YouSaid · the spoken record

Salem

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS SALEM

lines on the record

42

first

1969-09-24

most recent

1983-09-24

sittings or episodes

2

sources

un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

1. “What I ask of the international community assembled in this Hall is to help the Lebanese nation secure the normal, the minimum, conditions of national existence. The Lebanese people themselves are anxious to achieve the rest. The Lebanese are a capable, inventive and industrious people. They will not succumb to the rages of international chaos and conflict but will mould a stronger and deeper national entity out of the suffering that they have endured. We like to think that we are not alone in this struggle, and we look to our brothers in the society of nations for encouragement, assistance and support.”

   1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

2. “Tate Lebanese dream of leading simple, ordinary lives. They dream of returning to their cities, to their towns, to their visages. They dream of opening their shops in the morning and closing them in the evening. They dream of harvesting their crops, of sending their children to school and of welcoming them home in the evening. They dream of peaceful walks to the village spring. They dream of gathering as the sun goes down at recounting ordinary stories and ordinary events in an ordinary life. They dream of what others take for granted. 321. I bring with me the aspirations of a beleaguered people. My voice encompasses the voice of tens of thousands of men, women and children who have lost their lives in a merciless international conflict. 322.”

   1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

3. “For over 100 years Lebanese have been emigrating to the Far East, to South-East Asia, to Australia, to New Zealand, to Africa, to the Americas and, more recently, to Europe at the Gulf States. Ambitious and daring Lebanese have been responsible for great intellectual, artistic and developmental achievements in the new lands that they have made their homes. In most of the countries represented in the Assembly Lebanese hold key positions in government, education and business. They left their native country in search of a dream, the dream of excelling and of giving their progeny more, much more, than they had themselves. I also know, however, of the dreams of the Lebanese today in the tortured land of Lebanon. They are simple dreams. Most representatives would be surprised that they are called dreams at all.”

   1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

4. “The stage has been set for the formation of a Government of national unity and the opposition has been invited to participate in it. 319. We have in the past year built an army committed to the impartial defence of the entire Lebanese polity, an army of all the people, for all the people. The cohesion of the army in the past month is a reflection of the cohesion that holds Lebanese society together irrespective by outsiders. We have given peace and order to the city of Beirut, the only area exclusively under Government authority. Where the Government holds sway, the different communities in peace as one family, and no one looks askance at his neighbour. 320. In speaking to the Assembly about Lebanon I am speaking of a subject not unfamiliar to representatives.”

   1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

5. “If there is any crisis whose consequences spies the beginning or the end of an era, it is the Lebanese crisis. In a the historical sense Lebanon's crisis is axial and future events will be judged by what was done or left undone at this juncture. 318. Lebanon is doing the impose within the limited means at its disposal. The Government exercises effective control over barely 15 per cent of the territory, and yet the people, irrespective of the force that exercises control over them, are overwhelmingly with the Government. President Gemayel has called again and again on all leaders of the opposition to joining a dialogue that will establish the precipices on which the new Lebanon will be founded. Now a dialogue committee has been established and efforts are under way to convene it as soon as possible.”

   1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

6. “Soviet-American rivalry in the Middle East endangers the delicate international balance of power. The Palestinian problem poses a threat to peace in the Arab East. The Arab-Israel problem threatens the State system in the region. And, finally, there is the problem of radical minority movements and the danger they pose to a stable social order in the area. 317. If dialogue and diplomacy can succeed in Lebanon this success will breed other successes, and the parties to the effort Will gain credibility and momentum and go on to resolve other problems. If Lebanon fails, every society from Morocco in the west to the Guff States in the east will be threatened. Now the world looks on as the battier between order and anarchy rages; every regime in the region awaits its outcome.”

   1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

7. “We now look to the United Nations to help us establish the mechanism that can adequately supervise it. We hope that this urgent and humane objective will have the enthusiastic support of ail Members of the Organization. 315. In short, Lebanon's message to the General Assembly is this: help us remove all non-Lebanese forces from our country, and Lebanon on its own will resolve its internal tensions and resume its valuable position as a contributor to world peace and international prosperity, both cultural and economic. 316. The Middle East is undoubtedly a region fraught with conflicts, but of all the problems of the region the Lebanese problem is the most crucial and therefore the most urgent. The Iran-Iraq war poses a danger to the stability of the Oaf.”

   1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

8. “We are deeply grateful to the United States, France, Italy and the United Kingdom for their peace- keeping forces in our country and for the support they are giving the Government in attaining its broad objectives. Lebanon must pay a special tribute to President Reagan, who has wholeheartedly committed himself to helping Lebanon regain its unity, sovereignty and independence. In the past week the efforts of the United States and of Saudi Arabia, in quiet and intensive diplomacy between Beirut and Damascus, have led to a cease-fire which we hope will end the bloodshed and start the political process of conciliating conflicts and interests. We are grateful to the United States and to Saudi Arabia and to their able diplomats who worked tirelessly in achieving the cease-fire.”

   1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

9. “The agreement reached in May 1983 between Lebanon and Israel under United States sponsorship requires Israel to withdraw fully from Lebanon. Recently, President Gemayel sent letters to President Assad and to Mr. Arafat asking them to withdraw their armed forces from Lebanon. 313. The Security Council has repeatedly reaffirmed our right to extend our sovereignty throughout our land. Since 1978 the United Nations has maintained UNIFIL in the south, a force which against heavy odds has upheld Lebanon's legitimate rights in the area of its operation, providing security and hope to the local population. To the counters contributing to this force we express our deep gratitude. 314.”

   1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

10. “When Lebanon signed an agreement regarding the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, only two members of Parliament cast their votes against it. An impressive national consensus exists to end the wars of others on our land, to remove all non-Lebanese forces from the country and to stand behind the President in his efforts to liberate, unite and develop Lebanon. 312. A year ago we asked the Twelfth Arab Summit Conference, held at Fez, to acknowledge Lebanon's decision to remove Israeli, Syrian and PLO forces from Lebanon. In early spring we asked the Seventh Conference of Heads of state or Government of Non-Aligned Counties, at New Delhi, to support Lebanon's right to get all non-Lebanese forces out of the country.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

11. “The different communities of Lebanon were forced by political and military facts costing about them to take sides. n conflicts involving the Israelis, the Palestinians and the Syrians, virtually no community was allowed the freedom to be truly neutral and truly Lebanese. Only after the battier had raged for some time did the Lebanese begin to realize what was actually happening oh their land. When the realization was complete, they rallied to the cause of Lebanon and tried to extricate it from the web of forces in which it had become entangled. Accordingly the duly elected Parliament, one of the few truly representative parliaments in the Middle East, freely and unanimously elected Amin Gemayel to the presidency. The Parliament represents all communities, all regions, all political trends in the country.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

12. “Lebanon's sin, if sin it be, is that it was too free in a region where freedom was not appreciated, too Iberia in a region known for its powerful regimes and too permissive of acts and thoughts that openly sought to undermine the very system that nurtured them. 310. it has now learned its lesson. it will continue to cherish freedom, but will not permit it to deteriorate into anarchy; it will continue to uphold Iberia, pluralistic values but not at the expense of a strong and vibrant nation State; it will tolerate, at indeed cultivate, diversity of thought and organization, but within the dear cut confines of the unity of the State, the unity of the people and the unity of governmental institutions. 3. Lebanon's wars is a regional war with international dimensions.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

13. “Syria, in its confrontation with Israel, has become highly militarized and impatient with Lebanon's liberal regime. Revolutionary Arab States exploited Lebanon's pluralistic structure and encouraged the rise of movements and parties whose objectives were in conflict with the broad-based consensus on which the Lebanese pluralistic, democratic order is based. 309. When others were busy mobilizing masses, building armies and concentrating power in ruling Elites, the Lebanese were contributing to peace and excelling in trade and finance, in education and health and in the promotion of the arts and the fine things of life. Perhaps in ail this we underestimated the necessity of building a strong State, strong institutions and a strong national army.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

14. “Lebanon is, in effect, reaping the fruits of all that has gone wrong in Middle East politics in the past 50 years, or of all the policies that have failed to acquire legitimate status in the fluctuating order of the Middle East politics. To allow Lebanon to flounder in its present course is to aggravate the conflicts of the region and to export them beyond its frontiers into Syria, Iraq and the Gulf States, which are also, like Lebanon, mixed societies whose elements could be ignited by the fires of ideological passion. 308. Palestinian refugees flooded Lebanon in the wake of the establishment of Israel, and in time the refugees became fighters challenging not only Israel but the very liberal Lebanese order that allowed them to thrive.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

15. “Thus a Lebanon afflicted by forces from beyond its frontiers proclaims to the Assembly in word and in deed its readiness to accommodate what these forces claim to be equitable, fair and just to them. We are ready to reason with alt, clinging to what is our own, while allowing to the limits of rationally and liberality what others claim to be their interest in what is our own. 305. Because of our legal rights under the Charter of the United Nations, under international law and under the rules of civilized existence, we feel justified in calling upon the moral conscience of mankind, represented in the Assembly, to save this valiant and beleaguered democracy. 307. Lebanon, because of its pluralistic society, its democratic form of government and its geographical location, has become the centre of conflicting policies in the region.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

16. “Now, however, neither Lebanon nor the Palestinians wishes to perpetuate a tragedy which may translate itself into havoc not only for the Lebanese but also for the Palestinian civilian population in Lebanon as well. We therefore call on the PLO to reciprocate the good will it has enjoyed from the Lebanese by withdrawing its fighters, as its leaders had agreed to do. To the Palestinians whose presence in Lebanon is legal we say that we recommit ourselves to them in this world forum and reaffirm that they wish enjoy all rights and privileges provided by the taw. They will thus be able to resume a normal and secure item, unequalled in its freedom and its cultural implications in any other country of the Middle East. 304.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

17. “Together with Other elements and some local militias supported by external forces, they were directly Involved in fighting the Lebanese Army and in preventing it from extending its authority in the area recently evacuated by the Israelis. Since 1970 Lebanon has been the base for military actions by the PLO against Israel, actions which led to successive air raids by Israel and two invasions of Lebanon, in 1978 and 1982, the second of which led to Israeli occupation of south Lebanon. The Lebanese, more than any other people in the Arab world, gave the Palestinians the opportunity to experiment with all types of methodologies to reclaim their legitimate rights. If they have failed to do so it is not for lack of good will on the part of Lebanon.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

18. “Lebanon has made it abundantly clear that it intends to cultivate these relations, to address our common interests and to work with Syria in the promotion of ideals which the peoples of the two countries share. Now Lebanon calls upon Syria to extend a helping hand, to give meaning and substance to the bond of brotherhood that ties the Arab States toga her. We expect Syria to withdraw its forces in a manner that will promote Lebanon's sovereignty while at the same time addressing Syria's security concerns. 303. Palestinian fighters in Lebanon are now based near Tripoli in the north and near Baalbek in the east.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

19. “The prolongation of a Syrian military presence In Lebanon is likely to exacerbate relations between Lebanon and Syria, and It works to the disadvantage of both, in the Syrian-held territory of Lebanon, Palestinians, Iranians, Libyans and a number of local organizations, armed and directed by the Syrians, have been pitted against the forces of the legitimately Constituted Government. Clearly, Syria and Lebanon have many inseparable interests, some of which have increased greatly in the past seven years. Cleary, the relations between Lebanon and Syria were and still are destined to be qualitatively closer than the relations between Lebanon and any other country in the Middle East.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

20. “To the Jewish people, who have tasted the bitter pill of destruction, we now proclaim in this international forum "Let your actions match your words. You wanted security for your northern frontiers. You have got that security in the proposed agreement". In the light of emerging political facts we urge Israel to reconsider the obstacles which are making the implementation of the agreement difficult. 302. Syria effectively controls about one half of Lebanese territory. Its army no longer enjoys the umbrella of legitimacy that the Lebanese Government had provided since 1976. No one will deny that Syrian forces have played a balancing role in the past in the raging international conflicts fought on Lebanese territory, but this is no longer the case.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

21. “The political philosophy of a traditional society is adjusting to the realties of super-Power conflict, pervasive ideologies, supranational mass movements and modern military threats. of Host third world nations, and to understand and successfully treat the problems of Lebanon would be to avert similar uncertainty and conflict in the third world of the next few decades. 30. Lebanon today finds itself occupied by three regular armies and by surrogate fighting forces attached to these armies. Israel occupies about one third of Lebanese territory, in the area under its control it raises local armies and militias; it trains them, equips them and provides them with logistical support. Israel declares to the world that it understands Lebanon and wants to save it, yet it proceeds to act in a manner that wilts idea to its destruction.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

22. “We stand before the world asking for an opportunity to be left to ourselves in order to allow our democratic ways to resolve the tensions in our nation. This request is in no way Utopian or unreasonable, for many of the oldest and most stable Member States of the Organization—European, Asian and American—have experienced similarly tumultuous and dangerous periods in their past as they forged heterogeneous populations into unified, modern nation States. Thus, in addition to our courage, determination and faith, historical precedent is on our side. 300. in Lebanon, a pluralistic society is attempting to reach mature nationhood. The contours of religions and faiths are being redefined in order to conform to the requirements of the modern State.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

23. “experience in democratic government, unique in the Arab world. Until war broke out, Lebanon was the cultural and economic capital of the Middle East, the meeting place of Arab and Western intellectuals, the centre for international trade and a precocious example of successful, peaceful democratic government. 298. In 1975, as the society of civilized States looked on, this young democracy succumbed to a host of Arab- Israeli, inter-Arab and East-West tensions. To be sure, Lebanon, take other heterogeneous societies, had its share of internal tensions, but the virtue of democracy is that it can remind these tensions peacefully, unlike other forms of government which can only resist and suppress them. 299.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

24. “Those who maintain these absurdities see their interests best served in conflict and confrontation; they would feel lost and purposeless in a society of civilized, co-operative and peace-loving nations. They insist that Lebanon will always remain intractable, hoping thereby to dissuade the United Nations from exercising its peaceful role or friendly Powers from extending a sympathetic, helping hand. 297. In the face of this propaganda and through eight years of bloodshed, economic ruin and foreign intervention of every sort, it is proof of our inevitable viability as a nation that no Lebanese faction has ever entertained the idea of partition or secession. The Lebanese people are absolutely committed to a unified and independent Lebanon. What the Lebanese people share is a precious?”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

25. “We should not pay an additional price for Pease. As a Member of the United Nations we want our rights to be restored to us." This appeal of yesterday is still our appeal of today, for we Lebanese desperately need peace and security with freedom and justice. Furthermore, it is our right, indeed our responsibility, to explain our case to the Assembly and to absolve ourselves before the court of history, lest misunderstanding of the Lebanese problem usher the region into a war that could threaten the existing order in the globally pivotal Middle East. 296. There is a great deal of ideological propaganda that insists that Lebanon will always be in turmoil, that Lebanon can never contribute to civilized and purposeful lives.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

26. “My delegation specifically supports the Secretary- General's proposal to dispatch fact-finding missions to areas of tension, to prevent possible conflicts which could endanger international peace and security. 294. Our agenda this year is replete with increasingly complex and still unresolved problems affecting internal- tonal peace. Lebanon, a founding member of the United Nations and a nation sensitive to the problems of other nations, finds itself once more In the vortex of the storm. We are therefore compelled to focus on our own problems, sine it is our nation's very existence that is in danger. 295. One year ago, at the thirty-seventh session, President Amin Gemmate stated here: "... we have had enough; enough of bloodshed, enough of destruction, enough of dislocation and despond. We have paid the high price of war.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

27. “I also wish to pay a warm tribute to the Secretary- General for Ms dedicated work on behalf of peace. His clear vision of the international community and of the United Nations peace-keeping and peace-keeping capabilities, his human and diplomatic Qualities and the Competent way in which he guides the work of the Organization is alt worthy of our highest esteem. 292. My delegation has carefully studied the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization We express our support for the valuable comments and observations in this report, especially those relating to the endeavours to enhance the effectiveness of the Security Council and strengthen the United Nations peace-keeping operations, whose missions and objectives are set by the Security Council. 293.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

28. “288. I wish first to thank all heads of delegation who have spoken with empathy and with concern for my country, Lebanon. I sincerely hope that a reunited and reinvigorated Lebanon will promote the great causes to which they all contribute. I am pleased to congratulate the President on his election to the presidency of the thirty-eighth session. My congratulations acquire special significance in view of the close relations existing between our two countries, as well as the traditional ties of friendship and co-operation that characterize relations between Latin America and Lebanon. 290. I wish to express appreciation to the President's predecessor, Mr. Imre Hollai, for the able manner in Which he presided over the thirty-seventh session. 291.”

    1983-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 38 (1983)

29. “History will judge harshly those who are indifferent or hostile, whoever they may be. And not only history but also the inexorable march of future events.””

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

30. “To preserve peace, to promote the development of every nation and of every human being, we must endeavour to overcome evil instincts so that love for peace and justice, tolerance and the sense of brotherhood may triumph among men. 103. This is Lebanon’s moral code. Recently, for example, his Excellency, the President of the Republic of Lebanon, made the following statement: “Lebanon's role in the Arab world and in the world at large is so important and so necessary that any aggression against our territory and against cur national and our human mission is an aggression against those values without which there can be neither life nor progress for mankind as a whole. “Any sign of indifference to our just cause an the part of any State, large or small, condemns that same State which is guilty of it.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

31. “Furthermore, it dares to demand, as the fruit of its military victory, security for its boundaries, to the detriment of the security of the other States of the Middle East. 101. In his address to the General Assembly [1755th meeting], the president of the United States spoke of secure and recognized boundaries. However, you are not unaware of the fact that boundaries secure from threats or acts of violence are no longer geographical and that no border today can resist the power of modern weapons. Secure boundaries are rather of a moral character; what ensures them is the spirit of peace, the desire for peace and respect for international law. 102.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

32. “The two Arab States most directly concerned in the conflict accepted this international instrument, which had been unanimously adopted by the Council, and co-operated loyally with the Secretary-General’s Personal Representative in an endeavour to find ways and means of implementing it. The United Arab Republic and Jordan have given proof of their extreme good faith with regard to the Security Council’s resolution; and Lebanon can only reaffirm its solidarity with these States and press for the full implementation of this text. By adopting a negative attitude, Israel is deliberately sabotaging all chances of peace; it continues unremittingly to defy international law and the decisions of the Assembly.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

33. “It is this policy of aggression and conquest, pursued by Israel with the arrogance of one confident of impunity, that is adding to the toll of victims, piling up acts of destruction and plunging the whole region into violence and insecurity. One must be blind, or else simply refuse to see, not to realize that this policy can lead only to a general conflagration which might destroy the world. 100. Nevertheless, there was recently an exceptional opportunity of reaching a peaceful and honourable settlement of the Middle East problems on the basis of Security Council resolution 242 (1967), dated 22 November 1967.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

34. “Article VIII of the Agreement provides, in fact, that it will remain in force until a peaceful settlement has been reached and that it can be denounced only with the agreement of the two parties. 98. In another statement, quoted by the Israeli newspaper Maariv on 30 April 1968, the Israeli Defence Minister said: “It may be possible to arrive at peace treaties between ourselves and the Arab countries, but the Arabs are asking a very high price. I pray to heaven that that day will never come.” 99. It is statements of that kind by Israeli officials which are responsible for the whole trend of domestic and foreign policy in the Near and Middle East.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

35. “Our generation got as far as the "borders of 1949. But the generation of the Six Days War was able to get as far as Suez, Jordan and the Golan Heights. This is not the end, for beyond the present cease-fire lines, there will still be new lines beyond the Jordan, perhaps as far as Lebanon and perhaps also as far as central Syria.” 96. General Dyan’s statements have been transformed into deeds by the Israeli attacks which have been incessantly directed against our territory ever since the attack on Beirut international airport on 28 December 1968. 97. In this connexion, Israel has unilaterally denounced the General Armistice Agreement between Lebanon and Israel of 23 March 1949. However, contrary to the statement made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel in the Assembly, Lebanon considers that Agreement to be still valid.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

36. “The peaceful statements of its leaders are intended solely to dull the vigilence of international opinion, Behind them is visible a desire for territorial expansion; an arrogant mystique of greatness and domination is inspiring Israel’s policy of force and dictating its behaviour. 95. Among the Israeli leaders, General Dayan seems to be the one who best illustrates this policy by the statements he makes from time to time and which at least have the merit of being frank. From these statements one could compile a genuine and highly enlightening anthology. However, I shall quote only two which seem to me particularly significant. The first was published in the Israeli newspaper Haolam Haze of 8 July 1968. General Dayan stated the following: “Our fathers got as far as the borders recognized in the partition plan of 1947.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

37. “In 1967, the June war led to the occupation of the whole of Jerusalem and the West Bank of the Jordan, as well as Sinai and the Golan Heights; And on 21 August 1969 came the burning of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which was deeply resented by both Christendom and Islam. Was not this burning, as was stated recently by the Algerian representative in the Security Council [1508th meeting], “the tragic accomplishment that must follow the complacency of the international community“? 94. It would take too long to cite the decisions of the General Assembly and of the Security Council which have remained dead letters for Israel. This contempt for the United Nations seems to be the policy of Israel.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

38. “security, justice and human well-being depend still confront us in ail their magnitude and in all their tragic scope. Among all these evils, may I touch more particularly upon the one that most directly concerns my own country, namely, the conflict in the Middle East? 92. As early as 1949, in order to fulfil the “messianic destiny of the people of Israel”, more than a million Palestinians were expelled from their homes and land by terrorism, violence and fire. For more than twenty years these “refugees” have been living in poverty, bitterness and nostalgia for their usurped fatherland. But today some profess to be shocked because these people have rebelled and because resistance to oppression is being organized and is becoming a key factor in the problem—a new factor which cannot and should not in any way be underestimated. 93.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

39. “Such were our hopes and our ideal when drafting the Charter and establishing the organs of the United Nations. The General Assembly and the Security Council represented for us the highest courts of justice and the uncompromising guardians of the new international order. 90. All those who lived through those historic moments no doubt recall the climate of confidence and hope which prevailed throughout our labours. Would it be an exaggeration to say that today, after the many sufferings to which mankind has been incessantly exposed, there is unfortunately a danger that these sentiments may soon give way to disillusionment and disenchantment? 91. Although the United Nations has many happy achievements to its credit, the fundamental problems on which the future of peace.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

40. “During the journey which brought me here, my thoughts more than once went back to the year 1945 when, in San Francisco, I participated with the Lebanese delegation, together with the delegations of fifty other countries, in the drafting of the Charter of the United Nations. That was a time of great hopes. In less than thirty years the spirit of domination and racism had plunged the world into two wars, one more devastating and murderous than the other. The victorious coalition wished to open up a new era in history, an era in which nations, whether powerful or small, would live in peace and with equal rights, when men would at last be free from the anguish of war, from the fear of losing their birthplaces, their ancestral tombs and their homelands, of being enslaved or persecuted because of their race, religion or thinking. 89.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

41. “Madam President and fellow representatives, I address you on behalf of a country which knows that its existence, its independence and the freedoms to which it is passionately devoted can be safeguarded only under the rule of an international morality under which law is respected, aggression is outlawed as a means of pressure, States reject armed force as an argument in the settlement of their disputes, international relations are based on justice, mutual respect, the spirit of co-operation and an absolute regard for peace, under which, in short, nations live in conformity with humane and civilized principles. 88.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

42. “85. Madam President, on behalf of the delegation of Lebanon and on my own behalf, I should like to offer you our sincere congratulations on your election to the presidency of this twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations and to express our hope that this Assembly will work for peace among the peoples, in accordance with the principles of its Charter. 86. I also desire to pay a tribute to the memory of His Excellency Mr. Emilio Arenales, who presided so ably over the twenty-third session of the General Assembly. 87.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)