YouSaid · the spoken record

Jonsson

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS JONSSON

lines on the record: 100
first: 1966-09-24
most recent: 1970-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
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

“It would be desirable for all these nations to come to an agreement on a common position so that their views will be accepted at the eventual third conference on the law of the sea.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“As I have already explained, this is a matter in which my country is vitally interested and the Government of Iceland will, at the appropriate time, have proposals to make regarding further actions on this problem in the United Nations framework. Conservation and rational exploitation of the living resources of the sea are of vital interest not only to Iceland, but to all the Members of the United Nations and, indeed, the world community as a whole, if the war against hunger is to be waged successfully. 31. We appreciate the fact that many nations have already at this stage the same or similar views on these questions as we do. After considering the matter they have adopted the same attitude as we now have. I mention the nations of South America and, indeed, also North America, and many of the nations of Africa and Asia.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“It would be highly appropriate, in the opinion of the Government of Iceland, to work out an international convention on the prevention of sea pollution in time for it to be opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, in Stockholm in 1972, if possible. 30. Finally, there is one more activity of the United Nations in questions regarding the sea that I should like to mention. The SecretaryGeneral has now completed the report he was called upon to give in resolution 2413 (XXIII) on the exploitation and conservation of living marine resources.4 The Secretariat is to be highly commended for the excellence of this report, and now it is incumbent on the General Assembly to decide upon further action on the basis of the report.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“The Conference of the Committee on Disarmament has worked out proposals on a treaty barring the emplacement of weapons of mass destruction on the seabed.3 That proposal is to be welcomed and, with the approval of the General Assembly, that treaty should be opened for signature as soon as possible. 29. Yet another aspect of the law of the sea is the prevention and control of pollution of the marine environment. The Government of Iceland feels that it is now imperative upon the United Nations to draw up and open for signature an international convention on the prevention of sea pollution from whatever sources. To be effective such a convention should establish the obligations and liabilities of States as regards all pollution adversely affecting the living resources of the sea.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“That question will have to be solved with due regard to the rights of coastal States to intervene in sea areas adjacent to the areas of national jurisdiction in cases where the coastline or related interests are in grave and imminent danger because of activities on the seabed or the ocean floor. 27. Cognizant of the hard realities of the situation, the First Committee should attempt to explore all possibilities for advancement of the work of the seabed Committee in step with the development of other aspects of the law of the sea. 28. The same is also true as regards the banning of military uses of the seabed and the ocean floor.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“The Government of Iceland notes with satisfaction that agreement seems to have been reached on a most important and fundamental component of an eventual declaration of principles with regard to the seabed and the ocean floor, that the exploration of the area and the exploitation of its resources shall be carried out for the benefit of mankind as a whole, irrespective of the geographic location of States whether landlocked or coastal taking into particular consideration the needs and interests of the developing countries. Of course the hard reality remains that an agreement has not been reached on the question of the definition of the area of the seabed and the ocean floor; or, if one wishes to approach the problem from another direction, the question of delimitation of the continental shelf remains open.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“In the special situation where a nation is overwhelmingly dependent upon its coastal resources a limit of 12 miles is not sufficient. In the case of Iceland, jurisdiction and control over the continental shelf and the waters above the shelf are reasonable and just and should be recognized by the international community. 25. It is our earnest hope that the forthcoming conference will be able to serve the really progressive development of international law. 26. Useful work has been done although progress has been rather slow by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of the SeaBed and the Ocean Floor beyond the Limits of National Jurisdiction.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“With regard to the question whether a third United Nations conference on the law of the sea should be convened and what should be the scope of its mandate, I should like to sum up the views of the Government of Iceland as follows. 24. We are in favor of convening a conference on the law of the sea whose mandate should be sufficiently broad to cover all aspects of the rights of the coastal State in areas adjacent to its coasts. We maintain that coastal States are entitled to establish the limits of their coastal jurisdiction within a reasonable distance, having regard to geographical, geological, economic and other relevant considerations. We realize that many States consider that a limit of twelve miles is sufficient for their purposes, although, in point of fact, coastal jurisdiction varies now from three to 200 miles.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“First of all, the Icelandic Government considers that much useful work has already been done by the United Nations on the progressive development of international law regarding many aspects of the sea. However, many problems remain unsolved. Although constituting different aspects, these are all integral parts of the vast field of international maritime law. Progress in that vast field will have to be gradually arrived at by considering the different aspects of the law of the sea, not in isolation but all together since they are all in all interrelated and linked one to another. Much coordination will need to be done, and, therefore, my Government welcomes the initiative taken by the delegation of Malta in this respect in the Economic and Social Council last July. 23.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“People who base practically their whole economic existence on the living resources of the sea will have to be granted preferential rights to the fisheries located outside their present national jurisdiction. 21. We have already had a debate in the General Assembly on the complex set of problems in relation to the sea, all of which are now gathered under agenda item 25. Much work will have to be done by the First Committee. In the spirit of the ideals embodied in the Charter, I am confident that the Committee's discussion will result in practical proposals taking into consideration the interests of all the nations of the world, large and small. The views of the Icelandic Government on specific issues will be explained in detail in the Committee as they come up during its deliberations. Let me briefly touch upon only the main headings. 22.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“In my statements in general debates at past sessions of the General Assembly I have repeatedly pointed out this danger and called for urgent measures to prevent the disastrous consequences of overfishing. The reduction in catches both in total catches and particularly in catches per unit of effort of some species in the North Atlantic is indeed so severe that plans are being made to limit the fisheries by strict quota systems. But the experience with these quota systems has been rather unsatisfactory so that more effective measures will have to be taken. And due regard will have to be given to the special requirements of countries or territories whose people are overwhelmingly dependent on coastal fisheries for their livelihood and economic development.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“Since then that resolution has constituted for the Government of Iceland its working instructions in these matters. As far as Iceland is concerned, it is the Government's firm conviction that conservation and utilization, not only of the mineral resources in the seabed and the subsoil of its continental shelf but also the living resources in the waters above the continental shelf, shall be recognized internationally as subject to the exclusive jurisdiction and control of Iceland. 20. The conservation measures taken in the North Atlantic have undeniably been of great value in many cases, but they have proven to be insufficient. Increased fishing efforts in the North Atlantic have resulted in overexploitation of certain fish stocks, some of which stand in danger of depletion.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“And the particular case of Iceland was recognized in 1961 by two of the biggest deep-sea fishing nations which have a special interest in the North Atlantic, when the United Kingdom and Germany accepted the last extension by Iceland of its fisheries jurisdiction out to twelve miles from straight base lines, especially agreed upon by the parties concerned. The recognition of Iceland's unilateral extension of the exclusive fisheries jurisdiction in the contiguous zone was made in view of the exceptional dependence of the Icelandic nation upon coastal fisheries for its livelihood and economic development. 19. On 5 May 1959 the Icelandic Parliament passed an often-quoted resolution on the extension of the fisheries jurisdiction to cover the whole of the continental shelf.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“The Government of Iceland has for many years actively followed a policy of conservation of the living resources of the sea. And because of Iceland's special situation, the Government has claimed its right to extend its fisheries jurisdiction beyond the territorial waters to reserve the fisheries in the contiguous zone for the exclusive utilization of the coastal population. 18. Such special situations relating to coastal fisher as of exceptional nature have been recognized in general terms by the international community. The first Geneva Conference on the Law of the Sea in 1958 adopted a resolution on the subject.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“Over 35 per cent of our gross national product is exported and of these exports about 90 per cent are fish or fishery products of one kind or another. From these figures one will realize how important the fishing industry is to the national economy of Iceland. Economic activity centers around the fisheries. Almost all necessities of life have to be imported into Iceland, and these imports are financed by exporting fishery products. 16. Therefore, conservation and rational management of the fish stocks in the North Atlantic Ocean are truly of vital interest to the Icelandic people. And in the sea around Iceland, above the country's clearly distinguishable continental shelf, there are invaluable fishing banks and nursery grounds upon whose preservation depends the livelihood and continued economic development of the Icelandic nation. 17.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“On earlier occasions in my interventions in the general debate of the General Assembly I have had the honor to discuss also the second main objective of the United Nations the promotion of social progress and economic advancement of all peoples in larger freedom. In particular, I have drawn attention to certain aspects of this major objective of the United Nations which are of vital concern to the Icelandic nation, especially those aspects of our social and economic tasks which have to do with the sea. 15. Being an island nation in the middle of the North Atlantic, the Icelandic people base their livelihood primarily on the fisheries around Iceland. This dependence on the living resources of the sea is best demonstrated by citing two figures.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“This reminds us of the most obvious weakness of the United Nations, that is, that resolutions by the United Nations are totally disregarded by the parties who are dissatisfied with those resolutions and consider themselves powerful enough to disregard them with impunity. 13. The executive power is lacking, as I have repeatedly pointed out from this rostrum. This state of affairs will have to change if the United Nations is to accomplish its aims. 14. The primary role of the United Nations is and will be the prevention of armed conflicts and the maintenance of international peace and security. But our Organization has other aims as well.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“Such a de escalation will be welcomed but the same thing applies here as with the two other matters I mentioned. One cannot say definitely what the future development will be. In all three cases one can, however, say that developments during the last year seem to hold possibilities which could become real opportunities. 12. One cannot say the same thing about the fourth and last tension area that I should like to mention in general terms. Apparently there has been no change in the situation in South Africa and Namibia, which has been discussed extensively during past sessions of the General Assembly. South Africa sticks to the policy of apartheid and South Africa continues to control Namibia notwithstanding, in both those cases, repeated resolutions of the United Nations to the contrary.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“But it was not my intention to commence discussion here in the General Assembly about the Middle East conflict because such a discussion will not contribute to the possibilities of positive results, at this stage anyhow. The so-called "Rogers peace plan" is considered by many to hold the possibilities of an agreement and it seems to be quite obvious for all to try, to the utmost, to find out whether this is so or not. 11. The third area of conflict, which has caused anxiety during past sessions of the General Assembly, is the war in VietNam. Also in this matter, events have taken place since the last Assembly that one has to consider to be steps in the right direction. One of these is the United States decision to withdraw a great number of troops from SouthEast Asia. Hopefully this could result in diminishing the conflict.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“In the Middle East the situation for the past few years has been such that one is correct in calling it a war situation, even if the war has not raged fully all the time and even if the war has been primarily directed against military objects and ordinary citizens have, for the most part, been left in peace. One will have to consider it a great accomplishment that the ArabIsraeli war has ceased for the time being and that conversations to solve the basic conflict of the Middle East are hopefully about to begin through the good offices of Ambassador Jarring, the United Nations mediator. However, what I said about the German talks is also true of these talks. Today it is not possible to say what the results will be, but as long as talks continue, one is allowed to hope that some results will be attained.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“However, I think that it is the opinion of many governments in Europe that the time has not arrived to start considering this question, now that direct talks have begun between the two German States. For the time being it will be better and more conducive to the lessening of tension to wait and see what will possibly be the results of these talks, if they continue, as we hope they will do. 10. In another part of the world the situation seemed to have also advanced to the talking stage, whatever the results of these talks will be, and I am referring to the ArabIsraeli conflict. But in these very last few days intraArab fighting has broken out in Jordan and the world has watched the violent actions of the Palestinian guerillas.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“Europe has long been the biggest and bloodiest battleground in the world, and the peace of the world depends to a large extent on the success of cooperation between European States. So far there has been great tension between East and West and the German problem has caused many difficulties. Recently the Soviet Union and Germany concluded a nonaggression treaty and talks have begun between the two German States. Whatever the concrete results of those talks, those are steps in the right direction, and we hope that those talks that have now commenced will lead to positive results. 9. East Germany has expressed its wish to gain admittance to the United Nations, either as a full Member or as an observer.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“Violence serves no useful purposes but will have grave consequences for those who resort to it. Something will have to be done. These hijackers have world public opinion against them, and therefore the matter should be more manageable. 7. In my opinion, even if there are many things that can stand improvement, and many problems that still remain unsolved, the United Nations can look back upon its activities during the first quarter of a century with considerable satisfaction, and it can look to the next quarter of a century with optimism and confidence that many problems, which have not yet been solved, will gradually be solved. 8. This past year, since the last General Assembly, events have taken place that give good hope for the future. First, I should like to mention the situation in Europe.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“These victims of violence have been kept in captivity for the purpose of blackmail to force acceptance of outrageous demands of a more or less illegal nature. And the criminal commandos have threatened the hostages with injury and even death if their demands are not satisfied. I consider that all relations with nations that tolerate such kidnapping will be imperiled. Some measures will have to be found to prevent this violence. On the other hand, one cannot overlook the fact that many of those who have taken these violent actions live in great difficulties and suffer even injustice, so that it is not by any means unnatural that they resort to desperate actions. But one cannot under any circumstances tolerate this. Their problems will have to be solved by other means.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“In the community of nations, of course, the same rule or law should be observed, and I would consider it only natural that the United Nations should be powerful enough to enforce international law. But it has to be admitted that there are many hindrances and real difficulties, which have to be overcome if the United Nations is to succeed fully in accomplishing its aims. One could mention many examples of this. 6. The most recent example, and the one that has caused great anxiety on the international scene, is that relatively small but violent groups of fanatics have taken as hostages altogether innocent people, both as passengers on civil aircraft and even representatives of foreign States on legal assignments.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“Admittedly, it is true that the Organization has not succeeded in solving all problems. That is certainly not strange and the reason is first and foremost that the Organization does not have executive power, as has often been pointed out. However, I would say that the Organization has succeeded, in spite of difficult circumstances, to solve many problems. 5. In Iceland we have an old Nordic proverb saying: "You settle a land with laws and you lay it waste with lawlessness." The meaning of this proverb is that the subjects of a society should establish laws and regulations on their behavior, and that these laws and regulations should be followed. In particular, one should ensure that force shall not be used, and one should always abide by the laws.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“When the United Nations was established 25 years ago, the idea was to have the Organization contribute to the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means and to take collective measures to prevent and remove threats to the peace to ensure in particular that armed force should not be used. Allow me to congratulate the Organization on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary and to give expression to our sincere thanks for the extensive activities of the Organization. Furthermore, I should like to express the wish that the Organization will in the future be true to its aims and that it will prove successful in carrying out the tasks originally given to it in the Charter. Sometimes it is said that the United Nations has failed to solve world problems.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“I pay tribute to the fine leadership she showed in directing the deliberations of the last session of this Assembly. 3. Allow me, furthermore, to use this opportunity to extend thanks to the SecretaryGeneral, U Thant, for outstanding service during his term in office. His performance in the high position of SecretaryGeneral and his devotion to the maintenance of world peace is recognized by all member nations. It is to be regretted if U Thant is not to remain in his position for another term. I very much hope that he will continue to work actively for the cause of world peace. 4.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“Mr. President, allow me, on behalf of the Icelandic delegation as well as personally, to offer you our warmest congratulations on your unanimous election to the high office of the President of the twenty-fifth session of the General Assembly. Your election stands as a well-earned tribute to your great personal and professional qualifications. With your extensive knowledge and your long experience in the affairs of the United Nations, I am confident that you will lead this anniversary session of "peace, justice and progress" to fruitful accomplishments. 2. I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to your predecessor in the presidential chair, Her Excellency Mrs. Angie BrooksRandolph, who presided over the last session with gracious dignity and great skill.”
1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)
“In our view, such a commitment would be only a reiteration of the fact that all nations, large and small, have a tight to a decent economic existence, which is indeed one of the corner-stones of the economic policy of the United Nations. Next year, when the “Resources of the Sea” will be on the agenda of the General Assembly, we hope to come back to this very important issue with definite plans for action by the United Nations.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“At present, the 1958 Geneva Convention on Fishing of and Conservation of the Living Resources of the High Seas does not grant any State such special rights outside national fisheries jurisdiction. But eleven years ago the situation of the world’s fisheries was different. To many of the participants in the Geneva Conference there did not then seem to be any need for special rights for the coastal State in this respect. But, as I have explained, the situation is now radically altered. 28. Therefore, my Government deems it imperative that the international community should formulate under the auspices of the United Nations, such rules as will make certain that those nations whose economies are heavily dependent upon fishing will be enabled to utilize the fisheries of their coastal zone as their situations may require.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The reduction in the number of fisheries in some North Atlantic areas is so severs indeed that definite plans for rationing the resources under a strict quota system are now being proposed. 26. This is an ominous development for all nations like my own, whose existence is based chiefly upon the sea fisheries. When faced with the prospect of the severe rationing of marine resources, nations which practically live from the sea can consider it only equitable that they be granted special rights to the fisheries located outside their present national jurisdictions in order that they may escape economic ruin. The nations I am talking about here are very few in number, and granting them special rights in this respect Would in no way threaten world community interest in the freedom of fishing. 27.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“However, my Government is convinced that further action is called for in order to ensure for the coastal state a just and equitable share of the resources found in its coastal waters. 25. If one reviews the situation in some of the world’s most important fisheries, one is faced by a gloomy picture. I shall not elaborate upon the gradual extermination of the world’s whale stocks, which is indicative of how disastrous the evolution in the world’s fisheries can be if rational management is not heeded. Still more important is the situation in the fisheries of the North Atlantic. Recent information has shown that the increased fishing effort there has had an adverse effect on the fish stocks, some of which are now already being over-exploited.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“At the twenty-third session of the General Assembly, the delegation of Iceland, together with other delegations, introduced a draft resolution on the “Exploitation and conservation of living marine resources”, which was unanimously adopted by the Assembly [resolution for 2413 (XXIII)]. By that resolution, Governments were urged to increase their co-operation in the development and exploitation of living marine resources, and United Nations agencies were asked to improve international collaboration to that end. Under the terms of the resolution, the Secretary-General will report upon those issues to the twenty-fifth session of the General Assembly, next year. 24. Those are important steps on the way to more effective protection and management of the immeasurably valuable food resources found in the sea.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Such a treaty does not exist today, but it is high time that one was concluded, as recent incidents in ocean exploitation have demonstrated. This topic should, therefore, be given high priority by the sea-bed Committee, as well as by the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization and the international scientific bodies concerned with the problem of pollution so that a draft treaty on marine pollution can at an early date be elaborated and agreed upon. 23. I come now to another aspect of the marine environment which is of immediate concern to my Government. This is the question of the regulation and protection of the living resources of the sea, with special regard to the needs and interests of coastal States whose economy is dependent upon fisheries.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The General Assembly at the twenty-third session unanimously adopted a resolution [2467 B (XXIII)] introduced by Iceland and co-sponsored by a number of nations, which called for a study by the Secretary-General aimed at preventing pollution of the oceans which might adversely affect their living resources. It should come as no surprise that my Government is intensely interested in this topic, as fishing has for many years been the chief means of livelihood of the Icelandic people. My Government was gratified to note the wide support for that resolution in the United Nations. One of the most urgent tasks within the whole environment issue is to draw up an effective international instrument for the prevention of pollution of the oceans, from whatever causes pollution may arise.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“(6) Use of the area shall be for the benefit of all mankind, with special regard for the needs and interests of the developing countries and international community purposes. (7) Pollution of the marine environment must be prevented, and obligations and liabilities of States established in this respect. 21. The Government of Iceland feels that these seven general rules make up a firm basis for a future régime of the sea-bed and ocean floor, and I should like to refer them to the First Committee, which is to deal with this item, as a compromise proposal for further discussion. 22.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“But at this stage my Government would like to enumerate a few of the most important items on which it feels that an international agreement must be reached at an early date. They are the following: (1) There is an area of the sea-bed and ocean floor which lies beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. (2) No State may claim or exercise sovereign rights over that area. (3) That area, as it will be later defined, shall be reserved exclusively for peaceful purposes. (4) An international régime shall be established for the area. (5) The exploration and exploitation of the area shall be conducted in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“There Iceland has urged the participating nations to strive for the adoption of certain fundamental general principles, which might then be adopted by the General Assembly in a declaration on the peaceful uses of the sea-bed, a procedure similar to that followed by the Assembly on the question concerning the peaceful uses of outer space. 20. The Assembly will soon have before it the latest report of the sea-bed Committee. The Assembly will notice from that report that, while a consensus emerged on certain general principles, the Committee was not ready to recommend a list of principles for adoption by the Assembly at this early stage in its deliberations. That is understandable, and my Government continues to have faith in the ability of the Committee to bring its important task to a fruitful conclusion.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Government of Iceland has been keenly interested in the issue of the peaceful uses of the sea-bed and the ocean floor beyond the limits of national jurisdiction from the very beginning when the issue was first introduced in this Assembly. My Government realizes the necessity of adopting internationally recognized rules for this vast area, the last unexplored part of our globe. While the human race has embarked upon adventurous journeys into outer space, it is time to put our house in order and decide upon an effective and just régime for the sub-oceanic areas, whose resources must be harvested for the benefit of all mankind. 19. Iceland is one of the forty-two members of the sea-bed Committee which was established by the last General Assembly.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The use of the sea-bed for peaceful purposes means probably first of all the exploitation of oil resources, But there is always the risk that the oil which is being exploited will, because of some mishap or other unforeseen cause, flow into the oceans and thereby constitute grave dangers for fish and other organic resources in the surrounding sea area. It is therefore very important that such accidents be prevented and to ensure that all possible safeguard measures are taken. The stock of fish in the North Atlantic seems to be diminishing and one aspect of that problem is the pollution of the sea, even if there are also other causes at work with greater effect. 18.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“One very important task of the United Nations, which concerns all nations, is to prevent pollution of the human environment. This matter was discussed at the last session of the General Assembly and it will be discussed again during this session. I should like to mention only one point. The peaceful uses of the sea-bed is now being discussed by the forty-two-member Committee on the Peaceful Uses of the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor Beyond the Limits of National Jurisdiction, which is submitting its report to the General Assembly.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Government of Iceland has already discussed this idea of devoting one class-hour per month to the United Nations and it will possibly begin the experiment next year in Icelandic schools in connexion with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. 16. When we talk about the United Nations and the youth of this world, my Government finds considerable merit in the proposal, debated in the Economic and Social Council in August 1969, that the United Nations should establish a volunteer corps, similar to the Peace Corps, to help developing countries. Such a venture would certainly provide an opportunity for young people to contribute personally in carrying out the worthy aims and aspirations of the United Nations. In a world of youthful unrest this might prove a sensible undertaking. 17.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“However, the other activities of the United Nations should also be stressed in the economic and social fields, in the humanitarian and cultural fields, in questions of human rights and the elimination of discrimination as well as in other international problems. If we can educate children from their early years in those matters, we shall be able to expect that in coming years the attitude towards the United Nations will change with an improved opinion of it being formed in the world. There is, of course, some doubt whether we shall be able to succeed in this and whether the expected effects will follow, but maybe, along with other efforts, it will have some influence to bear.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“We, Icelanders, consider that that could possibly be done by devoting to the United Nations one class-hour of every month of the school year in all schools, from the elementary to the university level, in all countries. There would be lectures, carefully prepared in accordance with the intellectual stage of the student, on the background of the United Nations, on the establishment and activities of the United Nations, on their strength and their shortcomings, on why they have not fulfilled the tasks enunciated in the Charter—and on the best means to attain the purposes of the Charter. Of course, the stress would be on the primary purpose: the maintenance of peace and the prevention of acts of aggression. 15.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“On that occasion the activities of the United Nations will be reviewed—the successes and the failures as well. The United Nations will never be anything more than the Members want it to be. It is therefore necessary to cultivate among nations the correct attitude of mind in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations to ensure that all nations support resolutions of the United Nations and that they will be implemented. 14. There are, of course differing opinions on how to attain that goal. But in the opinion of my people one possible way towards that goal would be to strengthen the distribution of information about the United Nations.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In all these fields, under the direction of the United Nations, enormous and successful work has been done, and it would certainly be desirable for such success to be attained in other fields as well. Even if the main purpose of the United Nations is to prevent acts of aggression and to strengthen the peace, one should not underestimate the other activities of the Organization in the humanitarian fields, where the greatest successes have been obtained. 13. Next year, twenty-five years will have passed since the United Nations was created. Without any doubt that anniversary will be commemorated all around the world. So many hopes were raised in the beginning, when the United Nations was established, and so many States have joined this Organization during the last quarter of a century.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“My Government hopes that the fact that the attention of the United Nations has thus been focused on the situation in Northern Ireland may result in speedy efforts by all parties concerned towards an improvement of the situation and a solution of the problem. 12. The United Nations has been especially successful in the humanitarian field. To bring this out clearly it is only necessary to mention a few of the agencies of the United Nations, I mention only the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization, but there are many more that come to mind.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“A public debate sometimes results in inflamed tempers and increased tension in the area concerned. Moreover, it has been called into question whether this matter falls within the competence of the United Nations, in view of Article 2, paragraph 7 of the Charter. Without expressing an opinion on that point, I note that the Foreign Minister of Ireland has already had the opportunity to explain the situation and the point of view of his Government before the Security Council [1503rd meeting]. We think that was useful. The same opportunity is open to him here in the general debate of the General Assembly.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Government and people of Iceland have viewed with concern the recent disturbances in the northern part of Ireland, a neighbouring country for whose people we have deep feelings of sympathy. Although Icelanders are primarily of Nordic stock, there runs a good portion of Irish blood in our veins. We wish to assure our friends the people of Ireland that we well understand their concern for the plight of a frustrated minority whose grievances have not been fully redressed. We share their concern at the communal tensions that have been created and at the outbreaks of violence that have resulted in loss of life and property. 11. However, my Government remains in doubt whether it would serve the best interests of the people concerned to inscribe this matter on the agenda of the General Assembly.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)