YouSaid · the spoken record

WACHUKU

lines on the record: 257
first: 1961-09-24
most recent: 1964-09-24
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

“I am taking this opportunity to appeal to all Members of this Organization to assist us and aid the forces of cohesion in Africa to maintain stability, in order to be able to contribute their own quota to the building of the United Nations. I am sure that if all of us adopt that spirit, which has been the spirit of my country in relation to other African countries and in relation to our membership of this Organization, the disarmament we are seeking in terms of nuclear weapons will be achieved. When you have various regions living in peace and security, there will be no necessity for dropping atom bombs, because these will be stale and unnecessary.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“But I shall not conclude my statement without appealing specifically to the African States—more than to any other Members of this Organization—to consider whether we will not be hurting ourselves if we profess non-alignment in theory and find ourselves aligned in practice either ideologically, economically or militarily, one way or another. And once we have made our commitment some of us begin to think that others who do not agree with us are either neo-colonialists or stooges of imperialists or not even independent. 83. I am concluding my speech with this appeal. Africa cannot be subverted unless African States aid and abet in our subversion. No foreign Power can get a footing on the African continent, unless Africans aid and abet such foreign Power. 84.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“We believe that liberation of territories should mean liberation of territories which are dependent, not liberation of territories which have already been liberated from foreign imperialism. And when there is going to be any revolution at this stage of our development in Africa, this revolution should start from the areas which are still dependent, and let us give those who have just won their independence a breathing spell to find their bearings. 82. We usually come to the General Assembly to say what we have done in the past and what our hope for the future will be.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“The whole Organization bent itself to that problem and met a certain amount of success, even though, in the opinion of my country, the United Nations withdrew earlier than it should have. Now, after so many years of toil, and expenditure of human and material resources, we find once more that at this nineteenth session the Congo is a problem facing the United Nations, and the Security Council is now seized of that matter. I would have made a comprehensive statement on that problem, but considering that the Security Council is discussing that matter, the best I can do here is to appeal to all Members of this Organization to co-operate with my country and the other African countries in an effort to give the Democratic Republic of the Congo a chance to find its bearings. There is too much intervention in the affairs of the Congo. 81.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“It is in the light of this that we wonder what was meant by the statement that was reported and attributed to the Head of Government of the country that we have all been fighting to admit into this Organization, to the effect that Africa is ripe for revolution. What does that mean? To us, that statement is fraught with great danger, the more so because of the impact and repercussions of this type of thing in a certain part of Africa, namely, the Congo. 80. When Nigeria was admitted to Membership in the United Nations on 7 October 1960, we met and were confronted with the problem of the Congo. In our early years as the ninety-ninth Member and the baby of the family, we waded into the problem, and we played as good a role as any other Member of this Organization to try and find a solution to that problem.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“And it is because of the fear of this danger that the Government of Nigeria, along with other independent African States, did everything within its power to create the Organization of African Unity as the best insurance that African freedom once won will be retained intact. 78. It is our ardent desire that all countries of the world will hearken to this our appeal and respect the fledgling African States and give them a chance to develop their resources, establish stability within their environs and learn from others those qualities that will be beneficial to their future growth and stability. 79.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“But I would be failing in my duly if I did not bring before the General Assembly some of the problems with which we are faced on the African continent, within our home grounds, and state categorically the attitude of my Government in respect of these problems. 77. As I have said in a preceding statement, the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is determined that all Africa must be free and that the freedom, when obtained, must be maintained and not lost as soon as it is gained. I want to state our fears and apprehensions that, while we are getting rid of the old imperialism on the African continent, there is a danger of new imperialism in different guises rearing its head.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“We therefore feel that any solution of this delicate problem must take account of these factors in such a manner that these two States should be able to coexist both in the United Nations and elsewhere, and that one should not necessarily exist at the expense of the other. Nigeria would like to help solve the problem in an amicable and peaceful manner, not to exacerbate the issue. 76. As is known, in every session we use this rostrum to restate our position and the foreign policy of our country, and in the statements I have made so far I have concerned myself with general world problems.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“With respect to China, doubts have been raised in certain circles regarding the policy of my Government on the question of Chinese representation at the United Nations. I shall now briefly reiterate our basic position in order to set the record straight. 74. First, Nigeria recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the Government of the people of China. We consequently have been and are in favour of the admission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations. 75. Secondly, we are willing to consider that a Government is based on the island of Formosa, and that this island has all the attributes of a State-territory, population and an effective Government.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“We are prepared to continue to negotiate on this matter on the basis of our determination to see the Organization put on a firm financial footing and become an effective instrument for keeping the peace. 72. We are painfully aware that in these matters legal arguments and pronouncements have failed to provide the answer, where positions have been taken on the basis of other considerations. But we hope that, in reaching a solution to these problems, the principles enshrined in the Articles of the United Nations Charter will not be undermined. An important principle of belonging to any club is acceptance of the obligation to abide by the rules, and this applies equally to membership in this Organization. 73.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“71. My Government is aware of the financial difficulties facing the United Nations, primarily brought about by the involvement of this Organization in recent years in massive peace-keeping operations. We have accordingly followed with great interest the efforts of all parties dealing with the question of the financing of future peace-keeping operations, with a view to regularizing the machinery and placing the procedure on a firm basis. We are also aware of the difficult situation created by the huge arrears owing to the Organization and the difficulties facing the Governments which are expected to pay these arrears. Nigeria is deeply interested in this question and it has been playing its part through its representative in an effort to reach an amicable solution to these problems.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“The Conference was long and difficult and the negotiations were delicate and arduous; but then the issues involved were great, for it had become clear that a grave threat to peace is the division of the world into the "haves" and the "have-nots"—the so-called North and South division. Although the developing countries did not get all that they wanted at the Conference, owing to the reluctance of some industrialized countries to share their wealth and prosperity with their less fortunate brothers, nevertheless we are fairly satisfied that a positive beginning has been made, and we hope that through the Trade and Development Board the existing imbalance in levels of development in the world will be speedily eliminated. 70. We appeal to those countries which are in a position to do so to join in this common effort in the interest of peace.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“We trust that the British Government will spare no effort or ingenuity to make such a development possible. 69. The recent United Nations Conference on Trade and Development was indeed a landmark in international co-operation; for the first time, probably, all the issues in the world economic situation were fully and truly brought out and examined at a fully-attended world conference. It is already apparent that a new international order is in the making in economic relations among nations, and we are looking forward to the Trade and Development Board to translate this new order into concrete terms and realities.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“Thirty-five African nations can certainly not be expected to stand aside in such an eventuality, and will be bound to use all forces at their disposal for the rescue of their brothers from an oppressive and illegal regime. 67. The solution to the Southern Rhodesian question is not a fraudulent referendum, but the free and complete expression of the people's will on the basis equality. General amnesty should be granted to all political leaders now being detained or imprisoned, and a constitutional conference should be convened at which all parties will be represented. Only in this way can a constitution, acceptable to all parties in the territory, be worked out in order to enable Southern Rhodesia to march to independence, united in peace, not in pieces. 68.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“The minority Government of Southern Rhodesia, in its anxiety to capture power from the majority of the inhabitants of the territory, is jumping from pillar to post, generally making a nuisance of itself and displaying great irresponsibility in the art of government. We are reassured that the mature and progressive British Government is calling a halt to the childish game being played in Salisbury, having issued a strong warning against the dangerous course which they are thinking of pursuing. The Government of Ian Smith must surely realize the heavy responsibility which it will place on its shoulders if it should wantonly act illegally and unconstitutionally in its naked bid for total power to oppress the majority of its own citizens.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“It is beyond reason and it is only a matter of time before Portugal will be severely jolted from her dream, to begin to face the realities of contemporary existence. 65. The peoples of Africa are steadily recapturing their right to determine their destiny and to govern themselves, and little Portugal cannot stop them from so doing. In this connexion, we once again wish to address an appeal to the friends of Portugal to desist from supplying it with arms, which it uses for the oppression and suppression of indigenous inhabitants of territories under its administration. We welcome, accordingly, the recent stand which the British Government has taken on this matter. 66.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“As I stated in this Assembly last year [1221st meeting], these architects of mass oppression are suffering from a neurosis of fear, and it is the duty of their friends to help them to recover from their illness before it suffers further complications which would be even more dangerous and, indeed, disastrous. 64. As for Portugal, its continued intransigence in refusing to comply with the resolutions of the General Assembly and with Chapter XI of the United Nations Charter is a challenge which this Organization cannot continue to tolerate. The illusion that vast territories in Africa could ever be an extension of metropolitan Portugal constitutes the greatest farce and the greatest fiction of the twentieth century.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“That Government is consequently being steadily isolated from the mainstream of international life. In this respect, we welcome, the recent bold stand taken by the Government of the United Kingdom in placing an embargo on arms supplied to the Republic of South Africa; but we regret that the British Government, which has thus demonstrated its progressive outlook, was unable to prevent the supply of sixteen Buccaneer aircraft to that Government for its murderous aims. We nevertheless acknowledge that the British Government now seems to be moving in the right direction. 63. We must warn the Government of South Africa to note the handwriting on the wall and to desist from oppressing the majority of its citizens, and to remember that thirty-five African States are irrevocably committed to fighting the regime of apartheid to the finish.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“The presence among us of three new Members cannot fail to remind us of the sad lot of millions of our brothers who still languish under the forces of oppression in South Africa, South West Africa, the territories under Portuguese administration — Angola, Mozambique and Portuguese Guinea — and in Southern Rhodesia. We in Nigeria condemn and oppose colonialism and imperialism in all its forms. I repeat, in all its forms. We are determined to do everything in our power to promote the attainment of freedom by all our oppressed brothers in Africa and in any part of the world. 62. The obnoxious policy of apartheid, practised by the Government of South Africa, has proved to be a revolting insult and an assault on the conscience of the entire international community.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“We continue to stress the senselessness of the expenditure of vast sums in the manufacture of weapons of destruction in a world in which more than half the population still suffer from the ravages of poverty, hunger and disease. The Nigerian Government believes that, on the whole, there are many ways in which the present detente in international relations should be utilized to push forward a programme of disarmament, and we wish to make a solemn appeal to all concerned to ensure that these golden opportunities will not be allowed to pas3 by. It is our hope that our deliberations on this most important subject at this session of the General Assembly will bring about the achievement of concrete results with regard to general and complete disarmament. 61.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“The important thing is that action should be taken in this regard, in view of the psychological effect it is bound to have as to the seriousness of the proposals on the part of the nuclear Powers, and their efforts in the direction of general and complete disarmament. Until full agreement on the destruction of nuclear weapons is reached, perhaps it would help if the nuclear Powers would begin action on the basis of mutual example. 60. There are other fields in which, from the facts available to us, we consider that agreement should be possible; for example, a complete cut-off of production of fissionable materials for weapons purposes and the reduction of military expenditures.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“The originators of the idea of a multilateral nuclear force owe it to humanity to ensure that the proposal does not involve the spread of nuclear weapons to States which do not have them at the moment, nor the extension of control of these deadly weapons to States which, by not having them, cannot assume full responsibility for their use. 59. We received with great interest proposals on the part of the United States and the Soviet Union for the destruction of certain nuclear weapon delivery Vehicles — bomber aircraft — and consider that these proposals should be followed through to a quick conclusion which should result in the building of a bonfire. Even though there is disagreement as to the scale of this bonfire, we believe that it should not be too difficult to reach a general and acceptable agreement.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“We have seen the reports of reputable scientists demonstrating that the dangers of radio-active fall-out are not totally absent from underground tests. Besides, continuation of such tests can only indicate that the arms race is still going on — something which we are all against. 57 . We also believe that an agreement on non-production of nuclear weapons should be concluded without further delay. In this way, the present fear that attempts are being made by some Powers to obtain control of nuclear weapons through the back door will be removed. 58.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“These steps, following so closely upon the Moscow test-ban treaty, the agreement in principle not to station weapons of mass production in outer space, and the establishment of a direct communication link between Moscow and Washington, encourage the world to hope for better things to come. 56. It is regrettable, however, that in none of the other outstanding issues pertaining to the conclusion of a treaty on general and complete disarmament was agreement reached. Even the conclusion of a comprehensive nuclear test-ban treaty, which was called for by the General Assembly in its resolution 1910 (XVIII), eluded the Committee of Eighteen. My Government believes that the conclusion of such a treaty is essential and should be pursued vigorously in order to eliminate, once and for all, the fears of all humanity concerning radio-active fall-out.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“Since I last had the opportunity to address the General Assembly [1221st meeting], there indeed have been encouraging developments in this regard, for which I wish to place on record the immeasurable satisfaction and appreciation of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The three nuclear Powers — the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom — early this year took certain steps on the basis of a policy of mutual example designed to promote the relaxation of international tension. I refer to the reduction of military expenditures early this year by the United States and the Soviet Union, and the announcement by the three nuclear Powers of their decision to reduce production of fissionable materials for the production of nuclear weapons. 55.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“In the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament and concerning the thorny subject of the financing of future peace-keeping operations, Nigeria is contributing of its best toward the resolution of those problems, and we shall continue to do so. 54. It is with a great sense of disappointment that Nigeria witnessed the conclusion of this year's session of the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament. The year had begun with the hopes and promises that the breakthrough which was achieved in 1963 of a partial nuclear test-ban treaty would be followed up with important developments in the direction of general and complete disarmament under effective international control.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“It has continued to uphold, to the best of its ability, the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and to contribute in all possible ways to the furtherance of the aims and objectives of the Organization. In these various ways, Nigeria has continued to demonstrate its strong belief in the Organization as a most important and reliable instrument for the preservation of peace and the promotion of international understanding. In the Congo, Nigeria supported the United Nations operations up to the end and contributed its share in human and material terms towards the successful conclusion of those operations. It also contributed financially to the United Nations peace-keeping operations in Cyprus. Nigeria has paid its dues and made voluntary contributions in support of this Organization. 53.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“We welcome also the State of Malta, which again, in common with us, is a member of the Commonwealth. All will understand why Nigeria is very happy that we have three new members in the three fraternities to which we belong. We rejoice with them in the successful conclusion of their struggle against the forces of imperialism and domination. We are sure that their presence among us will enrich our discussions and deliberations. These, our brothers, are torchbearers, men who proclaim to the nations that the tidal wave of freedom in the continent of Africa and in the rest of the world is an irresistible force. 52. Nigeria has continued to play its part and fulfil its obligations as a Member of the United Nations.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“The period since the last session of the General Assembly has produced some important changes in the Governments of certain important Member States of this Organization. We gladly welcome them to our joint effort for the preservation and maintenance of peace in the world. We are very reassured to learn that these objectives are uppermost in the minds of these new Governments. 51. I should like, at this juncture, to welcome and congratulate the new Members who have been admitted to membership of this Organization. I refer, of course, as you know, to our brothers from the newly independent sovereign States of Zambia and Malawi — two States that along with us are members of two other families, the Commonwealth of Nations and the Organization of African Unity.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“We have gone through another year in which the world has steadily witnessed the continuation of efforts to reduce international tension and improve the climate of understanding among nations and peoples — a trend which happily began over a year ago. During this period the United Nations has continued to exert its energies in different directions for the maintenance of international peace and security. Consequently, the dark cloud of the threat of nuclear war which is the greatest danger of our time to the survival of humanity is clearing gradually. Of course there remain areas of tension and conflict in various parts of the world, but I am sure that we are all happy that efforts have been made, and are being made, to control and finally eliminate these sources of friction in the interests of international peace and security. 50.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“48. Mr. President, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your unanimous election to the high office of the President of this Assembly, and to say that my delegation is very confident that under your guidance this session of the Assembly will achieve great things. I am sure you know that my delegation, along with other delegations from the continent of Africa, is very happy and proud that another son of Africa has been elected to occupy this post. We know that this is the greatest international club, the greatest inter-racial club, that we have and it is meet and proper that a son of Africa should also be one of the Presidents. 49.”
1964-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 19 (1964)
“I hope that, when this request comes before the General Assembly, even those who opposed it before will not, in the name of Africa and in the interests of Africa and the African States, oppose our legitimate wish and desire. Give support to the request of the Congolese Government, which is an expression of the wishes of the Congolese people, so that the work which we have begun so well should end well, and then we can say: all's well that ends well.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Also, I have the authority of the thirty-two African States in support of that view. The Organization has done excellent work in the Congo. By helping the Congolese people the United Nations has helped Africa. We do not like to see anything that will destroy all that everybody has contributed to build. Many countries made sacrifices, not only in money but in the lives of their peoples; those sacrifices must not be in vain. My delegation will always be grateful to the Organization —and I am sure that the other African States will be most grateful— for the effort that has been made collectively to bring stability in that area of Africa.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“I sincerely hope that throughout this session all delegations will forget the fifteenth session and the sixteenth session and remember that, in this jet age, the various continents of the world are drawing together, with the free movement of persons from one area to the other, humanity gradually becoming one. If that is so, I do not see any problem which cannot be solved amicably if there is goodwill to solve it. 136. The only last remark I want to make is one which I am sure everybody in the Assembly knows, and that is with regard to our attitude to the Congo question. The Assembly, in the course of this session or very soon, may be presented with a request to postpone the departure of the United Nations forces from the Congo. I want to say here that my country strongly supports postponement until Junel964.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“My delegation strongly feels that the "gentleman's agreement", if we are not going to amend the Charter for the purpose of enlarging it, should be changed at this session. If it is not a gentleman's agreement, let it be a lady's agreement. We have ladies in various delegations at this time. If the gentlemen will not agree, I am sure the ladies will agree that Africa is entitled to these seats. 135. I have tried to speak in the vein I have spoken in because a peculiar atmosphere has prevailed during the eighteenth session. It looks as if we are settling down to construction instead of destruction. It looks as if reasonableness is beginning to prevail in this Assembly.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Therefore, I am saying here —I want it on record— that my delegation feels Europe is more than adequately represented in the Security Council. And if they are not prepared to agree to amend the Charter, just to enlarge it to give us our seat, then be gracious enough to surrender those two non-permanent seats to Africa so that we may have a voice in this organ of the United Nations. 133. We do not want any conflict with Latin America, Latin America, like Africa, is one of the underdeveloped areas, or developing countries as they call us; we have a common disability. Why should we go and rob them of their seats? We do not want to take anything from Latin America. They are twenty States. They have occupied the seats. Therefore, no one should play us against anyone. 134.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“The group of Powers that associate with the Soviet Union can "be adequately represented, as everyone knows in the Assembly, by the Soviet Union. The six Common Market countries, among whom is France, can be adequately represented by France in the Security Council. And the other Free Trade Association countries in Europe can be adequately represented by the United Kingdom because the United Kingdom is a member of the Free Trade Association; surely you have a common meeting ground for deciding your views. Therefore, nobody should give us the excuse, "What of the representation of the others?" You have your areas of representation: Common Market, Free Trade Association; you have the other European communities; and the other free areas are adequately represented. 132.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“One permanent seat is more powerful than twenty non-permanent seats because it has the right of veto. 130. When everybody agreed in the Security Council the other day, what did the United Kingdom do? It is true it had not been exercising its right of the veto all the time. But that day on Southern Rhodesia, despite what everybody said, the United Kingdom applied the veto, and that was the end of that. All we want is for you to give us these two non-permanent seats and let us have an opportunity to express our views, whether you agree with us or not. 131. Europe is very effectively represented by three permanent seats in the Security Council: one, the United Kingdom; one, France; and one, the Soviet Union.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“I want to say here, as far as I know, speaking for my own delegation, and I think, as far as I know, the Africans do not want to take any seat from Latin America. And let nobody cause any conflict between us and the Latin American countries. We do not want their seats. They have enjoyed their two seats for so long that now we say it is their right, it should be given to them. The Middle Eastern countries have now taken this one as theirs. Asia has one permanent seat. Europe has three permanent seats and two non-permanent seats. 129. I am appealing to the Europeans, both East and West. This division of Eastern Europe and Western Europe is unreal. There is only one Europe —we all learn geography— there is only one Europe. I am appealing to you, Europe, to give us two non-permanent seats.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“We fought last year on principle. At one time we were told that Africa and the Middle East had a seat. We tested that. And this Assembly decided that that seat was a Middle Eastern seat. We have decided not to look to any other seat as belonging to Africa. Africa has none. 127. Today the position is that Europe has three permanent seats and two non-permanent seats. Asia has one permanent seat. The Americas have one permanent seat and two non-permanent seats. The Middle East has one non-permanent seat. The Commonwealth has one non-permanent seat. Africa, with thirty-two States: nil. 128. I read a suggestion which had been made by the Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union that in order to get two seats for Africa we should take one from the Commonwealth and one from Latin America.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“Everybody agrees that that would be a good thing except certain Powers that say it would be only if China comes in. We say this is irrelevant to the issue. Then, in the absence of an amendment which would enlarge the Security Council to enable us to have our representation, to reallocate the existing seats. With respect to the 1946 "gentleman's agreement", again the answer is "No". May I ask the Assembly, does this Organization want thirty-two African States just to be vocal Members, with no right to be able to express their views on any particular matter in the important organs of the United Nations? Are we only going to continue to be veranda boys? This matter must be settled at this session one way or the other. 126. Thirty-two independent African States want their own representation in these various organs.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“You will remember, when we became independent, in 1960, in the Special Political Committee [197th meeting] we did not hesitate to demand representation, and we then and there made it clear that we did not like the idea that the two oldest African Member States here had never been called upon to be represented in any important organ of this Organization; and in that year, with the collaboration of the various States, the African-Asian group in particular, we succeeded in having Liberia share, with Ireland and Ethiopia, a seat on the Economic and Social Council. 125. We have tried to ask for an amendment of the Charter to increase the number of members in the Security Council —to increase the number, that is all. We do not want a total overhaul of the Charter.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“I think that is possible, that in the African States the majority have sufficient spirit of accommodation to be able to arrive at that conviction, I want South Africa to think of these things. 124. There is one other matter which is of great concern to African States, and that is the question of representation in the various organs of the United Nations.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“But to say that the minority will continue for ever to rule the majority —that is impossible. I would like that to be recorded today. 123. What we want to avoid is violence, Africa has suffered so much violence and destruction that we do not want any more. We would like Africa to be able to use the abundant resources that it has for the good of its sons and daughters, of all races, that have contributed to making Africa what it is in the twentieth century; and to be able to utilize those resources —intellectual, moral and material— for the good of humanity at large. We cannot do this if we continue warring amongst ourselves. We should be able to arrive at the decision that an African is an African regardless of the colour of his skin.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“If they want to be by themselves, if they do not wish to be exterminated, why not set aside one area sufficient for three or four million people, an area with sufficient room for expansion, for this group, dividing the rest of the country into other states each with its own provincial legislature. Then, in a federation, in the federal houses, all will be represented. That would be a solution. They are afraid that this might deprive them of all power; but if they like, there could be a senate in which there would be equal representation, and they would thus be represented in the central legislature. In their own area they would always have complete control. If they want it that way, if they do not want to mix freely, they can do that; that will be a way out if they want to continue to be isolated.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“It does not come to us as an issue here in that form, but unless all countries of the world, in writing, in their constitutions, begin to change these things —this discrimination against the black man— we can talk about disarmament and all the rest but we shall be just wasting our time; for until we are morally disarmed, until these injustices are rectified, the job of disarmament will be only half done; it will not be completely done. 122. The fear of the South Africans is that the black people, who are in a majority, will dominate them. Again we may learn by an example from Nigeria. There are three million white South Africans. They wish to preserve their identity, and so on. Now South Africa is already a federation, though it is not the kind of federation that we have.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“It means discrimination against the black man, that is all. We must call a spade a spade, not an instrument for digging. I can take a pick-axe and dig, I can take a hoe and dig, I can take a knife and dig or I can take a piece of wood and dig; but it is not a spade that I am digging with. A spade is a spade; otherwise there would be no distinction between "a spade" and "a shovel". 121. Racial discrimination today means simply discrimination against the black man. I am saying this here and I want it recorded.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“When the African laughs, he laughs; he does not open his mouth and close it suddenly. I do not think I need labour this point, but I have said this because Nigeria, as the country with the largest concentration of black men anywhere in the world, owes a duty to all the black people of the earth to do everything possible to eradicate the humiliation of the black man anywhere in the world. Whether Nigeria likes it or not, it is its duty, it is part of Nigeria's destiny. If Nigeria does not do this, then it has failed in its mission. I am happy to note that the United States, with the largest concentration of black people anywhere outside Africa, is making some effort to eradicate this humiliation of the black man. After all, when you talk of "colour discrimination", "racial discrimination", what does that mean?”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“It was not of their own doing; it was part of the history of man. I do not hate the descendants of the settlers and I do not think anyone else hates them. We disagree with them very violently and fundamentally, but that disagreement does not mean hate. 120. Therefore we take this opportunity, from this rostrum, to call upon the leaders of South Africa to think again, and we appeal to those friends of theirs who prefer to arm them instead of talking sense into their heads, to desist from arming them. Let the better nature of man prevail and you will find that the South African minority will enjoy life more abundantly. You will find that the African people, having suffered so much all over the world, has a spirit of accommodation and a forgiving nature, The African has a capacity to laugh at himself and to enjoy a joke.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)
“And if the present leaders of South Africa will not listen to reason, will not hearken to the voice of justice, will not be honest, will not allow their conscience to affect their thinking, then they will go under and the younger generation will find a solution to their problems. 119. But I want to put it on record here: Nobody, as far as I know, is planning the destruction of the settler minority in South Africa. We recognize that they have contributed certain things, that they have aided development. We know that a lot of damage was done in the Rhodesias, both North and South, that a great deal was destroyed by Rhodes and others. Rhodes is regarded in England as a great builder, but I regard him as the architect of African misery. However, that does not make me hate those people who are now settled there.”
1963-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 18 (1963)