vehicles immediately the danger from surprise attacks will he greatly lessened. 134. While disarmament is by far the most important and urgent problem before the United Nations and is a subject which brooks no delay, we have to face today a situation in Africa, in the Congo (Leopoldville), which has led the United Nations to assume heavy and novel responsibilities. Everyone present here, I am sure, warmly welcomes the coming of independence to many parts of Africa and to many peoples there who have suffered untold agony for ages past.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Possibly while the major issues are being considered by the United Nations commissions or other committees, a reference of any particular special aspect might be made to the experts. What is important is that the United Nations at this present juncture should ensure that there is adequate machinery for promoting disarmament and this machinery should function continuously from now onwards. 132. The fear of surprise attacks or accidental happenings leading to dangerous consequences is undoubtedly present. That itself is a reflection of the climate of cold war in which unfortunately we are living. The best way to deal with this fear is to reduce this international tension and create an atmosphere which will make it very difficult for any surprise attack to take place.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Therefore, both questions should be tackled simultaneously and as parts of a single problem. 130. Success may not come immediately, but it is, I think, of the greatest importance that there should be no gap, no discontinuity, in our dealing with this problem. Once there is discontinuity, this will lead to a rapid deterioration of the present situation and it will be much more difficult to start afresh. 131. A proposal [A/C.l/L.251] has been made that this question of disarmament should be referred to a group of experts. One can have no objection to such, a reference, but, in fact, experts have been considering this matter during the past many years and we have the advantage of their views. In any event, any reference to a committee of experts should not lead to any postponement of the major issue. Any such delay would be disastrous.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“There is an argument as to whether disarmament should precede controls or whether controls should precede disarmament. This is a strange argument, because it is perfectly clear that disarmament without controls is not a feasible proposition. It is even more clear that controls without disarmament have no meaning. The whole conception of controls comes in only because of disarmament. It is not proposed, I hope, to have controls of existing armaments and thus in a way to perpetuate those armaments. It must therefore be clearly understood that disarmament and a machinery for control must go together, and neither of these can be taken up singly. It seems very extraordinary to me that great nations should argue about priorities in this matter and make that a reason, for not going ahead.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Disarmament must Include the prohibition of the manufacture, storage and use of weapons of mass destruction, as well as the progressive limitation of conventional weapons. It is well to remember that there is a great deal of common ground already covered, and the various proposals made by different countries indicate this common ground, but certain important questions have not yet been solved. Behind all this lies the fear of a surprise attack and of any one country becoming stronger than the other in the process of disarmament. It is admitted that disarmament should take place in such stages as to maintain broadly the balance of armed power. It is on this basis only that success can be achieved and this pervading sense of fear countered. 129.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Therefore, while all efforts towards disarmament must be welcomed, the United Nations should be closely associated with them. The question of disarmament has been considered at various levels. There is general disarmament and the ending of test explosions of nuclear and thermo-nuclear weapons. So far as test explosions are concerned, considerable progress has been made by the Conference which has been meeting in Geneva. Indeed, it would appear that an agreement has been reached there on many basic issues and only a little more effort is needed to complete this agreement. I suggest that a final agreement on the subject should be reached as early as possible. That is not, strictly speaking, disarmament, but undoubtedly any such agreement will bring a large measure of relief to the world. 128.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Theirs is a great responsibility. But every country, small or big, is concerned in this matter of peace and war and therefore every country must shoulder this responsibility and work to this end. 126. It is easy to criticize the action or inaction of any country; but this criticism does not help us much; it only increases tension and fear, and nations take up rigid attitudes from which it is difficult to dislodge them. The issues before the world are too vital to be left to a few countries only or to be affected by personal likes or dislikes. In order to deal with these big issues effectively we have to take big and impersonal views. It is only the United Nations as a whole that can ultimately solve this problem. 127.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“That, indeed, is the main duty of the United Nations today, and if it fails in this, the United Nations fails in its main purpose. 124. We live in an age of great revolutionary changes brought about by the advance of science and technology. Therein lies hope for the world and also the danger of sudden death. Because of these advances the time we have for controlling the forces of destruction is strictly limited. If within the next three or four years effective disarmament is not agreed to and implemented, then it may be too late and all the good will in the world will not be able to stop the drift to certain disaster. We may not therefore delay or postpone the consideration of this vital problem, 125. In the context of things today, two great nations, the United States and the Soviet Union, hold the key to war and peace.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“If war then is an abomination and the ultimate crime which has to be avoided and combated, then we must fashion our minds and policies accordingly and not hesitate because of our fears to take steps forward. There may be risks but the greatest risk is to allow the present dangerous drift to continue. To achieve peace we have to try to develop a climate of peace and tolerance and to avoid speech and action which tend to increase fear and hatred. 123. It may not be possible to reach full disarmament in one step, though every step should be conditioned to that end. Much has already been done in these discussions of disarmament; but the sands of time run out and we dare not play about with this or delay its consideration.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“The world consists of a great variety of nations and peoples differing in their ideas and urges and in their economic development. All of them desire peace and progress for their people, and yet many of them are afraid of each other and therefore cannot concentrate on the quest of peace. We must recognize this variety of opinion and objectives in the world and not seek to coerce or compel others to function according to our own particular way. The moment there is an attempt at coercion, there is fear and conflict and the seeds of war are sown. That is the basic philosophy underlying the attempt to avoid military or other violent methods for the solution of problems. That is the main reason which impels those countries who are called "unaligned" to avoid military pacts. 122.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“For many years past there has been talk of disarmament, and some progress has undoubtedly been made in so far as plans and proposals are concerned. But still we find that the armaments race continues, and so also the effort to find ever more powerful engines of destruction. Fear and hatred overshadow the world. If even a small part of this effort was directed to the search for peace, probably the problem of disarmament would have been solved by this time. Apart from the moral imperative of peace, every practical consideration leads us to that conclusion, for as everyone knows, the choice today in this nuclear age is one between utter annihilation and the destruction of civilization, or of some way to have peaceful coexistence between nations. There is no middle way. 121.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“In the preamble to the Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization it is stated that wars begin in the minds of men. That is essentially true, and ultimately it is necessary to bring about this change in our minds and to remove fears and apprehensions, hatreds and suspicions. 119. Disarmament is a part of this process for it will create an atmosphere helpful to co-operation. But it is only a step towards our objective, a part of the larger effort to rid the world of war and the causes of war. In the present context, however, disarmament becomes of very special importance for us all, overriding all others. But we must always remember that even in pursuing disarmament we have to keep in view our larger purpose. 120.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“The Charter of the United Nations declares our determination "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war", and "to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights ... and for these ends to practise tolerance and live together in peace and with one another as good neighbours". 117. The main purpose of the United Nations is to build up a world without war, a world based on the co-operation of nations and peoples. It is not merely a world where war is kept in check for a balancing of armed forces. It is much deeper than that. It is a world from which the major causes of war have been removed and social structures built up which further peaceful co-operation within a nation as well as between nations. 118.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“To that end we labour, as indeed other under-developed countries are also doing. 115. Seated here in this tremendous and impressive city of New York, with all the achievements of modern science, technology and human effort, my mind often goes back to our villages in India and my countrymen who live there. We have no desire to imitate or to compete with any other country, but we are firmly resolved to raise the standards of our people and give them the opportunities to lead a good life. Even though this fills our minds, I do not propose to speak to you on this subject here because there is something else that is of even greater importance, that is, peace. 116. Without peace all our dreams vanish and are reduced to ashes.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Hundreds and thousands of years of past history have conditioned us in our respective countries, and our roots go deep down into the soil. If these roots are pulled out, we wither, but if those roots remain strong and we allow the winds from the four quarters to blow in upon us, then they will yield branch and flower and fruit. 114. Many of the speakers from this forum have surveyed the world scene and spoken on a variety of problems. I should like to concentrate on what I consider to be the basic problem of all. If necessity arises we may, with the permission of the President, intervene later with regard to other problems. My own mind is naturally filled with the problems of my own country and our passionate desire to develop and put an end to the poverty and low standards which have been a curse to our hundreds of millions of people.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Unfortunately, we live in a split world which is constantly coming up against the basic assumptions of the United Nations. We have to bear with this and try to move ever more forward to that conception of full co-operation between nations. That cooperation does not and must not mean any domination of one country by another, any coercion or compulsion forcing any country to line up with another country. Each country has something to give and something to take from others. The moment coercion is exercised, that country's freedom is not only impaired but also its growth suffers. 112. We have to acknowledge that there is great diversity in the world and this variety is good and is to be encouraged, so that each country may grow and its creative impulse may have full play in accordance with its own genius. 113.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“If there had been no United Nations today, our first task would have been to create something of that kind. I should like, therefore, to pay my tribute to the work of the United Nations as a whole, even though I might criticize some aspects of it from time to time. 111. The structure of the United Nations when it started was weighted in favour of Europe and the Americas. It did not seem to us to be fair to the countries of Asia and Africa, but we appreciated the difficulties of the situation and did not press for any changes. With the growth of the United Nations and with more countries coming into it, that structure today is still more unbalanced. Even so, we wish to proceed slowly and with agreement and not to press for any change which would involve an immediate amendment of the Charter and the raising of heated controversies.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“109. Colonialism still has its strong footholds in some parts and racialism and racial domination are still prevalent, more especially in Africa. 110. During these past fifteen years the United Nations has often been criticized for its structure and for some- of its activities. These criticisms have often had some justification behind them, but looking at the broad picture I think that we can definitely say that the United Nations has amply justified its existence and repeatedly prevented our recurrent crises from developing into war. It has played a great role, and it is little difficult now to think of this troubled world without the United Nations. If it has defects, those defects lie in the world situation itself which, inevitably, it mirrors.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“There was this aspect of idealism, but there was also a realization of the state of the post-war world as it was then, and so provision was made in the structure of the Organization to balance certain conflicting urges. There were the permanent members of the Security Council and the provision for great-Power unanimity. All this was not very logical, but it represented certain realities of the world as it was. Because of this we accepted it. At that time many large areas in Asia, and even more so in Africa, were not represented in the United Nations, as they were under colonial domination. Since then the colonial part of the world has shrunk greatly and we welcome here many countries from Africa in their new freedom. The United Nations has become progressively more representative, but we must remember that even now it is not fully so.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“There was mobilization in many parts of Europe and the tramp of armoured men was heard, but even so the League of Nations appeared to be unconcerned with the shadow of war and discussed all manner of topics, but not the most vital subject of the day. 107. War did not start then. It was a year later that it descended upon the world with all its thunder and destructive fury. After many years of carnage that war ended and a new age, the atomic age, was ushered in by the terrible experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Fresh from these horrors the minds of men turned to thoughts of peace and there was a passionate desire to put an end to war itself. 108. The United Nations took birth on a note of high idealism, embodied in the noble wording of the Charter.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“I am a newcomer to this Assembly and not accustomed to its ways and conventions. I seek, therefore, the indulgence of the President, and the indulgence of the members of the Assembly for what I have to say. 105. I have listened attentively and with respect to many of the speeches here, and sometimes I have felt as if I were being buffeted by the icy winds of the cold war. Coming from a warm country, I have shivered occasionally at these cold blasts. 106. Sitting here in this Assembly chamber, an old memory comes back to me. In the fateful summer of 1938 I was a visitor at a meeting of the League of Nations in Geneva. Hitler was advancing then and holding out threats of war.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“I believe it is part of the duty that rests upon one when one is forced into that position, not to be provoked, not to be drawn into discussion that has no particular purpose. This subject is not on the agenda; it is before the Security Council. I cannot object to it being mentioned because we are free to speak. 99. That is all I have to say. I do hope that I have not detained the Assembly too long.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“The matter is before the United Nations, and if fellow-delegates are interested in it, there is a considerable volume of literature on this subject. It came here on the initiative of the Government of India, That in itself is sufficient evidence that we have nothing to hide in this matter. But taking the view that no issue of peace or of neighbourliness is promoted by this casual discussion in the Assembly or using the rostrum of this Assembly for any purpose, I shall not enter into discussion on the Kashmir issue. 98. Recently, as a result of conversations in New Delhi between the Prime Ministers of the two countries, we have tried without external interference to deal with problems — small ones — concerning our frontiers, our borders and difficulties created thereby; and to a small extent we have been successful.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“What is called "the question of Jammu and Kashmir" or "India-Pakistan issue" or something of that kind, is before the Security Council. 96. As I said a while ago, I have some familiarity with this problem. I believe the statements or the misstatements made before the Assembly are capable of being controverted. But the understanding of my delegation as to the functions and the use of this rostrum is that it is not for propaganda for home consumption. I have, therefore, no desire to enter into a controversy on this matter unless it is forced upon us; then, I think I am not non-controversial. 97. The State of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, half of which is under external occupation.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“West Irian is part of Indonesia by the Act of Cession. We hope that there will be no occasion for this matter to come up before us. 95. My colleague from Pakistan in his address [769th meeting] to this Assembly referred to the problem of Kashmir. I have some familiarity with this problem. I also have some familiarity with the procedures of the United Nations. While nothing, in fact can prevent any representative from speaking about anything, we sometimes have instances when the President adjourns the Assembly and delegates still talk because the speaker requires only the microphone. Therefore, no one can prevent anybody from speaking about anything, but it is usually understood that no problem can be before two organs of the United Nations at the same time.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“Indonesia has had a hard time, largely because of the geography of that land of the 3,000 islands, because of the burdens it has to carry since its liberation and because of the fact that its progress is very much held back by the problem of the continuance of colonial rule. The Netherlands is a well respected Member of the United Nations and has a great deal of experience of the Eastern world. We still hope that advantage will be taken of the fact that the Indonesians have not tried to heat up this problem by placing this item on the agenda, and we hope that in conformity with the principles of the Charter, and by means of agreements solemnly entered into, a solution will be found. 94. These islands, like other islands in other parts of the world, are not worth conflict between nations.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“But, if every question is riddled by the arrows that, come from the "cold war", from either side, then it is not possible for us to make any progress, Therefore, we hope that the general progress of the Organization, our understanding of each other and the purposes and implications of the resolution we adopted last year with regard to peaceful and neighbourly relations, and the support that has been forthcoming from large numbers of representatives, speaking on this, who have referred to non-interference in other people's affairs, and things of that character — we hope that there will be more and more of all this. 93. There are two matters of a more or less domestic character to which I should like to refer. One is the problem of our neighbours in Indonesia.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“The representative of Cambodia referred [756th meeting] to the fact that there was such a rigidity of opinion as made it impossible for the uncommitted nations either to canvass their views or put them forward in any way. No one suggests that opinions strongly held by the nations that have really great responsibilities can be easily pushed aside. But if the United Nations is really to become a concert of free nations, if it is to contribute to the promotion of neighbourly relations, is it not possible, by the impact of opinions one upon the other, is it not possible by the adjustment of different views, to come to common conclusions?”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“But my delegation welcomes the fact that in speech after speech in this Assembly, as we advanced in the general debate, representatives have spoken without being hamstrung by considerations of having to vote one way or another. There is a degree of freer speech in the general debate. This resolution that was passed unanimously calls for further consideration by the Assembly, and in the same spirit as prevailed last time, without trying to score a point one way or another. We think, finally, that the work of this Assembly will be much assisted and the United Nations, will progress more and more if such independence of opinion continues. 92.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“That resolution expressed the urgency of "strengthening international peace and of developing peaceful and neighbourly relations among States irrespective of their divergences or the relative stages and nature of their political, economic and social development." If it was urgent then, it is even more urgent today. This is not a resolution that called for an executive action but certainly a resolution which ought to be furthered by implementation. There is nothing in the events of the last twelve months which gives us a great deal of encouragement in thinking that the adoption of this resolution has made a lot of difference.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“At the same time, to link this question with other problems is to indulge in the exercise of endangering the peace of this globe. It has neither logic nor anything else to defend it, because, if there were disarmament, if there were an abandonment of other weapons, there would be no need to talk about the stopping of explosions. So by definition it is out of court. We want to lay stress on this fact: it is the most important problem before the Assembly. 91. Last year at the end of the session we adopted a resolution on peaceful and neighbourly relations among States [resolution 1236 (XII)]. This is one of those subjects regarded as extremely controversial, and it was controversial. But it may be said to the credit of the Assembly that it was passed as a unanimous resolution.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“Therefore, we need more than anything else a new approach to this problem, a degree of common exploration. Unless there is common exploration we shall not be able to deal with this great menace that threatens this world with annihilation. What is more, every small or large problem, every local problem, threatens at least for some time to present the world with the menace of atomic war. 90. The outstanding problem before us is this problem of disarmament. My delegation is one of those that thinks it ought to be discussed as soon as possible in order that those who meet in Geneva may have the backing — I would not use the word "pressure" — but may have the backing of such influence as Assembly opinion can exercise to make them come to agreement.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“So, when from tomorrow onwards we consider this matter in the First Committee, I hope we shall be able to go far along the way of encouraging the Geneva conference to come to' agreement very quickly because, as time passes and more and more countries become capable of either manufacturing or using these weapons, all the dangers of nuclear radiation and of nuclear accidents exist in the world. The dangers arising from non disarmament are greater. But I beg to submit — and I hope this will not be regarded as a presumption — that we will not get very near disarmament unless there is a certain amount of disarming of ourselves in the Assembly, that is to say, in our approach to problems, if every boat that is put out is to weather the storm of suspicion and mistrust before it can reach the shore.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“In the last twelve months, the Disarmament Commission has not met, that is to say, the whole machinery has not functioned apart from this ad hoc arrangement that was made and was successful. One of the main problems that will come before us is the reconstitution of the Disarmament Commission, and we should like to appeal to the Assembly to recognize the fact that no disarmament is possible except by agreement and, if there must be agreement, there must be give and take on either side, and minorities or majorities — with the uncommitted peoples — cannot be disregarded. 89. The latest reconstitution of the Disarmament Commission was a step forward, as far as the General Assembly recognized that some new move had to be made, but that move either did not go far enough or somehow went in the wrong direction.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“If the idea is that the suspension of explosions can take place only if other things take place, then the whole problem will have to await the conclusion of a disarmament agreement, and it is meaningless because, if there is total disarmament with the banning of weapons, then it is not necessary to say that there should be no explosions. 87. Therefore, we submit that, pending the reaching of an agreement in Geneva, there should be a cessation of these explosions, that the testing of nuclear weapons should stop, as a preliminary to disarmament. 88. Last year, by a considerable majority, the United Nations voted for the reconstitution of the Disarmament Commission [resolution 1150 (XII)].”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“At the twelfth session in a draft resolution, we made this humble suggestion: if what is stopping the cessation of explosions is the fear that they will not be detected, why cannot this be looked into by technical people, with both sides, and those who did not take sides, joining in? We submitted this draft resolution because it appeared reasonable, and the arguments, even of those who were against us, were not that it was not reasonable but that it was not opportune. 86. We are glad to notice that after six months or so, owing to the initiative taken by the United States and the Soviet Union they have had direct talks on this matter, and some moves seem to have taken place. But, again, I do not presume to have understood the whole of the situation.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“At last we now have, a situation where the scientists of the world, though they have not categorically be stated, at least tell us that the effects of these explosions are harmful to humanity. Since it is a United Nations committee, one hopes that it will receive greater respect than it might otherwise do. 85. There has been some progress made in the meetings at Geneva, and further meetings will start on 31 October. My delegation has submitted a draft resolution [A/L.246] on this subject, which is before the Assembly, and concerns only the discontinuance of atomic and hydrogen weapons tests. It would not be appropriate for me to argue this draft resolution before you at present, but I hope that the Assembly will not reject this draft resolution this time as it did the last time.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“It is one of those problems where the parties consent, and therefore there can be no settlement without cooperation. Last year the delegation of India moved before the General Assembly [703rd meeting] that as a first step, not necessarily of disarmament but as a contribution toward disarmament, these explosions should be stopped and that the one alleged impediment in the way, the lack of capacity for detection, must be made the subject of technical investigation. For the last four years our Government has been pressing and has been repeatedly urging in the Assembly the cessation of these explosions, for reasons that we argued and reargued many times.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“But, unfortunately, the Sub-Committee of the Disarmament Commission also became a very public body and when one solution appeared suitable to one side and was put forward, it was not suitable to the other side. The same solution is advanced the next year by the other side and is not suitable to this side. So it goes on in this way. No one imagines that the establishment of disarmament is possible by waving a magic wand. The problem has got to be approached realistically, and the United Nations knows that there has been no abandonment at any time of the fundamental objectives. 84. I should like to submit with great respect that the passing of resolutions, even by large majorities, has not taken us anywhere nearer disarmament.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)