YouSaid · the spoken record

Foray

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS FORAY

lines on the record

53

first

1969-09-24

most recent

1970-09-24

sittings or episodes

2

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

1. “Only then can we pursue the goals of disarmament and development as truly universal ideals; only then can we hope to become truly united, as one great family of man, motivated by a common humanity and inspired by the ultimate goal of pacem in terris.”

   1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

2. “For two and a half decades, this Organization has grappled with a number of human problems political, economic, social and colonial, to name a few that from time to time have tended to disrupt the ordered way of life which mankind would very much like to preserve. My delegation hopes that, in taking stock of the past, we can at the same time rededicate our countries and ourselves to the great tasks which lie ahead of this world Organization to fulfill the high ideals of the Charter. 141. Finally, we believe that it is necessary for all nations to uphold the ideals of the Charter as this is the only way we can ensure the continuance of the Organization and the survival of mankind.”

   1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

3. “Youth should be exposed as early as possible to the complexity of international organizations and their problems, and should be encouraged to play a constructive role in formulating just solutions. 139. Nor can it be described as truly universal whilst a substantial proportion of the world's population is kept outside its pale. The People's Republic of China with its 750 million people cannot be ignored indefinitely, especially when that country is a nuclear Power. The divided States of Korea, VietNam and Germany by their very absence also make our Organization so much less effective. We look forward, wherever possible, to a speedy and peaceful reunification of those countries. 140.”

   1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

4. “In the years that have elapsed since its inception, the nature of its membership has changed beyond recognition and the problems with which it was designed to cope have increased both in volume and in complexity. Only a drastic restructuring can make the Organization sufficiently contemporary and universal to meet the vital needs of today. To make it truly contemporary, we believe that the younger generation should be prepared for leadership, since it is they who will ultimately assume responsibility for the affairs of the world. We therefore supported actively and fully the World Youth Assembly which took place at United Nations Headquarters in July.”

   1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

5. “For we are convinced that every item of armament made available to that regime drives another nail into the coffin of human dignity, individual freedom and the concept of human equality, and poses a real threat to international peace. 137. As we celebrate this twenty-fifth anniversary it would not be amiss if on this occasion we should engage our minds in the serious exercise of self-examination. In our view, the United Nations continues to be mankind's main hope for consultation and consensus, for international peace and universal prosperity; but these ideals will continue to elude us unless we are prepared to undertake an honest reappraisal of its structure and functions so as to increase its effectiveness. 138.”

   1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

6. “Ignoring the provisions of the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, while at the same time enjoying full membership of the Organization, South Africa has continued to entrench its policy of racial segregation and suppression and no pains are spared to liquidate the opponents of apartheid. Again, as in the case of Rhodesia, the will of a determined people has now almost erupted into violent revolution, posing the threat of racial war over the entire African continent. It is in this context that we view with grave concern and uneasiness the reported intention of the British Government to resume the sale of arms to South Africa for any purpose whatsoever.”

   1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

7. “It is our fervent hope that this commemorative session will be made more memorable by universal support for the proposal to establish a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 135. It is of course, idle to expect that the efforts of such a High Commissioner would succeed in removing the greatest challenge to human rights In our time. I refer to the South African situation, which has defied all the efforts of the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Organization of African Unity and individual States. At the risk of painful repetition, I must reiterate my Government's deep concern over the racial policies of the South African Government. 136.”

   1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

8. “That seminar, by combining two of the burning issues of our time development and human rights and by focusing the attention of developing countries on them, has been one of the landmarks of the year. 134. In spite of this, however, overall progress in the field of human rights has been far from encouraging. Fewer that ten States have ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [resolution 2200 A (XXI)], while other existing covenants have received only halfhearted implementation. For example, no State has as yet subscribed to the optional clause which empowers individuals to submit petitions under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination [resolution 2106 A (XX)].”

   1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

9. “Let me, at this point, extend an anticipatory hand of welcome and congratulations to the new State of Fiji, which will attain its independence on 10 October. We hope that in this regard history will continue to repeat itself. 133. Closely interwoven with the issue of decolonization is the problem of human rights, for it is a self evident truth that freedom, either of the nation or of the individual, is indivisible. During the current year, the United Nations has made significant strides towards the realization of human rights. Regional seminars have been held, among which particular mention may be made of the human rights seminar on the realization of economic and social rights with particular reference to the developing countries.”

   1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

10. “My delegation welcomes the creation of the Ad Hoc SubCommittee on Namibia :t as well as the prompt action taken by the International Court of Justice in response to the Council's request [resolution 284 (1970)] for an advisory opinion on the "legal consequences for States of the continued presence of South Africa in Namibia". Without prejudging the issue, one can only hope that in this exercise the futility of 1966 will not be repeated. 131. There is a tendency to concentrate on these obvious examples of colonial domination in southern Africa and to ignore those in other parts of the world. I am compelled to say here that the emancipation of all colonized Territories is of equal importance and must be pursued with equal vigor. 132.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

11. “My Government, dedicated to the cause of human dignity and freedom, is committed to supporting the freedom fighters in every practicable way, for we remain firm in the conviction that as long as one of our brothers remains enslaved, we are not completely free. 129. In Namibia, notwithstanding the repeated actions of the United Nations in both the Security Council and the General Assembly, the Government of South Africa continues in its flagrant refusal to comply with the resolutions of the United Nations. It has not only refused to withdraw from the Territory, but has in fact also usurped the inalienable rights of the inhabitants and embarked on a policy of dismemberment of the territory carving it into separate "homelands" while at the same time extending across its borders the evil policy of apartheid. 130.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

12. “It has rejected the restrained proposal contained in the Lusaka Manifesto on Southern Africa which called for a peaceful transfer of power to the peoples in the territories under its administration. It has instead continued with the escalation of military activities against the liberation movements. It has embarked on a policy of large-scale resettlement of the local population and in the process has violated the sovereignty of neighboring African States in order to "punish" the African nationalists who have sometimes crossed their borders in search of safety. Portugal and its allies are advised in their own interests that after nine years of continuous struggle in the territories of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea (Bissau), with no hope of victory in sight, the only sensible solution to this tragedy lies in a change of policy.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

13. “We therefore urge that the United Nations, as a body, should not only express sympathy with the cause of freedom fighters but should contribute financially to their legitimate struggle for emancipation. 128. There can be no greater commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples than by the setting up of a colonial liberation fund by the United Nations. We expect the voice of Portugal in particular to be raised in vigorous protest against this suggestion, but surely it must see this as the inevitable consequence of its own blind intransigence in rejecting the principle of self-determination and in reaffirming its determination to dominate by force of arms a people struggling to be free. Repeated persuasion has gone unheeded.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

14. “South Africa and Portugal continue to maintain relations with Southern Rhodesia and to allow transit of the latter's trade through the territories under their control. By failing to impose conditions which will ensure a speedy return to legality in that territory, the Government of the United Kingdom has betrayed the trust of the nonwhite masses who are now caught in Ian Smith's web of oppression and racist domination. These disillusioned masses have now resorted to an armed liberation struggle only because they were driven to extremes by desperate frustration. Our only honorable course of action in the circumstance is to give them every moral and material support.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

15. “Southern Africa presents the United Nations with the most pernicious example of this phenomenon. The illegal Racist minority regime of Ian Smith continues to defy both the administering Power and world public opinion. Earlier this year, it crystallized its defiance even further by proclaiming a so-called Republic on the basis of an illegal constitution, The Security Council, in response, has adopted further measures against Southern Rhodesia, including extension of economic sanctions, the interruption of any existing means of transportation to and from that territory and a ban on all representation there. At the same time, however, evasions of sanctions continue either as a result of insufficient vigilance by certain Powers, or lack of cooperation on the part of others.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

16. “At this stage, I can do no more than pledge the support of my Government in the pursuit of the two major goals which preoccupy our minds and we hope that all nations will join in the effort to make the seventies the Decade of Disarmament and Development or, in more human terms, the Decade of Peace and Plenty. 127. Among the many other problems which have engaged the attention of this Organization during the past two and a half decades, perhaps the most persistent has been and still is that of decolonization. It is a sad commentary on international relations that on the tenth anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, forty-five territories with some 28 million inhabitants still remain under colonial rule.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

17. “My delegation further hopes that all nations will take appropriate action both at the national and international levels, as part of a global strategy, to help husband the world's human and physical resources. Population growth and its variety of concomitant problems such as living standards of poor countries and the aggravating problem of pollution of the environment, particularly in more advanced countries, should be given careful attention. The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment to be held in Stockholm in 1972 could provide very useful first steps towards finding ways and means of putting an end to the despoliation of our natural resources and the consequent danger to life. 126.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

18. “In this exercise, institutions like the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Monetary Fund and even regional institutions like the African Development Bank have an invaluable part to play. It is our view, however, that for development planning to be truly international, objective and productive, the United Nations system itself, including its specialized agencies, should play a central and vital role. It should therefore be our duty, in proclaiming the Second Development Decade, to ensure that the United Nations continues to be the major organ for international development, with its role not only expanded but strengthened. 125.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

19. “There has thus been a decline in their overall growth rate. 122. Furthermore, by building tariff barriers and knitting themselves into protective trading groups, the developed countries often prevent the products of developing countries from gaining access to their markets. 123. If these negative tactics continue to be employed by the economically advanced nations to thwart the legitimate aspirations and strenuous efforts of the third world, the Second Development Decade will soon share with the First Development Decade the inglorious title "The Decades of Disappointment". 124. In the area of development aid, much emphasis has rightly been placed on its being channeled through international institutions to make it fully effective.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

20. “It is a tragedy of our times that this should be so or that millions of valuable dollars, francs or rubles should be dissipated in prestigious space adventures when a minute fraction of this expenditure could relieve the miseries of millions by providing them with the barest necessities for survival. 121. Again, although in the First United Nations Development Decade the exports from developing countries rose by more than six per cent, the effect of this growth is neutralized by the great expansion in the trade of the developed countries and the increased price of their manufactured products. These factors, coupled with the controlled decline in the prices of the products of developing countries, have resulted in a disappointing decrease in the earning capacity of the poorer nations.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

21. “Siaka Stevens, said in his statement to the Assembly in Lusaka: "We may not be able to lift ourselves by our own boot-strings but we may find that by joining all our boot-strings together we have woven a rope ladder for economic emancipation." 119. The point to be emphasized now is that we require, as an indispensable catalyst, the willing and active cooperation of the industrialized world in order that the development drive may finally be launched on an irreversible upward thrust. 120. There is for instance a marked absence or shortage of capital in developing countries while the developed nations are sometimes choking with surplus capital, which eventually finds its way into the so-called defense budgets of countries whose greatest need may not be military hardware but agricultural improvement.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

22. “We need to redress the injustice of existing trade patterns and commodity prices to the advantage of developing countries; but these needs can only be effectively met if they are recognized not only as the needs of the developing and deprived nations but as human needs which should be the concern of the entire international community. That would require cooperation not only between rich and poor nations but among the developing countries themselves. The need for this latter type of cooperation, that is, among the developing countries, has already been recognized by our leaders at the Third Summit Conference of Non-Aligned States. Indeed, as our Prime Minister, Dr.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

23. “It adds to the prestige of the Organization of African Unity that early this month, at its meeting of Heads of State and Government, reconciliation was effected between Nigeria and some other African countries which had differences of opinion with the Federal Government over the issue. 118. In the view of my delegation, the quest for peace is matched in importance only by the problem of underdevelopment. The First United Nations Development Decade may be remembered more for its failures than for its successes, and this gives a greater urgency to the need for a more positive approach and realistic planning for the Second Development Decade. We need an acceptable global strategy involving the active cooperation of rich and poor nations alike. We need to be freed from the strangulating effects of aid with political strings.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

24. “My delegation condemns the hijacking of civilian aircraft and believes that, unless firm measures are taken by the community of nations, life and property will be continually endangered by extremists who choose this irresponsible and dangerous method to bring their personal or group grievances before the world. In this connexion, we reaffirm our support for Security Council resolution 286 (1970) and urge its speedy implementation. 117. On a brighter note, my delegation is relieved to see an end to the internecine struggle which engaged the attention of the Nigerian Government for nearly three years.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

25. “The proposal of the United States of America for a ninety day ceasefire, which was accepted by Israel, Jordan and the United Arab Republic, brought a glimmer of hope. This cessation of hostilities in the area, though temporary, offered an opportunity for the reactivation of the Jarring mission and the possibility of a breakthrough towards a peaceful settlement. My delegation warmly welcomes these and other measures aimed at providing a just solution to the Middle East crisis and deplores all actions calculated to undermine the genuine efforts made towards a peaceful solution. Peace cannot, however, be attained in that region as long as the question of the status of the Palestinian refugees remains undecided and their condition of living continues to be unameliorated. 116.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

26. “In this connexion, complete agreement on disarmament is impossible so long as there is any major military Power and, in particular, any nuclear Power which does not subscribe to the Treaty. 115. The Middle East continues to present a grave threat to international peace. Great efforts have been made by the Security Council, the SecretaryGeneral and his Special Representative, Ambassador Gunnar Jarring, as well as the four permanent members of the Council, but little has been achieved towards the goal of a peaceful settlement. With the worsening of the situation, a challenge has been presented to the effectiveness of the United Nations, and this has posed a serious threat to the Organization.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

27. “My delegation wholeheartedly welcomes the entry into force on 5 March this year of the Treaty on the NonProliferation of Nuclear Weapons [resolution 2373 (XXII)]an occasion of historic importance which heralded what has been described as the United Nations Disarmament Decade. The considerable amount of interest manifested by Member States in this treaty increases the hope of its success. It can only succeed in its objectives, however, if it is accorded universal adherence and complete implementation. Member States must fully implement the Treaty in order to halt the horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons. They must also impose a limitation on the production of offensive and defensive strategic nuclear armaments so as to check vertical proliferation of these weapons.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

28. “Approximately $200,000 million are spent annually on armaments while less than $15,000 million are budgeted by industrialized countries for aid to developing nations. Virtually no progress has been made towards the achievement of a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty, which would ensure the safety of posterity from a possible global holocaust. Seven full years have passed since the signing of the partial test ban Treaty; yet some States whose participation is essential, if the nuclear arms race is to be curbed and if mankind is to be saved from the hazards of further radioactive contamination, have not subscribed to the Treaty. 114.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

29. “The superPowers, regardless of their already acquired capacity to achieve total physical destruction of each other at least ten to fifteen times over, continue to develop new and more sophisticated weapons of total annihilation. The balance of nuclear potentialities has brought about not an end to wars but rather a nuclear stalemate. The conventional arms race, with even more dangerous possibilities, continues to produce and disseminate more sophisticated and deadly weapons. It affects all nations, both nuclear and non nuclear, developed and developing, and provides the means for limited wars which contain the seeds of the threat of nuclear war. Finance, which is badly needed to alleviate the misery and sufferings of man, is being spent on massive military budgets.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

30. “We congratulate our SecretaryGeneral, U Thant, for his report on the achievements of the Organization during the past year [A18001]. We have observed with interest the cautious optimism he has expressed with regard to the world situation as a whole. In his diagnosis he has attempted to portray the truth with vividness and eloquence. 113. The strategic arms limitation talks have been described as the most important disarmament discussions since the Second World War. This and the breakthrough in the peace talks on the Middle East, the gradual reduction of the war in SouthEast Asia and the signing of the nonaggression treaty between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Federal Republic of Germany have lessened international tensions considerably but have not completely eliminated them.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

31. “In this historic year of its twenty-fifth anniversary, the Organization is fortunate to have such wise and able leadership and we are confident that, with your background of experience and distinguished service, you will guide our deliberation with singular success and bring even greater honor to the country you have served and represented with such eminence. 111. We should like to pay tribute to your predecessor, Mrs. Angie Brooks-Randolph of Liberia, who during her tenure of office conducted the affairs of the General Assembly with skill, patience and determination and brought our work to a fruitful conclusion. It shows the significance of the status of women in the third world that the AfroAsian group has produced the only two women Presidents of the General Assembly during the lifetime of the United Nations. 112.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

32. “110. Mr, President, on behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, I take this opportunity to express to you our warm and hearty congratulations on your election to the high office of President of the twenty-fifth session of the General Assembly. Your election is as much a tribute to you as to your great country. It is a recognition of your long association with this world Organization and the active and constructive role you have played in it over the years since the days of San Francisco. It is equally indicative of our high regard for the liberal traditions of your motherland and the objectivity it has brought to bear on the burning international problems of our time.”

    1970-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 25 (1970)

33. “Those who do hold it are sometimes reflecting an inner pessimism and insecurity of their own. We know that there is a great deal to be done, but the fact that the United Nations exists and is concerned about doing it is, to us, a great sign of its essential and useful role. It is our hope that this year, under your able presidency, major steps will be taken which will put the United Nations back on a road that will bring peace and prosperity to people of all nations and of all races. 21. As we enter the threshold of our twenty-fifth anniversary, let us be challenged by the noble ideals of our Charter, humbled by our successes, conscious of our many shortcomings and resolutely dedicated to that great ideal which has eluded us all — peace, which alone is our primary objective.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

34. “The great Powers must realize that the safety and future of their countries and peoples depend, not on increasing their own wealth but on increasing both the wealth of their countries and that of developing countries. Thus would the gap between rich and poor be narrowed — a gap which, if it continued to expand, would inevitably end in conflagration. We are certain that many of the problems of this Organization can be solved if it is realized by all concerned that nations must decide for themselves how best and under what political philosophy they can develop, and that the major part of their resources must go to their own development instead of the enrichment of other nations. 20. We do not share the pessimistic view which some hold about the future of the United Nations.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

35. “The decisions reached at the second session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in New Delhi proved that point. 18. The quota system as presently structured prevents most developing nations from selling all their products in the world market. This contributes, in no small measure, to their inability to achieve the stipulated target growth rate. We hope that the Second United Nations Development Decade will see both developed and developing countries co-operating towards the realization of that objective. In this regard, my country notes with disappointment the extremely high rate of interest charged by the World Bank on loans to member countries notwithstanding the wide profit margin on the Bank’s operations. 19.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

36. “My delegation invites the United Nations and its specialized agencies to consider the problem of starvation in Nigeria and Biafra as a matter of urgency, and to take appropriate steps to ensure that relief supplies are made available to the victims of that tragic war. The United Nations must call for an immediate cease-fire and encourage both parties to negotiate a settlement. 17. The silver jubilee of this Organization coincides with the advent of the Second United Nations Development Decade. The achievements of the First Decade have not been spectacular because of an unwillingness on the part of most industrialized nations to give the developing countries a just and equitable price for their primary products.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

37. “be taken by both sides to ameliorate the condition of the Palestinian refugees, many of whom find themselves, through the dramatic upheavals of history, second-class citizens or refugees in the country where their people have lived for many generations. 15. Sierra Leone cannot remain silent on the armed conflict continuing in Nigeria — a country with which we have many close connexions. The conflict in Nigeria has been causing us considerable concern. We appreciate the efforts of the Organization of African Unity Consultative Committee to resolve the dispute, but with the serious involvement of Great Britain and the Soviet Union, among others, in the conflict the situation in Nigeria has become an international problem. 16.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

38. “Indeed, the past twelve months have witnessed a continuing deterioration of the situation. The Government of Sierra Leone supports the Security Council resolution of 22 November 1967, the implementation of which it considers should be used as a basis for the settlement of the conflict. It is greatly regretted that the Jarring mission was interrupted prematurely. We welcome the resumption of talks by the great and super-Powers, but we are of the opinion that lasting peace in the Middle East can only be achieved if such talks involve the parties concerned. Every effort in achieving peace talks, whether by direct confrontation or by the Rhodes method, which we have reason to believe will be acceptable, should be pursued relentlessly. We should also like to recommend that steps should.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

39. “Increasingly, the actions of the white minorities of South Africa, Namibia, Rhodesia, Angola, Mozambique and Guinea (Bissau) are forcing the rest of Africa to the realization that the philosophy of non-violence, as stated and exemplified by winners of the Nobel Prize of African origin such as Chief Albert Luthuli and Martin Luther King, which we should have chosen to pursue is not practicable in the face of armed force and condonation by nations which declare themselves democratic. More and more, Africa is being pushed against its inner will into a position of violence and revolution. 14. In the Middle East, the hopes of resolving the conflict which were entertained when the Security Council resolution [242 (1967)] of 22 November 1967 was adopted have not been realized.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

40. “We should like to congratulate our brothers in Guinea (Bissau), in particular, who have been fighting the war of liberation with considerable success despite the ferocity which Portugal has been using to subdue them. The Portuguese have not been able to stifle the spirit of resistance which lies active in the breasts of our brothers, not only of Guinea (Bissau) but also Mozambique and Angola. The struggle will gather momentum with time until all Africa is free. This is the passionate preoccupation of every true son of Africa. 13.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

41. “It has been said that those arms have been supplied for strategic reasons in Western Europe; but Portugal has no war in Europe and all the arms are being used solely to slaughter thousands of innocent Africans. Again, it has been said that the treaty arrangements which the United States of America has with Portugal regarding the Azores and other strategic areas have forced the American Government into a position of assisting Portugal. Now that those treaties are being reappraised and it is clear that the necessity for them is secondary, there can be no reason, strategic or moral, for the continued support given to Portugal by NATO for the further devastation and destruction of our African populations.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

42. “Although South Africa continues to be a Member of the United Nations, yet it persists in ignoring that body’s resolutions. Since the termination of South Africa’s mandate over Namibia and the setting up of the United Nations Council for Namibia, we have seen no improvement in the attitude of the Vorster regime. Instead, it continues to implement the Self-Government for Native Nations of South Africa Act and the South West Africa Affairs Bill, which give South Africa’s Parliament and its central government very wide powers over the affairs of Namibia and enforce in that territory the policy of apartheid and discrimination. 12. The Portuguese Territories of Mozambique, Angola and Guinea (Bissau), are fortified by arms provided for them by NATO.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

43. “When, as a result of an illegal referendum, it was announced that Southern Rhodesia would declare itself as a republic, the British Governor abdicated his responsibility by resigning. We would have considered Britain’s position more realistic and more in conformity with what it has declared in the past years if the representative of Her Majesty had remained at his post until forced to leave by an illegal republican regime. His resignation and the fact that he has not been replaced by Britain seems to us to be sheer condonation of the actions of this illegal regime. This abandonment of a fundamental moral and legal obligation on the part of Britain has made of Rhodesia one vast prison for the unfortunate Africans living there, who are in the majority. 11.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

44. “Sierra Leone continues to believe that the peoples of Zimbabwe have the inalienable right to self-determination. The United Kingdom Government has a responsibility, as the administering Power, to ensure that this right is exercised without further delay. Indeed, the United Kingdom Government has maintained that there can be no independence for Southern Rhodesia unless the principles of NIBMAR are fulfilled. 10. We find it most unfortunate, however, that Britain should have absolved itself completely of this responsibility for Southern Rhodesia, and pressed for sanctions when it was clear to Britain that the effectiveness of sanctions would be paralysed by Portugal and South Africa.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

45. “We have listened with great interest to the contribution made by the President of Botswana [1764th meeting], and we are convinced that the time has come for the Government of South Africa to call a halt to its vicious and diabolical policy, and to embark on constructive and realistic measures which will facilitate the peaceful coexistence of all States in southern Africa. We also appeal to these major Powers that now reap financial dividends from their investments in South Africa to think of the larger human problems. If they do this, South Africa may, very likely, respond to our calls for moderation and change. 9. Sierra Leone believes that the causes of peace cannot be pursued unless the causes of war are removed; that the domination of one country by another is one of the basic causes of conflict.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

46. “Whilst we multiply resolutions condemning apartheid and discrimination, vast sums of money are being transferred from the United States, Britain, France, Western Germany and Japan, amongst others, for purely selfish economic reasons, to aid the development of South Africa. What these nations have refused to admit is that these investments not only stimulate the industrial growth of South Africa, but also enable that country to intensify the growth of human misery in that part of our continent.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

47. “The political development of parts of the African continent, particularly the southern area, has been far too often subjected to the economic interests of the industrialized Powers. It is quite evident to anyone, who has examined the subject with any objectivity or sincerity, that the behaviour of some of the major Powers, as far as this question is concerned, leaves one with the impression of hypocrisy or double dealing. Africa is one of the world’s great reservoirs of natural resources, but paradoxically, the Africans remain one of the world’s poorest peoples. This is a cruelty which cries aloud for an early redress. 8. We have always condemned, and shall continue to condemn, the obnoxious policy of apartheid and racial discrimination wherever it is practised. Indeed, the whole Organization is unanimous in its condemnation of apartheid.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

48. “The structure and procedure of the United Nations Organization are likewise factors which create international tensions. While these. might have been justified in the initial stages of the Organization, we do not think that they are relevant at this stage because they do not give due recognition of the population, potentialities, and growing importance of the developing nations. We would like to suggest an examination of the power entrusted to some of the founding Members, the exercise of which by certain States tends to frustrate the legitimate aspirations of developing nations. We do not ask that they should be deprived of all their powers, but we do ask that a redistribution of these powers should reflect a more realistic and equitable picture of our Organization on the eve of its silver jubilee. 7.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

49. “My Government feels that the current peace talks in Paris, coupled with the continuing withdrawal of the American forces from South Viet-Nam, are genuine indications of a desire towards peace. 6. We believe that several factors have contributed to creating tensions in the international sphere. In this decade, for example, although many new nations, including ourselves, have appeared in this Assembly, yet about a third of the world’s population remains unrepresented here. These include a nuclear Power and other countries which have been excluded because the ravages of war have divided them in a way which makes it difficult for them to be properly represented in this Assembly. We believe that it is within the competence of this Organization to create the means whereby two countries which were formerly one could be admitted to membership.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)

50. “On the eve of the silver jubilee of our Organization, it may be considered appropriate for us to reappraise the success of the United Nations in achieving the ideals which were contemplated at San Francisco. The United Nations Organization was established, among other things, to maintain international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations, based on the principles of equal rights and self-determination of peoples; and to foster international co-operation in economic, social, cultural and humanitarian fields. While we are ready to admit that the specialized agencies of the United Nations have made Significant successes, we are disheartened that international stability has been disturbed by armed conflicts in various parts of the world. The unresolved case of Viet-Nam is a striking example of such conflicts.”

    1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)