YouSaid · the spoken record

Kuznetsov

lines on the record: 96
first: 1959-09-24
most recent: 1959-09-24
sittings or episodes: 1
sources: un-general-debate

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“Khrushchev said here on 18 September 1959, "there is, however, one problem whose solution the people of all countries big and small await with hope, irrespective of their social systems and ways of life. It is the problem of disarmament." [799th meeting, para. 45], 50. Now that international tension is being reduced, the United Nations must take advantage of this promising opportunity to make a worthy contribution to the ensuring of peace and security. The current session of the General Assembly can and must support the proposals for general and complete disarmament and assist in their speediest implementation. That would be an important step forward towards delivering mankind from the terror of a new war and establishing lasting peace on earth.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The joint communique published after the conclusion of the conversations between the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the President of the United States at Camp David, recording the agreement of both sides that all outstanding international questions should be settled not by the application of force but by peaceful means through negotiation, will doubtless have tremendous significance for the whole future development of international relations. All States and peoples should bend their efforts toward the attainment of the great goal — the ensuring of a firm and lasting peace. 49. We have many unsettled international problems before us. Mr.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“In this connexion we must again mention the outstanding contribution, in the matter of confirming the principles of the policy of peaceful co-existence, represented by the visit of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union, Mr. Khrushchev, to the United States and the forthcoming visit of the President of the United States of America, Mr. Eisenhower, to the Soviet Union.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“Since an exchange of the results of scientific research leads to more rapid progress in the study of outer space, the Soviet Government intends to introduce a proposal for the calling of an international conference of scientists, under United Nations auspices, on the question of exchange of experience in the study of outer space. 47. We have seen that there has recently been a tendency, on the international level, towards a relaxation of tension and a normalization of relations between States. An ever-growing number of statesmen are beginning to realize the need for pursuing a policy of peaceful co-existence and one whereby international disputes are settled by negotiation. 48.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“As is well known, when the United Nations ad hoc Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was established [resolution 1348 (XIII)] at the thirteenth session of the General Assembly, discrimination against a number of countries was permitted. The Soviet Union, while supporting the idea of establishing the Committee, spoke against its formation with a membership which would violate the principle of equality of rights for all countries affected by its activities. However, the decision to give the Committee a, membership which did not ensure the co-operation of all countries on a basis of equal rights was forced on the General Assembly. That decision impeded the beginning of genuine international co-operation in the use of outer space. The Soviet delegation regards this situation as completely abnormal. 46.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“In the past, mankind could not do without the exchange of experience, and co-operation, in various fields; nowadays, in the century of space and nuclear energy, the need for international co-operation is clear for all to see, and requires no proof. Indeed, it is impossible to conceive of any study of outer space in the absence of an exchange of the data collected by the scientific institutions of the entire world. How can science be confined within narrow national limits in the century of the "sputnik" and the rocket? It is essential to establish co-operation, on the broadest possible basis and on a footing of equal rights, between all countries, in the study of outer space and its use for the benefit of mankind. The Soviet Union has supported, and will support every possible expansion of such cooperation in the study of outer space. 45.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“This session must repulse any attempts to use the United Nations for the purpose of exacerbating international relations. Our duty is to do everything in our power to help in improving the international situation, and in maintaining and strengthening world peace. 43. The study of outer space is now attracting more and more attention, hi our times the wildest dreams of interplanetary flights, which only four or five years and many thought to be impractical fantasies, are coming true. The interplanetary station, automatically controlled, which the Soviet Union has just launched, and which is now travelling on the far. side of the moon, is an example. 44.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“We are deeply convinced that the main requirement today is to remove the obstacles which have piled up on the path towards the solution of thorny international problems. That is the task in which the Soviet Union calls upon its partners in negotiations, and upon all other States, to help. 41. Attempts to press upon the present session questions like the so-called question of Tibet show that certain circles are concerned to prevent the establishment of a businesslike atmosphere in the United Nations. Of course, those who are using Ireland and Malaya as spearheads in this matter want to preserve tile cold war atmosphere by every possible means. In this they are grossly violating the principles of the United Nations, the authority of which, as a result, is seriously undermined. 42.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“We consider that, in the matter of stopping nuclear weapon testing and in all other international questions, the parties should strive to find points of contact and mutually acceptable solutions, and not lay every possible emphasis on what divides them, or divert their energies towards seeking to establish who is to blame for the failure of past negotiations. In this connexion Mr. Khrushchev said, in his address to the General Assembly on 18 September 1959: "I have no desire to stir up the past or to engage in an analysis of the obstacles and disagreements which developed in the course of the disarmament talks; still less do I wish to level accusations against anyone” [799th meeting, para. 62]. 40.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“It is well known that it was not the Soviet Union, but the United States which introduced a number of different proposals at Geneva with the object of delaying the conclusion of an agreement. The Soviet Union, for its part, introduced a number of constructive proposals, in which account was taken of its partners’ positions in regard to all unresolved questions. The Soviet Government has repeatedly stated, and recently reaffirmed, that it is prepared to sign forthwith an agreement with the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom for the cessation, for all time, of every type of nuclear weapon test. 39.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“As a result of the lengthy negotiations at Geneva between the representatives of the USSR, the United States and the United Kingdom, the positions of these Powers on the question of stopping nuclear weapon testing have already come somewhat closer together, and the Soviet Union believes that all prerequisites now exist for the final and early conclusion of agreement on this matter. 37. In this regard the Soviet delegation must express its regret at the wrong interpretation of the position at the Geneva negotiations given in the speech delivered to the Assembly on 17 September 1959 by the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Herter [797th meeting], in which the impression was conveyed that the USSR was preventing the reaching of an understanding on the cessation of nuclear weapon testing. 38.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“If the Western Powers do not at the present juncture express their readiness to start general and complete disarmament, the Soviet Government is prepared, as it has been in the past, to negotiate with the other States on suitable partial steps towards disarmament and the strengthening of security. 35. In this connexion the Soviet Government deems it necessary to emphasize that discussion of the proposal for general and complete disarmament should not delay the settlement of so acute and pressing a question as that of the permanent cessation of nuclear weapon testing. 36.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“They remind us of the old Russian proverb: the mother-in-law who recalls her youth will not trust her daughter-in-law! 32. The Soviet Government, in advancing its proposal for general and complete disarmament, has proceeded from the conviction that, if the leaders of all States display good will and the political wisdom worthy of our age, the implementation of the proposal will be entirely feasible, and that so radical a solution of the disarmament problem would serve the interests of the world’s peoples better than any other. 33. But in putting forward the programme for general and complete disarmament and in regarding it as entirely practicable, the Soviet Government certainly does not propose to act on the principle of "all or nothing". 34.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The Soviet Union has proposed general and complete disarmament because of its sincere desire that the arms race shall be ended and that all peoples shall be able to live peacefully, free from the permanent and oppressive menace of another destructive war. Naturally, if other States also sincerely desire to attain that goal, there will no longer be any kind of ground for fearing to give up guns, bombs, submarines or rockets, bacteriological or chemical weapons, and so forth. All nations, without exception, will benefit from this. 31. Those who, while not openly rejecting the Soviet proposal for general and complete disarmament, seek to spread doubts as to its feasibility, are not helping the search for a way in which to end the arms race and for a radical change towards a normalized international situation.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“Surely no one would deny that acceptance, in itself, of the solution of general and complete disarmament would be convincing confirmation of a sincere desire to establish relations on a basis of friendship, co-operation and repudiation of the; use of force in the settlement of disputes, and would lead to a significant strengthening of confidence in relations between States. In such an atmosphere of growing confidence, the solution of the problem of control would unquestionably be easier. 30. The argument advanced by certain statesmen and newspapers, that general and complete disarmament would benefit only the Soviet Union and the socialist bloc, is not helpful.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“Needless to say, specific questions relating to the scope and character of the measures for controlling disarmament at the various stages of its implementation, as well as specific questions connected with other aspects of the programme proposed, will be the subject of discussion and agreement during appropriate negotiations. 28. By now it should be clear to any unprejudiced person that one important merit of the basically new approach to the disarmament problem proposed by the Soviet Union is this: it eliminates all the obstacles hitherto inherent in the control problem or artificially introduced into it. 29.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“He said: "We certainly propose to establish, once disarmament has begun, a stage of control corresponding to each stage of disarmament, that is to say, to send representatives of other States to control the areas susceptible of control under the agreement. This will be the procedure followed throughout the programme's execution, until disarmament shall have been completed. At that time, the controllers obviously will have to remain in situ in order that each State should scrupulously observe the disarmament agreement." 27.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“Khrushchev paid in his speech of 18 September 1959, "We are in favour of genuine disarmament under control, but we are against control without disarmament" [799th meeting, para. 64]. 26. The new Soviet proposals for general and complete disarmament are also based on this principle. They provide for the establishment of an international control organ, whose functions are to be extended progressively to correspond to the stage reached in the phased disarmament of States. Control is ultimately to become general and complete, provision being made for the institution of a system of aerial observation and aerial photography. In reply to a question on control at the press conference in Washington on 27 September 1959, Mr. Khrushchev elucidated this aspect of the Soviet proposals.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“It would be difficult to invent anything farther from the truth! The Soviet Union has always supported and will always support the most stringent international control over the execution of disarmament agreements. All the Soviet proposals for the prohibition of atomic weapons and tests of such weapons, and for the reduction of conventional armaments and armed forces, have invariably been accompanied by specific proposals for establishing effective control on an international basis. However, the Soviet Union has always been opposed to divorcing the control system from disarmament measures and to control organs becoming, in effect, agencies for the collection of intelligence data under conditions in which there would be no actual disarmament. As Mr.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“But it would be inaccurate, and hence wrong, to say that the Soviet disarmament proposals have called forth only a favourable response. Forces supporting the continuation of the cold war and the arms race are still far from capitulation. They naturally oppose not only general and complete disarmament but also any disarmament measures whatever. 24. We cannot overlook the opinions expressed by those who, either deliberately or because they have not properly understood the new Soviet proposals, are misrepresenting the meaning of the proposals and the real aims of the Soviet Union. Thus, some people contend that the new Soviet proposals and, according to them, all the former disarmament proposals of the Soviet Union do not provide for sufficiently effective measures of control over the implementation of disarmament. 25.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“There is no doubt that all constructive proposals providing for the settlement of the problem of general and complete disarmament must be carefully examined. Needless to say, the Soviet Government does not claim that, all the aspects of this broad problem have been exhaustively dealt with in its document. Mr. Khrushchev, in a speech made at a meeting in Moscow on 28 September 1959, had the following to say on this point. "We consider our proposals as a basis for. agreement. We are ready to discuss all amendments to our document and proposals. We are also ready to discuss other proposals which may be introduced if they are designed to achieve the same aims as we are pursuing." Thus; the Soviet Union is prepared to consider any pertinent observations which have been or may be made regarding the new Soviet proposals. 23.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“Khrushchev has proposed just what we all have preached — a disarmed world." Thereafter, the Advisory Council of the Democratic Party urged the President of the United States of America, Mr. Eisenhower, to make prompt use of the USSR proposal for complete disarmament as a basis for negotiation. 21. It is quite clear that the Soviet proposals are warmly supported by the broad masses in all the countries of the world. No doubt, that is because the proposals express the hope of all peoples for the elimination of war from human relations. 22. In speeches both inside and outside the Assembly, a number of statesmen have been endorsing the Soviet proposals in principle and expressing ideas more or less akin to general and complete disarmament.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“Selwyn Lloyd, said that he welcomed the fact that Khrushchev had introduced these proposals. They should be examined carefully and constructively… 19. The leader of the British Labour Party, Mr. Gaitskell, made the noteworthy statement that he much regretted the West had not given the plan a warmer reception immediately. After all, the scrapping of all armaments and the general elimination of all types of weapons, under Control, were measures that were always welcome. 20. Appeals for serious consideration of the new Soviet proposals for disarmament were made by a number of prominent United States statesmen; the leader of the Democratic Party in the United States, Mr. Stevenson, said: "Khrushchev's proposal must be taken seriously. The only way to eliminate the scourge of war is to eliminate the means of war. And Mr.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“Many statesmen outside the United Nations have also urged that the new Soviet proposal should be treated with the utmost seriousness. One of these statesmen, the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Nehru, said that the plan for general disarmament proposed by the USSR was a courageous proposal deserving of serious study. 17. The United Kingdom's elder statesman, Mr. Winston Churchill, called the plan for complete disarmament put forward by the Soviet Union "striking". He said that the goal it envisaged was one to which all countries and their leaders must yearn. 18. The leading figures in the United Kingdom Government have, on the whole, also reacted favourably to the introduction of the Soviet Union's proposals for general and complete disarmament. Thus the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, Mr.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“One cannot fail to recognize the truth of the following statement, made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Mr. Krag, in expressing approval of the Soviet proposals: "Complete and comprehensive disarmament is of vital interest to all nations, great or small, to avert the dangers of all-destructive war and to alleviate the arms burden from the shoulders of mankind, thus enabling immense productive forces to be dedicated to raising the living standard of millions of human beings." [809th meeting, para. 16.] 15. Other delegations from Asian, European and African countries, including those of Finland, Norway, Sweden, Australia, Liberia and Saudi Arabia, have taken a favourable view of the Soviet proposals for general and complete disarmament. 16.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“39], 12. The representative of Afghanistan, Mr. Pazhwak, said: "The Afghan delegation welcomes the spirit of the proposals advanced... by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. We think these proposals are basic and comprehensive, and we hope that their serious consideration by the United Nations will pave the way for more fruitful discussions on this long-standing problem, which has a direct bearing on world peace and security." [809th meeting, para. 89.] 13. The Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs, Mr. Green, expressed the following opinion about the Soviet proposals; "... I am entirely sympathetic with the general objective stated in Mr. Khrushchev's proposal, namely, a world without arms." [807th meeting, para. 56.] 14.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The Soviet delegation notes with satisfaction that the overwhelming majority of comments express, in one way or another, support for these new Soviet proposals on the ground that they provide a basis for working out a comprehensive agreement among States which would guarantee the strengthening and consolidation of peace for all time. 10. The Socialist countries gave unanimous support to the Soviet proposals. I should like to recall some of the statements that have been made in this Assembly by way of illustrating the position of their delegations. 11. In welcoming the Soviet Government’s proposals, the Indonesian representative, Mr. Sastroamidjojo, said that they "correspond with the policy of peace advocated by the Government and people of Indonesia. They are imaginative in spirit and revolutionary in scope." [815th meeting, para.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“When general and complete disarmament becomes a fact, conditions will be far more favourable for the solution of many other complex international problems. Circumstances will be more propitious to the development of international co-operation and exchanges in the economic, technical, scientific and cultural, public health and other fields. There will be an end to the artificial barriers with which States now isolate themselves from other States in order to guard their scientific and technical achievements for strategic reasons. The scientists of all countries will be able to direct their work entirely towards improving human welfare. 8. In view of the prospects which general and complete disarmament holds out for mankind, the wide response throughout the world to the Soviet Union’s disarmament proposals is completely understandable. 9.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“Everyone knows that implementation of the proposals for general and complete disarmament would bring about a radical change in the whole international situation. In his address on 18 September 1959, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR said: "When it is physically impossible for any State to engage in military operations against other States, international relations will begin to develop under the banner of trust. Suspicion and fear will vanish; all countries will be able to behave towards one another as genuine good neighbours. The door will stand wide open to economic, commercial and cultural cooperation between all States. For the first time a reliable and lasting peace, to which all peoples so strongly aspire, will become a reality." [799th meeting, para. 89.] 7.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The new Soviet disarmament proposals are based on an approach to the solution of this problem which is new in principle; unlike all the other disarmament proposals put forward in the post-war period, the new Soviet proposals do not envisage simply a reduction, larger or smaller, in the armed forces and armaments of States or a prohibition of specific types of weapons. Rather they envisage the complete elimination of all the physical means of waging war in all States. If these measures are carried out, the very possibility of unleashing war will be eliminated. 5. This is unquestionably an extremely drastic programme. The danger of a missile and nuclear war looming over all peoples requires just such courageous and far-reaching solutions. 6.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“It is particularly gratifying to note that, according to the joint Soviet-United States communique, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the President of the United States agreed that the question of general disarmament was the most important one facing the world today and that both Governments would make every effort to achieve a constructive solution of that problem. 3. In view of the general significance of the disarmament problem and the particular interest which the world community has shown in the new Soviet disarmament proposals, the Soviet delegation deems it necessary, now that the general debate is concluding, to draw the General Assembly's attention once again to these proposals. 4.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union, Nikita S. Khrushchev, in his address to the General Assembly on 18 September 1959, made a profound analysis of the contemporary international situation. He fully established the fact that the most urgent and pressing problem of the day was the problem of disarmament. Mr. Khrushchev said: "Success in finding a correct solution to this problem will to a great extent determine the direction in which mankind is to go, whether it will be towards war with its disastrous consequences or whether the cause of peace will prevail." [7 99th meeting, para.45.] At the conclusion of his address Mr. Khrushchev, as you know, submitted the declaration of the Soviet Government on general and complete disarmament for consideration by the United Nations [A/4219]. 2.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“It is better to strive for unanimous decision by the great Powers than to decide international issues by force of arms. 104. I have tried to express frankly a number of thoughts about the international situation and about what we conceive the tasks of the United Nations to be. We are confident that the proposals we have presented on the instructions of the Soviet Government will meet with the sympathy of most people in all nations of the world, as well as with that of the delegates sitting in this hall. 105. I wish to assure the representatives to the General Assembly that the United Nations will continue to find in the Soviet Union a most active participant in all efforts designed to rid mankind of the burden of armaments and to strengthen peace throughout the world. 106. I thank you for your attention. 1.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“When the United Nations Security Council was created, there was taken as a basis for its. work the idea of agreed decisions. At the same time, special responsibility for maintaining peace was entrusted to the great Powers, whose representatives are the permanent members of the Security Council. In order to avoid complications in international relations, it was recognized as necessary to establish the principle of great Power unanimity in the Security Council; this went by the name of the right of veto. 103. Some people oppose the veto. If there is no veto, however, there will be no international organization; it will collapse. The veto principle makes it incumbent upon the great Powers, in all questions requiring consideration by the Security Council, to reach a unanimous decision which will ensure the effective maintenance of peace.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“A group of States which at any time commands a majority can, of course, secure the adoption of a decision which is advantageous to it. But that is only a Pyrrhic victory. Such "victories" do damage to the United Nations, and are instrumental in ruining it. 101. It must also be remembered that a majority in the voting on a given question before the United Nations is a variable quantity and may change to the disadvantage of those who today rely so frequently on the voting mechanism. As the Russian saying goes, "You must reap what you have sown". The wisest and most far-sighted policy is, therefore, that of jointly seeking mutually acceptable solutions, dictated solely by a concern to ensure peace throughout the world and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States. 102.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The distinguishing feature of a properly functioning international body is that such a body decides issues not by formally counting up votes, but by searching intelligently and patiently for a just solution which is acceptable to all. One cannot, indeed, conceive of States agreeing to carry out an unjust decision which has been adopted against their will. This sort of thing leaves a bitter taste in their mouths. How many such cases have there been in the history of the United Nations! The United Nations must therefore adopt only such decisions as are voted for by all, seeing that such decisions reflect the will of all and the interests of all. Our generation, and the historians of the future, will recognize decisions of that kind as being the only correct and only possible ones. 100.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“If matters continue to develop in this direction — in the direction of what might be called factionalism — the result will be to make relations between States worse rather than better. The United Nations will be transformed from a body expressing the interests of all its Members into an organ of a group of States, pursuing the policy of that group rather than the policy of ensuring peace throughout the world. The first result of this will be to engender a lack of respect for the United Nations; but subsequently it may lead to the disintegration of the Organization, as happened in the earlier case of the League of Nations. 99.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“For the reason that not all the States Members of the United Nations have the necessary respect for that body, in which mankind places so many hopes. Instead of consistently supporting the authority of the United Nations, so that it will really be the most authoritative international organ and the Governments of all countries will always come to it when they have to solve vitally important problems, some States try to exploit it in their own narrow interests. An international organization cannot, of course, act effectively on behalf of peace if within it there is a group of countries whose policy is to impose the will of certain States upon others. A policy of this kind will undermine the foundations of the United Nations.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“They have united in order to consider together the urgent problems of international relations. If two or more States are unable to reach agreement among themselves, the United Nations must help them. Its function in such a case is to plane down the sharp edges in relations between States which can produce conflict, strain and even war. If it performs its primary task of strengthening universal peace and the security of peoples, the United Nations will receive the respect due to it, and its authority will increase. 97. I must say in all candour, however, that today the United Nations is unfortunately, in a number of cases, not carrying out its functions along those lines. Sometimes, indeed, a faulty posing of problems in the United Nations results in unnecessary strains in relations between Governments. 98. Why is this happening?”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The new proposal of the Soviet Government is prompted solely by the desire to ensure lasting peace between nations. 95. We say sincerely to all countries; As against the slogan "Let us arm!", which still enjoys currency in some places, we advance the slogan "Let us disarm completely!" Let us compete as to who builds more homes, schools and hospitals for his people and produces more bread, milk, meat, clothing and other consumer goods; let us not compete as to who has more hydrogen bombs and rockets. That will be welcomed by all peoples of the earth. 96. The United Nations, whose General Assembly I have the honour of addressing today, can and must play a major role in international affairs. Its importance is determined by the fact that all the countries of the world are represented in it.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The Soviet Government considers it appropriate to recall its disarmament proposals of 10 May 1955, which outlined a specific scheme for partial measures in the field of disarmament. It is convinced that these proposals constitute a sound basis for agreement on this vitally important issue. 93. This is not the first time that the idea of general and complete disarmament has been put forward by the Soviet Union. Our Government presented an extensive programme for complete disarmament in the period between the two world wars. Opponents of disarmament were then wont to say that the Soviet Union had made the proposals because it was economically and militarily weak. This false argument may have misled some people at that time, but today it is obvious to everyone that to talk of the weakness of the Soviet Union is absurd. 94.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“In the view of the Soviet Government, the most important steps are the following; (1) The establishment of a control and inspection zone, and the reduction of foreign troops in the territories of the Western European countries concerned; (2) The establishment of an "atom-free" zone in Central Europe; (3) The withdrawal of all foreign troops from the territories of European States and the abolition of military bases on the territories of foreign States; (4) The conclusion of a non-aggression pact between the member States of NATO and the member States of the Warsaw Treaty; (5) The conclusion of an agreement on the prevention of surprise attack by one State upon another. 92.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“In the conviction that these great aims can and must be achieved by the joint efforts of all States, united under the banner of the peaceful principles of the United Nations Charter, the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is presenting, for the consideration of the United Nations, a declaration on general and complete disarmament, together with specific proposals on the subject. 91. It goes without saying that, if at present the Western Powers do not, for one reason or another, express their readiness to embark upon general and complete disarmament, the Soviet Government is prepared to come to terms with other States on appropriate partial measures relating to disarmament and the strengthening of security.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“Hence there is no truth in assertions that disarmament would lead to a crisis or an economic slump in the industrially highly-developed countries of the capitalist world. 89. When it is physically impossible for any State to engage in military operations against other States, international relations will begin to develop under the banner of trust. Suspicion and fear will vanish; all countries will be able to behave towards one another as genuine good neighbours. The door will stand wide open to economic, commercial and cultural co-operation between all States. For the first time a reliable and lasting peace, to which all peoples so strongly aspire, will become a reality. 90.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“Even if only a small part of the resources released by the cessation of military expenditure on the part of the great Powers were devoted to assisting such States, this could literally usher in a new epoch in the economic development of Asia, Africa and Latin America. 88. All the artificial obstacles to the development of international trade which today exist in the form of discriminatory restrictions, lists of prohibited items and so on would disappear. The industry of such countries as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, West Germany and other highly developed States would at last be able to secure large orders from other countries. The use of the resources released by disarmament would provide the populations with the widest possible opportunities for employment.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The resources released would render possible a considerable reduction of taxes and prices. This would have a favourable effect on the populations' living standards and would be welcomed by millions of ordinary people. With the money that States have expended for military purposes in the last decade alone, they could erect over 150 million houses in which, with every comfort, many hundred millions of people could live. 87. General and complete disarmament would also create completely new opportunities for the assistance of States whose economies are at present still underdeveloped and stand in need of co-operation from more advanced countries.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“When complete disarmament had been achieved, mankind would experience a feeling like that of a traveller in the desert, overcome with fatigue and tortured by the fear of dying of thirst and exhaustion, when after long wanderings he reaches an oasis. 85. General and complete dis armament would make it possible to switch vast material and financial resources from the production of death-dealing weapons to constructive uses. The energy of the peoples can be directed to the creation of material and spiritual values beautifying and ennobling the life and labour of man. 86. The execution of a programme of general and complete disarmament would make it possible to convert enormous resources to the building of schools, hospitals, houses and roads, and to the production of foodstuffs and industrial goods.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The danger of rocket and nuclear war suspended over the peoples demands bold, far-reaching decisions for the securing of peace. 83. A decision to carry out general and complete disarmament within a short space of time, and the execution of that decision, would mark the beginning of a new stage in international life. Agreement among States to undertake general, complete disarmament would afford convincing practical confirmation of the absence of any aggressive designs on their part and the presence of a sincere desire to build their relations with other countries on a foundation of friendship and co-operation. With the destruction of weapons and the disbanding of armed forces, States would be left without the material capacity to pursue any policy but a peaceful one. 84.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“All international problems will then be solved, not by force of arms, but by peaceful means. 80. We are political realists, and we appreciate that a certain time will be required in which to work out so broad a disarmament programme. While this programme is being evolved, and while the various issues are being settled by agreement, we must not sit with folded hands and wait. 81. The Soviet Government considers that the elaboration of a programme of general and complete disarmament should not delay the settlement of a question so acute and eminently ripe for solution as that of discontinuing nuclear weapons tests for all time. Every prerequisite for such a solution now exists. We hope that the appropriate agreement on the discontinuance of tests will be concluded and brought into force without delay. 82.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“In order that no one may violate his undertakings, we propose the creation of an international control organ in which all States would participate. There should be established, for the control of all disarmament measures, a system which would be setup and operated in conformity with the stages in which disarmament was carried out. 78. If disarmament is general and complete, then, once it is accomplished, control will also be general and complete. States will have nothing to hide from each other; none of them will have a weapon to raise against another; and the controllers will then be able to display their zeal to the maximum. 79. This solution of disarmament questions will provide complete security for all States. It will create favourable conditions for the peaceful coexistence of States.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)