YouSaid · the spoken record

PICCIONI

lines on the record: 188
first: 1958-09-24
most recent: 1967-09-24
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

“In thinking about intercontinental relations, I am led to the problems of Latin America, in which Italy's interest is not dictated by political calculation, but derives from our common human, cultural and religious origins with the people of that region. Moreover, political contacts between members of the Italian Government and those of the Latin American Governments have been particularly frequent in 1966 and this alone shows both our interest in Latin America and our sincere and fraternal friendship for that region. During the last twelve months Italy and all the Latin American Governments have succeeded in bringing to fruition the plan of establishing an Institute for Latin America in Home.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“There is certainly still a long way to go, but we have the encouraging feeling that we are now on the right road and this is what matters most. President Johnson’s statements of 7 October 1958 appear as a first confirmation of that feeling. 77. Against this now background, the question of European security appears in a more hopeful light and that obliges us to redouble our efforts to find, all of us together, a meeting ground. I would add that this understanding should obviously make it possible also satisfactorily to solve the problem of German reunification, without which it will be impossible to regard the situation in Europe as finally stabilised. 78.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“During the last twelve months, while there has admittedly been no appreciable progress towards European political unification, the European Economic Community has entered upon a phase of consolidation, in which the chief obstacles in its path could be overcome. At the same time, as I said earlier, there have been many exchanges of political, economic and cultural views among representatives of the Western European Governments and those of the socialist countries of Eastern Europe, and Italy has taken a very active part in them. 76. These meetings and exchanges of views have given both sides an opportunity of getting to know each other's positions better and even, in certain cases, reducing the distance between these positions.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“The Geneva Conference, if it has not yet succeeded in overcoming the negative factors outside its control, has nevertheless served to keep actively in being a dialogue which is essential for peace. The fact that the Western representatives and those of the Eastern bloc have continued to work in an atmosphere of cordiality and co-operation and the very fact that the common will for disarmament and a relaxation of tension has been reaffirmed in Geneva — these facts are of appreciable and concrete political significance. It therefore seems obvious to us that these Geneva contacts must be actively pursued and developed. 75. One of the problems most closely bound up with that of disarmament is without doubt the problem of European security.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“In our opinion the Assembly cannot escape the duty of devoting particular attention to this question. 73. In regard to collateral measures, moreover, the offer made by President Johnson on 8 October for a balanced reduction of the forces in Germany could open the way to agreements of some kind, which would unquestionably contribute towards further reducing international tension. 74. The Eighteen-Nation Committee, even if it has not managed to conclude any agreement, has nevertheless achieved a solid result in providing us with the elements of further progress; and that is one of the reasons why, at the beginning of my statement today, I did not feel that I ought to side with the extreme pessimists.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“I am sure that the Assembly will likewise try to give the closest attention to all the other problems discussed in Geneva, above all to that of the banning of underground tests and the United States' proposals for freezing stocks of nuclear weapons. In regard to the first point, a great many new ideas and interesting proposals which could facilitate agreement on the invariably controversial question of international inspection were put forward at the Geneva negotiations. In regard to the United States proposals for a freezing of stocks, the Italian delegation is convinced that to stop production of fissile material for military purposes and of offensive and defensive nuclear strategic devices would open up wide possibilities for an effective halt to the arms race in the most important and dangerous sectors.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Our idea, which was favourably and appreciatively received by the Assembly at its last session, could, if necessary, be redrafted and brought up to date so as to take into account the comments made on it by all delegations. 71. In our opinion special attention must be given to the requirements expressed by the non-aligned countries in the course of the debate, within the framework of a renunciation of nuclear weapons on their part, and set out in the Memorandum submitted by those countries in Geneva. In particular, we fully understand their desire for security guarantees and we share their view on this matter. 72.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“The Italian delegation hopes that a final and complete solution to the problem of non-proliferation can be found in the near future and that was why it immediately and gladly endorsed the Soviet draft resolution [A/C.1/L.368/Rev.l and Add.1-6] on banning any measure which might put further obstacles in the way of agreement on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. If however, the conclusion of a formal treaty on this subject is to be further delayed, we think it advisable to remind the Assembly of the possible interim solution which we envisaged last year. As you know, this was contained in the Italian proposal for a temporary and supervised nuclear moratorium to be achieved by means of unilateral declarations renouncing the acquisition of nuclear weapons.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“We think it would be useful to consolidate these bases of agreement by drawing up some articles of the treaty forthwith, so as to define the remaining obstacles and make it easier to remove them. The Italian delegation hopes that the Assembly will regard this approach, which is not only valuable from a procedural point of view but also has a definite political significance, as constructive and worth recommending to the negotiators in Geneva. 69. We are, of course, aware that a divergence of opinion still exists in regard to the conception of "nuclear weapons control". The Western view on this matter is that if the decision to use nuclear weapons remains in the hands of the present nuclear countries, there can be no proliferation, in accordance with the letter and the spirit of the General Assembly's recommendations themselves. 70.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“The Italian delegation, which has made every possible effort in Geneva, cannot but express its heartfelt regret at the continuing difficulties, but considers that the efforts should be maintained and intensified and that advantage should be taken of the limited but not insignificant results already achieved. 68. We have, in fact, the impression that, at least as far as non-proliferation is concerned, the Geneva proceedings have revealed the existence of certain not unimportant spheres of agreement; for this reason Italy thought it opportune to submit a memorandum annexed to the report of the Eighteen-Nation Committee, with a view to clarifying the features common to the two draft treaties on non-proliferation.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Nevertheless, as the recommendations of the General Assembly show, the conclusion of partial agreements on disarmament, which would reduce the most immediate dangers and rapidly improve mutual trust, is becoming an ever more urgent necessity and the most practical way of advancing step by step towards general disarmament and promoting the economic and social progress of all peoples. 66. The Eighteen-Nation Committee in Geneva, of which Italy is a member, has followed these guidelines by studying two problems particularly thoroughly this year — the ban on underground testing and the question of non-proliferation — the solution of which is a prerequisite for any progress towards disarmament. 67. Unfortunately, the Eighteen-Nation Committee has not yet succeeded in working out draft treaties on those matters for submission to the Assembly.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Reflection on these two questions might help towards a movement from different points of view, which would bring us all closer to a rational solution without creating new problems. 65. Turning now to the problems of disarmament, I want first of all to confirm once again the Italian Government's firm intention of actively encouraging any honest and fair agreement in this field, for we consider an agreement essential for the preservation and strengthening of peace. The long-term objective is still the one set by the United Nations: namely, general and complete disarmament.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“I would ask them whether they have yet done; anything, and whether they could not do more, to induce Peking to take an attitude which would cease to arouse the; present, mistrust. 63. A second question could be addressed to everyone in general and especially to those who, faced with the grave difficulties engendered by this problem, believe that today no solution is really feasible. We might ask ourselves whether it would not be worthwhile, using appropriate procedures and instruments, if necessary new ones, to make an objective study, within the United Nations and with the greatest discretion, of all elements of the problem, including its difficulties, and of the conditions, means and stages by which it could be resolved, while fully respecting the principles of the United Nations. 64.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“So long as this conflict of views persists and so long as the methods hitherto adopted are continued, not only will it be difficult to find a solution, but there will also bo a danger of prolonging sterile polemics. Peking's attitude to the great problems of disarmament and the peaceful solution of the grave present conflicts is unquestionably not helping to overcome; the serious objections of those; who dispute the existence of favourable conditions for an Immediate solution of the problem. 61. In view of the considerations I have mentioned, one may ask certain constructive questions. 62. I would first ask those who, seeing only one; side of the question, underestimate its gravity.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“In this connexion the Italian delegation warmly welcomes the return of Indonesia to the Organization; not only has the United Nations thus been able to welcome back a State of more than 100 million inhabitants, but it has also seen the end or a secession movement which could have caused grave concern about the Organization's future. 50. At this moment, however, universality would mean the admission of States which are still absent. We are not unaware that this question teems with practical difficulties. 60. In the first place, we are all well aware of the extreme divergences of attitude in regard to the representation of China in the United Nations.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Another question which has given rise to a vicious circle, from which we have not yet managed to break out, is that of the universality of the United Nations. In this matter the Italian delegation still believes that Certain considerations it put forward last year remain valid. 58. If the requirement of the Organization's universality is to be met, with full respect by States for the principles of the Charter, the United Nations must be coextensive with the entire international community and every Member must fulfil the obligations laid down in the Charter.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Only after such exchange can the first step towards agreement be taken and perhaps be made public immediately afterwards. As things stand at present, however, at least so far as the United Nations is concerned, we are still at the stage of public declarations which, more than anything else, nourish sterile polemics. If we really want to advance in the right direction, we shall have to think of something new in order to destroy the barrier of mistrust. 56. Lastly, there is a marked uncertainty about the objectives pursued by the parties, even in regard to the future, after the present conflict has been settled. Here again a positive result can be achieved only through new and appropriate procedures. 57.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Here we enter into the complicated field of psychological reactions and counter-reactions. 55. I should like, however, to say a few words on a key factor under which the whole situation may be subsumed: I mean mistrust. For there is dreadful and widespread mistrust. This, I repeat, is not surprising, if we remember that we are up against a bloody conflict, accompanied by the mourning, the misery and the havoc that we all deplore. How can this distrust be overcome? Everything shows that it can be overcome only by putting to the test the sincerity of publicly adopted attitudes which are considered by the other party as mere tricks of propaganda. Experience, however, shows that, if people are to know what to believe, suitable exchanges of view are necessary.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Goldberg's statements on Viet- Nam [1412th meeting] seems to me to be his assurance that the United States is not seeking a military solution to the conflict, but a political solution. Moreover, he has set out the position of the United States on the three essential questions — the bombings, the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country and the participation in peace negotiations — in terms which are not essentially very different from the proposals or ideas advanced by world figures whose impartiality and objectivity in this matter cannot be doubted. No careful observer could therefore deny that the necessary basis for starting negotiations already exists. It is no longer a question of prerequisites for negotiations; the problem is to find a common political will to negotiate.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“This state of mind is shown by the fact that the Rome Parliament has debated the problem of Viet-Nam perhaps more often than any other parliament in the world. Moreover, I cannot but note that all the speakers who have preceded me at this rostrum have, without exception, also spoken in favour of the cessation of the war in Viet-Nam. This encouraging unanimity could, at first sight, suggest that it will not be difficult to restore peace. On reflection, unfortunately, things look different. 54. In the first place, many of those who want an end to the conflict explicitly or tacitly add a condition: the victory of one side over the other. The restoration of peace must be sought for its own sake, in the general' interest of all and in the particular interest of the peoples concerned. In this connexion the most interesting point in Mr.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“In order that I also may contribute to the speedy conclusion of the general debate, I do not intend to speak at length on all the questions on our agenda and I propose to confine myself to some comments on a small number of particularly important matters, reserving my remarks on other items for the Committees. I shall start with the Viet-Nam conflict, which is not in fact on the Assembly's agenda, but which has been rightly mentioned by all those who have preceded me. 53. I should like to emphasize that all Italy fervently wants the Viet-Nam conflict to end and that the Government of my country, within the limits of its possibilities, intends to continue doing its best to help bring that about. On this point the views of all sectors of public opinion in Italy coincide.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Before these two diametrically opposed points of view, experience and prudence counsel that we choose a middle course. Admittedly, it is true that the international situation as a whole is overuse; but some broad rays of light shine through. In recent months, for example, the sanguinary conflict between Indonesia and Malaysia has been brought to an end. 51. At the same time, Europe has seen a remarkable intensification of contacts between the Western and Eastern European Powers. These contacts, as witnessed, among other things, by President Johnson’s most recent statements, have led to a certain rapprochement which gives promise of encouraging developments. How can one be entirely pessimistic in the light of these events? 52.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“These facts lead the pessimists to gloomy forecasts of future developments, both in regard to the possibilities of preserving peace and, in particular, in regard to the future of the United Nations. The optimists, on the other hand, are inclined to think that settlement of the differences I have mentioned is not far off; they believe that, despite the absence of formal agreement, the Geneva negotiations on disarmament have narrowed the gap between certain points of view, thus making possible the conclusion of an agreement on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the near future; they also see prospects for the conclusion of a treaty on the peaceful uses of outer space; they place great hopes in the declarations of goodwill uttered by the parties concerned and count on the ultimate victory of common sense. 50.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“48. In the final phase of this debate, in which some sixty- six speakers have preceded me, it is now possible to make a preliminary appraisal of what has been said so far. In substance, we have heard two opposing points of view: that of the pessimists and that of the optimists. The former put the emphasis on a long list of undeniably negative facts, such as the dangerous intensification of the conflict in Viet-Nam, the failure of efforts to give the United Nations a completely universal character, the absence of new agreements on disarmament and the lack of agreement on certain fundamental problems facing the Organization, such as the functioning of peace-keeping operations and the elimination of the final deficit.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“We hope that this resumption of negotiations will result in a speedy settlement of the entire controversy. 170. To conclude my statement, may I say that those among us —and if I am not mistaken, they are not few in number— who have considerable political experience know full well that it is better for responsible statesmen to exercise utmost care in their language so as to avoid the risk of being deluded by events. Nevertheless, I do not hesitate to voice here my optimism on the results of our deliberations at this session.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“The second matter to which I should like to call your attention is that, throughout this entire period, the Italian Study Commission for the problems of Alto Adige has continued, and has almost completed, its work aimed at solving the substance of the problem at the internal level. This effort made by the Italian Government —with the co-operation, as I already mentioned, of qualified representatives of the German speaking inhabitants— should crown our endeavours to eliminate the sources of contention over the implementation of the Paris Agreement of 5 September 1946. 169. However, I should like once again to stress that, provided no further attempt is made to vitiate the atmosphere between the two countries, we are still prepared to hold a meeting with the Austrian Foreign Minister in October.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“It is not the first time that this has happened, and it has been seen recently how the Council of Europe vindicated the Italian judiciary with respect to similar accusations made by Austria on previous occasions. The Italian Government considers that the misrepresentations of fact and the unfounded allegations contained in certain statements by Austrian authorities are incompatible with paragraph 3 of General Assembly resolution 1497 (XV) of 31 October 1960. Above all, we cannot but indignantly reject the statement alleging the existence of evidence to the effect that prisoners of Alto Adige have been tortured. 168.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“There can, therefore, be no doubt that the Italian Government could not fruitfully resume negotiations with the Austrian Government if Vienna should fail to take due account also of the last point in the General Assembly's resolutions. Thus, while we regret, as I said before, the fact that the surveillance at the Austrian border is not exercised in such a way as to constitute a serious obstacle to the crossing into Italy of terrorists with their warlike equipment —notwithstanding the Italian Government's repeated appeals to the Austrian Government for co-operation to that end— I should also like to recall and strongly deplore the recent statements by Austrian authorities against the Italian judiciary.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“If the Austrian Government had accepted our proposal, the meeting in New York would already have taken place and our willingness to negotiate could not have been questioned. The Austrian Government, on the other hand, prefers a date in October, and insists that the meeting be held in Europe. 166. At this stage, may I be allowed to emphasize two circumstances. The meeting between the two Foreign Ministers was recommended by the United Nations General Assembly in resolution 1497 (XV) of 31 October 1960 and resolution 1661 (XVI) of 28 November 1961. However, these resolutions are predicated on three points, the last of which recommends that both parties refrain from any action which might impair their friendly relations. This third point cannot be divorced from the first. 167.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“This could not fail to affect adversely the climate of Italian public opinion as it was impossible not to associate those terrorist activities with the lack of effective preventive action in neighbouring Austrian territory to preclude the crossing of terrorists and their weapons into Italy. In the Italian Government's view Austria is explicitly bound to undertake such preventive action under article 9 of the State Treaty, which requires it to prohibit and suppress all activities on the part of organizations engaging in actions hostile to any Member of the United Nations. In this situation Italy felt that it would be preferable to propose that the meeting in question should be held in September, at the beginning of the session of the United Nations General Assembly.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“We promptly agreed to this suggestion. However, the arrival of Ambassador Waldheim in Rome, towards the end of July 1963, coincided exactly with the resumption in Alto Adige of the terrorist activities which had practically ceased during the previous twelve months. 165. In spite of these far from encouraging occurrences, the basis was laid in Rome for an agreement on the agenda for the planned meeting. This circumstance, however, brought about a negative reaction on the part of those who had an interest in sabotaging Italo-Austrian relations. In fact, the acts of terrorism steadily increased so that in recent weeks the total number of incidents reached a very high figure.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“It is true that, in the meantime, the previous Government had remained in office as a caretaker government, but it had none the less resigned, and it is hardly surprising that we should have wished to deal with a Government that would be representative of the new Parliament. By the time such a Government had been constituted in Austria, general elections were about to begin in Italy, requiring a further lapse of time before the new Italian Cabinet was established. On the very day that my country's Parliament passed a vote of confidence in the new Government, I hastened to ask Vienna to indicate a date for the meeting of the two Foreign Ministers. It was in reply to that Italian proposal that Austria expressed the wish to send a senior official to Rome in order to discuss the agenda for the proposed meeting.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“While I would not wish to comment here on the political wisdom of such an innovation for a meeting that was to be held on the eve of the Austrian general elections, the mere fact that it had been made implied that the meeting would have had a different nature from those held in Venice and New York. Hence Italy's request to study the situation created by this element. 164. So the meeting did not take place at that time, mainly on account of the impending Austrian general elections, which meant that several months were to elapse before anew Austrian Government was formed.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“These talks had once more placed the Italo-American negotiations in a perspective of hopeful expectation while, at the same time, the Italian Government was working on the problem at the internal level by means of a Study Commission entrusted with the task of preparing —with the co-operation of representatives of the German-speaking inhabitants of the Alto Adige— proposals for specific legislative measures for the further improvement of the autonomous regional Statute. However, just before the scheduled meeting, we learnt that the composition of the Austrian delegation was not to be limited to the immediate associates of the Foreign Minister, but was to include members of the Tyrolean regional Government.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“As a matter of fact, this is quite true, and the Italian Government, which is anxious for a speedy resumption of the bilateral negotiations with Austria, is the first to regret, not only this circumstance in itself, but above all the causes which brought it about. What, then, are the origins of the present situation? 162. When I met Mr. Kreisky a year ago in New York, at the seventeenth session of the General Assembly, we agreed on the advisability of meeting again at the beginning of November, At that time I envisaged a continuation of the talks between the two Foreign Ministers that had taken place in Venice at the end of the previous July. 163.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“It is our firm hope that this new political and psychological atmosphere may open substantial and favourable prospects also in the economic field, 160. At this point I feel obliged to extend my statement in order to explain the Italian Government's position on the problem of the status of the German-speaking inhabitants of the Alto Adige —a subject on which Mr. Kreisky, the Austrian Foreign Minister, spoke at length yesterday [1217th meeting], 161. The Austrian Government complains that, during the past twelve months, no meeting has been held between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Still on the subject of international economic cooperation, I should like to recall that the Italian Government recently had the honour of being host in Rome to the United Nations Conference on International Travel and Tourism. That Conference was the first initiative of its kind in the United Nations framework. Indeed, we were gratified to note that the Conference reached a successful conclusion, laying the basis for the fruitful development of that important facet of co-operation among Member States. 159. Finally, I should like to draw attention to the statement made by the Secretary-General in the introduction to his annual report [A/5501/Add.1] to the effect that the past year has been marked by a number of developments which will further the success and effectiveness of the United Nations.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“While we are all aware of the essential need to tackle these problems in a spirit of frank co-operation, we know equally well that the broadening of international trade and the granting of financial aid, however essential, are not in themselves sufficient to solve the problems of development. Those instruments should be supplemented by technical assistance, which is indispensable for the establishment of the infrastructures necessary for industrialization and for the professional training of cadres in the developing countries. This is afield which lends itself to fruitful action by the United Nations, and a field in which Italy can offer its accumulated experience. Particularly valuable, in our view, is the work done by the United Nations Special Fund for pre-investment projects. 158.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Italy, a member of the European Economic Community and thus well aware of the advantages of integration and close co-operation with other countries, will strive to ensure that the Community itself will participate in the consolidation of international economic co-operation, inspired by principles intended to enhance the development of world trade and the gradual elimination of restrictions and barriers. Likewise we shall strive to ensure that the Community —in the very spirit of the Rome Treaties— should look toward, to the world around it, in a liberal and constructive approach, avoiding selfish, inward-looking tendencies. 157.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“In that respect, I am especially convinced that only by harmonizing rationally organized assistance with adequate solutions to the principal problems of international trade will it be possible to make constructive progress towards the aims we are pursuing. 155. Fully aware that international trade can become one of the main instruments for improved development of the developing areas, we earnestly intend to contribute with all in our power to the success of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to be held next spring. 156.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Even more than the mobilization of new energies, the result at stake requires essentially a qualitative improvement and an appropriate co-ordination of assistance, in a joint effort by the developing and the industrialized countries which would take into account all different components which must interact harmoniously in the various phases of the development process. 153. In this connexion I should like to stress a number of specific points with reference to which the United Nations can exercise a primary propellant function. 154. The first of these points is undoubtedly the formula of "trade and aid" which we have advocated and which we are gratified to see universally accepted in recent years.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“This year too, during our proceedings, frequent references will be made to the provisions of General Assembly resolution 1710 (XVI). We know that the general anxious expectation is expressed at times in a tone of optimism and at other times in a tone of pessimism. In fact the broadness and complexity of the objectives to be attained are such as to impose careful reflection, strict discipline and unceasing efforts in the field of international co-operation, if we want the Development Decade to represent the first great step towards the substantial reduction of the economic gap dividing a world which the United Nations, instead, should seek to bring together in equality, prosperity and peace. 152.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“From this background there emerges the problem of balanced development on a world scale, which has become the central problem of our time and which is transforming the world around us. 151. During the fifties we saw considerable progress in identifying the lines of action to be followed, as well as in achieving a better understanding of the requirements for an accelerated advance towards the attainment of conditions of complete independence for all countries of the world, also from an economic and social standpoint. It is, therefore, from this foundation that during the sixties, during the United Nations Development Decade, we should continue to pursue on a practical plane the programme for action, hearing in mind the importance of laying a solid basis which will allow all the peoples to build their own future with confidence.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“In the economic field, the general conviction has been growing in recent years that there is a need for increasingly close collaboration on a world-wide scale. That is certainly a positive development, which leads us to hope that we shall be able to continue with greater effectiveness the action necessary for the attainment of the objectives set out in the United Nations Charter. 150. The vast expansion of economic frontiers, which is the dominant characteristic of our day, emphasizes now the concept of the interdependence of the various continents which bands together by common needs and objectives all countries irrespective of their political and economic conditions.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“to convene in the first quarter or first half of 1964 a conference of States members of the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament with the participation of political leaders of the highest level". [1208th meeting, para. 130.] 148. That proposal is not new; however, the context in which it is put forth is new. That is to say, it has been advanced in a statement the novel tone of which we found most gratifying. Notwithstanding certain controversial remarks with which we do not agree, Mr. Gromyko has emphasized the improved prospects opening up for the Geneva disarmament negotiations. We should be gratified to accede to this idea if sufficient progress in the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament, when it resumes work, will have brought about the appropriate conditions to enable a high-level meeting to bear certain fruit. 149.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“It is now up to the General Assembly, in these substantially favourable circumstances, to give new impetus to the process of disarmament and to the Geneva negotiations, I believe we shall be successful in this task, if, as we have already done in recent sessions, we confirm our encouragement and establish new guide-lines to enable the negotiating body on disarmament to resume its work as soon as possible and to concentrate its efforts on those points on which a "rapprochement" is already in sight. 146. Let us, therefore, stress those issues which can unite us and not those which divide us, and we shall undoubtedly be able to make further positive contributions to the favourable process that has begun. 147. The Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union, Mr. Gromyko, in his statement here on 19 September 1963 proposed: "...”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“It is our desire, in fact, that in accordance with the provisions of the Charter, all countries in the community of nations should feel, to an ever-growing extent, confident of their future and free from any concern of outside threats, so that they may devote all their energies to the betterment and the uplifting, in every way, of the free life of their peoples. 145.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“We are convinced that our faithful acceptance of the solemn obligations of the Charter, the purely defensive aims of the alliance to which we belong and the specific posture of all our policy represent in themselves the best guarantees to reassure any country of our peaceful intentions. Nevertheless, the Italian Government, always anxious to contribute to any improvement in the international situation, is, in principle, favourable to any act or statement which would help to restore mutual confidence and ensure better prospects for co-operation among all peoples. This applies not only and primarily to the prohibition of outright military aggression, but in general to all actions or steps which, directly or indirectly, may represent a threat to the free existence of States or may affect their security and give rise to mutual suspicion. 144.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“That is the goal we seek. 142. If in the world-wide peaceful vision of the foreign policy pursued by the Italian Government, the Atlantic Alliance has this essential function of military equilibrium, an equally important part is that held by the building of Europe's political integration. Its achievement, in our view, would provide a further substantial support for the maintenance of peace in the world by eliminating all anxieties in the European continent and by overcoming those outdated forms of nationalism which lie at the root of a good many international difficulties. Thus, by striving for the political unity of Europe, Italy professes to be working for the lasting maintenance of peace. 143.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Within this cursory review of the problems of peace, may I also be allowed to elucidate one point with regard to the Atlantic Alliance. The Alliance has not and never has had aggressive intentions towards anyone and has actually proved its desire for peace even in difficult circumstances. That, moreover, has always been and remains the firm resolve of all its members, including West Germany, in respect to which baseless accusations have sometimes been made. 141. Italy became a member of NATO because it was convinced that in a world unfortunately still armed, only the balance of forces permits the maintenance of peace and discourages aggression, though always with the hope that a time would come when peace could be ensured, not by regional equilibrium of armaments, but through a global security system in a totally disarmed world.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)