YouSaid · the spoken record

Brundtland

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS BRUNDTLAND

lines on the record: 40
first: 1986-09-24
most recent: 1992-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

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

“The permanent members of the Security Council have a special responsibility in this respect. And the question must be raised whether countries should be eligible at all for membership of the Security Council if they have not paid their dues. We must be willing to provide the Secretary-General and his staff with the necessary means to promote peace and to wage war against environmental degradation and underdevelopment. Our daily diet of printed and electronic presents a picture of a world in need of better governance and of more coordination. Our present forms of cooperation, developed in a less interdependent world, are still too weak and unlikely to stand the test of time. We should not pretend that they can.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Being the eighth largest contributor to the United Nations system in absolute terms, and by far the largest in per capita terms, we find it exceedingly difficult to understand why so many countries fail to honour their obligations. It is disappointing, to say the least, to read in the Secretary-General's report: "Perennial shortages, the absence of reserves, and a debilitating uncertainty over the immediate future, are the main characteristics of the financial situation of the United Nations." (A/47/1, para. 46) Immediately preceding this sentence the Secretary-General points out that some $900 million in assessed contributions are unpaid, together with some $844 million dollars towards peace-keeping operations. Frankly, this is an unworthy situation. We must increase our financial discipline.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The challenge of economic and social development requires a more unified approach and stronger direction within the United Nations system. Over the years the number of agencies, programmes and councils has mushroomed, with too little inter-agency cooperation. This cannot continue. We must streamline our organization to avoid duplication and to improve effectiveness. The Nordic countries have addressed these challenges through the Nordic United Nations Project. Although we have made some headway, we need to proceed during the present session of the General Assembly. In view of the greater demands now being made on the United Nations, we must stress the importance of sound and predictable financing.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“Furthermore, Rio made it clear that the challenges of dealing with environmental threats and poverty are cross-cutting, long term, predictable and unavoidable unless we establish a world order of burden-sharing, common perceptions and common responsibility. Therefore, critical decisions remain to be taken. Traditional international conferences run by consensus can advance only at the pace of the most reluctant mover in each field. The future requires stronger decision-making procedures. Nothing less will serve us. I welcome the high-level Commission on Sustainable Development and expect it to become effective under a revitalization of the economic and social responsibilities of the United Nations. Norway proposed the establishment of such a Commission and expects to take an active part in its work.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“At the Rio Conference on Environment and Development it was made clear that we are heading towards a crisis of uncontrollable dimensions unless we change course. The North as well as the rich in the South will have to change consumption and production patterns. Developing nations came to the Rio Summit with open economic demands, and understandably so: for them, the Conference was essentially about development and justice. At Rio, we achieved progress in many fields, but too little in most fields and none at all in some fields. We opened two important conventions for signature. It is imperative that we make them more effective. They will not work unless all major countries sign, ratify and implement them.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“At present rates, the world population is doubling every 40 years, and could reach somewhere between 8 billion and 14 billion by the middle of the next century. Keeping to the low end of that scale will make all the difference to life on Earth and humanity. We must deal with population growth through an integrated human rights approach, including education and the enhancement of the status of women, improved public health and family planning. Confronted with these great challenges, we find it a sad paradox that development aid flows continue to stagnate and remain at less than half of the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). Norway's official development aid has exceeded 1 per cent of our GDP for more than 10 years, which reflects our strong commitment to the fight against poverty.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In fact, most of the economic problems that we are faced with are linked to lack of coordination, to rivalry and to laissez-faire attitudes among industrialized countries. The developing countries are, as always, the ultimate losers. Their best line of defence is to undertake policy reforms to mobilize their people, educate them and and diversify their economies. Development is not likely to accelerate without good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, reduced military spending and improved redistribution systems, with increased emphasis on health and education. Alleviating world poverty is necessary if we are to reduce the rapid population increase in many parts of the world.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“But the slow rate of economic growth and high level of unemployment in most countries in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development limit demands for products from developing countries. The outlook is uncertain, and the unfinished business of the Uruguay Round adds to this uncertainty. Capital needs are enormous; competition for capital is fierce. Developing countries are the losers. The current financial and monetary instability poses great risks to countries and individuals. We need to impose stability and prevent speculation from throwing national economies into peril. There is no alternative to effective coordination of financial and monetary policies. But that coordination can succeed only when coupled with social purpose, a fair distribution and public efforts to create employment.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“According to the United Nations Development Programme's latest human development report, the richest 20 per cent of the world's population receive 83 per cent of total world income, whereas the poorest 20 per cent have only 1.4 per cent. We cannot allow these inequalities to persist. The African continent has been particularly hard hit by economic decline, and a concerted international effort must be mounted to reverse this unfortunate situation. To break out of the development impasse, increased contributions from the industrialized countries will be needed, in the form of better market access for developing countries, more investment, increased development aid and debt relief for the poorest countries.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“This concept proved successful in Namibia and is now being put to a new test in Cambodia. As a means of improving our capacity for such broader operations, we have proposed the establishment of a special United Nations institute for education and training in peace-keeping and related activities. There can be no lasting peace in the world as long as a large part of humanity lives in misery and despair. Maintaining international peace and security is a prime responsibility of the United Nations, as is promoting economic and social progress and respect for human rights. We must adamantly oppose any tendency to ignore the fundamental challenges of the continuing North-South divide. Otherwise the very future of our planet is in danger. In spite of remarkable economic and social progress in many developing countries, the inequalities persist.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We must seize that opportunity. The Secretary-General's report "An Agenda for Peace" (A/47/277) is a starting-point for a serious discussion on how this can be achieved. We need to consider further the circumstances under which the United Nations should resort to real enforcement, mindful of our obligations under the Charter. Burden-sharing is essential with regard to peace-keeping. Every country has a duty to participate, including those which so far, for various reasons, have refrained from getting involved. Some 35,000 Norwegian men and women have participated in a total of 16 United Nations peace-keeping operations. We are prepared to intensify our efforts in this field. But our collective efforts must move beyond traditional peace-keeping into such fields as refugee-repatriation, electoral assistance and human rights monitoring.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“We are confident that this can be achieved, if it really wants to. We urge the South African Government to meet the reasonable demands of the African National Congress of South Africa so that negotiations can be resumed in order to work out the framework for adopting a new constitution and establishing an interim government. Norway is prepared to contribute at a practical level by sending observers to monitor the violence and facilitate the negotiation process in South Africa. We will maintain our economic boycott until we see some real progress in the negotiations. All these crises and conflicts demonstrate the need for more effective international crisis-prevention and crisis-management mechanisms. The end of the cold war has opened a window of opportunity for the United Nations to live up to the great objectives of its Charter.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“In Somalia the United Nations must give top priority to providing sufficient food and medical supplies to the starving people. This will be an important test of our collective ability to respond quickly and effectively in the face of natural and man-made disasters. Somalia also needs assistance in finding political solutions to its internal problems, and, equally importantly, in building a more sustainable economy. Norway supports a United Nations peace-keeping presence in this war-torn country, and we are willing to participate in such an operation. The time for peaceful change in South Africa is running out. We condemn the recent killings of innocent people, and call on the South African Government to restrain the police and the army throughout South Africa, including the so-called homelands.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It is now of the utmost importance to prevent the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina from spreading throughout the Balkan area. We must consider all available means, and support those measures which have already been applied. The recent decision by the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe to send observer teams to Kosovo, Sandzak and Vojvodina is an important step. While we are grieved by the tragic war, we must not lose hope. We must assist the people of the former Yugoslavia to accept and respect each other and to come to terms again, making peace through reconciliation. We must encourage the forces of moderation and good will; we must ensure that all parties take part in a peace-making process. We must act justly - and, if need be, forcefully.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“All parties to the conflict must now honour their commitments. The United Nations Protection Force, in which we are proud to take part, is doing a tremendous job under exceedingly difficult circumstances, particularly in Bosnia. We must all stand united behind the United Nations and refrain from actions that will only prolong the conflict. Our first priority must be to alleviate the sufferings of the civilian population by providing humanitarian assistance. A great number of human lives will depend upon how the United Nations manages to protect humanitarian supplies and monitor heavy weaponry. I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on United Nations forces engaged in humanitarian supply operations around Sarajevo. Those guilty of these crimes must be found and brought to trial.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“The "ethnic cleansing" in the former Yugoslavia is an unacceptable violation of international law and must be brought to a halt. An international tribunal should be set up to punish all those responsible for the war crimes that are now being committed. All prison and detention camps should be closed down immediately, and the captives must be allowed to return freely to their homes without any further harassment. Strict observance of the sanctions introduced by the United Nations Security Council is essential to exert maximum pressure on the parties concerned. As the former Yugoslavia no longer exists, Serbia and Montenegro must apply for membership of the United Nations, along with other new States. We must all give our firm and unequivocal support to the London Agreement and the Geneva process.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“They were suppressed rather than dealt with in a constructive way. Democratic traditions were not allowed to develop. Some leaders have exploited the absence of democratic traditions, appealing to narrow ethnic and even clan interests. The disastrous consequences are brought home to us daily on our television screens. In Somalia the political crisis has been deepened by extreme poverty and by environmental degradation. We must strongly condemn the unspeakable cruelties being committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina and other parts of the former Yugoslavia. We cannot accept, and will not recognize, any attempts to change international borders by force. The parties must understand that they cannot achieve their goals by armed force. I urge the parties to the conflict to cease fighting at once.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“It is a great pleasure for me to congratulate you, Sir, on your election to your high office at such an important juncture in the history of the United Nations. I should also like to greet the many new Members that have been admitted to our Organization in recent months. We welcome them all and look forward to cooperating closely with them in our efforts to strengthen the United Nations. Many of us had hoped to see a new, more equitable world order emerge in the wake of the profound changes we have experienced over recent years. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. The tragic conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Somalia illustrate the challenges we are up against. In many ways they are similar. Underlying ethnic, religious, social and economic problems were "frozen" during the cold war.”
1992-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 47 (1992)
“But it cannot be a repetition of the non-sustainable development patterns of the past decades, which resulted in the development crisis of the 1980s. A new era of growth must be built on new patterns of the development and on a unification of ecology and economics. The earth is one, but the world of man is not. Mankind shares a common origin and a common future. Short-sighted self-interest has misled the human race to over-exploitation of the troubled planet. We have been heavily overdrawing the account which nature opened for us. But the unsustainable trends can be rectified. We must formulate and adopt new strategies to secure a sustainable common future. The opportunities are in fact there. Now it is time for us to act.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“In recent years the world has become increasingly aware that the negligence of interactions between the environment and development is already seriously threatening the ability of the planet to sustain life for present and future generations. The threats of war and regional conflicts are the concern of us all, but so also are critical life support systems that are now at stake. The world Commission on Environment and Development, which is to report to the General Assembly next year, is convinced that these new imperatives can be seriously addressed only by defining the goals of economic activity in terms of sustainable development. Sustainable development will require a recovery from the economic stagnation of recent years and indeed a new era of growth in the world economy.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“his is really the essence of the North-South dialog: how the growing inter-linkages between issues and interdependence between nations create an increasing number of problems that transcend national systems and require solutions of a global nature. The need for a global approach is clear, but it does not mean that all problems have to be negotiated and solved simultaneously. What it means is that global perspectives must permeate all the processes and the work we are engaged in, and that this is becoming more and more urgent. Protection of the environment and development are essential and mutually reinforcing goals. This requires that environmental considerations be built into development projects ~ t the earliest possible stage. Otherwise, they will not be economically sustainable.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“It encompasses broad security concerns, environmental and ecological issues, and economic and cultural relations. There is also the geographical dimension of interdependence, regionally and globally. The nuclear accident at Chernobyl highlighted the awesome problems we shall face across the borders in the event of a nuclear disaster occurring in any one country. The rapid population growth in many countries is creating migration patterns which strain both national and cross-national systems. In the trade aid financial area we see the mutual dependence of creditors and debtors, as well as the vital .link between a non-protectionist trade regime and the ability of debtor countries to meet their debt obligations and generate the necessary resources for their own development.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“In this way we want to make our contribution to bringing about a South Africa with equal rights and opportunities for all. He also hope to inspire other countries to follow suit, to increase the total international pressure against apartheid. Time is running out for peaceful solutions. If apartheid is not abolished soon, the whole region of southern Africa may explode in a bloody upheaval. I appeal to every nation to move forward in taking effective action against apartheid. From this rostrum world leaders have rightly been warning of the threats to the survival of mankind caused by existing nuclear arsenals, regional conflicts and failures of the development process. Interdependence is becoming the dominant characteristic of the whole range of issues relating to development.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“For that reason we were pleased to host a United Nations seminar on the oil embargo in Oslo in June this year, in preparation for the United Nations World Conference on Sanctions against Racist South Africa, held in Paris. The proposal to set up an international monitoring mechanism on the supply of oil to South Africa was included in the Final Declaration of the Paris Conference, and we hope that the Security Council will be able to support this idea, with a view to achieving an effective oil embargo against South Africa. In addition to the measures contained in the Nordic program of Action, Norway has adopted a number of unilateral measures. My Government is now preparing a bill on an economic boycott of South Africa, a bill which is expected to be decided upon by the Norwegian Parliament this autumn.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“We also propose that the United Nations prepare a contingency plan for assistance to South Africa's neighbors in the event of South African reprisals against those countries. Norway has repeatedly advocated comprehensive, mandatory sanctions against South Africa. I take this opportunity to urge those countries that still oppose sanctions to reassess their attitude. The absence of binding sanctions should not be used as a pretext for failing to act against apartheid. Measures by individual countries or groups of countries are also important, in order to signal disapproval of apartheid and express solidarity with those who work for changes in South Africa. My Government believes that an effective oil embargo would be an important measure against South Africa.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“My Government strongly supports these conclusions. Some countries, even so, continue to argue against sanctions, on the ground that sanctions will create increased suffering for the blade population and cause economic difficulties for the neighboring countries of South Africa. We do not underestimate those difficulties. But, even though sanctions may cause hardships in the short run, representative black leaders argue that that is preferable to the prolonged suffering that apartheid implies. We think it is wise to listen to those leaders. In fact, we feel there is an obligation to do so. The Norwegian Government therefore urges the Security Council to impose comprehensive mandatory sanctions against South Africa.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“The dramatic events should not make us forget that South Africa continues its illegal occupation of Namibia, in violation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). This issue was dealt with extensively at last week's special session on Namibia, and I should like to repeat our demand to the South African Government to agree to the implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibia without any further delay. The policy of trying to abolish apartheid through a dialog with the South African Government has been tried repeatedly without success. In its recent report for the Commonwealth eminent persons group draws the depressing conclusion that the South African Government does not seen to be prepared for a genuine dialog with the opposition and that outside pressure is essential for any prospect of peaceful change.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“One area where the United Nations has a special responsibility and where we hope that the Organization may play a decisive role is the question of South Africa and Namibia. The situation in South Africa has reached an explosive stage. The black majority is no longer willing to tolerate the aggressive apartheid system and is demanding the obvious right to be treated as equal citizens with full political rights. Instead of addressing these legitimate demands, the South African Government has once again resorted to the desperate means of declaring a state of emergency and detaining hundreds of apartheid opponents. This policy will only lead to prolonged suffering and bloodshed in South Africa.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“We managed to set up a common point of reference, where the mutual commitments . of Africa and the international community are elaborated. The consensus that was reached on this document must be seen as a notable achievement. However, the final evaluation of that session can only be made in the future. The follow-up action must be pursued energetically on the national, regional and international levels. We witness, with respect and admiration, the valiant efforts undertaken-by African countries to initiate new economic policies. However, interdependence is today a living reality. The African countries will succeed only if the international community agrees to complement these efforts with new and increased assistance. Norway pledges its full and continued suppoit to the African development efforts.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“It is essential that this transformation be allowed to take place in an orderly and responsible manner, and that Member States indeed co-operate closely with the Secretary-General in the difficult task he faces in implementing these changes. Earlier this year, for the first time in the history of the United Nations, attention was focused on the economic and social problems of one single continent. The special session on the critical situation in Africa was an important element in the United Nations efforts to assist African countries in surmounting their grave economic and ecological crisis. Based on the thorough preparations made by the Organization of African Unity and its member States, the special session adopted unanimously a program of action for African economic recovery and development for 1986-1990.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“At this forty-first session we have a unique opportunity to do exactly that. It is an opportunity we must not miss. We have before us the report of the Group of High-Level intergovernmental Experts - the Group of 18 - established last year by unanimous decision of the General Assembly to examine and suggest improvements in the Organization's administration and finances. The Norwegian Government fully supports these recommendations and urges the Assembly to approve them in their entirety. These recommendations are only the beginning of a reform process in the United Nations, a process which will be painful and which will necessarily take time.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“Even the strongest champions of the United Nations - countries like Norway and many others - must now concede that these concerns have some validity. The political and economic issues on the agenda of the United Nations persist. Its budget is burdened by unnecessary duplication and overlapping of functions, and the budgetary process lacks the discipline required to evoke the full support of all Member States. The task of renewing the effectiveness of the United Nations is basically political in nature. It requires that Member States manifest the political will to place the financing of the Organization on a viable basis and provide the Secretary-General with the mandate and the support he needs to carry out the major organization, staffing and budget changes which will reduce costs, improve effectiveness and restore confidence.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“These withholdings, together with the lack of budgetary discipline, in fact threaten seriously to undermine the viability of the United Nations. The Norwegian Government is deeply committed to multilateralism and to a strong United Nations; and the objective need of the world community is greater today than it was when the Organization was created 41 years ago. The financial crisis is the manifestation of a fundamental crisis of credibility which has been festering for some time. There has been a widespread and deepening loss of confidence in the United Nations on the part.of many Member States and their publics that believe that the Organization is not sufficiently effective in meeting its original objectives or in serving the interests of its Members.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“Political leaders from all over the world came here to pay a tribute to the Organization. It was seen as an expression of support for multilateralism as a basic concept and working method in international affairs. Past experience has shown us that there is no alternative to global co-operation in the striving for peace and security, for economic and social development and for the protection of human rights. In spite of the many pledges made in this Hall last year, the political and economic problems on the agenda of the United Nations persist, and in the past year there has been hardly any progress on major issues before the Organization. In addition, the United Nations itself has for some time now experienced severe financial problems caused by significant withholdings of assessed contributions on the part of several Member states.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“As we work towards an end to the arms race on earth, we must at the same time seek to prevent a spread of the arms race into outer space. It is our firm belief that outer space must be reserved for peaceful purposes exclusively. We fully support the efforts to that end in the United Nations and in the Conference on Disarmament. The irrationality of the arms race is most amply demonstrated by the global imbalance between the resources spent on armaments and what is devoted to development. This fundamental problem should indeed be a matter of concern for the entire world community. Norway, therefore, supports the idea of holding the United Nations conference on disarmament and development as soon as possible. Last year the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations was solemnly commemorated in this Assembly Hall.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“Pending questions that hamper a new summit now urgently need solutions to pave the way for new agreements in Geneva. The work undertaken in multilateral disarmament forums is also of crucial importance, both as an expression of wide public concern and for negotiating global disarmament agreements. The nuclear test ban issue remains a vital question. Efforts here should be further intensified. It is our hope that this session of the General Assembly will contribute to expediting the work of the Conference on Disarmament in order to reach agreement cm a comprehensive test ban. It still has not been possible to reach agreement on a treaty banning chemical weapons, although important progress has been made. Indecent use of these abhorrent weapons underlines the need to eradicate them once and for all.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“The Helsinki process now sorely needs a vitamin injection and new impetus to become a positive, dynamic factor in East-West relations. The breakthrough at the Stockholm Conference announced today is not only an important achievement, but also has a potential for further progress. If we now experience an improved atmosphere in the vital area of arms control and disarmament, it could mark a historic moment. In Stockholm, a new generation of confidence and security building measures have been adopted, and major concessions have been given - concessions that will lead to reduced risks, and to greater openness and predictability all over Europe. But we need higher aspirations. Regularity in the political dialog at the highest level between the super-Powers is an imperative for stability and predictability in East-West relations.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“They must give us the answer to the key question of whether it will be possible to turn the tide of the arms race. Without real progress in the field of disarmament and arms control, our efforts at dialog and co-operation in other areas will be seriously limited. So far, we have not seen tangible results in the form of any decisive progress in arms negotiations. Prom the Norwegian side we have wholeheartedly endorsed the broad aim of the Geneva negotiations, which should be conducted with a view to "... preventing an arms race in space and terminating it on earth by limiting and reducing nuclear arms and strengthening strategic stability ..." This very promising result of last year's summit meeting between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev is an agreement on broad objectives that it is essential for us to retain.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“The East-West relationship largely determines the international climate and indeed sets limits to what can be achieved also in other areas which are in urgent need of attention, such as the North-South relationship and the global challenges of development, environment, trade and finance. These are questions of fundamental importance to the future of mankind, which we cannot afford to go on neglecting. Also for this reason we need a new beginning in East-West relations which can liberate energies and resources. Achievements that have already been made must therefore be carefully protected and preserved, such as the anti-ballistic missile Treaty, which indeed plays a vital role. The Geneva negotiations are of fundamental importance to the future of East-West relations.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)
“Sir, allow me first of all to congratulate you upon your election to the high office of President of the forty-first session of the General Assembly. I am convinced that its work will benefit from your experience and knowledge. At the beginning of this session of the General Assembly, the future of the East-West relations is a central concern in all corners of the globe. The future of East-West relations encompasses the decisive questions of our times: war or peace, disarmament or continued arms race, peaceful co-operation or confrontation, mutual confidence or distrust.”
1986-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 41 (1986)