YouSaid · the spoken record

GROMYKO

lines on the record: 1,518
first: 1957-09-24
most recent: 1984-09-24
sittings or episodes: 22
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

“When the United Nations Charter speaks of the obligation "to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples", it does not distinguish between European and Asian nations or between American and African nations. Universal peace can be based only on peaceful relations between all nations. 115. The settlement and development of friendly relations between any countries calls for good will, mutual interest and common peaceful intentions on their part. When these conditions are present and when countries entering into closer relations with each other do so in the context of a common concern for the strengthening of international peace, it is possible to achieve results which benefit not only the countries in question, but the world as a whole. 116.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“But even if we have to proceed step by step in this direction, the elimination of military blocs in Europe now seems to be attainable in principle, and this too is something new on the horizon of European politics. 114. Of course, the task of improving the international situation is not limited to Europe. For all the importance of the relations between States in Europe and for all the influence of European events on the general world situation, the prevention of a new world war depends not only on them, but also on relations in general between States in all regions.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“The convening of an all-European conference and the progress made towards a military detente in Europe should bring us closer to the solution of the problem of eliminating military blocs in Europe. This would lead to a thorough and comprehensive improvement of the situation. Let the fervent advocates of the policy of military blocs not faint at the thought of such a proposal. While such blocs continue to exist, the danger of a military confrontation between States will also continue to exist. 113. It may be difficult to achieve this goal at once, although the socialist countries have stated on more than one occasion that they would be prepared to agree forthwith to the elimination of military blocs, or, to begin with, of their military organizations.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“The military potential of the opposing sides in Europe has been growing for many years, and though neither the Soviet Union nor the socialist countries were responsible for this, 'they have been obliged to participate in the race. The existing political tension has been adduced as the reason, but we have always regarded this argument as dubious. Now that a certain relaxation may be observed in Europe, there is no longer any room for such assertions, if we wish to face the truth rather than try to base our policy on deception of the peoples. 111. Reactions to the Soviet Union's proposal to begin negotiations on the reduction of armaments and armed forces in Europe show that many are in favor of this proposal. Accordingly, what we must do is set to work. 112.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“On meeting together, the participants in such a conference could achieve a great deal in the interests of consolidating peace in Europe. Renunciation of the use of force in relations between European States and the expansion of economic, trade, scientific and technical and cultural ties between all these States are requirements dictated by our times, and the solution of these problems should be within the capacity of the conference. This is now recognized by everyone, or nearly everyone, in Europe. 109. The problem of convening an all-European conference is ripe for solution; this is now obvious, no one questions it, and the problem now is to move from the preparatory to the practical stage of the work. 110. The problem of relaxing military tension in Europe also insistently demands solution. This is one of the most important problems.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“As we know, in the communique on the recent meeting between Leonid Dyich Brezhnev, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and Mr. W. Brandt, Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Soviet Union and the Federal Republic declared their intention to promote that very solution of the problem. 107. What has been and is being done in Europe is significant, but by no means exhausts all the outstanding problems. There are questions which all the European States must settle together, and that is the underlying idea of the well-known proposal of the socialist countries on the convening of an all-European conference on problems of security and co-operation, in which the United States of America and Canada could also take part. 108.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“The reason for this does not lie in any objective difficulty in solving this problem, but in the unrealistic, discriminatory attitude of certain Powers towards the German Democratic Republic. But the time is definitely past when some people pretended that this State did not exist and that they did not know what its correct name was. 105. The German Democratic Republic has firmly established itself as a real and active component of the European system of States. To be more precise, it is no longer possible to imagine modern Europe without it. But since that is the case, it is time to remove the artificial obstacles which lie in the way of the admission of the German Democratic Republic to the United Nations. We are also in favor of the simultaneous admission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations. 106.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“Another reason why this should be mentioned is the unceasing activity in the Federal Republic of Germany of those forces which look to the past instead of to the future and desire above all to turn West German foreign policy back to its former course of hostility against other countries and peoples, a course which endangers peace and holds oiit'fRT" prospects for the Federal Republic of Germany itself. 104. We must dwell on yet another aspect of the question, one that has a direct bearing on the United Nations. The, fact that the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany are still not Members of the United Nations is a political anomaly.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“Next on the list is the settlement of relations between the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany, based on the recognition of the invalidity ab initio of the Munich agreement, and on the normalization of relations between the two countries on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and equal rights in their relations among themselves and with other States. 103. If the Federal Republic of Germany makes a final break with the disastrous legacy of its past in favor of a peaceful future, no one can cast doubt on the place it should occupy in Europe and in European policy.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“The objectives consistently pursued by the socialist States of Europe in their relations with the Federal Republic of Germany have thus become attainable. 101. The treaties concluded with the Federal Republic of Germany by the USSR 3 and the Polish People's Republic, which are based on recognition of European realities, especially on the inviolability of frontiers, meet the interests of all European States. We expect them to be ratified and to enter into force in the near future. 102.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“Mutual understanding and agreement between two continental European Powers, the Soviet Union and France, has become one of the main pillars of peace in Europe. These relations were given considerable impetus by the Soviet-French Protocol on Consultations, which was signed a year ago and which during this short time has proved to be an effective instrument of political co-operation. We are in favor of raising the relations between the two Powers to an even higher level, in the interests of European peace and international security. 100. In the Federal Republic of Germany, the forces which evaluate the situation more soberly and have declared themselves in favor of a policy of peace and a peaceful future are showing more confidence than in the past and gaining the, upper hand.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“The recently signed Quadripartite Agreement on problems concerning West Berlin will serve to eliminate one of the most dangerous sources of tension and friction and to improve the atmosphere in an unhealthy area of European politics. The Soviet Union has long and consistently pursued this objective. 98. As we know, neither of the German States participated directly in the negotiations between the four Powers, but they were constantly consulted and much depended on them. It is now for the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany to complete the negotiations between them which are provided for in the four- Power agreement. We should like to express the hope that this stage of the settlement of the question of West Berlin will also be successful. 99.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“But the strengthening of the principle of peaceful coexistence as a real force of international development and the further redeployment of political forces on the international scene in favor of peace can shape to a large extent the relations between States. 96. If the development of the situation in different parts of the world is compared from this point of view, then it is Europe that attracts most attention. On that continent, where both world wars began, where in the post-war years a dangerous and prolonged confrontation took place between two opposing political systems and two armed camps emerged, 'there are now signs of developments and trends towards a relaxation of tension. 97.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“It is the main guideline of the policy of countries which call themselves non-aligned. It is manifested in the trends towards realism which have recently become more evident in the policy of a considerable number of other States which only a short time ago automatically adjusted their attitudes to the positions of the military blocs into which they had been drawn in the past. That is why in recent years the alienation and even antagonism between States belonging to different social systems has in a number of cases given way to relations based on mutual understanding. 95. None of this can in any way eliminate the historic confrontation between socialism and imperialism or make less acute the struggle between the two opposing directions in world politics to which we have often referred from this important world platform.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“On the contrary, the wider the circle of States defending the cause of peace and actively helping to find solutions for acute international problems, the mora opportunities there will be to forge ahead and the greater will be the confidence in success, however difficult the road to stable security may be and whatever obstacles may have to be overcome. 93. This circle of States has now widened, because the facts of our times are forcing all States into the realization that in spite of the social, political, economic or cultural differences between them, it is in their common interest to ensure that people can live in peace. 94. The ways in which States express this realization may vary, but its meaning is always the same. It underlies the foreign policies of the socialist States.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“Our alliance with them is firm, and the policy of its members is directed towards securing the most advantageous conditions for building up socialism and communism in their countries, a task for which the main prerequisite is peace. 91. The foreign policy objectives of the socialist alliance coincide with the interests of all peoples and with the purposes solemnly proclaimed in the United Nations Charter. No one is more concerned than we are to ensure that the lofty principles of the United Nations are brought into effect through peaceful relations between States and peoples, .irrespective of their social systems and political structures. 92. But the socialist countries neither claim nor want to monopolize the policy of peace.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“We make no secret of our feelings of satisfaction at the world-wide acclaim given to the program of peace and co-operation advanced by the Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. All those who show concern for peace, irrespective of their class and ideological outlook, consider this program to be constructive and realistic and to meet the interests of all, peoples. The Soviet Union's efforts in the sphere of foreign affairs are being concentrated on the preparation and execution of measures to give effect to the proposals contained in the program. 90. Our country is acting in concert with the other socialist States in solving the problem of building a more stable world.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“The Congress carefully weighed and appraised the most important directions and trends of world developments and advanced a broad program of peace and peaceful co-operation. 88. This program covers all the main aspects of the task of maintaining peace, from the elimination of existing hotbeds of war and the prevention of new conflicts between States to the implementation of the principle of collective security, from measures to ensure a military detente in the areas of the most dangerous confrontations to the prohibition of ail types of weapons of mass destruction, and from the final elimination of colonialism and racism to the development of mutually advantageous co-operation between States in solving major economic, scientific and technological problems. 89.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“The Soviet Union will continue to use all its authority, all its resources, its policy and its ideology to influence the course of international events in the direction of peace among the nations. 86. A policy aimed at worsening the situation and leading to tension, conflicts and international crises is organically alien to us and is rejected by the very nature of the socialist order. At the same time, we shall continue to resist all attempts to pursue such a policy against our country and against our allies and friends. 87. The general line of the foreign policy of the USSR, which was evolved and bequeathed to us by Lenin, was confirmed and adapted to the circumstances of today by the Twenty-fourth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“In analyzing the foreign policy of any State, what we have to determine above all else is whether that State regards the task of strengthening world peace as the focal point of its policy, or whether it gives preference to other objectives which may not correspond to the interests of peace and may even run counter to those interests, 85. The position of principle of our socialist State on questions of foreign policy was already determined at the time of its inception. Since then, for over half a century, it has never deviated from that policy. It has always done everything in its power to consolidate the security of the peoples and to ensure respect for their rights. It has condemned wars of aggression and annexation and holds the banner of peace firmly in its hands.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“82. First of all, Mr. President, I should like to congratulate you on your election to the high office of President of the General Assembly of the United Nations and to wish you success in carrying out the responsible tasks which lie before you. 83. The international situation in which the twenty-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly has been convened is complex and variegated. There is undeniably much in it; which is new and which meets the aspirations of the peoples; but the opposite trends are strong and the world is not free from danger. The situation is shaped by the policies of States and is by no means simple. 84.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“But this demands the clear expression by States of their goodwill to co-operate in the interests of peace; it requires readiness of all States for collective peaceful action. 178. The Soviet Union is ready as before to co-operate in this way; it will continue to make its contribution to the fulfilment of the lofty purposes of the United Nations. The Soviet Government calls upon the Governments of all States Members of the United Nations to make the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly an important step towards the attainment of these lofty purposes.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“There is still a long way to go, there are still many obstacles and dangers to be overcome, before the peoples can say that peace has become stable on earth and there is no more threat of war. The pessimists refuse to believe that one day mankind will attain such conditions of existence. But we do not share such views. More than that, we consider that they serve only those who would like to disarm the peoples in their fight for peace, freedom and universal security in order that they may impose their will on them. 177. The Soviet Union and other socialist States firmly believe that a consistent policy of peace, a wide pooling of resources in the interests of preventing war and strengthening international security, and decisive joint action in this direction will produce substantial positive results.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“We live in a world which is stepping over the threshold of a tremendous scientific and technological revolution, a world which within a fantastically short time has seen the transition from the first satellite and man’s first space flight to the landing of men on the moon. And yet at the same time millions of children, even in some developed countries, have no opportunity to attend school, and millions of old and sick people cannot obtain medical assistance. We live in a world of unprecedented opportunities for transforming nature, creating material wealth and increasing man’s creative abilities, but in one where at the same time the starved and the half-starved still outnumber the well-fed, and not nearly everyone has a roof over his head. 176.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“A General Assembly decision in support of the proposed convention would represent, in our view, an important contribution to the cause of peace and would accord with the interests of all mankind. 173. The contemporary world, which forms a community of States with different social systems and with different aspirations and political directions, presents a complex, diverse and in many respects contradictory picture. 174. We live on a planet which, although to its inhabitants is still appears boundless, is in reality shrinking, as it were, with the swift development of means of transport and communication. 175.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Guided by a desire to outlaw chemical and biological methods of warfare, the Soviet Union together with the Polish People’s Republic, the Hungarian People’s Republic, the Mongolian People’s Republic, the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, the Socialist Republic of Romania and the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, is submitting for consideration at the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations an item entitled “Conclusion of a convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of chemical and bacteriological (biological) weapons and on the destruction of such weapons” [A/7655], and is presenting a draft of an appropriate international convention. We trust that this draft, which has been circulated to all delegations, will be considered with all due attention.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“It goes without saying that radical steps in nuclear disarmament will be possible only if they are carried out by all—I repeat all-the nuclear Powers and not just by some. 171. In present-day conditions, when work is progressing in a number of countries on the development and stockpiling of chemical and bacteriological (biological) weapons, the threat is arising that sooner or later mankind may fall victim to a chemico-bacteriological war. This has been plainly stated, in particular, by the eminent international experts who prepared the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations entitled Chemical and Bacteriological (Biological) Weapons and the Effects of their Possible Use. 172.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“We attach great importance to action designed to check the strategic arms race; although according to our observations the number of opponents of such action has by no means decreased. Restraint of the strategic arms race would benefit not only those States which possess such arms but all the States of the world, since international security would be considerably strengthened. 170. Further urgent measures are termination of the production of nuclear weapons; the liquidation of all nuclear-weapon stockpiles and the use of nuclear energy solely for peaceful purposes; prohibition of underground tests of nuclear weapons, the creation of nuclear-free zones in various parts of the world, and prohibition of the use of the ocean floor for military purposes.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“But imagine the figures that will have to be used in the forthcoming decade, and their impact on the life of the peoples, if the competition between ballistic and anti-ballistic missiles which is being urged by certain forces in the Western countries is unleashed. 168. Neither the Soviet Union nor the socialist States are responsible for the beginning of the nuclear arms race a quarter of a century ago. Nor are we responsible for its continuation. From our side proposals were consistently put forward for real measures to stop that race and for disarmament measures, going so far as general and complete disarmament. This is still our country’s policy today. 169. The Soviet Government, as is well known, has already clarified its position on so-called strategic armaments, and that position remains valid.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“From the point of view of the interests of peace it is important to ensure that the widest possible circle of States accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, especially those that possess the material and technical resources for creating nuclear weapons or may reach that level relatively soon. 167. So far, however, limitation of the arms race has only just begun. Further and more resolute measures are required, because the arms race has not been halted; on the contrary, its spiral threatens to shoot up ever higher. For some time now not only the distances between stars but also the size of the military expenditures of States have been measured in astronomical figures. More than $200,000 million are consumed each year in the furnace of war preparations.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Suffice it to refer to the conclusion of the Moscow Treaty banning nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water and of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies [resolution 2222 (XXI)], and to refer to the drafting of that important document the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [resolution 2373 (XXII)]. These are landmarks in the limitation of the arms race and at the same time in the building of a safer world. 166.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“However, this is not a mediaeval scholiasts’ controversy about which came first, the chicken or the egg, but an attempt to complicate by using diplomatic acrobatics the solution of both security and disarmament problems. 165. The immutable fact is that measures to limit the arms race, and disarmament measures, invariably strengthen international security, while the strengthening of security in its turn facilitates progress towards disarmament.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Allow me to express the conviction that consideration by the General Assembly of the question of strengthening international security will have a favourable effect on the general state of international relations and will help to ease international tension and strengthen peace. 164. The security of the peoples depends to a great extent on success in the fight to halt the arms race and achieve disarmament. True, efforts are still being made to set the one against the other, to start an argument about which should come first: whether disarmament should precede security or, conversely, whether security should precede disarmament.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“It stands to reason that this pronouncement must be addressed both to States Members of the United Nations and to those States which are not Members of the United Nations or for some reason do not take part in its activities. 162. With regard to what I have just said, the Soviet delegation submits for your consideration a draft Appeal by the United Nations General Assembly to all States of the world on the strengthening of international security. We call upon all delegations and their Governments to study this document carefully. We are ready to explain its individual provisions in greater detail during the session and to take part in consultations aimed at achieving agreement on the final text of the Appeal. 163.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In this important field, which was for years the scene of sharp political clashes caused by the desire of certain circles to wreck the United Nations Charter in order to use that sharpest of international weapons, United Nations peace- keeping operations, in their own narrow interests, the first signs have recently appeared—but only the first—of a move towards agreement based on observance of the relevant provisions of the Charter. It would be a good thing if they were developed. Further progress here would strengthen international security, and might prove useful. 161. These are the questions on which, in the Soviet Government’s view, the General Assembly can and should make a decisive pronouncement as a result of its consideration at this session of the problem of strengthening international security.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Consequently it would be natural for the General Assembly to suggest that the appropriate special committees, on the basis of the preliminary results they have already achieved, should expedite the completion of their work and prepare their recommendations. 160. This applies to yet another sector of United Nations activities: the study of ways and means of increasing the efficiency of United Nations peace-keeping operations.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Soviet Government is convinced that it would be for the common good if the General Assembly made an appropriate recommendation to the Security Council for its consideration. 159. At present a host of United Nations commissions and committees are drafting rules regulating various aspects of relations between States. We consider it necessary to single out especially the work of drafting a definition of aggression and of procuring agreement on the principles of friendly relations and co-operation between States. There is hardly any need to demonstrate that these efforts are particularly closely bound up with the problem of strengthening international security.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“These reserves are contained in the United Nations Charter, which while conferring upon the Security Council powers to settle disputes between States, to deal with critical situations and to suppress acts of aggression, also imposes on it the duty to take more general measures for the maintenance of international peace, including the consideration of problems of halting the armaments race and of disarmament. To this end the Charter of the United Nations, in particular its Article 28, gives the Security Council a flexible mode of functioning and in particular, makes the useful provision that the Council shall hold periodic meetings with the participation of members of governments or of specially designated representatives. 158. Why should these provisions of the Charter not be put into effect?”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“At the 1,500 meetings it has held to date some important decisions have been taken which have put an end to hostilities in various parts of the world, prevented conflicts and promoted the peaceful settlement of crises in relations between various States. These functions the Security Council will undoubtedly continue to perform in the future; and we only hope that where necessary it will make full use of all the powers conferred upon it by the Charter of the United Nations in order to suppress acts of aggression. 157. At the same time the Soviet Government believes that considerable reserves exist for further enhancing the role and efficiency of the Security Council in strengthening international peace.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The founders of the United Nations were careful to ensure that the Security Council—the only body authorized on behalf of all Members of the United Nations to use force, where circumstances demand in the interests of peace, in order to suppress acts of aggression—could not mechanically produce one-sided decisions serving the narrow interests of a particular State or group of States. This is achieved by the well-known rule whereby decisions on all matters other than procedural shall require the unanimity of the permanent members of the Security Council—the rule that lends such decisions the highest authority we can conceive of in the present-day world. 156. It is difficult to over-estimate the importance of the Security Council’s work.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Soviet Union, an Asian as well as a European State, is ready to take part in consultations and exchanges of views on all questions connected with the proposal for creating a collective security system in Asia, so that a situation of lasting peace and good-neighbourliness may be established in that region. 153. The Soviet Government proposes that the General Assembly should pronounce in favour of creating regional security systems, and thereby enhance the effectiveness of the steps which are already being taken, or which may be taken. 154. The system of United Nations organs includes one on which the States Members have conferred primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and whose decisions they have all undertaken to accept and carry out. That organ is the Security Council. 155.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Many Asian countries are seeking ways of ensuring peace and security by collective efforts. This idea essentially permeates the decisions of the well-known Bandung Conference. The years that have passed since that Conference have only served to prove the need for a system of collective security in Asia that would help the peoples of Asian countries to solve their most vital problem, the problem of peace and security. All the States in that region, irrespective of differences in their social systems, must study and work for the creation of such a system, which would be in the interests of each. 152.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In fact in the twentieth century that region has never known the meaning of peace; for hostilities, first in one place and then in another, have never ceased there for several decades. 149. Events in that part of the globe, which has the largest territory and population, have a very direct impact on the whole world situation. This is all the truer since numerous complications and difficulties have been introduced into Asian life from without and have their roots in foreign interference and colonialism. 150. Nevertheless Asia offers a good many instances in which joint efforts have ended armed conflicts and cleared the way to peace. This happened at the time of the work of the Geneva Conferences of 1954 and 1962, and the Tashkent Conference of 1966. 151.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“It is not simple to, establish co-operation on an all-European scale, but there is no doubt that every effort made in that direction, including the improvement of bilateral relations, will pay off with interest and give positive results. 146. The Soviet Government notes as a constructive step the move made by one of the European neutral States—Finland—with a view to the initiation of practical preparations for the holding of an all-European conference. 147. The idea of establishing an effective system of collective security in Asia has recently been making powerful headway. The actual course of events makes this idea very topical in Asia. 148. The old continent of Asia has repeatedly generated acute international conflicts.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The proposal to convene an all-European conference reflects not only the sincere desire of its sponsors, the Warsaw Treaty States, to make the political climate of Europe genuinely healthier and improve relations between European States, but also a general attitude of mind, an understanding that peoples must govern events and not be their prisoners. 145. The Soviet Union has an unbiased approach to the problems of international co-operation. We have accumulated positive experience in the development of relations with France and with a number of neighbouring States, as well as with the United Kingdom, Italy and neutral countries. All this is very important.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In the opinion of the Soviet Government it is high time that States took practical steps to establish effective regional security systems in various parts of the world, based on the joint efforts of all the States in the affected areas, and acting in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations. 144. Satisfaction may be expressed at the marked growth of interest which has been discernible in Europe in recent months in the collective efforts of the countries of that region to ease tension and strengthen peace. Closer contacts are being established between Governments. These questions are under review in parliaments and are being widely discussed in public circles. All this is quite regular.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“All disputes arising between States must be settled exclusively by peaceful means, without the use or threat of force. 142. Some will say perhaps that these or similar provisions are already incorporated in the Charter of the United Nations. That is quite true; but the point is that they are frequently disregarded. It is of essential importance that Members of the United Nations should confirm their adherence to these principles and their willingness to ensure their strict observance by all States. 143. International security on a world-wide scale is made up of the security of individual areas.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Whereas what I have just said applies to the cessation of various actions threatening international peace, it would be logical for the General Assembly to spell out at the same time very definitely how relations between States should be shaped so as to rule out such dangerous phenomena in the future. In this connexion we propose that the General Assembly shall call upon governments strictly to observe in their international relations the principles of the peaceful co-existence of States regardless of their social systems; the principles of sovereignty, equality of rights, the territorial inviolability of each State, non-interference in internal affairs, and respect for the right of all peoples freely to choose their social system.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Further, it seems to us equally beyond question that the strengthening of international security would be considerably promoted by the immediate cessation of all measures for the suppression of liberation movements of the peoples still under colonial rule and by the granting of independence to all those peoples. The liberation of the last remaining colonial territories would mean the completion of the fulfilment of the requirements of the United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, adopted almost ten years ago. 141.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“An important condition for the relaxation of international tension and for strengthening the security of the peoples must be the withdrawal of troops from the territories occupied as the result of the actions of the armed forces of some States against other States and peoples defending the independence they have won as a result of the collapse of the colonial system, and their territorial integrity. The interests of peace also demand that the United Nations should try to secure the strict implementation of the relevant Security Council decisions on the withdrawal of occupying forces from foreign territories and not permit any evasion or disregard of those decisions. It is hard to imagine that anyone, except perhaps those who would undertake to defend openly the policy of aggression, could raise any objection to this. 140.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)