YouSaid · the spoken record

Sakkaf

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS SAKKAF

lines on the record: 149
first: 1964-09-24
most recent: 1974-09-24
sittings or episodes: 8
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

“No one should be astonished why such major problems as I have mentioned are still besetting us in this Organization without our having made headway towards their solution. At the root of our difficulties lies the fact that the States which wield world power, unfortunately, still predicate their respective national policies on the balance of power and on incessant endeavors on their part to maintain supremacy in what they consider their spheres of influence. 13. The pursuit of such policies that have caused many wars since the dawn of civilization compels contesting Powers to emulate one another in armaments and thereby resort to devising new lethal weapons, hoping thus to maintain an advantage over their adversaries.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“To illustrate concretely what has happened, we have only to cite the partition of Korea, the partition of Germany, the partition and zoning of Berlin all this on ideological grounds without due regard to the ethnological homogeneity of these peoples and countries. 11. But the blunders committed after the Charter had been proclaimed were even worse. Palestine was partitioned in 1947 as if the right of peoples to self-determination was merely ink on paper. Viet-Nam was partitioned in 1954 to suit the strategic interests of great Powers in the region, with the result that a people with the same language and culture became divided, and brothers were incited to slit one another's throat. 12.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“What actually happened was that the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 had granted Mandates over many peoples to erstwhile colonial Powers, aside from gerrymandering the map of Europe with new boundaries regardless of the consent and aspirations of various ethnic groups. It was these arbitrary arrangements, concocted by the victors of the First World War, that largely contributed to the factors that undermined the Versailles Peace Treaty and led to the Second World War. 10. Did the victors of the Second World War profit by the lessons of history? Not at all. For we find them committing more serious blunders before and after the Charter was proclaimed at San Francisco.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“The lack of progress in paving the way to peace whenever then is war and conflict or strife and turmoil might be attributed to the fact that, unfortunately, many politicians wielding power pay lip- service to the United Nations Charter whilst they doggedly pursue their narrow national interests. 9. It is such self-seeking policies that caused the League of Nations to founder. Is it not high time that we should learn by avoiding the mistakes of the not-too-distant past? The covenant of the League of Nations spoke of liberty and freedom. The United Nations Charter enshrined the principle of self-determination.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“Year in year out, as time marches on, we have found ourselves still seized of the same major problems to which we have not been able to find satisfactory solutions, notwithstanding the unflagging efforts exerted towards that end. Why is it that we have not made significant progress on many issues that have engrossed the United Nations since its early years? Is it due to the lack of goodwill amongst men who shape the policies of their respective States? There is no dearth of good intentions amongst many leaders in the world. 8. What, then, is at the root of the failure which is apt to dampen the ardent spirit of the people at large who expect our Organization to be the guarantor of world peace? The answer is not very difficult to find.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“No statement of ours from this rostrum should fail to refer to the exemplary role which our illustrious Secretary- General, U Thant, has played for a decade during which he fully dedicated himself in his endeavor to safeguard the high principles and lofty ideals of our Organization. We can never forget how vigilant we found him to be when, on several occasions, political crisis threatened world peace, and we still remember how diligently he used his good offices to avert many an international conflict. 6. In discharging his duties, his health was bound to suffer once in a while, and inasmuch as we are solicitous about his personal welfare, we do hope that he may still be able to continue in his office until the international community could unanimously agree on a successor. 7.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“It was not surprising that you have been so admired and respected as to win the unanimous support of the Members of this Organization. 3. This session of the General Assembly augurs especially well for Saudi Arabia. Several sister Arab States have been admitted to membership in the United Nations, and while Bhutan is not an immediate neighbor of my country, we were equally happy to see that State, situated in the heart of Asia, the mother of continents, take its rightful seat as a Member of this Organization. 4. My delegation would like to express its appreciation for the efficient manner with which your predecessor, Edvard Hambro, presided over the twenty-fifth session of the General Assembly, which was a milestone in the history of the United Nations. 5.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“1. In the name of God, the merciful and compassionate. 2. Sir, the delegation of Saudi Arabia would like to take this opportunity to express its gratification at your election to the presidency of the twenty-sixth session of the General Assembly. We have always looked upon the Indonesian people as our own brothers. It is no wonder, therefore, that my Government takes pride in your having been elected to preside over the deliberations of th- 'international community. You had been a leader in your country even before Indonesia became independent, about two decades ago. Thereafter, you have indeed been identified with wise policies in your country. Furthermore, it was my personal privilege not only to have known you personally but to have been associated with you in policies of great import to the world Muslim community.”
1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)
“Either this Organization will follow the same pattern as that of the League of Nations, which led to its disintegration, or it will muster enough courage to rise above petty national interests and the policy of spheres of influence pursued by the super-Powers irrespective of the aspirations of peoples struggling for their independence and the redemption of their sovereignty. 18. In conclusion, I should like to state that His Majesty King Faisal and my Government still hope that, before it is too late, the better part of wisdom will prevail, especially among the great Powers, which, if they wish, can pave the way for peace in the Middle East by having real justice done unto the indigenous people of Palestine. 19. I cannot bring this statement to an end without invoking God’s guidance to us all.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“While we are aware of the multifarious problems facing this Assembly, my Government wishes to reiterate its unequivocal position regarding Jerusalem and Palestine because of its deep concern with this question, which, as you may have noticed, constitutes the theme of my statement before this Assembly. If peace with justice is to bypass the peoples of Palestine, we predict a continuous state of conflict and turmoil in the Middle East. Should this be the case, we also fear that a third world war may be inevitable. The turn of events in the Middle East will, therefore, determine the fate of the United Nations.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Islamic Summit Conference held from 22 to 25 September 1969 in Rabat has shown the whole world that the Islamic world has been jolted into a consciousness of the danger that threatens its first kiblah. The sincere solidarity and the fervent fraternal spirit manifested at Rabat is only the beginning. It is the dawn of Islamic unity all over the world. The millstones of Islam may grind slowly but they will grind and grind and grind until, God willing, Jerusalem and the whole land of Palestine is restituted to its legitimate owners, who have been denied their right of self-determination by pressures and conspiracies inside and outside the United Nations. 17.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“If the Christian nations, whose populations number about a billion, do not care about Jerusalem falling into the hands of Zionists, who, incidentally, are a mere fraction of world Jewry estimated at about 17 million, let me make it patently clear that over 600 million Moslems will not continue to remain with their arms folded and accept the spurious claims of those Zionists who are unwittingly creating a world problem which may very well make a scapegoat of innocent Jews, especially in the Western world, where Zionist activists have wormed themselves into the policy-making machinery of governments, including legislative bodies, quite apart from controlling the mass media of information. 16.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“can assure the General Assembly that the occupation of Palestine by these alien people, the non-Semitic Khazars of Central and Eastern Europe, will never be considered a fait accompli by the whole Arab people — a hundred million of them who are steadfast in their faith that, as in the past, usurpers come and usurpers go but ultimately the Palestinian people will regain their homeland. 15. As far as Jerusalem is concerned, let me be explicit once more about our position, which has repeatedly been made clear since the desecration of that Holy City by the invader. This is not the first time that Jerusalem has fallen into the hands of alien conquerors. Where are these conquerors now? They are but names in the annals of history. Jerusalem is as holy to Islam as it is to the other monotheistic religions.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“On the other hand, the forces of resistance that went underground against the Nazis in occupied Europe have been dubbed heroes; so were the Irgun, Zvai Lumi, Stern, Haganah and other gangs who massacred the indigenous people of Palestine, destroyed their homes, killed their cattle and cut down their trees. The Arab people have been galvanized into action by the sacrificial resolve of the people of Palestine to regain their homeland. 14. Neither the late Mr. Churchill nor the late Mr. Roosevelt, nor the late Mr. Stalin for that matter, considered the nazi conquest of European territories as a fait accompli.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Over a million Palestinian refugees who fled in terror and now live in camps on six or seven cents a day per person, together with compatriots of theirs scattered in many countries, have finally awakened to the fact that all the United Nations resolutions concerning the Palestine question have been futile, having had no impact whatsoever on the usurpers. 13. Consequently they have organized themselves to regain their homeland, as it has dawned upon them that the whole United Nations family is not willing to or capable of rendering them justice and redressing the grievous harm done unto them. These freedom fighters are called terrorists by the Zionists and their cohorts.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“If the Jews, as a persecuted people in Europe, had taken refuge in Palestine and the Middle East, motivated by religious sentiments and not by false political claims, they would have lived at peace with the Semitic indigenous people of Palestine. Instead, they invaded the land with false claims and intimidated the whole population by crimes such as those perpetrated in Deir Yassin and other localities. When these usurping Zionists suspected that Count Bernadotte might level some criticism at them for their dastardly acts, they shot him with impunity. 12.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“By the same token, we ask, did Balfour and those who implemented his foul promise have a power of attorney from God to transfer Palestine to these usurping Zionists? It is indeed ludicrous to put up such claims on the grounds of which these alien Zionists, mainly of Khazar origin, have been granted the right to rob the Palestinians of their land and patrimony. 11. The usurping State of Israel, abetted as it has been by the great Powers and their clients who voted for the partition of Palestine and the ultimate introduction of a foreign element in the body politic and body social of the Middle East, will remain an abscess in the area causing a high fever of tension and perpetual conflict which may, God forbid, plunge the world into another world war.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“When the British mandatory Power tried to regulate the immigration that had swollen in the thirties and immediately after the Second World War on account of the resistance of the indigenous people of the land, the Zionists organized several terrorist gangs who literally got away with murder by hanging British Tommies, killing Lord Moyne, as well as massacring Palestinians who persistently resisted this new invasion from Europe under the banner of Zionism. This invasion was not dissimilar to the religious wars of the Middle Ages which were motivated by religion for political and economic ends. The Zionists have claimed Palestine on false and baseless grounds. Time and again our delegation has asked that the usurping State of Israel produce the title deed to Palestine which, it is claimed, the Creator gave to the Jews.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In 1947, the year of the perfidious Balfour Declaration, the indigenous people of Palestine constituted 94 per cent of the whole population of that country. It is superfluous to mention that neither Balfour personally nor his Government had any right whatsoever to promise an alien people from Europe a homeland in Palestine on the grounds of their religion. Nevertheless, we must state that the dictators at the Versailles Conference endorsed the treacherous Balfour Declaration at the expense of the Palestinian people when President Wilson clamoured for the principle of self-determination. 10. In 1939, the Jewish population of Palestine, which had been placed under a British Mandate, grew by massive immigration, mostly illegal, to one third of the whole population.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Palestine was partitioned in 1947; and in 1953 a South-East Asian country, inhabited by one people, was divided into two separate States that are at war with each other — all this in the name of international security and democracy. 9. All that has happened in the post Second World War era in Europe and South-East Asia is nothing compared with what has befallen the indigenous people of Palestine. While colonies were emerging as free countries in the continents of Asia and Africa following the fall of empires, an alien people from Central and Eastern Europe, most of whom had embraced Judaism in the seventh and eighth centuries A.D., and were far from being Semites, usurped the homeland of the indigenous people of Palestine.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“All this and similar arbitrary arrangements were made shortly before and immediately after the United Nations Charter came into being. All this was done by these leaders since they thought this was the best way of establishing international security. In fact, what was done simply duplicated what had happened at Versailles — new spheres of influence were created. 8. This is not all. In spite of the fact that the principle of self-determination was enshrined in the Charter and later elaborated into a well-defined fundamental human right, we find that the great Powers and their clients learned nothing from the blunders of recent history because the right of self-determination was entirely forgotten.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“A mere glimpse at the world map after the Second World War reveals that the same gross mistakes were committed by the leaders who won the war for themselves but left a legacy of perpetual conflict for small nations and peoples. Motivated strictly by national interests, they may blindly have sown the seeds of a third global conflict, even before the Charter of the United Nations was signed. What did these leaders do? They bisected countries and partitioned lands without due regard to the wishes of the people. They even went as far as dividing the capital of one of the defeated nations into four zones, which they garrisoned with their own troops. They drew an imaginary line dividing the people of a South-East Asian country.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“It is for these reasons that we have hardly made any significant progress towards paving the way to world peace, and it becomes evident that some world leaders have learned very little from the harsh lessons of two world wars. 6. The Treaty of Versailles, no doubt, sowed the seeds of the Second World War by flagrantly flouting the principles of the self-determination of peoples and nations. The leaders of the victorious nations which, to a large extent, imposed the terms of peace on the defeated nations and dictated the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, gerrymandered certain parts of Europe without due regard to ethnological origin or the rudiments of justice. The spoils of the First World War were also divided among the victors in both Asia and Africa. 7.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“We do hope that it will not be long before South Africa, Rhodesia and Portugal realize that it is in their own interest to liberate the peoples that are still unjustifiably under their control. 5. We also regret that the policy of spheres of influence still prevails, especially among the great Powers. The great Powers which had a major role in drawing up the United Nations Charter are still more or less acting in the same way as the erstwhile great Powers did during the days of the League of Nations, whose Covenant was ignored whenever it did not serve their narrow national interests. Likewise today we find that the principles set forth in the Charter, instead of transcending the national interests of States, are subjected to all kinds of dialectical interpretations and rationalizations.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Before embarking on the substance of my statement I should like to take this opportunity of applauding our indefatigable Secretary-General U Thant for the tireless efforts he has exerted for world peace ever since his election to the post. 4. It would be banal for me to repeat what has time and again been mentioned by others, namely, that there is no alternative for the United Nations as the best international organ for establishing world peace and security. On the other hand, I would be failing in my duty if I were to ignore the fact that the United Nations has not, so far, succeeded in averting wars from which small nations have principally suffered; nor has the United Nations been able to eradicate racial discrimination and some forms of classical colonialism in Africa.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“1. In the name of God the merciful and compassionate, Madame President, my delegation tenders to Your Excellency its whole-hearted congratulations on your election as President of the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly. We also wish to express our congratulations to our African brothers on this occasion. 2. The passing away of the late President of the Assembly, Mr. Emilio Arenales, in the prime of his life and activity, has saddened us all. We not only esteemed him for his wisdom and dedication to the United Nations, but also marvelled at the exemplary courage which he manifested by resuming his duties when all the odds were against him in the mortal disease that snatched him from amongst us. May God in His mercy let his soul rest in peace. 3.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“No argument is valid if it claims that it is imperative for the major Powers to keep up the armaments race, for there can be no end to emulation in this field when new lethal weapons are being invented and manufactured in deep secrecy. The small nations can appeal to the great Powers until eternity, but unless these Powers are jolted by the gravity of the worsening situation into making a halt, the pessimists in this world may be justified in believing that the whole of mankind is doomed.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Therefore, it saddened us when, after Cyprus had hardly gained its independence, talk of partition and union with one country or another became the focal points in a dispute which led to the shedding of innocent Cypriot blood. Furthermore, quite a number of States, including Saudi Arabia, which had striven in the United Nations for the independence of Cyprus, had done so with the full understanding that Cyprus would not merge with Greece or Turkey. Politically, our stand is still the same. 95. Any debate in the General Assembly would be lame unless each Member State pronounced itself on the question of disarmament and nuclear weapons. We, the small States, consider ourselves fortunate in not suffering from the complexes of the world Powers.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“If we touch upon this issue again during the present session of the Assembly, it is because this Organization is still dealing with it. Since 1951 — and even earlier — our delegation has played an important role, joining its efforts with the efforts of those who clamoured for a free and independent Cyprus. The records of the United Nations attest to what I say. We were all jubilant when Cyprus was admitted as a fully fledged State to the United Nations. To us, the inhabitants of that island, whether Greek or Turkish in origin, became free and proud Cypriots, inasmuch as the Greeks and Turks were free and proud citizens of their respective countries.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“We appeal to both these sister States not to lose sight of the provisions of the Charter and the various resolutions on human rights which made it possible for many peoples under colonial rule to attain their independence. Suffice it to say that the peoples of India, Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan are all brothers, and should settle their differences like brothers. 94. It has been intimated to us that some serious exchanges of views have recently taken place at a high level between the Governments of Greece and Turkey. Such desire on the part of these two Governments to come to an understanding regarding the problem is Cyprus is indeed most encouraging. My Government has not swerved from the stand which it took after long thought last year during the twentieth session.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“When in the late forties the Saudi Arabian delegation, participating with others, elaborated the principle of self-determination into a clear fundamental human right, India played a major role in supporting that endeavour which, after five years of cogent debate with the colonial Powers, was crowned with total success. The right of peoples and nations to self- determination now stands as the corner-stone of the two draft Covenants on Human Rights. Furthermore, many General Assembly resolutions have clearly stated that all the other fundamental human rights may not be enjoyed fully unless a people is free to determine its own fate. 93.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“If I have so far taken the liberty of defining certain phases of our policy and expressing our views on certain issues, I do not wish to create the impression that other problems are of less concern to our Government. 91. We were gratified that the Tashkent agreement was designed to bring together two sister States in the Asian sub-continent, so that they could, in a peaceful atmosphere, find a just solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter as well as the decisions of the Security Council on this issue. 92.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“We sincerely hope that, by 1968, a new Arab State in South Arabia will emerge and become worthy of taking its rightful place in the international community. 89. While the United Kingdom has acted wisely in deciding to relinquish its control over South Arabia, it does not seem to see the dangerous portents surrounding Oman. This unhappy land — many of whose sons have been slaughtered or dispersed — does not enjoy the freedom to which it is entitled. The regime in Oman might well be called British colonialism by proxy. Until the question of Oman is settled in accordance with the wishes of the people at large, we are afraid there will always be trouble in that area. 90.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“When found in some of the highly developed countries, racial discrimination is at least being fought by the authorities, using various means, including national legislation. But in South Africa, new legislation is enacted to reinforce apartheid in all its nefarious forms. It is indeed high time that the Security Council took this grave issue in hand, as sooner or later it is bound to threaten world peace. 88. Across the Red Sea from the eastern coast of Africa sprawls the Arabian peninsula, which has not been immune from turbulence during the past few years. It is heartening to note that the United Kingdom has finally come to the conclusion that it is the better part of wisdom to withdraw its forces from South Arabia, so that the people in that area may achieve the full independence they deserve.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“That being the case, we venture to expect that, should the majority of the people of French Somaliland opt for independence, the French Government would meet the wishes of the Somali people by granting them independence in conformity with the French Government's policy of decolonization in Africa. 86. It is, therefore, strange that the United Nations should still feel complacent about legalistic quibblings of the sort our Portuguese andSouth African colleagues annually bring to this rostrum, when they should know that such arguments have long since become obsolete. 87. The Mandate of South West Africa and the so-called Portuguese provinces in Africa are nothing but naked colonialism. Who can still justify apartheid as a State policy, except the bigoted South African and Rhodesian racist Governments?”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Colonialism is not entirely dead, as one would expect it to be after it was solemnly declared by the great Powers that the Second World War was fought for the liberation of peoples wherever they are living under a colonial yoke. There are still sizable regions, especially in Africa, which some metropolitan Powers in Europe consider as provinces of their own countries. Angola and Mozambique are flagrant examples. This idea of considering an overseas territory, thousands of miles away, as being an integral part of a so-called mother country has been exploded and utterly discredited. 85.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“If, indeed, the United Nations is earnestly determined to liquidate colonialism in all its forms in the world, then it is incumbent upon this world Organization to deal with Zionist colonialism in occupied Palestine with as much determination as it has been dealing with other colonial problems. 82. We wish to reiterate that peace in our area will never prevail as long as this flagrant, illegal Zionist enclave continues to exist in a part of our Arab homeland. 83. My Government will make itself amply clear, with full details which our representative in the Special Political Committee will provide on this issue, to those new Members of this Organization who may still be in the dark about the truth of the Palestine tragedy. 84.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“This is not the first incident of this nature, whereby the freedom and dignity of the diplomatic missions, whether African or Asian, have been subjected to outrageous insults. It is no exaggeration to say that harm or indignity befalling any Member of this Organization is harm and indignity which touches the heart of every Member, and of the Organization itself. 80. I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to set forth before this august Assembly, in the most unequivocal language, the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on this dangerous problem. We maintain that this flagrant Zionist aggression in occupied Palestine is the most pernicious form of colonialism — similar to the European colonialism in Africa and other parts of the world — and must be totally eradicated. 81.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Though the General Assembly recommendation to partition Palestine [see resolution 181 (II)] is in opposition to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, it was exacted from the United Nations by a narrow majority, under tremendous pressure from certain great Powers, and, since 1947, has written a tragic chapter in the modern history of the Arab East. 79. It is not only most regrettable, but an extremely tragic and drastic departure from diplomatic practice and civilized behaviour that the offices of a Member State of this Organization — none other than Syria — have been occupied by Zionist hoodlums in New York City. We should like to know whether this city of New York is the headquarters of the United Nations or the capital of world Zionism par excellence.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“However, we would be failing in our duty if we did not endeavour to wield a moral force and thereby influence not only the Governments of the major Powers but also public opinion the whole world over. 76. As long as we Arabs are members of this Organization, and as long as our long history attests to the fact that we have never submitted or become resigned to injustice perpetrated upon our people, we shall ever raise our voices and exert all efforts until such injustice is eliminated. 77. It is almost twenty years since an alien people hailing mostly from Eastern European countries, and using their religion as a motivation for political ends — were encouraged, and so far, have succeeded, under the aegis of the United Nations, in colonizing Palestine. 78.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“In view of the fact that such visits by His Majesty have been wilfully misrepresented as paving the way for political alliances, I am authorized to declare, unequivocally, that there is nothing further from the truth than these assertions. 74. Inasmuch as we are all fearful that the conflict in Viet-Nam may well engulf us in a world war, we, the representatives of small countries, can only appeal to the major States directly or indirectly involved to lose no more time in search of a just solution acceptable to all the parties concerned, lest the rapid turn of events get out of hand and belated regrets be of no avail. 75. We small States are in no position, even collectively, to exercise world power.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“They have also suggested the need to examine questions of common interest, and explore ways and means for setting in motion any action that may bring peace and prosperity to all Moslems. Last, but not least, it has also been thought advisable by many Moslem leaders, during their pilgrimage, that efforts should be made to live in harmony with the adherents of other world religions who have the same aspirations. 72. All this underlies the various trips His Majesty King Faisal deemed appropriate to make during the last year or so to various Moslem countries in both Asia and Africa, with no other purpose than to fulfil the desire of his brothers, who have graciously invited him to visit them. 73.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Hundreds of thousands from the four corners of the earth, belonging to all races of the earth, from all stations of life, with no distinction whatsoever, and no privileges whatsoever, humbly mingle with one another, and in unity commemorate the universal brotherhood of man. 71. A good many leaders from every clime have impressed upon His Majesty the special responsibility thrust upon His Majesty as custodian of the two holiest cities in Islam; and it has come to pass that, during the last few years, a good number of Moslem monarchs and Heads of State, have earnestly discussed with His Majesty the necessity of promoting better and closer understanding among Moslem peoples everywhere.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“If the teachings of that sacred book were not adequate for guiding man in this world and enriching him with the noble purposes of life, there would not have been well nigh six hundred million Moslems today, nor would there have been thirty-six independent Moslem States, leaving aside large Moslem communities living in other countries — Moslems who have staunchly clung to their faith even when atheism became the creed of the States in which they live. 70. One of the most moving events witnessed annually is the Moslem pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca and other Holy Places in Saudi Arabia.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“The Saudi Arabian people at large firmly believe that without their deep faith in God, all their material blessings might turn into a curse, as they have often done when man becomes so arrogant as to think that, as an individual, he is an end unto himself, without due regard to the well-being of his fellow men. 68. Saudi Arabia is first and foremost an Islamic State. Our religion does not only embody a moral code which has withstood the test of centuries, but Islam also provides a legal system which regulates the conduct of man in his relations with other men. 69. To those who have, time and again, inquired whether we have a Constitution, we have always replied that the Holy Koran is our Constitution.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“The young respect and listen to the counsel of their elders, and the elders cherish and encourage the young. 66. Our economic resources are being developed to the full extent of our financial means. Moreover, His Majesty’s Government has pursued a most liberal policy by opening the doors of the kingdom to foreign investments. Perhaps one of the most significant facts is that Saudi Arabia continues to shy away from all sorts of unorthodox ventures in the fiscal field. His Majesty's Government has always opted for a balanced budget as it clings to the belief that deficit spending would sooner or later lead to insolvency. 67.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Each session of the General Assembly affords its members the opportunity to clarify their internal and external policies and present the Assembly with those facts that may well have a bearing on international relations between States. I may be allowed, in making such a survey, to touch upon the progress Saudi Arabia has recently achieved in both the social and economic fields. 64. Since His Majesty King Faisal has been chosen to direct the affairs of the State, our people have enjoyed more political stability and continuous prosperity and this has deeply impressed observers of progress in the Middle East. Schools and hospitals are on the increase, social security is assured for all those who have no source of income. The cost of all these services is borne entirely by the State. 65. The family remains the corner-stone of our society.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“Therefore, all we can hope for, at this stage, is that those who are in great measure responsible for the present unsatisfactory state of world affairs will take drastic steps to save humanity from the threat of global war, which may erupt should the voice of wisdom be stifled and grave warnings remain unheeded. Be just unto humanity and you will be just unto U Thant. 61. The Saudi Arabian Government and people rejoiced when our sister State Indonesia decided to resume its place in this Organization. We have no doubt that this great country is in a position to play a major role in promoting peace and prosperity in Asia. 62. The emergence of an independent Guyana from its former colonial status has gladdened our hearts, and we seize this opportunity to tender our deep congratulations on its admission to our Organization. 63.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“At the expense of his precious health and disdaining his own comfort, he persisted in his noble endeavours to pave the way for peace, which is still being obstructed by those who have blocked their ears to the cries of humanity and shut their eyes, so as not to witness its sufferings. 60. Instead of so many Powers addressing their appeals to U Thant to reconsider his decision not to serve again, let them sincerely search their hearts and mend their ways, so that, in the end, the voice of reason may prevail. U Thant needs no persuasion to stay. What he needs are the fruits of goodwill on the part of those who hold the fate of humanity in their hands.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)
“On behalf of my Government, I hereby declare that we have been greatly concerned in Saudi Arabia ever since the Secretary-General decided, after deep thought, not to accept renewal of his mandate for another term. Even in less turbulent times, it is not easy to find a Secretary-General who would be able to withstand the stress and strain of his office. 59. We can doubt how profoundly dismayed U Thant must have been whilst time and again, as a messenger of peace knocking at the doors of the great Powers, to plead with them the cause of humanity, he has been rebuffed, either by negative stands or untenable excuses, which were merely high-sounding and rhetorical, and obtained no positive results.”
1966-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 21 (1966)