YouSaid · the spoken record

BANDARANAIKE

lines on the record

208

first

1956-09-24

most recent

1976-09-24

sittings or episodes

4

sources

un-general-debate

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

1. “Although the manner in which it was done, the time in which it was done, may be considered expedient by some and incorrect by others, the basic fact of his right to do so has not been questioned. If that is correct, I consider that it follows as a corollary to the nationalization of the Suez Canal Company that the power of operation of the Canal should also be vested in Egypt. 10. But that is not the whole story. There are important international interests in the Suez Canal that also need to be safeguarded. We are all agreed on that.”

   1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)

2. “It can and does bring to bear a certain collective moral force of the world which, although it may not be expeditiously effective in all cases, commands in certain cases, as it has done in the past, success and in certain others at least a very salutary restraining influence. 8. I naturally wish to say a few words on the two questions that are exercising our minds today: Suez and Hungary. I do not propose to delay you with a reiteration of the whole history that has led up to these tragic happenings. 9. In the case of Suez, I wish briefly to recount certain facts that are important to the background of our thinking in this matter. The President of Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal Company. I do not find in any quarter a disposition seriously to question his right to do so.”

   1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)

3. “I have heard, no doubt, many people here criticize the United Nations on the grounds that it is slow to act, that when it does act it cannot act effectively, that it sometimes tends to lose itself in diffused thinking — and still more diffused decisions. Those who criticize the United Nations should bear in mind that, given all the circumstances in each case, the United Nations has proved as successful, sometimes even more successful, than what one might realistically have expected. The United Nations is not a super-state possessed of forces, armed forces, capable of asserting its authority even over powerful Members or non-members who may act contrary to the purposes of the United Nations.”

   1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)

4. “I congratulate him, and I congratulate ourselves, on possessing an officer of such pre-eminent and distinguished qualities. 7. I suppose it is true that the normal activities of the United Nations have been overshadowed by certain recent happenings subsequent to the period covered by the annual report of the Secretary-General. I refer to happenings in Egypt and in Hungary. These events have provided, on the one hand, a crucial test for the United Nations and, on the other hand, a great opportunity. I should like to say that it is my opinion that the United Nations has emerged out of these crises with its reputation and prestige enhanced.”

   1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)

5. “There are some matters of importance in which appreciable success has been achieved in the year under review. In certain others, valuable progress has been made — and in all I suppose it might be said that a certain degree of continuous activity appears to have been maintained. 6. I should like to take this opportunity, if it is not out of place, to congratulate the Secretary-General on the able, efficient and devoted manner in which he has been, and is, performing his functions, particularly during recent events. The Secretary-General, as the chief executive officer of the United Nations, in carrying out, in the letter as well as in the spirit, the decisions of the United Nations, has greatly enhanced their reputation and prestige.”

   1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)

6. “My country, together with many others, languished in the anterooms of this Organization for many years until, by a signal stroke of statesmanship last year, sixteen countries were admitted to membership of the United Nations. 4. I regret that there are still countries which are awaiting admission, countries whose claims to such admission appear to many of us to be unquestioned, and whose admission will undoubtedly make more fully representative the membership of this great world Organization for peace. I hope that before long their claims will receive the consideration which is their due. Amongst them, I wish to mention in particular such countries as the People's Republic of China and Japan. 5. I read with great interest the annual report [A/3137] of the Secretary-General.”

   1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)

7. “At the outset, I wish to offer to the President, Prince Wan Waithayakon, on behalf of the Ceylonese delegation, our congratulations on his election to this high office. I have no doubt that his long devotion to the ideals and the causes which this great Organization represents and the recognition by representatives of his high qualities of devotion, ability and tact, have been responsible for his election. Personally I have an especial pleasure in his election because his country is in the same region as mine, and between my country and his there have been close and friendly cultural and other bonds for many centuries. 3.”

   1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)

8. “As Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs of my country, I am indeed very pleased to have the opportunity of attending this, my first session of the General Assembly. I am pleased to be here for another reason; that is, that I come here fresh from the Conference at New Delhi held from 12 to 14 November 1956 of the Prime Ministers of the Colombo countries, whose joint statement, issued after the New Delhi Conference, I find has been referred to on various occasions by several speakers. I welcome the opportunity of being able, where necessary, to explain to you more fully what we feel with regard to some of the important problems that you have been called upon to deal with at this time. 2.”

   1956-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 11 (1956)