YouSaid · the spoken record

LUNS

lines on the record: 427
first: 1952-09-24
most recent: 1970-09-24
sittings or episodes: 18
sources: un-general-debate

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“Our views regarding the fundamentals of the question were presented in Itemized detail in my address of 28 June last, during the fifth emergency special session [1539th meeting], and remain unchanged; so I shall not repeat those seven points. I do wish, however, to point out once again, though the fact is well known to everybody, that neither a detente nor a lasting solution will be possible in the Middle East unless, in addition to the two parties, the major Powers come to mutually acceptable terms. 92. That a consensus between major Powers is possible, even when the subject matter is difficult and complex, Is evident from the near-completion of a draft non-proliferation treaty. The attention of all of us is now directed towards current efforts aimed at a speedy presentation of that treaty.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“To continue aggravating present differences in the General Assembly seems pointless. Speaking for my Government, I recommend an early debate in the Security Council and a strengthening of the United Nations peace-keeping role in the area. We support all initiatives to this end: the appointment of a special representative of the Secretary-General, observers and — when desired and accepted by both sides — a United Nations buffer force to give extra guarantees against a new explosion. 91. All such measures will have our full support, and if necessary we are prepared to assist in guaranteeing permanent frontiers, security arrangements, and free passage through International waterways.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“Our hope is for a concerted effort by all parties to create a new and stable order in the Middle East, making possible the peaceful co-existence of countries and nations with all of whom we have age-old ties of close co-operation and friendship; nations whose civilizations, wisdom and spiritual contributions to the world have been most impressive. 90. The positions taken by the various parties to the dispute during the present debate are rigid, and understandably so. But understanding is not enough. It is conceivable that the traumatic events of last summer will bring about new patterns of thought that may bring us closer to a solution. In a part of the world where so much intellectual energy is concentrated, the creation of new structures must be possible.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“A most striking example of this is the situation in the Middle East. For twenty years we have discussed the problems of this area without coming to grips with the real issues. As a result the world has just witnessed the tragedy of a war that should have been avoided. Once again, in this Assembly, the Middle East is on our agenda. The situation at issue is one which clearly threatens world peace. Therefore, we feel that the Assembly should discuss this question with restraint, because it is a problem which falls under the competence of the Security Council.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“The Introduction to the Secretary- General's Annual Report is well worth reading on this point. 88. There are more such phenomena that seem to call for changes in our organization and procedures. Perhaps improved instruments for peace and security will lead to their better use. We might, for example, take a more critical view of certain kinds of decisions and paper resolutions that in fact do the world more harm than good because they cannot be implemented. They are wafted away on the wind of history almost as soon as they are written. Not only is it better to make no decision at all than to make one that is meaningless or unenforceable; it is also good to realize that the euphoria surrounding such resolutions and voting sometimes represents a flight from reality; the underlying problem remains unsolved. 89.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“155.] Only when every other avenue to peace has been explored without success, and a dangerous situation develops, are we justified in calling upon the United Nations — but even then we can do so only within the terms of the Charter. 87. We know that our Organization must cope with many and varied effects of growth. One such effect is the unforeseen increase in the number of sovereign States. A gathering of more than 120 Member States functions very differently from and less effectively than an assembly comprising no more than fifty or sixty members. However much our contemporary sense of justice may have been gratified by the speedy process of decolonization, the problem of very small countries whose voice and vote are out of proportion to their position in the world is real and as yet unsolved.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“Moreover, the United Nations is not designed to be used as an immediate court of complaint for every kind of violation against the international community. 86. The normal procedure, as laid down by the Charter, is for countries first to try and settle their own disputes directly. I can do no better than to quote verbatim the wise words in the Introduction to the Secretary-General's Annual Report when he says: "I believe it is necessary to draw attention to the urgent need for States to have wider recourse, in their relations with other States, to the various means for the pacific settlement of disputes." [A/ 6701/Add.1, para.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“My Government believes that the present situation must not be allowed to continue. It has therefore appealed to all parties to the conflict to break through the existing vicious circle and to adopt a policy leading to peace by accepting, as a first step, to go to the conference table. I now publicly reiterate this appeal on behalf of my country. 85. Much has been said in the course of this debate on the diminished ability of the United Nations to maintain world peace. Since the United Nations cannot be more than the combined aspirations of its Members, it goes without saying that what our Organization is able or unable to accomplish in the service of world peace reflects but the limits to which the Members are prepared to go for the furtherance of peace.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“The people of the Netherlands are by now so deeply worried about the war in Viet-Nam that they felt the need to give a solemn expression to their apprehensions. Towards the end of August last, the Lower House of the Netherlands Parliament spent a full day debating Viet-Nam, and every one of our political parties participated. My Government shares the grave concern expressed on that occasion by our Parliament, as well as its view that the Viet-Nam question calls for a political rather than a military solution. The House adopted a motion calling, inter alia, for a cessation of the bombing of North Viet-Nam in order to increase the possibility of peace negotiations. The member of Parliament who introduced the motion explained in an oral statement that the requested cessation of the bombing should not be subject to pre-conditions. 84.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“The Viet-Nam question calls for discussions and negotiations, In this context I was pleased to note that important Governments involved are prepared to move in that direction. I call to mind, for example, the statements made by Mr. George Brown [567th meeting], Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, who was one of the two Co-Chairmen of the Geneva Conference, and the expressed readiness on the part of the United States, so specifically stated by Ambassador Goldberg [562nd meeting], to sit down at the conference table and to accept a Security Council decision opening the way to a Geneva Conference. On the other hand, it is most regrettable that the other Co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference, the Soviet Union, seems as yet unwilling to co-operate towards such a procedure. 83.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“Today, more than ever before, the mass media confront us with the sufferings of a divided nation whose citizens want to live in peace and freedom, but who are torn by civil strife, terrorism and acts of war. 82. Every time a shot finds its mark, a bomb explodes on its target, or a political murder is committed, new sufferings are inflicted on that unhappy country. It is therefore imperative that honest attempts at finding a peaceful solution be earnestly studied by the party to which they are addressed instead of being scornfully and peremptorily rejected. Countless speakers before me have advocated a reconvening of the Geneva Conference, a conference which at the time proved to be a forum for constructive discussions. I join in their appeal.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“80. Mr. President, when I visited Romania early this year I not only was charmed by your country but I was also impressed with the political views expressed by Romanian statesmen, especially yourself. That impression was strengthened by our subsequent discussions in the Netherlands during the month of July. Your virtually unanimous election as President of this Assembly is therefore most gratifying to me, and I extend my warm congratulations to your country and to yourself. 81. My Government, to a large degree, shares the many concerns expressed in the Annual Report of the Secretary-General [A/6701], The war in Viet-Nam in particular continues to stir our conscience.”
1967-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 22 (1967)
“We are all agreed that up to now the United Nations Development Decade has been disappointing. But there is nothing to prevent us from using its remaining three years to conceive a new infra-structure of co-operation between all participating agencies, and to draw up a master plan for the following ten years. 112. Certainly the prospect of world-wide co-operation is more promising now that Indonesia, with which my country maintains increasingly close relations, has once again joined the family of co-operating countries. The Netherlands wholeheartedly welcomes this decision. 113. In conclusion, let me state that my country will continue to bear its share in the common effort in furthering peace and prosperity. Given God's help and the best efforts of which this Assembly is capable, I trust that we shall succeed.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Peacekeeping is a function of effective international cooperation, which in turn can be effective only if it makes a contribution to international prosperity, I am gratified in this context to draw your attention to Her Majesty Queen Juliana's speech from the Throne at the opening of the Netherlands Parliament only ten days ago. This speech expresses the resolve of the Netherlands Government, notwithstanding the severe financial restrictions imposed upon our economy, further to increase Netherlands spending on development aid, which for 1967 consequently exceeds by 10 per cent this year's figure. 111. But all efforts at the national level will yield only limited results as long as there is no worldwide effort for the furthering of prosperity of the developing nations.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Today, we should be able to go much further ahead and adapt even more the entire system of the United Nations to the needs of its Members. It would be of interest to obtain a complete survey of the number of United Nations agencies in countries or areas, and to find out how the structure of the network can be improved. In the same context, we could try to change our present policy of moving forward by small, tactical steps into an encompassing strategy for the future activities of the entire United Nations family. 110. Peace and prosperity are inseparable.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“For this reason, last year, while addressing the General Assembly [1348th meeting] I supported a suggestion by my French colleague, M. Couve de Murville, that a committee be established to examine the financial and organizational structure of the United Nations. The reports we have now received from the Committee of Fourteen as an outcome of the French initiative are extremely valuable. It is our firm hope that on the basis of these reports the Assembly will be able to reach agreement on ways in which the entire United Nations family can be integrated into a more coherent structure, perhaps in the face of some resistance by vested interests, no matter how respectable. A number of years ago, the establishment of five-year appraisals covering the activities of the entire group was an important step forward.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“It is also gratifying to note that when a new, be it rather modest, peace operation was really needed, namely to supervise the cease-fire between India and Pakistan, the absence of rules did not prevent a positive decision. 109. With this twenty-first Assembly session, the United Nations comes of age. During these twenty- one years, the Organization and its specialized agencies have been allowed to grow virtually unchecked. The result is that sometimes its component organizations, agencies, commissions, missions, bureaux and other institutions have grown more or less independently, without strong and clear coordination. Every bush has to be pruned from time to time to become more healthy, and every machinery overhauled in order to remain at peak efficiency. The United Nations is no exception.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“For a number of years now, world-wide co-operation in the United Nations on this subject has been thwarted by basic differences of opinion about the initiation and financing of United Nations peace-keeping operations. Under these circumstances, we heed not be surprised that the Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations has been compelled to suspend its activities without having so far achieved any tangible results. Indeed, at this time it would seem that ambitious schemes trying to lay down rigid rules for all cases would put too much stress on the still fragile structure of our world Organization and therefore might be harmful rather than beneficial.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“It is a well-established practice of totalitarian regimes to declare themselves prepared for negotiations provided the other side concedes in advance the main point at stake. 106. I do hope that the new proposals which Mr. Goldberg put forward from this rostrum a week ago will yet he seriously studied by the other side. 107. Public opinion is understandably inclined to pay most attention to those conflicts which remain unsolved by the United Nations. In order to set the record straight, let us not forget that in the past year the United Nations Security Council has scored a notable success by bringing about an end to warfare between India and Pakistan, and a withdrawal of their troops. 108. This leads me to the subject of peace-keeping operations.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“One is that these exhortations are usually openly or implicitly addressed to the United States alone and ignore the fact that for more than a year now the United States has made several serious peace proposals — overtures which have all been spurned and turned down with contempt by the other side. To blame, openly or implicitly, the one party which has made all these proposals is not only one-sided but hardly conducive to the attainment of the professed aim — peace in Viet-Nam. 105. My second objection is that these proposals ask primarily, or even exclusively, for military de-escalation on the United States side, and not, or only in a second phase, from the side of North Viet- Nam. Such one-sided proposals fail to impress us.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“The scale of the hostilities has been stepped up considerably during the past year and the danger of the conflict's developing into an even wider conflagration has increased proportionately. The Netherlands Government and Parliament have repeatedly voiced their concern at this development and their strong conviction that a peaceful solution by negotiation must be achieved before this situation gets beyond control. Many others have expressed similar views, sometimes coupled with specific proposals. However, to my mind, these proposals fall short in two respects. 104.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“We do hope that the United Kingdom, which still carries the responsibility for that territory, with the assistance of the United Nations will yet arrive at an acceptable solution. My country has loyally carried out the economic sanctions recommended by the United Nations and will continue to do so. 102. The war in Viet-Nam, although not formally on our agenda, will inevitably continue to dominate our minds and our discussions. 103. Before making a few remarks on the further prospects, I feel bound first of all to give expression to the deep feelings of compassion and human solidarity felt by the Dutch people for the people of the whole of Viet-Nam in their plight and their sufferings.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“I wonder whether, in the light of recent experiences, it might not be possible to revive an idea that in the past has often been discussed in my country. I refer to the possibility of amending the Charter in such a way that the United Nations, in the same way as States, may acquire locus standi before the Court. In this connexion, I also would avail myself of the present opportunity to announce that my country is prepared to make a significant contribution towards the establishment of new premises for the International Court of Justice at The Hague. 101. in the question of Southern Rhodesia, my Government continues to support the principle that a lawful and democratic regime, representative of the population as a whole, should be established. Unfortunately, no road to this end is yet in sight.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Our present system of international justice is the outcome of a process started hardly a hundred years ago, a process which developed inevitably through the International Peace Conferences at The Hague in 1899 and 1907, and through the Permanent Court of International Justice to the present International Court of Justice. We should therefore never abandon the path of law, but keep in mind that great international issues are ripe for judicial decision only in as far as the political conditions are fulfilled. The law serves stability, and yet it cannot stand still. The ups-and-downs of international adjudication which follow inevitably from this inherent contradiction cannot affect the existence of a whole institution. But that institution should be developed and improved.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Even in this very session of the General Assembly committees will be working on the establishment of legal principles in such diverse fields as outer space, human rights, international trade, non-intervention, peaceful coexistence and co-operation and, last but not least, the very foundations of international law, that is, the law governing international treaties. 100. This general desire for declarations of principles and codification of international rules gives clear proof of a fundamental belief in the necessity of international law.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“The Netherlands delegation will actively cooperate in the search for solutions. I shall therefore limit myself at this stage to some basic comments. 99. From the very first when the problem of apartheid was placed on the agenda of the General Assembly, my Government has expressed its rejection of each and every form of racial discrimination, including the policy of apartheid. There has recently been an attempt to steer the course of law in seeking a solution for the problem of South West Africa. Hitherto this course has provided no solution. Let us try to see international law in its perspective and not overlook the fact that the body of international law is growing at an unprecedented rate.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“The problems touched upon in the Secretary- General's report will require our dedicated attention, U Thant in his report has rightly given great attention to the problems of weapon control, non-proliferation of atomic weapons, and disarmament. These problems are so important and even a partial solution will be so beneficial to mankind that we should earnestly and energetically continue trying to reach agreement on them. When these matters come up in the First Committee, my delegation will take an active and constructive part in the discussions. 98. The process of decolonization is almost complete, yet its few remainders still provoke deep-seated emotions. The problems of apartheid, of South West Africa and of Southern Rhodesia have all assumed a more threatening and potentially more explosive character.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“My Government welcomes this development and will actively further it. 96. Turning, however, to world-wide co-operation, prospects are least encouraging, while problems are most exacting. The introduction to the Secretary- General's annual report on the work of the Organization [A/6301/Add.1] bears eloquent and disconcerting witness to this. In passing, I should like to pay tribute to this forthright report and to its plain language. And In this connexion I wish to express my country's confidence in our Secretary-General, U Thant. In conformity with his own request, I shall not blow his trumpet, but merely limit myself to saying that my country would be happy if he were prepared to stay on. 97.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“In addition, preliminary talks have been initiated with the East African Federation, composed of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and with two of the Maghreb countries, namely, Tunisia and Morocco. The EEC has also concluded trade agreements with some Middle Eastern countries, such as Iran, Israel and Lebanon. I believe I am justified in saying that these agreements bear out the determination of the Community to make a contribution of its own to the development of world trade and international prosperity, in full conformity with the principles of the United Nations. 95. If we draw the circle still wider and look at Europe as a whole, we notice that although differences in ideological and economic systems among the countries of Eastern and Western Europe persist, there is a definite tendency towards closer and more cordial contact.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Thus, the "Kennedy Round" constitutes an implementation of a vital article of the EEC Treaty [article 110] which reads: "By establishing a customs union between themselves, Member States intend to contribute in conformity with the common interest to the harmonious development of world trade, the progressive abolition of restrictions on international exchanges and the lowering of tariff barriers." 94. The application of this article is by no means limited to the industrialized countries, as is proved by the agreements of association concluded by the Community since its creation in 1958 with, consecutively, Greece, Turkey, eighteen African countries and Madagascar, and recently with Nigeria.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“The creation of a common agricultural policy has moreover fulfilled a prerequisite for the success of the "Kennedy Round" of negotiations, thus opening the way to the decision, world-wide in application and unprecedented in history, to halve tariffs in the industrial and agrarian sectors as from 1 June 1967. The active participation by the European Economic Community in the "Kennedy Round" in fact provides proof that the community is anxious to remove the concern of third-States, such as that expressed by my Mexican colleague earlier in this general debate [1418th meeting] when he voiced anxiety about the coming into existence of closed blocs resulting from the granting of preferences. Should these negotiations succeed, they may well mean a turning-point in world trade.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“No one would at present deny that this market of 180 million people In a highly developed part of the world is rapidly developing into an economic unit of prime importance. The Common Market has certainly experienced some difficult crises, but thanks to persistent determination, decisions were reached at Brussels this summer completing the groundwork for full agricultural integration among the six Common Market countries, resulting in agricultural policies for the member countries henceforth determined and financed by the European Economic Community. I mention this development because, contrary to what is sometimes feared, it is contributing directly to the continued growth of world trade.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“To give but one example, for the last three years Luxembourg has been a member of the Economic and Social Council. At the request of the Luxembourg Government, the delegations of Luxembourg in the Council have been composed of nationals of Luxembourg, Belgians and Dutchmen and headed by a representative of Luxembourg; depending upon the distribution of tasks, speakers from any one of these countries presented the views of the Luxembourg delegation without the nationality of the spokesman making the slightest difference. 93. In the next somewhat wider circle encompassing my country, the European Common Market, the cooperation between the Netherlands and its five partners has likewise yielded significant results in the past year.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“90. As I have the honour to mount this rostrum today for the fifteenth year in succession in order to address this, the world's most representative gathering, I should like to follow a time-honoured tradition in trying to give an impression of how the problems of the international community present themselves to my country. Viewed from the Netherlands, it is to be noted that these problems would seem to increase in complexity in proportion to the widening of the circle of observation. 91. To begin with the smallest circle: there are no countries with which the Netherlands co-operates more closely than Belgium and Luxembourg, our partners in Benelux. Steadily the ties between these three countries grow stronger, steadily they succeed in overcoming obstacles of greater complexity and difficulty, and steadily their interdependence grows. 92.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Nothing could have marked this change in atmosphere better, or could have contributed more to it, than the august presence among us yesterday of His Holiness the Pope. 110. In this spirit I hope, Mr. President, that at your next visit to Rome, you will convey to His Holiness the feelings of deep gratitude that all of us in this Assembly nurture for his truly historic and deeply moving contribution to the cause of peace; and I pray that the Almighty may grant us guidance and wisdom in our labours.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“This will be the case in particular when the important subject of disarmament, with all its related problems, comes up; and again, when the details of the work in the economic and social sphere, including all aspects of aid to less developed countries, are discussed. We intend to take an active part in the debate in the Committees, on these and other items dealt with by the Secretary-General in his valuable annual report [A/6001]. As far as the general debate is concerned, I want to limit myself to the remarks I have just made. 109. After the disappointing nineteenth session, it is encouraging to note that the twentieth session is opening in a spirit of greater co-operation, optimism and determination, which may indicate, as we hope, that the United Nations has passed the depression of last year and is now on the upgrade again.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“Unfortunately, during the last months, the crisis in the Common Market has dimmed our expectations, and I greatly fear that a serious slow-down — if not worse — will result from these unfortunate developments. Nevertheless, in the long run, I remain confident of the final outcome, because the integration of the economies and the parallel political interest have been too far advanced to envisage the failure of the whole concept. Although these developments are not the subject of discussion within the United Nations, I felt that they are of such importance that I was entitled briefly to touch upon them because, indirectly, they will certainly affect many regions besides Europe. 108. The twentieth session is, understandably, faced with a heavy agenda. On many of the items before us, the Netherlands delegation will have a good deal to say.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“Since 1944, this ideal has found practical expression in various organizations, such as Benelux, the Council of Europe, the Western European Union, the European Coal and Stell Community, Euratom, and, finally, the most important of them all, the Common Market. We did consider, and still do consider, that organization as the nucleus of the economic and also the political unification of all the free and democratic countries of Europe. Even a year ago, I still would have expressed my confident hope that the impetus of the Common Market would not fail, within the foreseeable future, to bring about the practical realization of our ideals.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“Having made some observations on the future of the two great Councils of this Organization — the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council — I should like to add that my delegation is very happy indeed that the amendments to the Charter concerning the increase in membership of both Councils have now entered into force. My delegation has been active towards this end for many years because these amendments will bring about a more fair representation of the new Members of our Organization, to which these Members are entitled. 106. Before I end, I feel bound to say a few words about certain developments in my own continent, Europe. 107. As is well known, the Netherlands, since the last war, has been a staunch champion of the ideal of a United Europe.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“In any case, we feel that recent developments have shown that the Economic and Social Council has rightly retained its position as the central United Nations organ for the elaboration of world policy on development, and that the responsibilities of the Conference on Trade and Development in this field are, of necessity, more limited in scope. We hope and trust that duplication, overlapping, and general waste of effort and of manpower will be avoided in the delimitation of the work to be done by the various United Nations organs and agencies active in this field. 105.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“The conclusions of that session point in the direction of a revalidation of the Council's position as the co-ordinating and stimulating organ in this field, as intended by the authors of our Charter. From this rostrum, I want to express our sincere hope that, in future, we shall hear less of the so-called "constitutional responsibilities" of the various Members of the United Nations family, and more of that single and unique responsibility which all parts of the United Nations system share in the combined and concerted struggle for more prosperity, more well-being, more happiness, for more people. 104.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“This strong connexion between peace and prosperity brings me to the scope of that other principal organ of our Organization, the Economic and Social Council. With your permission, Mr. President, I should like to make a brief observation on the future task of this Council. 103. The Economic and Social Council is, I believe, entering a new era. This year's thirty-ninth session of the Council has provided sufficient evidence that all geographical regions are placing a renewed confidence in the contribution by the entire United Nations family, including the specialized agencies, to an accelerated development of the less developed areas of the world.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“The United Nations as such cannot impose a solution of its own. When there is a conflict between large States, especially, a solution has ultimately got to be agreed upon by the parties to that conflict. A threat to withdraw from the United Nations cannot alter this basic fact. 101. In View of the many potentially dangerous situations confronting us today, it may be useful again to draw the attention of the Assembly to the fact that peace and prosperity cannot be separated one from the other; and, for more than two thirds of our World population, prosperity is almost entirely dependent on development. There is also an unbreakable link between peace and development. One day's gun-fire can jeopardize an entire development programme, and may even destroy years of patient work of fighting poverty and promoting, prosperity and progress. 102.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“We are by no means sure, or even hopeful, that the United Nations can perform a useful task in promoting a solution of the Viet-Namese conflict. We can hope only — and my delegation does fervently hope — that the bloodshed and destruction will convince those parties who thus far have steadfastly refused to come to the conference table that the use of armed force does not solve the problem. 100. On the other hand, it is just as important that one should keep in mind the limitations imposed upon the United Nations by its very nature. The United Nations is an Organization of sovereign States, not a superstate; it provides a forum and a machinery for the Governments, not a supergovernment. One cannot, therefore, expect the United Nations to lay down solutions and to impose them upon the parties.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“We may perhaps have neglected to tackle the basic underlying problems which led to hostilities. 98. The problem of Kashmir provided the world with one glaring example of our failure to act in time; but others — let me mention only the conflict in the Middle East and the situation in Cyprus — are easy to find. All these cases show the necessity of unrelenting pressure on the parties concerned in order to arrive at negotiated settlements. 99. Likewise, beyond the formal agendas of the General Assembly and the Security Council, the most disquieting conflict of our day — the war in Viet-Nam — looms large in our preoccupations. We are all aware of the complexities of the problems involved in that question.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“During the last six months the Security Council not only has displayed a greater activity than in previous years, but it has shown an increasing awareness among all Council members of the necessity to reach generally acceptable decisions. It was thus that unanimity was achieved on the border incidents between Portuguese Guinea and Senegal, on the worrying situation in Cyprus, and several times in the conflict between India and Pakistan. 97. We are particularly happy about this increased activity of the Security Council because we feel that that body may have to take on more activities in depth. I mean to say that we have not sufficiently used all the means put at our disposal by the Charter in order to achieve a stage where the parties to a dispute bridge their differences and arrive at negotiated settlements.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“We were particularly happy to be able to play some part in bringing about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. We also wish to compliment the Secretary-General for his unrelenting efforts in trying to carry the Council’s decisions into practice. The result obtained is of signal importance because thus far it has been the gravest armed conflict halted by the United Nations. But of even greater significance in the long run may prove to be the fact that, for the first time in many years, the Security Council has again been able to take drastic action on the basis of unanimity of its permanent members. This is how the Council was originally intended to function, and it strengthens the trend towards a return to a greater role for the Council, which has been noticeable lately. 96.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“It goes without saying that this offer is made on the understanding that in each specific case prior consultation with and agreement of the Netherlands Government will be required. We trust that this contribution will be of assistance to the United Nations, and we hope that it will induce an increasing number of countries of different regional groups likewise to make contingents available on a stand-by basis. 95. I mentioned just now the increased emphasis on the primary responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security. My country has been privileged again to occupy a seat on that important body since 1 January of this year, and consequently we have been closely associated with all aspects of the work of this principal organ of the United Nations.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“In a later phase this naval contribution may be enlarged with other units, notably a light aircraft carrier for transport of personnel and equipment, as well as other units to serve as headquarters ship or as logistic support ship. So much for the navy. 92. The contribution of the Royal Netherlands Army will consist of: a self-contained and self-supporting armoured infantry battalion, available in the course of 1966, and a medical unit in the strength of an independent medical company. These Army units can be made available at short notice, once they have been readied for transport abroad. 93. The contribution of the Royal Netherlands Air Force consists of: one Fokker F.27 transport plane with crew and/or three Alouette II helicopters with crew. 94.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)
“Experience since then has demonstrated that the United Nations will in future need more elaborate and more diversified military contributions from its Members if it is effectively to exercise its peacekeeping task. I therefore take great pleasure in announcing that the Netherlands Government has decided to increase its original offer of standby forces considerably by expending it to diversified units of navy, army and air force. We are informing the Secretary-General as to the composition of the increased stand-by forces. 91. First, the Royal Netherlands Navy: in the first instance, a contingent of 600 Royal Marines; then an under way fleet supply ship, equipped whenever necessary with four transport-liaison helicopters, as well as a number of vessels for patrolling and reconnaissance.”
1965-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 20 (1965)