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Pratt

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119

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1971-09-24

most recent

1972-09-24

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2

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un-general-debate

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1. “It is the hope of my delegation that we shall this year give concrete expression to this doctrine by restoring to the 850 million inhabitants of the People's Republic of China their lawful rights in the several organs of the United Nations. 75. My delegation has over the years advocated the right of the People's Republic of China to membership in this world Organization. We have stressed the importance of having within its fold a country which represents a quarter of the earth's population and which is also a nuclear Power. Time and again we have stressed the injustice and lack of political realism which keeps 850 million people from being represented in this body.”

   1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

2. “It is therefore the hope of my delegation that the General Assembly will give urgent consideration to constituting another peace-keeping force, to be deployed along the explosive sections of the Arab-Israeli borders for a minimum period, on the condition that no single State of the area can unilaterally have the right to request its partial or total withdrawal during the predetermined period. This peace-keeping force should be removed only if all I repeat, all the parties agree its presence is no longer necessary in any particular area. 74. I now turn my attention to the doctrine of the universality of the United Nations, a doctrine which has gained much in importance during the term of the present Secretary-General, There are signs that most of the icy obstacles to the full implementation of this doctrine are now thawing.”

   1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

3. “Without in any way going at this stage into the details of this proposal, we hope that we shall be able to find, say, four Asian leaders, two East European leaders, two West European leaders, and four American and Latin American leaders none of them coming from the great Powers to join forces with the four African leaders already selected, all 16 of whom may be commissioned to mediate this stubborn problem with a view to bringing the parties together at the round table and so make the work of the Jarring mission fruitful and successful without any further delay. 73. It is, of course, essential not only to create conditions for peace but also to bring about peace and make it lasting.”

   1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

4. “A special 10-man mediation team of eminent Presidents of African States has accordingly been formed and has started upon its arduous but inspiring task by designating four African Heads of State to act on behalf of the members. 72. My Government looks forward to the support of that mediation team by the United Nations General Assembly. It is, indeed, our belief that this small beginning might be expanded into a United Nations team to embrace the entire United Nations family. We shall accordingly propose that during this twenty-sixth session of the General Assembly we may decide to establish a top-level United Nations mediation commission of, say, 16 eminent Heads of State to contact the parties to this dispute and see how best they can bring them to the round table to settle their differences.”

   1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

5. “For the past three years-or even longer-the entire world has been witnessing the many concessions the Arab States have been making to reach a solution. Thanks to their continued patience and understanding the cease-fire has been in existence for over a year now. It is the fervent prayer of the Sierra Leone delegation that that statesmanlike patience will continue to be exercised until a just and lasting solution is achieved. 71. We are particularly happy to record that the Organization or African Unity has tried to assist in finding a solution by recently adopting a resolution to set up a goodwill committee to act as mediators.”

   1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

6. “But these are details to be negotiated with its Arab neighbors and with the assistance of the Jarring mission, and they ought not to stand in the way of Israel accepting the principle of withdrawing from all occupied territories. 70. At the same time the Sierra Leone Government would counsel that the surrounding Arab States should continue to exercise patience and understanding. We welcome the formation of the new Federation of Arab Republics. We note that one of its principles is unanimity in matters pertaining to defense. My Government fervently hopes that the newly formed Federation will actively continue the policy of seeking a non-military solution rather than putting an end to all hopes of solving the conflict by preparing for an imminent and inevitable battle.”

   1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

7. “Israel should, therefore, agree in principle-I repeat, in principle-to remove or withdraw to the boundaries that were defined by the mandate. 69. It will then be up to Israel to utilize the Jarring mission to work out whatever modifications of its borders it considers necessary because of recent experience so as to ensure its future defense, particularly by suggesting adjustments in the Gaza Strip, by putting forward proposals about the future of Jerusalem, by securing essential guarantees for access to the Gulf of Aqaba from the port of Elath, and by pressing for the carving-up of possible neutral territory in the Sinai peninsula. It is even understandable that it may want some assurance that Sharm El Sheikh will not again be used to close the Gulf of Aqaba.”

   1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

8. “The great Powers have themselves-singly sometimes, but often jointly-tried to devise or even to impose a settlement. More recently, the Organization of African Unity added its own initiative by the appointment of a 10-man mission to mediate between the parties to the dispute. 67. All these efforts do not seem to have borne much fruit, Israel has persistently refused to withdraw from the occupied territories as required by resolution 242 (1967), and neither the United Nations nor the great Powers have been able to shift it from that position. 68. It is the view of my Government that Israel should make a move. Sierra Leone cannot endorse the acquisition of territory by war during this latter half of the twentieth century.”

   1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

9. “It is our hope that Israel will agree to make Jerusalem not only accessible to adherents of all three faiths but also expressive of the atmosphere built up by Christianity and Islam over the centuries. 65. As regards the fifth basic problem-that is to say fostering joint co-operation by the two parties concerned to work out a programme for lasting peace-the Government of Sierra Leone is conscious of the part being played by various institutions to assist the parties to reach an amicable settlement. The Secretary-General appointed the 'Jarring mission to get the parties to talk to one another. After the near stalemate of a year ago, when Israel withdrew from the talks, hopes were restored in January of this year with their resumption. 66.”

   1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

10. “This process, in the opinion of my Government, is taking the Arab-Israeli conflict further afield to affect the conscience of many people practicing the international religions of Islam and Christianity. 64. This Judaizing process must be controlled and even brought to an end if the entire Christian and Moslem world is not to rise up and proclaim a holy war against Israel. For the preservation" of international peace it is therefore important that Israel should immediately desist from this Judaizing process and restore to the Holy City of Jerusalem its peaceful and sacred surroundings and above all its sanctified charm, which should not be marred by tall residential Jewish edifices, factories and other constructions completely alien to religious worship and the sacred character of the Holy City.”

    1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

11. “In like manner, Islam, which is practiced by the vast majority of southern Asians, Africans, the inhabitants of the Arab world, and also by some Europeans and Americans, sees in Jerusalem the center of much of its holiness. Jerusalem, therefore, has an international significance which practically no other city of the world can ever have. 63. Since the six-day war and the occupation of the whole of Jerusalem by Israel, the world has witnessed the Judaizing of Jerusalem. It is reported that the serenity of the Holy City is fast losing its charm by unrestricted measures to urbanize and populate the hitherto sacred areas with Jewish settlements.”

    1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

12. “I need not elaborate upon the first three problems, namely, the fear expressed by the Israelis, the equally genuine fear of the Arab States, and also the resettlement of the Palestinian Arabs. The fourth point concerning the Judaizing of Jerusalem calls for some elaboration, since it is so topical. 62. Jerusalem has been for quite a long time now the center of important religious faiths of the world, namely Judaism, Christianity and Islam. To the Jews, Jerusalem is the city of promise. Judaism, however, is practiced by only a very limited sector of the world's population. To the Christians, Jerusalem embodies the very heart of their religion. Christians are found in practically every quarter of the globe, and the city of Jerusalem houses a number of their Holy Places.”

    1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

13. “The first problem is what we believe to be the genuine fear by Israel that its Arab neighbors want to throw the last Israeli into the sea and to obliterate any trace of the existence of the territory of Israel from the map of the Middle East. Secondly, there is the equally genuine fear by the surrounding Arab countries that Israel is only interested in pursuing an expansionist policy which will ultimately threaten the very foundations of Arab existence. Thirdly, there is the grave question of the resettlement of the Palestinian Arabs. Fourthly, there has recently arisen the complaint about the Judaizing of Jerusalem. And finally, it is of paramount importance to secure the joint co-operation of both parties to the conflict if a lasting solution is to be found within the framework of Security Council resolution 242 (1967). 61.”

    1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

14. “Nor do we need to concentrate, at this crucial period of our Organization's history, on problems that are narrowly regional, Our concern is the larger interest of all mankind, and it is against this background that I wish to make brief comments on the international scene and the role of this Organization within it. 59. Perhaps one of the most serious threats to the success, if not the very existence, of the United Nations is to be found in the Middle East conflict. The struggle between the Arabs and the Jews has rocked the Organization to its very foundations and given much cause for alarm. As my Government sees it. solutions must be found to five interrelated problems before this conflict can be resolved. 60.”

    1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

15. “My Government wishes to thank this very great international civil servant for the successful endeavors in which he has been involved over the past 10 years, and we should like to give him our best wishes for his future which, we hope, will always be linked in some way with this Organization in its struggle for international peace and security. 57 Perhaps our greatest tribute to this distinguished international statesman after a decade of dedicated service to humanity is to pause and re-examine with critical determination the major problems bedeviling our Organization, so that from his successful record we may derive new inspiration to seek satisfactory and lasting solutions. 58. In this process of re-examination we cannot adequately review all the problems confronting us.”

    1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

16. “One of the uncertainties now hovering over the future of this Organization is the appointment of a successor to the Secretary-General, who has indicated his intention to retire after completing, at the end of this year, a most illustrious term of office. 56. Secretary-General U Thant has given towering leader-ship, greater in scale and longer in time than any of his predecessors. He has occasionally suffered frustrations because of the intransigence of disputing parties. In spite of all this, however, he has steered the Organization along a course which has brought peace, prosperity and progress to, millions of people all over the world.”

    1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

17. “For my part, it gives me particular pleasure to come here this year as leader of the first delegation to arrive from Sierra Leone since it matured into a Republic on 19 April 1971. 54. Our sincere congratulations go to the Governments and peoples of Bhutan, Bahrain and Qatar, whose delegations are now seated among us and from whose wisdom we hope to benefit in the work of the various committees of the Organization. We are proud to have recommended their admission to the General Assembly in the first place, and to have voted in their favor when the matter was decided in this august body a few days ago [1934th meeting). 55.”

    1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

18. “My delegation also wishes to record its deep appreciation of the excellent leadership given by the outgoing President, Edvard Hambro of Norway, during the historic twenty-fifth session of the Assembly and throughout the year that has just elapsed. 52. To be topical, may I also take this opportunity of recording my Government's sincere appreciation of the sterling services rendered by Mr. Ralph J. Bunche, Under-Secretary for Special Political Affairs, whose retirement on health grounds has just been announced. We fondly remember his historic visits to Africa in the 1950s and we testify to his devotion to the cause of international peace since the founding of this Organization. My delegation prays for his speedy return to perfect health and for his happy retirement. 53.”

    1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)

19. “50. Mr. President, let me take this opportunity to express my most sincere congratulations to you on your highly deserved election to preside over the deliberations of the twenty-sixth session of this august Assembly. You have given much of your time to the work of the United Nations, especially when you served as chairman of your country's delegation to the regular sessions of the United Nations General Assembly from 1966 to 1970 and as special envoy of your President to the commemorative twenty-fifth session of the General Assembly. Sir, the remarkable skill you have displayed as a negotiator, especially in difficult situations, attests to your expert mediating capability. We are confident that the work of the Assembly will progress with much expertise during your tenure of office. 51.”

    1971-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 26 (1971)