YouSaid · the spoken record

LANGE

lines on the record: 247
first: 1946-09-24
most recent: 1964-09-24
sittings or episodes: 9
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 developments to which I just referred must necessarily be reflected in our concept of the nature and role of the United Nations in the present world situation. It necessitates a shift in emphasis, away from the concept of. the United Nations as a politically homogeneous body, to the concept of the United Nations which is the meeting-place of the world, and I may add of the world as it is, with all its varieties of political, social and economic systems. 69. There is no doubt need for forums, where like- minded people can meet. This does not, however, in the least detract from the great importance of maintaining and developing an organization where nations with widely differing views and interests, even with opposed views, can meet and seek peaceful solutions to conflicts and disputes.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“This conception of the United Nations as an alliance is reflected in Article 4 and explains the inclusion in the text of that Article of the word “peace-loving”, a world which at that particular moment of history meant, for all practical purposes, a State actively participating in the war on the side of the United Nations. 67. For obvious reasons, this meaning of the word “peace-loving” could not be maintained for long after the war was over. Furthermore, international developments soon put an end to the concept of the United Nations as an alliance, even in the loosest sense of that word. It is many years now since the description of our Organization as an alliance could be considered even remotely justified. 68.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“These observations lead me to the question of the admission of new Members to the Organization, a question which, of course, is different in principle from the problem of who should represent a particular Member nation. 66. The admission of new Members is guided by the provisions of Article 4 of the Charter. It seems reasonable to my Government to consider that Article in the light of the situation prevailing in the world at the time when it was drafted. In the final stages of the Second World War, the United Nations was generally viewed as an alliance engaged in a war against a certain group of States.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“It is this state of affairs which explains why vital international Problems, even problems bearing directly on the question of peace or war, are precluded from realistic consideration within this forum. My Government is of the opinion that it is in the common interest of all of us, that an end be put to this anomalous situation. Otherwise there is a continued risk that the tendency to by-pass the United Nations and to substitute for it other means of international negotiation may make itself increasingly felt. The task of our Organization surely is to facilitate international contacts between Governments, and not to impede or even prevent such contacts. 65.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“In so doing Members should, however, bear in mind their obligations to the Organization and keep its appropriate organs informed about developments which fall within the sphere of responsibility of the United Nations. 64. There have been situations where the machinery of the United Nations has not been utilized, not because other means of negotiations seemed more promising, but because certain States, vitally interested in the Particular situation, had no possibility of making themselves heard in this world Organization of ours. I have primarily in mind the fact that the People’s Republic of China is not represented in the bodies of the United Nations. This is a state of affairs which, in the opinion of my Government, cannot but cause increasing concern to the Members of our Organization.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“In the opening speech of this session, on Tuesday [473rd meeting], the outgoing President, Mrs. Pandit, also cautioned us not to encourage neglect of the machinery we have patiently built up. “Machinery”, she said, “in order to be useful, must be kept running.” Such warnings on the part of two of the chief servants of our Organization make it incumbent upon everyone of us representing the Member States to consider very seriously our attitude to the United Nations and the use we are making of the Organization. 63. I, for one, agree with the Secretary-General that the United Nations cannot and should not supplant the normal processes of diplomacy. There can be no disputing the Secretary-General’s view that when these processes are adequate and likely to lead to positive results they should be utilized.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“In the light of what I said at the outset, I should like to make a few observations on those parts of the Secretary-General’s report which deal with the role of the United Nations in diplomatic affairs. It is of course true, as the Secretary-General points out in his introductory remarks, that the United Nations is not an end in itself. Our Organization is an instrument created by the Member States to serve them in their efforts to maintain peace and to further international co-operation in all fields of human activity. It is entirely up to us, the Member States, to use this instrument or to ignore or by-pass it. As an instrument, the United Nations cannot be self-operating. 62. In his report, the Secretary-General expresses apprehension that the United Nations be by-passed or ignored for reasons of expediency or shortsighted convenience.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“To an important extent our success or failure in making a constructive contribution to the cause of peace will depend on the way in which we make use of the opportunities afforded to us by this world Oganization of ours. 60. We have as the basis of our general debate the comprehensive annual report [A/2663] of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization during the past year. I avail myself of this opportunity to congratulate him not only on this particular report but in general on the documentation with which he and the Secretariat have provided us on the many important items before this Assembly. Allow me to add my thanks to the Secretary-General for the firm, efficient and sober way in which he is discharging his great responsibilities under the Charter. 61.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“This feeling of relief is coupled with a strong desire to see the world proceed from a state of armistice between armed camps to one of real peace and active co-operation between nations. 58. We cannot, however, close our eyes to the fad that, despite the few encouraging signs to which I have just referred, the general world situation confronting us is deeply disturbing. Fundamental international conflicts which have beset us during most of the lifetime of this Organization remain essentially as unresolved as at any previous session of the General Assembly, and we do not know how far we shall succeed through our work here during the coming weeks in bringing their solution any nearer. 59.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“I am happy, Mr. President, to have this opportunity of joining with previous speakers in congratulating you, and us, on your election to your high office. 57. This ninth regular session of the General Assembly has gathered at a moment when, for the first time in many years, open warfare on an important scale is not going on anywhere in the world. One year after the Armistice in Korea in July of last year, the armistice agreements for the three Indo-Chinese states were signed at Geneva. In my country, as I am sure in all other countries represented here, there is a sincere feeling of relief that, for the first time in nearly twenty years, no organized mass killing of man by man is going on.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“However, I feel that even if no such possibility should emerge during the present session, we should never tire of exploring again and again whether there is any basis for renewed negotiations. 136. To conclude, may I express the satisfaction with which my delegation has noted the relative moderation of language that has been characteristic of nearly all speeches during this general debate. Great as our differences are, and strongly as we may sometimes feel the need for plain and even for hard words, my delegation has never thought that the constant use of violent language, which we have so often witnessed in the Assembly, has ever served any useful purpose. May this debate, then, set a pattern for our discussion when we come to the specific controversial items on our agenda.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“To my mind, a satisfactory solution means that China should be represented by that government which in fact exercises control over practically the whole territory of China, with the support of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese population; that means the Central People’s Government in Peking. 135. Earlier this year the Secretary-General submitted to Member Governments a 20-year peace plan [A/1304], which has now been placed as an item on the agenda of the General Assembly. Whether the world situation will take such a turn that it will be possible to find a common ground upon which to deal with the many fundamental issues covered by his plan, I do not know.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“I feel sure that if we all do our utmost to carry through this programme — and my own Government is prepared to take its proportionate share of such an effort — if we all do that, I am convinced that we shall have made another important contribution to prevent war and lay the foundations of lasting peace. 134. I agree with what was said by the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Stikker, the other day [281st meeting], that the various matters before us ought to be dealt with each on its own merits. We do not want any confusion of issues. That being said, however, I should like to state that my delegation feels that a satisfactory solution of the question of China’s representation is one of the most important problems before the Assembly.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“Looking back to the age of colonialism and imperialism, it is quite evident that the democracies did not in the past have too good a record, in the opinion of many under-developed countries, It is all the more important that the United Nations, by its decisions and by its actions, should make it quite clear that the Organization and its Members will further the political independence and the economic and social development of all under-developed countries. That is why, next to the proposals to strengthen the Organization and make its machinery more effective, one of the most important items on our agenda is the question of technical assistance to under-developed countries.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“In the same way as in Korea, the United Nations should play an important part in the economic and social development of all under-developed countries in Asia and in other continents. In building a firm machinery for deterring aggressors and thereby ultimately preventing war, we should not forget that this is only part of our task. It is equally important to improve radically those economic and social conditions which make nations easy victims of aggressors, who promise them a heaven on earth if they will only follow totalitarian principles. The task of the United Nations is not only a negative one, to stop aggression; it is as much the positive one, to eliminate the causes of war. 133.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“The nations of Asia may be expected to have a better grasp of the problems involved in the reconstitution as sovereign States of nations that have long been under foreign domination than have countries more distant from the scene and with a widely different background. 131. Without going into detail, I should like to stress that in the settlement which we must try to effect in Korea the United Nations should in one form or another play a very important part. I give my wholehearted support to the idea of making Korea the scene of a great joint recovery effort on the part of the United Nations and all its specialized agencies. The presence of the United Nations in Korea after hostilities have ceased should also serve to dispel fears — unfounded as they may be — which may be entertained by Korea’s neighbours. 132.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“In trying to find an over-all solution, my delegation feels that we should pay the most careful attention to ideas and proposals which may be put forward by the nations of Asia themselves. The process of national and social liberation in Asia is one of the most striking features of the revolution of our time. The experience already gained by countries which have recently and successfully emerged as free nations, several of which are represented in this Organization, entitles them to play a prominent part in the solution of the Korean problem. In this connexion may I say how happy my Government is that this General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Security Council, will shortly have the opportunity of admitting the Republic of Indonesia as the sixtieth Member of our Organization.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“On several occasions the Secretary-General has referred to the possibility of certain innovations in the procedure and working of the Security Council. If a situation should arise which would make them possible of realization, his suggestions ought to be given the most careful attention. 129. This General Assembly will be called upon to deal with the Korean situation in all its implications. At the moment the first task is to restore peace in the area. But the problem of finding a durable settlement that will benefit the Korean people and the cause of lasting peace in that part of the world is a wider one — one that is becoming ever more urgent as the operations of the United Nations forces succeed, as they have done so magnificently during this past week. 130.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“Furthermore, it is the view of my delegation that in exploring the opportunities afforded by the Charter for strengthening the Organization, we should not overlook or deal lightly with important functions assigned to the Security Council, not only as a peace enforcement organ, but equally as an instrument for mediation and conciliation, a forum affording opportunities for contact and discussion between the great Powers with the assistance of the non-permanent members. Neither should we fail to explore possible ways and means to make the Security Council operate more effectively in its role as a mediator, both between its own members and between outside parties to a dispute. Any effort at mediation is hampered by undue publicity, by procedures which instantly engage the prestige of the parties.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“Later on during this session, we shall have an opportunity to clarify our minds on this issue. I want, however, even at this stage, to declare the general support of my Government for the main ideas outlined by the United States Secretary of State in his remarkable speech last week, when he put forward certain suggestions for strengthening the United Nations as a peace instrument, 128.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“We have every reason to be thankful to the United States Government and the people of the United States for having so unhesitatingly taken upon themselves the main burden of battle. 126. The United Nations action in Korea has set a precedent for the future. It will be one of the main tasks of this session of the General Assembly to lay down such principles for the functioning of the various organs of the United Nations as will enable the Organization to act with equal firmness and equal swiftness should aggression again occur in the future. It would be an intolerable and most depressing situation if we accepted the idea that the United Nations must remain impotent in the face of such acts, because of the inability of one of its organs — the Security Council — to take effective action. 127.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“Nevertheless, in should be emphasized that the outlook is not all black and depressing. During the last three months a growing feeling has emerged among our peoples that we do not stand helpless in the face of aggression. The reason for this rebirth of hope is the firm and swift action taken by the Security Council. It has been demonstrated before our eyes that the United Nations is a world organization capable, not merely of passing peace resolutions, but of acting, if need be, to repel aggressors and to restore peace. The soldiers now sacrificing their lives on the Korean battlefields are making the greatest of contributions to the strengthening of the United Nations as an effective universal peace organization.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“It is, nevertheless, very difficult to take seriously a peace campaign, the advocates of which refuse to associate themselves with the joint efforts now being made by the United Nations to restore peace in an area which for three months has been the scene of an aggressive war. I might mention that I read in the communist Press of my own country some time ago that the peace campaign was particularly successful in North Korea early this summer. I have no reason to doubt that my source is well-informed. This, indeed, was an enlightening piece of information. The spectacle of the North Korean leaders signing the Stockholm Appeal with one hand, while they were charging their guns to attack a weaker neighbour with the other, puts this whole so-called peace campaign in true perspective. 125.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“To dispel this fear and bring about an atmosphere in international relations that can reverse the present trend of rearmament and preparations for war, it is necessary that governments abandon such policies. 124. Some speakers in this debate have made reference to the peace campaign of which the so-called Stockholm Appeal is an expression. They have pointed to the support given to that campaign by millions all over the world as a proof of the longing for peace among the peoples of all countries. No one will contest the validity of this claim. Peace is the fervent desire of ordinary men and women in all lands.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“And this feeling of danger is the source of the policy of rearmament I referred to a moment ago. 123. The feeling of fear, which has been aroused by the use of armed force to achieve political ends, is bound to prevail in the world as long as aggressors are not condemned and effectively opposed by all Members of this Organization. We know that the condemnation of the North Korean aggressors does not command the unanimous support of Member States. We know who those Member States are who do not take part in this condemnation and who oppose the United Nations’ action in Korea. It is this policy of tolerating aggression that must bear the main responsibility for the feeling of fear which today haunts the peoples of the world.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“First and foremost, it has made the present situation perfectly clear: on the one side, as the world has recognized with a shock, armed aggression is being used as a means to bring about the solution of an international political problem. I am, of course, speaking about Korea. On the other side, we have seen the reaction of the major part of the world to this act of aggression: the firm resolve that aggressive war should not be allowed to pay. I am referring to the United Nations’ action in Korea. 122. In these two facts — the will to launch aggressive war, and the will to resist it — we find the key to the understanding of what is going on in my own country and in other countries that are Members of this Organization. We have become aware of dangers which our instincts of self-preservation compel us not to overlook.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“At a time when all our attention here in the United Nations should be concentrated upon the need for vast collective and co-operative undertakings to improve the living conditions of the peoples of the world, we are faced with one all-important and elementary issue — the necessity of stopping armed aggression. No wonder that people are asking themselves: What has happened? Why do we find ourselves in such an absurd situation? Why is it that we have to sacrifice our well-being for the building up of defence forces which we would rather do without if we could? 121. The debate that we have listened to since the opening of this Assembly has, I believe, to a very great extent provided the answers to these questions.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“It may, perhaps, throw some light on the situation in which my own and many other countries find themselves to say that a few days before taking part in this debate in the United Nations General Assembly, I attended a special session of the Norwegian Parliament, called for the sole purpose of appropriating considerable additional sums for national defence. The burden of armaments is increasingly heavy for our people to bear. At a time when all our efforts should be directed to the economic recovery and the social and cultural development of our country, even a small nation like Norway finds itself compelled to divert an increasing proportion of its limited resources to the equipment and enlargement of its military forces.”
1950-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 5 (1950)
“We feel today, as never before, that freedom is the very breath of life; as one of our poets said “Freedom and life are one.” We know from bitter experience the horror, the deadly oppressive silence, that falls on a people when freedom departs. We feel that the goal of long centuries of the pilgrimage of nations has been the attainment of what that great leader of men, Franklin D. Roosevelt, called the four freedoms. For the establishment of these freedoms, the United Nations must work and fight untiringly. In this field we will accept no compromise. We must always remember that these freedoms were what men and women fought for, what peoples suffered for and what the nations of the world expect this Organization and everyone of its Members never to forget.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“The Norwegian delegation fully realizes the practical difficulties involved and the considerable time required for agreeing upon and setting up such a system. We feel, however, that it should be firmly aimed at right now. A first step in this direction would be to have all the proposed 1947 budgets of the specialized agencies before us when discussing and voting here the budget of the United Nations. It is with the greatest interest that my delegation has taken note of the remarks made by the Secretary-General in his report on the subject of human rights, personal freedom and justice. Those of the United Nations which, during the war suffered nazi occupation and saw all human values trampled under foot, have, I am sure, developed a deep feeling of the essential worth of freedom and of human rights.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“Nations are entitled to demand that these sums be spent rationally and with the maximum practical effect. Co-ordination of functions and budgetary control by the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly should therefore be made effective for the specialized agencies. This can probably only be achieved by establishing a consolidated or general budget for the United Nations and all its specialized agencies, that is, the voting of all budgets by the General Assembly, which would thus determine the aggregate amount of obligatory contributions from Member Governments. The Assembly might also provide for common fiscal services to be performed by the General Secretariat, particularly the collection of contributions from Member Governments.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“For these reasons the Norwegian delegation finds itself in essential agreement with the ideas formulated in the draft resolution put forward by the French delegation relating to this problem. The question of establishing new specialized agencies and new international machinery for any good purpose should therefore be thoroughly scrutinized. More particularly, it should be investigated whether the tasks cannot be adequately taken care of by the various divisions and departments of the General Secretariat, by the permanent commissions or by already existing specialized agencies or their organs. The annual contributions of Governments to the many international organizations of which they are members, have reached comparatively important amounts payable in hard currency.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“The Norwegian delegation to the Economic and Social Council has repeatedly touched upon this problem and stressed the necessity of a thoughtful policy with a view to preventing the dangers inherent in the too rapid growth and multiplication of the number of specialized agencies, as well as the dangers of excessive increase in the financial burdens involved. In this field we may risk a reaction among the public and the Governments, a reaction which might jeopardize the stable and progressive development of our entire world organization. There is, therefore, urgent need for careful planning, co-ordination and clear definition of the relations between the specialized agencies and the main organs of the United Nations.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“By organizing international, intellectual co-operation and exchange of ideas, we are taking a most important step to create a new atmosphere of mutual understanding and friendship among nations. Education for peace is one of the essential tasks of our world organization. Experience since the cessation of hostilities has proved that co-operation to overcome pressing problems of elementary human suffering and to further social well-being, is possible and full of promise for the development of understanding among nations. The Secretary-General, however, in his oral supplementary report, called our attention to some of the difficulties with which we are faced, owing to the rapid growth of specialized agencies.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“With this end in view, Norway, through recent decisions of its Government and Parliament, has given goods, money and personnel to the common pool. We have also declared our readiness to take our due and reasonable share of those unhappy refugees and displaced persons who cannot well be settled otherwise. We join with other delegations in the hope to see the International Refugee Organization created as speedily as possible. Peace, however, is not only a matter of security and economic and social welfare. We must also, as President Truman stressed in his speech, lay the foundations of peace in the minds of men and women. That is why the Norwegian delegation attaches great importance to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which is about to start its work in Paris next month.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“This extensive economic co-operation which, under other circumstances, was rightly considered utopian, was realized during the war, not only inside each of the Allied nations, but among them. This was achieved largely as a result of the noble initiative and untiring action of this great nation: the United States of America. What proved possible in war, should not be impossible in peace. That is why so many of the common men and women of our world look to the Economic and Social Council as one of the most promising agencies for building peace among nations. That is also why so many of us are eager to see that, when the great humanitarian effort undertaken through UNRRA comes to an end, we should have some assurance that suffering caused by common war should still be met in common.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“If we keep constantly in mind that agreement among the permanent members of the Security Council is the very' basis of the United Nations, the veto question itself loses much of its importance. The painful experience of nazi occupation taught us all afresh the essential value of the four freedoms. There are potent reasons why one of those freedoms, freedom from want, is looked upon by common men and women as the great goal to be achieved in our century. Declarations of freedom and peace will remain as just so many words, as long as human beings lack food, clothing and shelter, and are thus deprived of the elementary pre-requisites of human existence. Here is the crucial test. If we can produce in common and distribute equitably the necessities of daily life, we have proved that we can really live together.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“I am certain, however, to voice the opinion, not only of many delegations here present, but of the peoples themselves, if I -venture to ask the permanent members of the Security Council to be aware that it is their duty and responsibility to do everything possible to reach agreement among themselves and to exercise the veto as what it was intended to be: a safeguard to be used only in the last resort. The veto power must not become an obstacle to the effective carrying out of the functions of the Security Council. The best approach to the problem is perhaps for this Assembly to ask the Security Council to reconsider its method of work, and to appeal to the Council to make every effort to reach agreement before voting.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“In its comments on the Dumbarton Oaks proposals previous to the San Francisco Conference, the Norwegian Government, while expressing the view that serious objections might be raised against the veto power, considered that its acceptance was a political necessity in the existing international situation. It should not be overlooked that this problem is much more than a question of voting procedure. The veto power is only the technical expression of the fact that this Organization is based upon co-operation and agreement between the permanent members of the Security Council. We still feel that the time is not ripe to revise the provisions of the Charter on this point.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“The establishment of such a government in Spain would mean the elimination of a stronghold of fascism and of a constant source of international friction, and would permit the great Spanish nation to take its rightful place in the family of democratic and freedom-loving United Nations. There is no denying that at times the proceedings of the Security Council have had a depressing effect on world public opinion. As a result, the question of the abolition of the vet(j> power has been widely discussed. It is the evident task of the United Nations so to strengthen friendly and intimate collaboration between its Members, that at a future date we could abolish the veto power altogether.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“We feel, therefore, that it might be useful if this problem were discussed as a separate item on the agenda of this session, and we hope that agreement may be reached on a proposal to this effect. The Norwegian people, who have passed through the terrible experience of totalitarian occupation, are deeply concerned at the fact that the Spanish people are still languishing under the rule of a regime created with the military help of the defeated Axis Powers. We feel that ways and means must be found, through common action of the United Nations, to make every effort to assist the democratic forces of Spain in their struggle to regain, without the horrors of another civil war, freedom and constitutional government.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“We also feel the urgent need for this Assembly to give — in the words of our Secretary-General — comprehensive guidance to the organs and the Member States of the United Nations regarding their relationship with the Franco regime. To this end, the Norwegian delegation ventures to suggest that it would be useful if the Spanish question could be considered by this Assembly in all its aspects. The problem of the relations between Spain and the United Nations will come up under a number of the items of the agenda. It is probable, however, that in each individual case it will give rise to considerations of the same kind and concerning the same main political issues.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“This achievement should in itself be sufficient to create among the peoples of the world, faith and enthusiasm. If, as our President so justly said at our opening ceremony, that enthusiasm is not apparent, the reason must be sought, not in the possible imperfection of the work of the Secretariat, but rather in the fact that the Security Council has, not succeeded in working out the solution of problems felt by everyone to be vital: that of the relations of the United Nations with the Franco regime in Spain, and that of the control of atomic energy. The Norwegian delegation feels that no effort should be spared to secure further progress in the work of the Atomic Energy Commission.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“In the meantime it is our responsibility, as Members of the Organization, to create and develop the administrative machinery through which we shall translate into living reality the noble intentions of those who planned and worked persistently and faithfully at Dumbarton Oaks, San Francisco and London. The reports submitted to us by the Secretary- General prove that the United Nations today is a living, organization, which has successfully tackled a wide range of problems at a time when its administrative machinery was still far from completed and under the additional difficulties created by successive changes of the seat of the Secretariat. It is no wonder if, under these circumstances, perfection has not yet been achieved. The real wonder is that it has been possible to do so much in such a short time.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“It is important, however, as President Truman so rightly stressed in his speech at our opening meeting, that world public opinion should be clearly aware of the fact that the actual working out of the peace settlements is not the responsibility of our Organization as such. The main burden of that task rests upon those great Powers which, through their combined war effort, secured our common victory. Their success, in consultation with all the other nations which took an active part in the struggle, in laying the foundations of a lasting peace will be of primary importance for the future of the world and the chances of success of the United Nations. It is elementary truth that our Organization will only be able fully to function when the peace settlements have been worked out.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“In the course of our deliberations, we shall have placed before us a considerable number of urgent problems, of complex matters of policy and procedure, about which there will be sharp and honest differences of opinion. We shall, I confidently hope, succeed in reaching agreement, if we keep constantly in mind those fundamental human values for which we fought in common: the ideals which found their expression in the Atlantic Charter and subsequent documents, as well as in the Preamble and in the first Chapter of the San Francisco Charter. To the realization of those ideals we are pledged each and all, as Members of this Organization. Those ideals should also inspire the efforts to reach a just and equitable peace settlement.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“We all feel deeply that this session of the General-Assembly faces a responsibility of the gravest and most far-reaching kind. At the same time it faces an opportunity which rarely comes to the representatives of the nations of the world. We stand at the crossroads of a possible return to international dissensions and clashes of interest, or the realization of the dreams and aspirations of common men and women everywhere. These dreams and aspirations are today centred in our Organization. A war-weary and perhaps partly disillusioned, but still hopeful, world expects of us that we make fully effective the safeguards already adopted against a repetition of the awful tragedy of war. It looks to us to create a world of reason and human brotherhood.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)