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

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“The Soviet Government is therefore submitting to the General Assembly for consideration at its twenty-fourth session, as an important and urgent matter, an item entitled “The strengthening of international security” [A/7654]. We call upon all States Members of the United Nations, in approaching the discussion of this item and in arriving at the decision to be adopted on it, to bear in mind their high responsibility for the fate of the world. 138. How does the Soviet Union visualize the main tasks in the strengthening of international security? What steps and actions to reach these aims should the General Assembly, in our view, recommend? 139.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“That must be said today from this rostrum. More often than not, however, United Nations actions correspond to specific situations in individual areas. Although it is absolutely necessary, and will continue to be necessary, to put out fires, this of itself cannot suffice. It is more important to take effective measures to safeguard the world in general from fires, and to remove in good time the centres of potential conflicts and complications. 136. International relations in the post-war period, particularly in the last decade, and the present state of world affairs demand that the United Nations should step up its efforts to discharge its primary responsibility—the maintenance of peace—and concentrate its resources and activities in this decisive direction. 137.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“These are also important, and here a good deal of useful work can be done, especially in promoting the normalization of international economic relations, freeing world trade from all discrimination, and helping the peoples of the developing countries to purge the system of providing economic aid of the manoeuvres of all kinds which are widely practised by some circles in order to ensure newly independent States in the toils of neo-colonialism. 134. But it should not be forgotten that even the aptest solution of economic problems—and we are in favour of their solution—may be nullified at any moment and reduced to nought by political developments. 135. From time to time the United Nations does in fact take steps to promote stronger international security: that is, when there is the necessary measure of agreement among States.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“No responsible European government should approach European affairs lightly or forget that, as in the past, developments in Europe exert an enormous influence on the situation in the world as a whole. Anyone incapable of seeing this is a bad politician. 132. In summing up the main features of the situation in various parts of the world, from which a general picture of the state of international relations emerges, it is impossible to escape the conclusion that genuine and stable security is still absent from the world. The peoples have no confidence in the durability and inviolability of peace. Meanwhile, the maintenance of international peace and security is the main task and the primary responsibility of the United Nations. 133. Indisputably the United Nations also faces many other problems, for instance economic ones.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“On these questions the Soviet Union and its allies, basing themselves on the Potsdam and other inter-Allied agreements, adopt and will continue to adopt an attitude dictated by the interests of their security and by the interests of European and universal security. 130. In the Federal Republic of Germany the inevitable conclusion will have to be drawn that its future lies not in gambling on tensions and divergencies of interests and attitudes, but exclusively in developing peaceful relations with other States, in establishing mutually advantageous economic ties with them, and in creating an atmosphere of good-neighbourliness. 131. As we see, the situation in Europe and the state of relations between European States require close attention.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Soviet Union is ready to improve its relations with the Federal Republic of Germany, and considers that they may take a turn for the better if that country adopts a policy of respect for the interests of European peace and of the Soviet Union and its friends, and if it recognizes the reality of the existing situation in Europe, including the immutable fact of the existence of the socialist German Democratic Republic. The existence of this German State is a reality which nobody can change. The Soviet Union is resolutely against those aspects of the policy of the Federal Republic of Germany which endanger peace.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“No State, whether it is an original Member of the United Nations or joined later, can ignore that any violation of the peace in Europe would entail grave consequences for all mankind. The lessons of the Second World War must not give way to an illusory hope that perhaps this time things will be different. They may turn out differently in this sense, that if the wind is sown, the harvest will be a whirlwind more devastating than anything yet seen. 129. The Soviet Government has emphasized more than once that it does not oppose the Federal Republic of Germany as a State having its rightful place in Europe, and that the Federal Republic has just as good a chance as other countries of re-establishing peaceful all-European co-operation and developing normal relations with the Soviet Union.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The stability of State boundaries in Europe, including the Oder-Neisse line and the border between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic, is the sine qua non for a lasting peace in that part of the world, One can only express bewilderment and anxiety at the attitude of those States which, willingly or unwillingly, are abetting plans for revising the results of the Second World War and supporting, particularly in the United Nations, a policy of discrimination against the German Democratic Republic. This policy will ultimately rebound against their own interests. In any event it runs counter to the interests of European security and of all-European co-operation. 128.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Because of our responsibility to prevent any new German aggression, and in virtue of our duty to millions and millions of people who gave their lives so that freedom and democracy might triumph over the criminal, inhuman policies of Hitler’s Reich, the Soviet Union is compelled again and again to draw the attention of other governments and States to these facts. It is in the common interest, and our common duty, to check the dangerous trends in the development of the Federal Republic of Germany and to crush and thrust back neo-nazism, which is again thirsting for power. 127.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“This danger is bound up with another, which has its roots in the revival of militarism and revanchism in the Federal Republic of Germany and the increasing activities of West German neo-Nazis. How far things have gone is evident even from the fact that in the Federal Republic of Germany, before the regular elections to the Bundestag, a veritable contest in revanchism and notorious "anti- Bolshevism" was waged between the neo-Nazis and some representatives of the Government camp. 126.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Soviet Union, the Warsaw Treaty States and other peace-loving forces which stand guard over the European peace possess all the means necessary to call to order, in a matter of hours, any aggressor in Europe. Nevertheless, there would be no ground for the expression of any feeling of tranquillity over the situation in Europe. 124. The European continent, unlike any other region of the world, is chock-full of the armaments, including nuclear arms, with which the States of the two opposing military groupings are equipped. This fact already implies a great danger to the European peoples, who live in a relatively small territory across which runs the line of direct contact between the armies of NATO and of the Warsaw Treaty States. 125.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Indeed there are no guns firing in Europe, no aggressor and victim of aggression engaged in mortal combat. Here, where two world wars have ploughed up every square metre of land deeper than in any other corner of our planet, it is assumed that the peoples and governments must have learnt the necessary lessons from the past. From all this it is even sometimes concluded that in Europe, if anywhere, the situation is now stable. 123. What is true in such reasoning is that the Europe of the end of the 1960s differs radically from the Europe of the end of the 1930s. The present correlation of forces on the European scene bears no comparison whatsoever with that of those times.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“But in Angola, Mozambique, Guinea (Bissau) and Namibia the blood of patriots fighting for the freedom and independence of their peoples continues to flow. In the Republic of South Africa and in Southern Rhodesia power is wielded by racists who have taken as their programme the Hitlerite ravings about the superiority of whites over all other peoples. 121. Who will say that the United Nations has already discharged its duty in this connexion and translated into deeds its solemn promises to the peoples? To complete the elimination of colonialism, the United Nations likewise still faces heavy tasks. 122. Europe is sometimes singled out as a region which differs from uneasy South-East Asia and Africa and the Middle and Far East in its relative security.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Soviet Union, together with a number of other States, is again raising this question before the General Assembly. Let us hope that in the end it will be solved in a positive manner. 119. The Charter of the United Nations establishes the principle of the self-determination of peoples, the principle of the equality of peoples, great and small. But we have not yet got rid of that barbarous relic from the blackest pages in the history of mankind, the wars of colonialists against peoples struggling for their sovereign rights. 120. Under the assault of national liberation movements the mighty colonial empires have disintegrated and dozens of new independent States have come into being in Africa and Asia, in the region of the Caribbean Sea and the Indian and Pacific Oceans.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The attainment of a political settlement in the Middle East would indeed do much to further the cause of a lasting peace and would be in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations. 117. It is impossible to pass over in silence the fact that the United Nations flag is being used to provide a spurious cover of "legality" for the occupation of South Korea by foreign troops. The presence there of United States troops is a major obstacle to the fulfilment of the Korean people’s wish for a peaceful unification of the country, a source of permanent tension which is periodically exacerbated by provocation against the independent Korean socialist State—the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. 118. The interests of peace demand that a clear decision be taken on the withdrawal of all foreign troops from South Korea.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“It has also pursued this line in connexion with the international efforts that have been made in recent months to give effect to the Security Council resolution, including the consultations between representatives of the four Powers which are permanent members of the Council. We have submitted corresponding specific proposals for consideration by the participants in the exchange of views. 115. On the United States side the question has been mooted—by way of stabilizing the situation—of limiting the supply of arms to the Middle East. As the Soviet Government has already stated to the United States Government, a discussion of that question cannot serve any useful purpose so long as Israel troops are occupying the territories of Arab countries. 116.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Consequently a situation is developing which is pregnant with new explosions. The danger of such a development is clear to all. How events unfold will depend in no small measure on us all: whether Israel and certain sections in other countries that support it will take into account the interests of international security, or whether recklessness and not reason will gain the upper hand in the Middle East. 114. A political settlement in the Middle East that is fair to all the States in that area must be attained, in the interests of all countries and peoples. The Soviet Union, together with many other States, is strongly in favour of such a settlement.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Why then does Israel refuse to do what is a major and obligatory condition for peace in the area, i.e, withdraw its troops from occupied Arab lands which have never belonged to Israel? References to the fact that Israel is seeking recognition for itself of the right to independent national existence are without foundation. The Security Council decision—as everyone is well aware—in addition to demanding the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from occupied territories; also provides precisely for the recognition and consolidation of this right for all States in the Middle East, including Israel. There is no vagueness or ambiguity here whatsoever. 113. Everything indicates that the wish of the leaders in Tel Aviv is to bring about in the Middle East not peace but further complications.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“What are they waiting for, what are they counting on, those Israeli leaders who are bent on annexing the territories of the Arab States seized two years ago, constantly organizing new military provocation against those States, and acting contrary to the well-known Security Council resolution of 22 November the 1967 [resolution 242 (1967)], which has been recognized by all States except Israel as a realistic basis for a ted Settlement? 112. The representatives of Israel often make statements, including statements at the United Nations, to the effect that they would like to see the establishment of a lasting peace in the Middle East and an end to the conflict with the and Arab States.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“We should like to believe that sound sense and a realistic appraisal of the situation will prevail in United States policies and that the Paris talks will move towards agreement on the one and only possible basis, the only one which conforms to the spirit and letter of the Charter of the United Nations: renunciation of military and all other interference in the affairs of the Vietnamese people. An end the to the aggressive war and peace in Viet-Nam are necessary for the Vietnamese people and for the whole world. We are convinced that they are also necessary for the people of the any United States. 111. It is impossible to qualify in any other way than as a direct challenge to the United Nations, and to all peoples, the obstruction by Israel-of any measures for a political settlement in the Middle East.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“To think that the United States can achieve at the conference table what it has failed to achieve with an army of half a million on the battlefield, that is, the power to entrench itself strategically and politically on alien soil in South Viet-Nam and impose on the Vietnamese people the corrupt Saigon puppets as their rulers—would obviously be at variance with reality. 110. At these negotiations the Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam and the Republic of South Viet-Nam are known to have put forward constructive terms for a settlement. The United States was given the opportunity of an honourable way out of this impasse of its own making.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The United States has already been fighting the Vietnamese people longer than anyone else in its entire history since it became an independent country, longer than it fought nazi Germany and militarist Japan. It has not attained its aims in Viet-Nam; nor can it do so, for its cause there is unjust. The solidarity and support of the freedom-loving peoples of every continent are on the side of the Vietnamese people. We are proud that the Soviet Union's assistance is increasing the resources of free Viet-Nam in its hard, heroic struggle. 109. At present, talks are now taking place in Paris on a political settlement of the Vietnamese problem.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The unleashing of a new war must be prevented and a violator of the peace must invariably meet with a suitable rebuff, The solemn obligations assumed by States under the Charter of the United Nations must be discharged and the political actions of States in international relations must not be at variance with those obligations. This is precisely what our country has always stood up for and continues to stand up for. We believe that the Charter of the United Nations gives all its Members equal rights and imposes important obligations on each. 107. But do the actions of the United States in Viet-Nam correspond in any way to the principles of the United Nations, the ideals of freedom and justice for which the soldiers of the anti-Hitler coalition, including American soldiers, fought and died? No, not in the least. 108.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Naturally, in any negotiations the Soviet Union will base itself on respect for the interests and rights of our allies and for the legitimate rights and interests of other States, big and small. 105. The Soviet Union supports every proposal by any nation that serves the interests of international security and promotes peaceful co-operation between States. We are prepared to take our place at the negotiating table whenever this is likely to contribute to a peaceful settlement of controversial issues, But the victims of aggression, peoples upholding their freedom, have unfailingly met with active support from the Soviet Union, and continue to do so. 106. The Soviet Union is in favour of strict and complete observance of the Charter, and of implementation of the principles of the United Nations without any exception whatsoever.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“This naturally compelled the socialist States to show due concern for their security. This we continue to do in full measure—let no one harbour any illusions on that score. But this does not lessen by one jot our determination to uphold the cause of peace among the nations. 104. The Soviet Union has already expressed its attitude to the statement by the United States Government of its view that after the period of confrontation the era of negotiations is now beginning. We are in favour of negotiations, of a businesslike approach to affairs and of genuine efforts to settle the international problems facing the USSR, the United States and all other States.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Thus if our ideas recognize no obstacle, and if those who have tried to erect such obstacles, from the Russian czars to obscurantist Hitlerites, have suffered crushing defeat and our ideology is spreading more and more widely, this is not a sign of “Kremlin intrigues’ but of the tremendous power of the communist outlook and the objective laws of social development. It is impossible to place any barriers on them, just as it was impossible to prevent the triumph of the teaching of Copernicus and Galileo and of Einstein’s theory of relativity. 102. It is hardly necessary to dwell at length on all this. It is clear that such a volte-face in Western policies could result only in tension, or the cold war, as it was then called, with its attendant crises and conflicts. 103.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Instead of setting up a world-wide collective security system based on the principles elaborated jointly with us, some Western Powers took the road of separate action, banding together in military blocs, whose raison d’etre was to inflict all possible harm on the Soviet Union and its allies and friends, and attempt from a “position of strength” to stop or even thrust back communism. 101. The Soviet Union takes the view that the choice of a country’s social system is a matter for the people of that country and no one else.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“This means that the aims of the United Nations are still far from being achieved and that the Organization still has a very great deal to do in order to further the creation of conditions in which the peoples of the world may live in peace. 100. The co-operation of the Powers of the anti-Hitler coalition, which will for ever go down in history as a convincing and shining example of joint action against the aggressor by States with different social systems, was not properly continued and developed in the post-war period.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Now in one part of the world, now in another, independent States are attacked and their territories seized, and attempts made to impose foreign domination on peoples who in a hard struggle have brought about the collapse of the rotten colonial system and won the right to independent national development. 98. Human lives are being lost, the material values created by the labour of the peoples destroyed and huge material resources diverted to the arms race, which is imposed upon the world by Powers bent on violating the inter-Allied agreements aimed at preventing a new war. The world continues to live in a state of tension. 99.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“If we compare the prospects of peace as they were painted before the end of the war, when the United Nations was being established, with the present situation of peace, two factors must be singled out which are equally fundamental in character but opposite in meaning. 95. On the one hand, over a period of more than two decades it has been possible to avert the outbreak of a new world war which, now that States possess nuclear arms and other means of mass destruction, would inevitably have the gravest consequences for mankind. 96. This is the great achievement of the peace-loving peoples and a signal success for the United Nations in the achievement of its lofty aims. 97. On the other hand, the peace still remains precarious and unstable.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“For us, the major positive role played in international affairs by the Soviet Union and other socialist States is not only a source of satisfaction but also an incentive to further efforts for peace. The socialist States see in this their responsibility towards all mankind. 93. Need anyone fear the strengthening of the socialist States? No; those who desire a lessening of international tension, a strengthening of security and removal of the threat of war need have no fears. This applies also to States with other social systems, if only they wish to live with us in peace and are generally in favour of peace. 94.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“This is the position maintained today in international affairs by the entire community of socialist States, which form a closely knit alliance—an alliance for peace. We are united not only by a common outlook, but also by a common policy and common fate. If an impartial and objective poll were to be taken among the peoples, one in which the participants could freely express their opinions, the vast majority would undoubtedly name the socialist community of States as a powerful force for peace and a stabilizing factor in the international situation. The peoples are aware that this factor was responsible for the realization of their hopes of maintaining their independence, freedom and rights. 92.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“It is against any weakening of its structure, but rather in favour of ensuring the more efficient functioning of its political machinery. 89. The policy of peace is our fundamental policy. It was elaborated and bequeathed to us by that great man of our era Vladimir Ilyrich Lenin, the founder of the Soviet State, the centenary of whose birth will soon be observed by all progressive mankind. This policy is not affected by the political situation. It cannot be shaken by any attacks, whatever their origin. 90. The policy of peace is born of the profoundly humane nature of the socialist system which has firmly established itself in our country and was the dream of many thinkers in the past. It stems from the very essence of the teaching by which the Soviet people are guided. 91.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Differences in social systems and ideologies and a divergent approach to outstanding problems must not block the way to the strengthening of peace, which today, indeed, is becoming a synonym for life and progress. 88. The United Nations has an important role to play in harnessing the peaceful aspirations of peoples and embodying them in concrete acts, in helping to pool the efforts of all States which stand up for peace. For this is surely the purpose for which this Organization was conceived. The Charter—that collective Treaty uniting Members of the United Nations—conferred suitable powers on the Organization. The Soviet Government is in favour of strengthening the United Nations and increasing its authority in international affairs.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In international affairs the only realistic approach is that which takes into account the profound and vital interest of all peoples in peace. History has witnessed many political combinations, and attempts by individual countries or groups of countries to gamble on tensions and even conflicts or on a clash of State interests. It might be thought that in view of the experience of the Second World War and the objective conditions of the atomic and space age in which we live, every government aware of its responsibilities must be anxious not to lose sight, in any combination of circumstances, of the fundamental needs of the peoples.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“But the Soviet Union’s clear and consistent policy of strengthening peace in Europe and consolidating world peace remains unchanged. From the first peace treaties to the first outlines of the new relations between the States which were victors in the Second World War and those which were vanquished, to the well-known proposals on general and complete disarmament, the elimination of colonialism, and measures to reduce international tension, which have received such wide support in the United Nations and throughout the world, to the most recent proposals on the limitation of the arms race, including nuclear arms, and on the strengthening of international security—we have invariably followed this line. Never have we deviated from it, nor shall we do so in the future. 87.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“As far as the Soviet Union is concerned, it has always done and continues to do its utmost to prevent war, to translate this programme into reality and, together with all States of similar inclination, to consolidate peace throughout the world. 85. Already in the war years, when we were concentrating our efforts on crushing the aggressors, we pondered what the basis of a lasting peace should be. With the last salvo of the war, when this supreme tragedy came to an end, programmes began to be prepared for the rehabilitation an peaceful reconstruction of our country; and at the same time steps were taken at the international level to build a stable peace. 86. Much has happened in the world since then. The general balance of world forces has undergone considerable changes and many new features have emerged in inter-State relations.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“States with different social system and interests united to crush the aggressors. These State jointly laid the foundations of the United Nations, an organization which was called upon to become an instrument of international co-operation aimed at preventing a new war. They invited other States to join in the practical work of creating the United Nations and to take part in its activities. And when in the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations they jointly expressed their determination “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind”, the peoples interpreted these stern and solemn words as a militant programme of action in the cause of peace. 84.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“However great the efforts made by others, no one experienced that large-scale and thorough mobilization of all its resources which was accomplished by our people for the sake of victory over the enemy. No one made such sacrifices as fell to the lot of the Soviet people to make in the war years. 82. We are not saying this in order to base on the facts of history some kind of claim to special rights. In recalling the great exploit of the Soviet people, we merely wish to emphasize our country’s dedication to the cause of peace, which we have achieved at an immeasurable cost. 83. The Soviet people have never forgotten, nor do the they now forget, the important part played by the co-operation of States belonging to the anti-Hitlerite coalition in the achievement of victory.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Warsaw and Oslo, Prague and Copenhagen, Belgrade and many other towns of Europe and Asia were still in the hands of the aggressors, and Paris and Brussels had only just been liberated. But the peoples knew that victory was already at hand, that the hour was striking for the triumph of freedom, the hour of reckoning for the Hitlerites and their minions for their monstrous crimes. The main outlines of the future world organization for collective security—the United Nations—had already been traced in inter-Allied talks. 81. No one aspired more fervently than the people of our country towards a speedy and victorious ending of the war and the establishment of a lasting and stable peace.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“77. Madam President, may we first of all offer to you, a representative of an African country, our warmest congratulations on being elected to this high office? We wish you every success. 78. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing our sympathy to the Guatemalan delegation on the death of Dr. Arenales, President of the twenty-third session of the General Assembly. 79. Madam President, distinguished delegates: the General Assembly is meeting this year in regular session on the eve of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the defeat of the fascist aggressors who unleashed the Second World War. 80. A quarter of a century ago, many important battles still remained to be fought on the European and Far Eastern fronts.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“184. The Soviet Government would like to express the hope that the results of this session will not disappoint the people and that work will be done here which will contribute to the development of world events towards the consolidation of peace.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“We shall go half-way to meet any State willing to build its relations with the Soviet Union on the principles of mutual respect for each other’s interests, good-neighbourliness and peace. 182. In order to reach agreements on international problems, on which the peaceful future of the peoples depends, we are prepared to sit at the negotiating table with anyone who also wishes to reach them. 183. The complexity of the current international situation and the persistence of important international problems shows that this session of the General Assembly, too, is faced with important tasks. The fruitfulness of this session will be determined by the extent to which during its work States Members of the United Nations are able to preserve and augment the positive factors which have recently been noticeable in the activities of our Organization.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“Determination to defend the national interests of the Soviet people and of the States of the socialist commonwealth, to guarantee the inviolability of our land frontiers, coastlines and air space, and to protect the dignity of the Soviet flag and the rights and security of Soviet citizens, is basic to our foreign policy. A similar immutable basic principle is fidelity to our international commitments and devotion to our duty as an ally. 180. The Soviet Union makes no secret of its desire to continue to seek, together with other interested States, fields in which our interests coincide and where agreement is possible, even comprising the conclusion of the corresponding treaties and agreements, bilateral or multilateral, when they are in the interests of peace based on respect for the rights of the peoples. 181.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“No one can deny that the state of the relations between the great Powers will largely determine whether or not there will be a new world war. 178. The Soviet Union recognizes its responsibility for safeguarding universal peace. That is why every new step in international affairs that corresponds to the interests of international security, and every liberating action taken by the peoples, is and will be actively supported by our country. At the same time the Soviet Union has been and will continue to be in the ranks of those who give a suitable response to the policy of aggression. 179.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“The Council recently adopted an important resolution on safeguards for non-nuclear Powers in connexion with the conclusion of the Non-Proliferation Treaty [resolution 255 (1965)]. This is a new phase in its activity, a phase which will increase the authority of the Council and of the United Nations as a whole. 176. The Soviet Union is in favour of more fruitful work by the General Assembly and also by other United Nations bodies concerned with social, economic and legal problems. However, we believe that the United Nations should be freed of commissions, like the Korean Commission, which consume massive amounts of the United Nations budget out only do harm. 177. The special responsibility which the great Powers, the permanent members of the Security Council, bear for the fate of peace is not a privilege.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“If the Powers in the anti-Hitler coalition had not at the right time done all the work that is now embodied in the United Nations Charter, and if the Soviet Union and other States had not defended that Charter, there would today be no international organization for maintaining peace, and none could have been established. 174. The Soviet Union is in favour of converting the United Nations into a truly universal organization. This cannot be achieved until the Chiang Kai-Shek group is driven from the United Nations and the lawful rights of the Chinese People’s Republic are restored to it. 175. The Soviet Union is in favour of enhancing the role and the effectiveness of the Security Council.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“This is the aim which the Charter pursues and must pursue. 172. It is said that the United Nations cannot be relied on: too many arguments and too little concrete action. But everything depends on what the arguments are about. It is better to argue for ten or even fifty years at the negotiating table than to have one day, or even one hour, of a nuclear conflict. 173. We have not failed to notice that even representatives of some of the great Powers are sometimes ready to join with the critics of the United Nations Charter. This is a strange position, obviously explainable by considerations of expediency.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“This work, which has become an integral part of international intercourse, takes place before the eyes of millions of people, who pass judgement on whether the activities of the United Nations respond to their aspirations. 170. As far as we are concerned, we can state definitely that the Soviet Government appreciates the United Nations as an instrument for the maintenance of international peace and security, although it clearly sees its defects. 171. Those who try to undermine the United Nations Charter and disparage the principle it embodies of co-operation among the permanent members of the Security Council in the adoption of important decisions should remember the founders of the United Nations with a feeling of gratitude. The main task of the United Nations, its principal reason for existence, is to prevent a new world war.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“The withdrawal of all foreign forces from South Korea is what is necessary for normalizing the situation in that part of the world and for ensuring the proper conditions for the peaceful unification of Korea on democratic principles. 169. Every year the representatives of the vast majority of the world’s States assemble in this hall to compare their respective assessments of current events and major trends in international development. This is a forum where an exchange of views and opinions takes place in the course of which there is sometimes attained that coincidence of interest necessary for the adoption of resolutions satisfactory to the peoples.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)