YouSaid · the spoken record

THORN

lines on the record: 229
first: 1969-09-24
most recent: 1980-09-24
sittings or episodes: 7
sources: un-general-debate

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“The members of the Community continue actively to oppose these practices because they believe that this means of pursuing a policy should be stopped and eliminated. 27. Not content now with condemning this state of affairs, the members of the Community have exerted considerable efforts to come to the assistance of these uprooted populations. This assistance has been given both on an individual basis and out of the budgetary resources of the European Community. The Community hopes that as many Governments as possible will make their own contribution to this effort, which can, of course, at best only be a palliative. It is incumbent above all on the Governments responsible for these human tragedies to put an end to them. 28. The members of the Community remain committed to detente, which they consider as global and indivisible.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“But, in the course of the recent history of international relations, we have witnessed, unfortunately, the phenomenon of mass exodus, which affects whole groups of the population which are constrained to emigrate. We cannot justify such exoduses on the pretext that the departure of thousands of citizens is a voluntary act when we know that it is the intolerable conditions of life imposed on a minority or out and out repression that underlie that departure. 26. In the view of the Community, these events constitute a violation of the most fundamental human rights. Furthermore, such a policy violates the rights of neighbouring countries by imposing on them an often overwhelming burden which imperils their own balance and thus prejudices their sovereignty.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The right to self-determination certainly is an essential factor in international life, and the countries members of the Community would wish to reaffirm their commitment to this principle. The members regret therefore the numerous violations of human rights, whether they be wrongful imprisonment, torture, actions resulting in the disappearance of persons or persecution of the very defenders of human rights. 25. I should like to lay particular stress on one of the fundamental rights of the human person, namely, the right of persons to live normally in their own country. Unfortunately, this right has often been trampled on and the need to seek refuge outside one's country has always existed, despite the efforts of the United Nations. The creation of the post of High Commissioner for Refugees illustrates this grim reality.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“In the countries of the European Community, citizens enjoy a political system that guarantees fundamental freedoms. It is natural, therefore, that our citizens should have an interest in the lot of those who are still denied these liberties. Human rights, in our view, embrace at once and indissolubly the right to the integrity of the human person and the right to enjoy civil and political liberties, as well as economic, social and cultural rights. We are convinced that human rights are an important element in international relations. Peace and stability in the world are, indeed, better safeguarded once they are based on respect for the rights of individuals and once the necessary changes and adaptations are brought about through the expression of the will of those most directly concerned.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“It now remains for this session of the General Assembly formally to approve this text. Thus, the orientations and approaches it contains will inevitably underlie the actions of member States and institutions of the Community within the framework of their development policy. 23. With regard to the global negotiations, I should like to make it absolutely clear here, first, that our Community is committed to global negotiations; that it is ready, as soon as possible, to pursue discussions in a positive spirit; and that it hopes that a consensus will be reached on the procedures and agenda in the course of this session of the General Assembly. 24. Having mentioned the economic crisis situation in the world, I should like to tackle a subject that is particularly dear to the Community, that of the defence of human rights.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“However, I feel it necessary to recall briefly the position of the Community and its nine member States with regard to the outcome of the work of the General Assembly. 21. Although, technically speaking, the General Assembly has not succeeded in bringing about a complete agreement, there can be no denying that, politically speaking, it has reconfirmed the fact that, in the extremely difficult circumstances which at present affect the international community, the North South dialogue is more necessary now than ever in order to ensure stability in international relations and to meet the needs of development. 22. The Community is gratified at the fact that it has been possible to work out a text acceptable to all with regard to the new international development strategy, and it considers this as a definite success.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Furthermore, the conversion of coal into synthetic oil and gas is being actively encouraged. Investments for the development of renewable sources such as solar and geo thermal energy, as well as longer-term research on thermonuclear fusion, complete the range of the Community's internal efforts. 19. All the problems I have just mentioned transcend the mere regional scope of the Community itself. They are closely connected with the other major problem facing the world, that of the development and restructuring of international economic relations. 20. I had an opportunity to make a clear statement of the views of the Community with regard to North South problems at the beginning of the eleventh special session of the General Assembly, devoted to development, which has just concluded its work. I shall not dwell on this, therefore.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Considerable progress in this direction is already becoming apparent. 17. Putting into effect its commitment strictly to limit its reliance on world oil resources, the European Community has set a limit for its oil consumption at the end of this decade. In order to attain this goal, many activities are being undertaken to replace oil by other resources. Thus, in the field of the production of electricity, no new oil based power stations will be constructed. Nuclear energy and coal are progressively taking the place previously occupied by oil. Within this framework, the Community attaches great importance to the development of the best safety conditions for all our populations. This abandonment of oil in the production of electricity is being accompanied by the gradual replacement of oil in industry and in domestic use. 18.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“15. In the face of the slowdown in the growth rate, which is likely to be very marked in industrialized regions this year, the Community is determined to contribute to the strengthening of an open and multilateral international commercial system. We particularly hope that all the problems that may arise in its relations with its partners will find solutions that are in keeping with the content and spirit of the results of the recent multilateral commercial negotiations. 16. The European Community has embarked on a resolute course of action to reduce the dependence of its own economy with regard to oil consumption. Its action is based primarily on the search for economic growth that would be accompanied by a considerably less rapid growth in energy consumption brought about by economizing on energy.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The fact that the nine countries are soon to become ten at the beginning of next year, upon the admission of Greece, and are also waiting to welcome Spain and Portugal, illustrates our outward looking policy, which is also reflected in our cooperation with other States and groups of States. As an example, I would recall in this connection the signing of the ACPEEC Convention on 31 October 1979, at Lome, between the Community and 59 States of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, and the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN] in the course of the past year. 14. With regard to world economic problems, the Community intends to make a contribution in keeping with its potential and its ideals. It will strive to face its own problems in the interest of the international community as a whole.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The history of the world since the Second World War has taught us that this path is a dead end and that it should no longer be seen as applicable to the future. 11. The other path is that of the search for negotiated solutions, with the aim of reconciling, in respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter, the essential and legitimate interests of all parties. Freely accepted by them, this is the path that we are attempting to follow within this Organization. 12. It is also the path which the nine countries have chosen to take within the European Community. By its very existence the Community has demonstrated that it is possible to create an ever closer union among peoples and countries that were in the past rent apart by particularly bloody wars, 13.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“The basic characteristic seems to us to be the need to provide appropriate responses to new problems that arise, both in the political field and in the economic and social field. That process, although not without its difficulties, is nevertheless an inevitable one. 9. There is an increasingly widespread perception of the interdependence of States in the world, and of their vital need to increase and improve their cooperation. 10. In the face of this interdependence, which must be taken into account in the everyday reality of international relations, we can adopt one of two paths. The first, a brutal one unworthy of civilized man, consists in freeing ourselves from our own independence by making others even more dependent upon ourselves, that is, upon our goodwill.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“On behalf of the nine member countries of the European Community, I should like to extend the hand of brotherhood to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and to assure them of our full and wholehearted cooperation. 7. The general debate in this Assembly is an opportunity for all delegations to define their positions in the present situation of the world as compared with the past, and also as it relates to what awaits us in the future. Sometimes, we may have a tendency to prefer clear-cut change to vague, slow moving evolution. 8. The year that has gone by since the autumn of 1979 has certainly not been lacking in important events. Yet international relations in the world were probably not marked in a decisive way by isolated events.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Lastly, it would be remiss of me not to mention the merits and the tireless efforts of the Secretary General, whom we wish to encourage most warmly to persevere in his noble task, which is that of reconciling, for the greatest benefit of us all, the often divergent interests within this Organization. 6. The admission of new Members to our Organization is always an occasion of rejoicing for us, because it brings us ever a little closer to our common goal, that of universality. Just a few weeks ago, during the eleventh special session of the General Assembly, Zimbabwe joined us here. Today we see with deep satisfaction Saint Vincent and the Grenadines taking its place among us. We are convinced that this new Member will make a notable contribution to the realization of our common ideals.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Having had the opportunity to work with you on numerous occasions and having on each occasion appreciated both your professional and personal qualities, I am convinced that your commitment to serving the ideals which we all share is a good augury for the work of this thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly. I should like to extend to you, together with our wishes for your success, the assurances of our loyal and sustained cooperation. 4. I should also like to convey my warmest congratulations and express my utmost admiration to the outgoing President, Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim, for the extraordinary expertise and mastery with which he conducted the proceedings not only of the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly, but also of the three special sessions that have been held this year. 5.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Since Luxembourg is President of the Council of Ministers of the European Community and the Political Cooperation Council for the second half of this year, I have the honour of addressing this Assembly on behalf of the nine countries of the European Community. 2. As we embark upon the work of the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly, I am particularly happy to convey to you, Mr. President, the very sincere congratulations of the nine member countries of the European Community on your election to the presidency at this session. 3. I take a particular personal pleasure in seeing a personality of your stature enjoying the unanimous confidence of the international community.”
1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)
“Certainly it was no pleasure to sketch for the eleventh time this rather gloomy picture, as I have just done. Since we have placed all our faith in the United Nations and in the common sense of the peoples who make it up, we believe that it is always better to give an unadorned view of the problems, in the hope that we will all together find equitable solutions rather than resigning ourselves to a gradual worsening of those problems day by day.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“His Holiness Pope John Paul II stressed that human rights are indivisible. For my part, I fully subscribe to that proposition. Because we are a small country, freedom, independence and human rights, whether political or economic, are particularly dear to us. If we sometimes appear to some of you to overemphasize this point, rest assured that we are not trying to export our views to other countries with other systems, but merely share the sufferings of those whose indivisible rights are disregarded. And if that is our attitude, believe me that it is a sincere and honest one and is in no way the result of any ulterior political, motives whatever. 230. To review the world situation in this distinguished Assembly from the standpoint of a small Member State like Luxembourg is, believe me, not always easy.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“A source of satisfaction for everyone is the notable progress that has been made in the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea during the past year. 228. Under the dynamic leadership of my friend, President Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe, that Conference has reached the point where it is now possible to entertain the hope that negotiations will be concluded in about a year. If that is achieved, I believe I may say that this will be a unique accomplishment in the annals of our Organization. The responsibilities that we are assuming today or in the near future will be very great. Certainly the idea is not to sign a convention of that scope unless each and every one of us implements it. It must be acceptable and capable of implementation. Human rights are not to be limited simply to political and civil freedoms. 229.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“However, I am convinced that as the idea of interdependence gains ground, as it inevitably will, it will be possible for us to move closer to a genuine constructive dialogue among our countries which should lead to the harmonization of everyone's interests. However, all sides must show realism and confine themselves to serious, business-like proposals which stand a chance of success. 226. Let us all work towards this noble goal. Let us guarantee for each of our nations and for their citizens existence in dignity, freedom and peace, thanks to an equitable distribution of the wealth of the world. I express my hope here and now that the special session of the General Assembly devoted to development in 1980 will achieve decisive progress for the benefit of all. 227.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“We felt that this was an innovative means of initiating negotiations between sovereign States on an equal footing. 224. If the nine member States of the European Community by their concessions were not always successful in meeting all the hopes of the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, that was unfortunately due to harsh reality. Members may rest assured that the sacrifices made by the nine countries were substantial and probably even exceeded what was feasible in some cases. 225. It is true that the Committee of the Whole Established under General Assembly Resolution 32/174, the Preparatory Committee for the New International Development Strategy and even the fifth session of UNCTAD have been unable so far to produce results that will satisfy everyone.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“My Government firmly believes in the interdependence of all the countries in the world and especially of all their economies. That is why we have tried resolutely to conclude the agreements on bilateral and multilateral co-operation within the framework of the European Communities, which my friend and colleague from Ireland spoke about earlier. 223. Just as in the political field, goodwill alone will not be enough in the economic field. I take as an example the renewal of the Lome' Convention, which establishes co-operation between the European Community and the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Since the inception of that union, my country, aware of its limits at the bilateral level, was one of the most ardent defenders of that form of co-operation which at the time was called "association".”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“However, I believe that it is in vain to try to seek one scapegoat. First of all, we would never reach agreement, and secondly, that would hardly help us to find the solution to our present problems. In addition, that attitude would be the negation of the interdependence of peoples—and that is true of people in both the industrialized and the developing countries. Therefore, I shall refrain from making any subdivisions, or using ideological labels. 221. Is the problem not rather one of an inaccurate assessment of the over-all situation of our countries and of relations between producer and consumer countries that are too irregular and intermittent? Let us deal with these deficiencies and let us all recognize that we are all dependent on each other. 222.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“In approaching world economic problems and after having drawn this rather dismal picture of certain political issues, I would have enjoyed indulging in a certain amount of cautious optimism. Unfortunately, harsh realities do not allow that. 219. I readily admit that the bad situation in the world economy has been with us for some time. At one point some people placed their belief in a modest recovery, but slower-than-expected growth and a too-high level of inflation, an increasingly heavy burden of unemployment and a highly confused monetary situation this year have ruined our hopes, at least our hopes for a slow but proximate recovery. 220. Who is to blame? Who is responsible? This, of course, is the question that inevitably arises. Immediately everyone points an accusing finger at someone else.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“In spite of the broad consensus at the tenth special session of the General Assembly, which was devoted to disarmament and filled us with hope and optimism, and notwithstanding the second SALT Treaty which we hope will soon take effect between the two super-Powers, the amount spent on armaments throughout the world is constantly increasing. 217. Several years ago people were talking in terms of $200 billion, but today the figure has gone up to $400 billion. When will we be able to put an end to this collective folly, this unbridled race? A few days ago from this same rostrum, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, addressing the General Assembly and contemplating the senseless accumulation of the means of destruction, exhorted the world to abandon the arms race if we wish to retain some credibility in the eyes of future generations. 218.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Luxembourg is pleased that by its participation in the Geneva Meeting, it was able to act favourably on the admirable humanitarian initiative of the Secretary- General. I assure him that we will continue to do whatever we can, within the limited means of a small country, to help to alleviate however little the fate of these human beings out of a pure sense of human responsibility. 216. Seeing so much misery and misfortune, we wonder whether we are dreaming when we read about the tremendous amount of money devoted by the various countries in the world to armaments.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Nothing can ever replace their home and especially their homeland, which is the land of their ancestors. 214. These people are not truly refugees. They are fugitives who are lost and subject to outrageous blackmail. What help is this finite world of fixed frontiers, even if they are guaranteed by the United Nations, if we must continually witness people fleeing for reasons of religious, ethnic or racial incompatibility? Shall we soon see the emergence of anew philosophy which says that some leaders have the right to demand at will the displacement of millions of human beings for reasons which are the very negation of our Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? I would hope that each and every one of us will give some thought to the implications of such an eventuality. 215.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“I earnestly hope that the General Assembly will make good use of all the time it will devote to the examination of the Middle East conflict in order to bring about a solution by constructive and—I hope- peaceful debate. 213. Similar tensions resulting from similar transgressions of the United Nations Charter have existed for some months in South-East Asia. Our Organization has not been capable of reacting to the clear acts of aggression which, in addition to taking a heavy toll in human life and economic damage, have swollen unduly the wretched mass of what is called circumspectly but incorrectly "refugees". But, I ask you, where is their refuge? Who will respect their basic human rights? Who will give them asylum, which is the best that the more fortunate of them can hope for.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“After all, the choice of spokesman is the exclusive right of the party concerned and not of their opposite numbers. 211. Similarly, it is inadmissible to preach, as some have done, what still seems to be the destruction of the State of Israel. Israel has the right to exist in peace, without continually being the target of the hostility of any of its neighbours. To ignore these historical realities, reflected clearly in the many resolutions of our Organization, strikes me not only as unrealistic but also as a dangerous challenge to the credibility of our Organization. 212. Insisting on pre-conditions, and then demanding the exclusion of certain matters only serves to delay negotiations.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“210. Separate discussions, both concurrent and successive, make it possible to discuss the difficulties in sequence, and therefore improve the chances of success. There must be as many approaches to the problem as there are facets of that problem. Therefore, it is fundamental that no interested party be denied a voice in the proceedings or be excluded out of hand. Clearly, as you may well imagine, that applies first and foremost to the Palestinians, who have the most legitimate right to participate in the process leading to peace. Also, they have every right to designate the representatives in whom they wish to place their trust. If they identify with the PLO and feel that they are well represented by that organization, it is hardly realistic to ignore their choice.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“On the other hand, it must be recognized that too many questions, too many aspects of questions involving other parties, remain unresolved. As long as there still exists a single serious problem in the Middle East, that part of the world will continue to be a source of tension. 209. The common view of the nine countries members of the European Community was set forth a few days ago from this rostrum by our Acting President-in- Office, my "colleague, the Irish Foreign Minister, Mr. Michael O'Kennedy, and there is therefore no need for me to revert to this matter in detail. I want, however, to insist on something that is an absolute necessity, namely that there must be negotiations with all the parties concerned, without any exceptions. Whether the negotiations are global or separate at the outset is, after all, only a matter of procedure.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Last autumn we were hopeful that the accords resulting from the Camp David negotiations would be the break-through that would make it possible for the whole of the Middle East region to regain peace. As far as direct relations between Israel and Egypt are concerned, the process started at Camp David seems to be proceeding rather satisfactorily. 207. Of course, the progress achieved in normalizing the situation between those two countries can only meet with our support, as does also any step, however small, towards peace. Egypt and Israel have thus proved—if there was any need for that—that the political determination of responsible statesmen is capable of overcoming all obstacles through negotiations. 208.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“It would appear that an exchange of ideas on the system is proceeding, as well as some tentative questioning regarding minor matters, but we are still very far indeed from the fundamental reform which alone can make South Africa a country respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. How much more time, I would ask, will the leaders of that country need before they realize that the policy of apartheid is not only profoundly unrealistic, but also against the elementary rights of human beings? Once again, I would invite the international community to give its full support to those who by peaceful means are endeavouring to alter this sorry state of affairs. 206.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“That is a positive point, and we fervently hope that the additional time for thought which they all accorded themselves will bring everybody closer together and closer, also, I hope, to the common goal, which is independence and peace for that part of Africa. Let all those who are negotiating today be keenly aware of their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, who certainly have no other desire but finally to enjoy a life of peace without poverty, suffering and injustice. 205. Turning to South Africa, I deeply regret that the rulers of that country have done nothing to change the unnatural policy of apartheid.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Others would surely not have had the courage to overcome so many setbacks or so much frustration. Thanks primarily to their tenacity; we still have the hope today that there will be an equitable solution found for an independent Namibia. 203. Now I wish to turn to another part of southern Africa which has been beset by so many conflicts, Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. First and foremost, I should like to pay a sincere tribute to the historic initiative taken by Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and to her Foreign Minister, my colleague Lord Peter Carrington. 204. The Conference in London is now entering its fifth week. Every single one of the opposing parties will have been seated at the same table.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“Everybody's acceptance of the decision of the Security Council which was to lead Namibia to independence filled us with a tremendous amount of hope; yet today we are bound to recognize the fact that those hopes did not yield conclusions we were entitled to expect. Of course, some progress was accomplished, thanks to the continuing efforts, especially of the five Western Powers, which were behind this promising initiative. The support of the African front-line countries—including yours, Mr. President—was a valuable element in the compromise. Nor should we forget the tireless efforts of the Secretary-General and of his close associates. From this rostrum I should like to express my profound admiration to them for their truly Sisyphean efforts over the past year.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“May I be allowed, however, briefly to dwell on certain problems which seem to be a potential threat to all of us and consequently deserve the vigilant attention of the General Assembly in the coming months, if it wishes to justify its existence. 200. Our anxiety over past and new tensions derives primarily from our view of a certain amount of stagnation, the absence of concrete results and a refusal to compromise in the negotiations on the major issues. 201. May I first touch on the many problems of southern Africa, an area long exposed to injustice and human suffering. The representative who preceded me spoke so eloquently on that part of the world, whose problems are due as much to the existence of a philosophy which goes against human nature as to armed conflicts, which claim new victims every day. 202.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“From this rostrum a year ago I deemed it fitting to voice a certain optimism during a brief study of the world situation. This feeling of hope was based on the fact that our peoples had finally discovered the merits and advantages of dialogue, and had finally seemed to have repudiated the path of sterile confrontation. 198. But today, although a dialogue is continuing in many areas, we are bound to recognize that the international arena, where we are both actors and spectators, remains fraught with tension in the political, military and economic fields. 199. I do not wish today, however, to yield to pessimism, which ill becomes me and which would help no one.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“My admiration for his talents as a skilled diplomat devoted to the noble causes of mankind is of long standing. There is hardly any need for me to restate the full confidence of the Government of Luxembourg and the total support of my country for his continuing and tireless efforts in pursuit of the ideals of our Organization. 196. I should like also to congratulate our one hundred and fifty-second Member of the United Nations, the State of Saint Lucia, which has fulfilled all the requirements of our Charter and has thereby confirmed the universality of our Organization. While addressing to this young country and its leaders our sincere congratulations, I should like to pledge to them our full co-operation in the attainment of the objectives and ideals of this Organization. 197.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“It is a very pleasant duty for me to offer you my heartiest congratulations, Sir, on your election as President of the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly. Your accession to this high office is a source of joy to us, for we see in you the distinguished representative of a friendly African country, and your experience in the United Nations augurs well for this session of our Assembly. 194. We wish also to express our thanks to your predecessor, the outgoing President, Mr. Lievano, for the manner in which he conducted the work of the thirty- third session of the General Assembly. 195. I should like now to address our Secretary- General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim. For the past 10 years I have enjoyed a constructive and friendly collaboration with him in various forums.”
1979-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 34 (1979)
“More than 30 years after that great humanitarian venture, once again we are asked to take up the challenge. Our Charter gives us the essential precepts and it is up to us to adapt ourselves to the new requirements of the evolution of our world. 45. It is an exalting task for each of us, that of contributing to world peace and to the material and intellectual well-being of all mankind. If we fail in this duty we shall deserve the worst of condemnation, that of our own children.”
1977-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 32 (1977)
“I wished simply to express at this rostrum the fears of a small nation which during the course of its history has run the gamut of all the scourges with which we have to deal, and which has resolutely placed all its hope and faith in agreement between the nations which call themselves united. We salute each success with enthusiasm, but I do not think we should waste any more time than that, for many problems and crises remain which require all our attention and effort. 43. For a long time still we shall have to live with failures and with successes, but I am convinced that through them we shall be able to make ever better use of the great possibilities offered by this Organization, which was born from a world which, shocked at the depths of human folly, wished to ensure a better future for humanity, 44.”
1977-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 32 (1977)
“In my opinion, that order cannot spring spontaneously from a world conference, but will be produced by a series of specialist conferences prepared and facilitated by negotiations between regional groups. 41. I have not been able to make any deliriously optimistic remarks. Nevertheless, it should not be thought that what I have said either on the persistent and grave threats to peace in the various regions of the world or the short-comings in the development of the economic situation constitutes a reproach addressed to the Organization. I have known for too long that his Organization has merely reflected both the good and the bad will of all its Members, and of their willingness to abide by its Charter, its conventions and its resolutions. 42.”
1977-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 32 (1977)
“Just imagine: more than 150 sovereign States differing in history, culture, level of development and even interests, wish to join together to change the face of the world so as to ensure to everyone prosperity, peace and dignity. We shall not achieve that in 24 hours, or in a year. We shall never achieve it if we simply bludgeon ourselves with verbose resolutions. We shall perhaps succeed if we allow the vast enterprise of reflection, study and patient research undertaken by Governments in international forums and in this Organization itself time to mature, painfully to reconcile points of view, to raise support for realistic and realizable programmes and to mobilize all the energy possible to hasten the final advent of this new economic order to which we all aspire.”
1977-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 32 (1977)
“What is at stake is worthy of patience, and the final results will depend on that, I know that the absence of results from the resumed thirty-first session does not inspire optimism, but is it not really too much to expect spectacular results of a very short session? I remain an optimist, for my part, because the failure, if failure there was, was in my view chiefly one of facile slogans, all or nothing solutions which can never be found and will lead nowhere. It must be remembered that we are committed to a dialogue which should be permanent, which may at times produce euphoria, but which will certainly at others be slow, because in any great human enterprise there will always be crises.”
1977-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 32 (1977)
“Although I would not deny this, in the least, I stress nevertheless that this was also the case in regard to the hopes of the so-called developed countries. 39. Despite these disappointments, which I think are practically inevitable, let us continue our dialogue; let us stress the tangible remits achieved; and let us seek tirelessly for compromise and for resolutions of the problems which remain unsolved, so as to reduce the discrepancy, dangerous to world peace, in the unequal distribution of riches between our countries. The seventh special session, the fourth session of UNCTAD in Nairobi and the Paris Conference have shown us the way to go. 40. Let us renounce confrontation and passionate but sterile rhetoric and let us continue realistic discussion between reasonable people.”
1977-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 32 (1977)
“What can we say of the world economic situation, the progress towards the so-called new international economic order which should in the final analysis enable all nations and all men to share more equitably in economic arrangements and structures? 37. The world economic situation presents a sombre picture. If inflation and unemployment have not increased again, nevertheless they remain disturbingly high and continue to represent an ominous threat to any progress or economic growth. All of us know today that the absence of economic growth will not further as we should wish the necessary, nay indispensable, effort with regard to development aid. 38. Certainly the results of the Paris Conference on International Economic Co-operation, called the North- South dialogue, fell short of the hopes and expectations of the developing countries.”
1977-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 32 (1977)
“I have already drawn the attention of this thirty- second session of the General Assembly to the incommensurable gaps which exist between military expenditure and expenditure for the development of our brothers who live in almost complete destitution. 35. The poor, the undernourished, the badly housed and the ill educated are calling to us to free resources which are being used today for destruction, and to devote them to the noble cause of enabling those people to enjoy the riches of this world, so that the expression human rights in its widest sense will not remain without meaning for them. 36.”
1977-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 32 (1977)
“Without wishing, a priori, to dismiss such a conference, on condition that the nuclear Powers take part in it, I repeat, the postponement of a solution in my view would be tantamount almost to a refusal to halt the arms race and to a scarcely veiled avowal that the improvement of the condition of millions of people is not the first or the most immediate preoccupation of certain Governments. 33. Whether it is a special session of the United Nations or a world conference—its title has or will have nothing to do with its success-the success of the venture will depend not on the speeches but on the willingness to undertake firm commitments and to follow them up by specific action. 34.”
1977-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 32 (1977)
“Resolutions adopted at the special session cannot remain a dead letter; otherwise, the United Nations would run the risk of finding itself here more than elsewhere barred from the exercise of its main role as guarantor of peace. 32. Even before knowing the outcome of the special session devoted to disarmament, some have already launched an appeal for a world conference to deal with the same subject. I ask myself, is their trust in this first initiative, 'which has not yet even begun, so very limited? Or perhaps they are not ready, as of 1978, to undertake the necessary commitments for the success of this urgent task?”
1977-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 32 (1977)