YouSaid · the spoken record

Pella

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS PELLA

lines on the record: 72
first: 1957-09-24
most recent: 1959-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

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“In this connexion, I should like once again to pay a tribute to the work done by the Secretariat of the United Nations and the regional economic commissions - addressing it, as usual, to the Secretariat's chief officer, that is, the Secretary-General. We should also like to express our appreciation of the quality and the high standard of the debates which have been held for many years in the Economic and Social Council, its functional commissions, the specialized agencies and the Committees of the General Assembly, where all Member States introduce and discuss questions, needs and aspirations connected with economic and social progress. 189. I think that the noble ideal of freedom would lose much of its value for a people living in destitution. There can be no social peace without real economic progress.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“It further believes that the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council should be enlarged, in order to make room in our collective activities for the peoples who have recently acquired national independence and who have the right and duty to express their needs here and to find help in solving their political and economic problems - although variations in responsibility should continue to be taken into account. 187. In our opinion, these are not such generous views as it might at first appear. Each one of us needs all the others and there must be more give and take in all fields, from the political to the economic and cultural. 188. I do not think that my statement would be complete if I did not refer, even very briefly, to some economic problems which, I think, are of paramount importance in the world of today.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“But new needs are making themselves felt within the United Nations itself. I would like to say in passing that the Italian delegation considers that changes might be made in the Charter and that the organs through which it is carried into effect might be adapted to meet these new needs. We are in favour of a revision of the Charter along these lines. But we regard it as a very delicate matter, involving a balance of responsibilities, and one which requires thorough study. It would be a mistake to proceed too hastily in laying down new conditions for our work here. 186. However, such caution should not prevent acceptance of the principle of change, which the Italian delegation considers just and valid.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“We have been gratified by its endorsement of our policy and its appreciation of the scope of our efforts. The sacrifices which we have made in the interests of human solidarity, which is or should be the guiding principle of the United Nations, will, I am certain, bear fruit. The United Nations has helped us in the fulfilment of this task; in this connexion, I should like to thank all those whose co-operation has made this possible. Each passing year brings us closer to the date when the country will attain complete independence, and the responsibilities of government have already largely been transferred from the Italian administration to the Somali Government. In saying this, I would like to offer the people of Somaliland our very sincere wishes for success in their advance towards peace and prosperity. 185.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“But it is not fully complied with, and the information services of the United Nations should be in a position to undertake the direct dissemination of documents and news emanating from the Assembly. There would thus be a control of all by all; this would promote the dissemination of accurate Information and show up cases where such information was being withheld. 183. We are all convinced that our planet is evolving politically; new sovereign States are being born - like the Federation of Malaya - new nations, proud of their rights and aspirations, and anxious to develop along the lines dictated by spiritual and historical needs. 184. In this sphere, my country has a modest claim to distinction. Our work in Somaliland, for example, has attracted attention and has been commended by the United Nations.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“A solution to this problem must ultimately be found through the action of Member States. Information is one of the cornerstones of the structure we have built. It is one of mankind's fundamental freedoms. 182. I would therefore like to ask our Secretary-General if we have, for example, figures from our information office? regarding the dissemination among the peoples of Hungary and the neighbouring countries of the Special Committee's report. This question, I assure you, is put without malice. The Italian delegation wonders whether all Member States should not be required to permit the free dissemination within their countries of information on important issues - disarmament and others - put out by the United Nations. I know that they have at least a moral obligation to do so.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“We cannot but regard it as an attempt at propaganda, whereas we on our side are making an honest and sincere effort towards progress. But perhaps their aim differs, too, and they are seeking to halt the defence effort of other States in order to be able to arm more freely in the meantime. But if so, where does the real danger lie? Who really threatens peace - the party which offers or the party which refuses? The answer is obvious. These are grave questions, for the very fate of the world hinges on the issue of peace. 181. There is another problem which should be raised in this connexion: that of freedom of information. It is included in our agenda. We recently had the pleasure of welcoming to Rome a conference of non-governmental organizations on United Nations information.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“As regards thermonuclear tests, no one, we believe, would seek to deny the apprehensions they arouse. They are a source of concern to us all and we all appreciate the risks involved. But a proposal has been made that such tests should be suspended and, on the other hand, that the production and stockpiling of nuclear weapons should be halted. We are told that this proposal has little merit. However, the connexion between the two requirements is quite obvious. How can it be claimed at this stage that the danger lies in the technical and theoretical development of the weapons and not in the accumulation of stockpiles? 180. Once again we are faced with a manoeuvre which casts doubt on the real intentions of some of the parties concerned.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“It is hardly necessary to say that I am referring particularly to the German situation, to the need to end the arbitrary partition imposed on a people and to recognize their right freely to determine their future through the exercise of a choice which is their moral, political and legal due. 178. As to the material and technical aspects of disarmament, we consider that, in certain circumstances, the armaments customarily described as conventional may be no less dangerous to the independence and freedom of countries than those described as atomic. If progress is to be made towards disarmament, the reductions agreed on for conventional and atomic armaments must be proportionate, so that a reduction in one means of defence does not increase the possibility of aggression by another means. 179.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“How could a State claim the right to supervise others without submitting to the same supervision itself? These are truisms, of course, but there seems to be a desire to disregard them or to use them for propaganda purposes, for levelling charges which are as baseless as they are inconsistent, and which we have the right and the duty to refute. 177. As regards the solution of political problems, we must recognize that disarmament cannot be used to perpetuate Injustices, which smoulder like embers in the ashes. Failure to deal with the causes which might lead directly to conflict between countries and peoples would be dangerous and would impede the restoration of confidence. And, without confidence, peace is always in danger.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“They are, of course, due to material causes, but psychological and moral factors are also involved, and the three cannot be separated. No one could fail to desire the reduction of armaments and the halting of that race which fills the future with horror. Unproductive expenditures weigh heavily on our national economies. 175. We, in Italy, certainly set far greater store by our reconstruction effort than by any armaments. But we wish to live in peace and in security. 176. But since mutual trust is not, and unfortunately cannot be complete, only control can ensure security. My country would be quite prepared to permit the inspection of its territory, on condition that the same control was accepted by other countries. Moreover, a State which intends to honour the commitments it has undertaken has no grounds for fear.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“A country which disarmed without being sure that a similar process was taking place in the countries confronting it would be impairing, not serving peace. 172. If a valid solution is to be found, all the elements of the problem must be taken into consideration and none must be neglected. Peace is the result of a balance of feelings and forces; that balance is very delicate and any change requires the closest study by the Governments concerned. 173. In my opinion, there are three main factors in this balance; first, the reduction of armaments, secondly, the guarantee of control, and thirdly, the solution of political problems. These three factors are interdependent and inseparable. 174. It has been said - and our Charter reasserts it - that wars are born in the minds of men.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Public opinion in our countries has followed the work of the Sub-Committee of the Disarmament Commission in London very closely. It knows that the West's desire to avoid a conflict is sincere. But it also knows that no agreement can be reached unless all parties are provided with reliable safeguards, both material and moral, against outside attack. 170. We must agree to disarmament, and we will certainly gladly do so when the time comes. But disarmament must bring with it a guarantee of security, and all parties must have an assurance that it does in fact diminish rather than increase the dangers to which they are exposed. It would indeed be extremely dangerous to allow a state of affairs in which the apparent weakness of some States aroused the cupidity of others.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“This brings me to another problem on which the world's attention and fears are focused and on which its very survival depends: the problem customarily referred to a as “disarmament”, on which we heard some very Interesting statements yesterday, particularly from the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Dulles [680th meeting]. 169. It seems to us that to refer only to disarmament is to state the problem incorrectly. Our aim is to establish conditions which will ensure the maintenance of peace. Disarmament is only one aspect of the problem of maintaining peace. To believe that wars will cease simply because the nations have disarmed is tantamount to believing that fires can be prevented simply by destroying the means of putting them out. 170.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Although compliance with the law by certain States, which were conscious of their obligations, represented a victory for the United Nations, the danger remains grave because others have not thought it necessary to do likewise. 166. We, for our part, stand ready to applaud any step taken by the Hungarian Government and the Soviet Government, in accordance with the decisions taken by this Assembly, for the purpose of alleviating the present tragic plight of the Hungarian people, whose political, legal and human rights are being violated. 167. Our responsibility towards all the Members of our Organization is clear. Only the future can tell whether there is room for hope and the prophets are mistaken. 168.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“But the events in Hungary do not concern us solely as the bitter and tragic ordeal of a people; they have also raised doubt and apprehension in the minds of all those who believe that international relations should be governed by law and that respect for the obligations to which we have subscribed here in the United Nations is the only form of force on which any of us, great or small, have the right to rely. 165. Public opinion and our own consciences forbid us to lose hope. For it would be a disaster for the peaceful future of the world - and a crime - if it were to be proved possible to stifle in blood once and for all the plea for independence which we all heard, almost literally, resounding through this hall and throughout the world. If the law is to endure, it must be respected by all.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“Moreover, a Government imposed and maintained from abroad continues to take, within a Member State, measures which constitute a continuous patent and flagrant violation of human rights. In our eyes, this is a very serious matter. 163. On whom, then, shall we rely to defend our prestige, if we cannot do so ourselves? What has become of respect for our Charter? What will become of our peoples’ confidence in the United Nations if a State, by virtue of its greater strength, can refuse to recognize the rights of another Member State when its own interests and ambitions are at stake? The report of the Special Committee on the Problem of Hungary [A/3592] is unequivocal. The Assembly has rightly recognized its value, and has voted by an overwhelming majority [677th meeting] to endorse a condemnation which the facts themselves enjoin. 164.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“The Assembly meets this time under the shadow of other dangers, originating in an area close to the one with which we were concerned last year, A new source of disorder and danger has been introduced by the interference of a foreign Power in the Near East - and this at a time when international order has not yet been restored in Europe, and when the same Power has dealt a heavy blow to the prestige and authority of the United Nations. Strong only in its might, a Member State, which likes to pose as the champion of the weak and the oppressed, and which has been found guilty in this Assembly of an armed attack on the population of another Member State, in violation of our fundamental law, has refused to bow to the common will so that justice may be restored. 162.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“It pervades this noble country, in which the United Nations decided to establish its headquarters, because it was born of freedom and lives by freedom. Freedom, that pure aspiration towards which mankind has striven throughout its history, leaves us a choice between success and failure, hope and despair, international law and chaos. But this choice implies a responsibility. 160. When the General Assembly met last year, the international situation had some extremely threatening aspects. Thanks to the efforts of the United Nations, thanks to its appeals, to which some countries, conscious of their responsibilities and faithful to the principles of the Charter, responded, the immediate crisis was contained. 161.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“I should like to stress this point before going any further and to offer Mr. Hammarskjold our very sincere thanks and an assurance of our appreciation. 158. The report is reassuring and vindicates our confidence, for it shows us the progress we have made despite difficulties which have often been harrowing. It also demonstrates the extent of our responsibility, since the future depends on the moral authority of our Organization and on its approach to the search for the necessary solutions. We bring our problems here in order to discuss them before public opinion, before mankind, which is observing us and which will judge our Organization by what we do. 159. The spirit of freedom reigns over our debates. It is in the very atmosphere of this hall.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“It is pleasure for me to associate myself, on behalf of the Italian Government, with the words of congratulation which the President and other speakers have addressed to the representative of this new State. The establishment of the Federation of Malaya is a significant example of the orderly and peaceful development of a Non-Self-Governing Territory towards independence. This successful development is a result of the constructive co-operation between the Government of the United Kingdom and the democratic institutions of the Federation of Malaya. We congratulate both parties on the wisdom and statesmanship which brought about this historic event. 157. The report of our Secretary-General [A/3594] reveals the scope of his activities and endeavours and bears witness to his devotion to our Organization.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)
“I, too, would like to congratulate Sir Leslie Munro on his election to the high office of President of this Assembly, and on the outstanding qualities which determined his colleagues’ choice. This tribute is an expression of the Italian delegation’s deep respect for the President personally and of its attitude towards the Assembly, which has elected him and which unites the representatives of peoples who are relying on us to defend their rights through the search for understanding and co-operation. That search is our duty. We begin our week in the keen hope that it will be crowned with success. 156. We were happy to welcome among us in the past few days a new Member State, the Federation of Malaya.”
1957-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 12 (1957)