YouSaid · the spoken record

Nilsson

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS NILSSON

lines on the record: 134
first: 1963-09-24
most recent: 1969-09-24
sittings or episodes: 5
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

“Ultimately, the outcome of that struggle will determine the question of war and peace and, indeed, the continued existence of mankind.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“That objective is to work out, and to make available to Governments and international organizations, guidelines for practical action designed to save and to improve the human environment in the whole world. 30. Let me conclude by emphasizing once again the demand for universal solidarity among human beings and among nations. This is a demand which we must obey if the new military technology is not to destroy us all. In an epoch when man can observe his own planet from another celestial body, many differences and conflicts appear as minor local quarrels. Solidarity implies a struggle against economic and social injustices, a struggle against abuse of power, and a struggle against the oppression of man’s natural aspirations to a life in freedom and dignity.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The unprecedented possibilities of modern science and technology can also be used to improve the quality of the human environment. The importance and urgency of this problem are increasingly felt all over the world. The General Assembly decided last year to take up the environmental question and to convene a United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in 1972 [resolution 2398 (XXIII)]. It did so with the consideration in mind that modern technology can help man to improve his physical and social environment and to prevent its degradation caused by the uncontrolled application of certain types of technology. We hope that the General Assembly will this year decide on preparations for the conference which will assure the fulfilment of its basic objective.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“And would they themselves not benefit from involving other countries more fully in this venture, utilizing their assets and letting space research, with its vast possibilities for scientific and industrial progress, become a matter for the whole human race? 28. Co-operation under the auspices of the United Nations has already begun. I recall that the General Assembly last year decided to instruct a special working group to study the social, legal and economic implications of satellite broadcasts to individual receivers [resolution 2453 B (XXIII)]. In the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space there is also discussion of such questions as increased technical assistance in the field of space research. Let us hope that these efforts are only the modest beginnings of increasingly fruitful co-operation in the future. 29.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The landing of the American astronauts on the moon was a triumph for modern science and technology. Admiration is felt for the men who accomplished that bold mission and for those who planned it. That latest achievement in the field of outer space technology should logically mean a strong push forward for international co-operation. The space Powers have now shown what they are able to achieve in competition with each other, motivated to some extent by political and military prestige. Would they not now stand to gain if the suspicious competition were replaced by open co-operation involving a rational distribution of the work on the continued exploration of outer space?”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The conclusion must be that the new role of science and technology in the development of society and in international co-operation must be the subject of exhaustive debate in the different organs of the United Nations. We also believe the time has come to make a general survey of the institutional apparatus for dealing with the relevant problems. There is thus reason to undertake a comprehensive study of such questions as the tasks of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council in this field, the organization of the United Nations Secretariat, the role of the specialized agencies, etc. Our hope is that the idea of such a study will meet with general approval by many Governments and result in more efficient international measures adapted to the new perspective which I have just outlined. 27.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The investments of funds and personnel required nowadays for research and technical development work are so enormous that only a few of the highly developed countries can make advanced contributions in this important field. Thus there is a risk that the prominent economic and politico-military positions of those countries will be still further strengthened in relation to the rest of the world. In the case of certain research work, they can come to hold virtual monopoly positions. Such a development would in the long run lead to a lack of balance in the international system and could increase frictions between the technologically superior Powers and other States. 26.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The national policies of the various countries must be co-ordinated on the international level, whilst retaining the free and open channels which are the necessary condition for the work of the international scientific community. 24. A special problem is the transfer of science and technology to developing countries in order to accelerate their economic and social development. This problem is part of the task of reducing the gap between countries having different levels of development. This has been discussed in different United Nations organs: for example, in connexion with the planning of the Second Development Decade. It deserves systematic discussion during the years to come. 25.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In other cases, developments are decided by individuals or groups whose interests do not always coincide with those of the vast majority. 23. In our times the need is acutely felt for a more conscious and more rational guidance of these processes, with regard both to research and to the technical and industrial utilization of the results of research. It is characteristic that most Governments, irrespective of the political system they represent, have found it necessary to create consultative scientific and technological organs, and that they seek to work out certain guidelines for research and development work in their respective countries. At the same time, we have to keep in mind that theoretical research is already a teamwork of mankind, and that applied science and technological development work should become so.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“At a pace that could not be imagined only a few decades ago, new discoveries, inventions and industrial products come forth which radically change the environment in which we live. The time interval between an invention and its industrial exploitation is constantly diminishing. The telephone was invented in 1820 but did not come into general use until half a century later. It took more than 15 years from the time of the invention of radar before it came into practical use. Now the situation has radically changed. Research has become incorporated into the actual economic process and its results are immediately utilized in the production. Of decisive importance is the question of according to what laws and for what purpose this unprecedented expansion takes place. It is often determined by accidental factors.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“An increase of agricultural and industrial production must therefore be integrated with measures to achieve a fair distribution of income, better dwellings and a sound environment with greater possibilities for man to live his life in freedom and dignity. I am happy to note that this view of the development process is shared by an increasing number of people. In this connexion I wish to draw attention to the international meeting of expert on social policy and planning held in Stockholm from 1-10 September 1969 in co-operation between the United Nations and the Swedish Government. 22. Economic and social development in our time is characterized more than ever by progress made in the field of science and technology.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The world cannot afford unplanned exploitation of its scarce resources. On the other hand, they must be distributed with more justice than at present. It has become a matter of urgent importance to diminish the differences in economic and social development among the peoples of the world, a matter which also basically affects the maintenance of peace. In our time of increasing interdependence, poverty, ignorance and hunger far from the borders of one’s own country are conditions as unacceptable as if they were to occur within that country itself. 21. In this perspective it is necessary that the work on co-ordinated efficient strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade be pushed forward. The objective must be the sustained improvement of the living conditions of the individual.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In our opinion it is important that all States adhere to the Geneva Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating Poisonous or other Gases and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare of 1925. It is also important to have a uniform interpretation of this prohibition which, in our view, i total and categorical. 20. It has been obvious for a long time that the interdependence of all peoples on our earth, both in war and in peace, is constantly increasing. An expression thereof is the increasingly strong pressure which is exerted by the increasing population of the world on the limited supplies of our planet, in the way of raw materials, water and air. Two essential demands make themselves felt: on the one hand, the supplies must be utilized rationally, efficiently and with the greatest possible economy.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“If little or no progress can be registered in the field of nuclear disarmament, the situation appears to be somewhat more hopeful with regard to other weapons of mass destruction, that is, the means for biological and chemical warfare. The Conference of the Committee on Disarmament in Geneva has made great efforts this year to find a solution to the problems which those terrible weapons create. Our hope is that additional tangible steps in the direction towards common sense will be taken during this session of the General Assembly. Valuable guidance has recently been provided in the Secretary-General’s report on the effects of the possible use of biological and chemical weapons. In the introduction to that document the Secretary-General has indicated towards which goals those continued efforts should be directed.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The hopes of considerable progress towards nuclear disarmament which were raised last year at the time of the conclusion of the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [resolution 2373 (XXII)] have not been fulfilled. This can be partly explained by the fact that the coming into force of that treaty has been delayed. Only when its principal originators, the Soviet Union and the United States, have ratified the treaty, will we come closer to this goal. 18. The world also waits with growing impatience for the two great nuclear Powers to begin their bilateral talks on the limitation of missile systems. We hope that those negotiations will take place soon. 19.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In addition to other conflicts there is now the increasing tension between the two communist great Powers, the Soviet Union and China. There is a risk of increasing violence. One conclusion which we consider self-evident, is that an energetic endeavour must now be made to engage the People’s Republic of China in international co-operation by finally giving its Government the possibility of taking China’s seat in all the organs of the United Nations. 16. Even if in the major current disputes the United Nations can only exercise a limited influence, the Swedish Government is convinced that the Organization has acquired increased importance as a forum for long-term peaceful co-operation. This applies in the first instance to the disarmament efforts. 17. There has been very little success so far this year in the field of disarmament.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“When Czechoslovakia was invaded last summer by troops belonging to members of the Warsaw Pact, this gave rise to a wave of indignation and disappointment. There had been the hope that the evolution in the right direction towards a more humane type of communism which had begun in the country should be allowed to continue without any outside interference. There had also been the hope that the leading State of the Warsaw Pact should not interpret that development as a threat against its own security or that of its allies. Those hopes were frustrated. What we have witnessed during the past year has been a return to a policy whereby the freedom and the rights of the individual are gradually curtailed. This policy is conducted under the name of “normalization”. We doubt whether the Czechoslovak people consider that description correct. 15.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“What I have in mind is that military conflicts both within and between States are to a large extent fought with war material which has been procured from abroad as gifts or purchases. I do not wish, of course, to question the right of States to acquire war material necessary for self-defence. Indeed, the right of self-defence is laid down in our Charter. I only wish to draw attention to the problems inherent in uncontrolled arms traffic. 13. It would undoubtedly be a step in the interest of peace if it should be possible, within the framework of the United Nations, to agree on certain principles in this field. The principal aim should be to endeavour to prevent such trade in war materials as can obstruct a satisfactory solution of a conflict or hinder the localization of such a conflict. 14.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“An absolute minimum demand is that the resolutions of the Security Council calling upon Member States to apply an arms embargo on South Africa should be scrupulously and consistently observed. Moreover, we consider that measures should be taken to increase the efficiency of the Organization in following and supervising the application of the mandatory sanctions against Southern Rhodesia, It is deplorable, and highly disgraceful for the countries concerned, that individual States should ignore the decisions on sanctions and thereby jeopardize the authority of the United Nations. 12. in this connexion I should like to mention an international problem of a serious nature.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The African States consider that their own Organization of African Unity has a special responsibility and a special possibility of contributing to a solution. We find that approach reasonable and realistic. 11. We shall elaborate on the problems of southern Africa later in the session. The Swedish Government regards colonial domination and racial oppression as detestable and illegitimate residues of prejudices and power positions of old times. Their continued existence constitutes a serious threat to the stability and welfare of the African continent. All efficient measures which the international community represented in the United Nations can agree upon must be, taken to remove that threat.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The efforts of the four Powers deserve our support. 10. A tragic facet of the world situation is the continued civil war in Nigeria. The efforts which have been made by African and other-statesmen to achieve peace have so far, been without result. The civilian population on both sides of the front is being subjected to severe suffering. An . international relief action has begun to which the Swedish Government, with the support of a strong public opinion, has allocated relatively large funds. We deplore the continuing difficulties in making that relief action effective. We have also expressed our earnest expectation that the parties will be able to initiate contacts for a peaceful solution.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The Nordic countries, for their part, have already begun to plan their contributions. 9. It is deeply regrettable that it has not yet been possible to implement the resolution adopted by the Security Council on 22 November 1967 on the crisis in the Middle East [resolution 242(1967)]. The peoples in the area continue to live in a condition of political tension, military actions and counter-actions, entailing the risk of serious repercussions outside the area as well. This is possibly the risk which has made the four great Powers conduct negotiations on a method of implementing the resolution of the Security Council and in this way to facilitate the task of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. The day the four great Powers reach agreement on such a method, the parties must take it fully into account.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“In our opinion, the key to success will be found in military de-escalation by all parties. We believe, however, that also in this situation a special responsibility rests with the stronger party to take the first steps. It is therefore gratifying to note that President Nixon has now decided on further withdrawal of American troops. 8. Irrespective of when the conflict is in fact terminated, it is important to begin planning even now for the reconstruction of Viet-Nam. People all over the world have followed the war with strong emotional and moral engagement. This should be taken as a commitment to help the Viet-Namese to restore their war-ravaged country once hostilities have ceased. Therefore, conditions seem to be present for a massive international relief programme as a powerful manifestation of international solidarity.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“At an earlier stage of the war we expressed the hope that the United States, as being the party vastly superior in strength and in view of its responsibility as a world Power, should take the first step which could lead to negotiations aiming at a cessation of the war. It is gratifying that, as Secretary-General U Thant foresaw at the time, the cessation of the bombing of North Viet-Nam did lead to negotiations between the parties. Unfortunately these negotiations have not, as far as is known, led to any results as yet. Let us hope that the will to peace expressed by the parties will make it possible for them to reach agreement on a way leading to a goal which they have both announced: to bring the tragic conflict to an end and to give the people of South Viet-Nam the possibility to determine their own destiny. 7.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“It is based on firm experiences from the history of our Organization, now a quarter of a century old. These experiences reveal failures—that is true—but also successes. Let us learn from both. We can then see more clearly where the United Nations has its limitations and its possibilities. We can then more easily choose methods to expand the possibilities. 5. In Viet-Nam the war continues. The bombing of North Viet-Nam has ceased, but in the South the war rages with undiminished intensity. The severely afflicted people of South Viet-Nam are exposed to terrible personal sufferings and to heavy material destruction. Earlier costly experience has shown that the conflict cannot be settled by military means, It would now appear that the parties have come to realize this. 6.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The principal role of the United Nations as far as current conflicts are concerned is, therefore, for the present, to serve as a centre for the expression and formation of international opinion, to encourage and facilitate co-operation and agreement between the States concerned and to offer the formal framework for such co-operation and agreement. 4. A sober analysis of this kind should not lead to pessimism about the future of the United Nations. There are many examples which show that Member States, both big and small, find the United Nations to be the suitable, sometimes the only possible, place for co-operation and for agreement aiming at a peaceful solution of current conflicts. This attitude is not due to any conventional faith in the United Nations.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“The ideals of peaceful co-operation which we have all pledged ourselves to follow in accordance with the Charter are violated or ignored in the practical policy of States. 3. If we want to be realistic, we can hardly expect our debates here in the Assembly, or the efforts which are deployed by the Security Council and the Secretary-General, to result directly in settlements of current conflicts. We must admit that States have not yet wanted to limit their sovereignty to the extent necessary to make the United Nations an efficient instrument for peace.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“1. Madam President, let me begin by congratulating you on your election to the high position of President of the General Assembly. Africa, your own country and you yourself are being rightly honoured by this election. We wish you well in your important assignment and we look forward with great expectation to working under your inspiring leadership. 2. When the General Assembly meets this year for its twenty-fourth session we have to recognize that no solution has yet been reached of the many acute problems which pit nation against nation and national group against national group in armed conflict. Violence is a terrifying reality. Justice does not prevail. Individuals and whole peoples are denied liberty and human rights.”
1969-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 24 (1969)
“Viewed in this perspective the military conflicts which we now witness can be seen as temporary relapses into the primitive modes of thinking and acting of an earlier era. Let us react resolutely against relapses. Let us support the trend which is that of the future.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“But man can also use his new power in order to shape the environment according to his wishes. Much research is being done in the field. Several United Nations organs are doing valuable work. What is required now is to focus public opinion round the world on the urgency and the gravity of these problems. My Government considers that an international conference would be the best method to fulfil this purpose. We intend to submit a proposal to this effect, in consultation with other countries, when the question is considered by the General Assembly pursuant to resolution 1346(XLV) unanimously adopted by the Economic and Social Council last summer. 185. Let me now sum up. It is our conviction that the deeper movement of history is towards ever-growing inter-dependence. In order to survive, humanity will have to co-operate.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“The agenda of this session of the General Assembly includes a number of items to which the long-term perspective which I have outlined here can be applied. May I recall one of the problems which, in a very succinct manner, expresses the interdependence among all peoples and which can be solved only through common efforts. I refer to the need to protect and improve the physical and social environment in which we live. Modern technology and science have put immense resources into the hands of man with which to influence our environment. The change is often for the worse. Nature does not tolerate every kind of exploitation and misuse. If the natural balances are upset, the fundamental living-conditions of man are jeopardized. Such processes have to be stopped in time.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“The increasing mutual dependence is perhaps nowhere as clearly perceived as among the young. All over the world, young people seem to be ready to look beyond national frontiers. Underlying many reactions and attitudes of youth in the last few years is a strong feeling of world solidarity and a sense of common responsibility for peace and justice in the world. Young people revolt against prejudices and traditions which create dividing lines and barriers between nations, between social classes, between races, between rich and poor, between young and old. This is a healthy sign. When the youth of today assume increasing responsibility in their own countries and in international life, this attitude will, one hopes, lead to greater understanding among all peoples. 184.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“When the war is over one day, a new phase of intensive efforts will begin in order to relieve distress, reduce suffering, repair material damage and start peaceful reconstruction. 182. It is, of course, up to the Viet-Namese themselves to decide what kind of aid they wish. But the international community must be ready, in the name of humanity, to help the Viet-Namese people to heal the wounds inflicted by the war. The Nordic countries have begun certain investigations concerning the likely needs for external aid and the methods to organize a relief action. No definite conclusions can yet be drawn from these investigations, but obviously an enormous relief operation will be required which can be made possible only through common efforts of a large number of countries. 183.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“We have noted with interest that the Secretary-General has appointed a representative to assist in the relief and humanitarian activities for the civilian victims of the hostilities. We hope that the representative’s mission will be fruitful and that the Secretary-General will provide, in appropriate form, information on its progress. 181. In another part of the world, Viet-Nam, the population is equally being subjected to inhuman suffering and great parts of the country are being destroyed as a result of warlike actions. In this case as well, sympathy and desire to help have given rise to actions and plans to bring relief. Already at this time, while the war still rages, certain measures are being taken by such organizations as the Red Cross and UNICEF. These actions are necessarily of limited scope.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“One example is the strong support for relief to Iran after the earthquake which took such a tragic toll of human lives. Another example is the wide and active participation in the humanitarian relief aid to the civilian population in Nigeria, which has been so cruelly struck by the hostilities there. At its recent session in Algiers, the Organization of African Unity expressed deep concern for the suffering population. It called upon all parties to co-operate in order to ensure the rapid delivery of humanitarian relief aid to all those who are in need of it. This appeal has been heard all over the world. The Swedish Government wants to do all in its power to support the relief programmes for the Nigerian population.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“I do not wish to conclude my remarks on the situation in southern Africa without referring to the recent resumption of the trial in South Africa of the thirty-one Namibians. This trial has been condemned by the conscience of mankind, speaking through the United Nations, as a flagrant violation of the rights of those people and of the international status of Namibia. We must once again warn the Government of South Africa against the continuation of this travesty of justice and demand the release and repatriation of its victims. 180. Testimony to the growing feeling of interdependence among all peoples is the fact that, when people are struck by distress and suffering as a result of natural disasters or military action, a wave of sympathy and compassion goes around the world and gives an impulse to relief actions of great magnitude.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“We note with satisfaction that the Security Council, by its resolution 253 (1968), has appointed a committee to follow the implementation of the decision on sanctions. 178. We also have to examine in which cases and under what conditions the weapon of sanctions can be applied in the future. Sweden is among those States which, in principle, consider it proper and necessary to apply economic sanctions in order to bring the policy of apartheid of South Africa to an end. Such measures, to become effective, require the participation of the major trading nations. We have also urged that efforts be increased to halt the obsolete and grossly provocative colonial policy of Portugal. 179.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“South Africa has even supplied armed forces in the struggle against the representatives of the majority of the population of Southern Rhodesia. It goes without saying that the world Organization must react against the actions of South Africa and Portugal. They involve a serious threat to the efforts to build a world where races live in peace with one another and in mutual respect. 177. The sanctions against Southern Rhodesia are the first example of the world Organization undertaking the strongest peaceful enforcement action at its disposal. The policy of sanctions has, however, not yet led to the result intended. But this is no reason not to pursue the policy as long as the régime in Salisbury is there to pursue its dangerous course.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“By pursuing its irrational and hateful policy it creates international tensions and risks which justify energetic reactions on the part of the United Nations. 175. This is the background of the involvement of the United Nations in the racial problems of southern Africa and of the ever-increasing opposition of the international community to the policies of the South African Government, which openly defies the world Organization. 176. It is also part of the background of the Security Council decision on mandatory sanctions against the illegal minority régime in Southern Rhodesia. The conspiracy of interests between certain régimes is now reflected by the attempts by both South Africa and Portugal to reduce, by various means, the effect of the sanctions decided upon by the United Nations.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“But even if there has been some progress, racism remains one of the ugliest features of our times. 173. We are painfully reminded how easy it is to appeal to people’s prejudices against those who by colour or otherwise differ from the people around them. Racial antagonism and racial violence in certain industrialized States and also in some countries in the third world show that no community is free from these problems. The appeal to antisemitic prejudices which some communist States have permitted themselves is another example that racial thinking is far from extinct. 174. The most serious case of such thinking occurs when a régime bases its official policies on conceptions of racial superiority. Such a régime finds itself inevitably in sharp opposition to the international community.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“Welfare, like peace, is a goal which must be sought in a global context. It can never be secured in our time for only one country or one group of countries. We encounter here on the international level the same reality as in the national community; harmony can never be achieved without a reasonable and just distribution of the total resources, without solidarity. 172. The realization of the increased interdependence between peoples expresses itself in a change of psychological attitudes on race problems. There are today, twenty years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, not many régimes which dare proclaim openly that certain races are superior to others and that the supposedly superior should have a right to suppress the supposedly inferior. There is a change here and a welcome change.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“No doubt, the total volume of contributions from the rich to the poor countries has increased substantially. But the pace of the increase has been dismally insufficient in relation to the gigantic needs. Moreover, in recent years the total volume of assistance from the industrialized States had tended to stagnate or decrease. Nevertheless, there seems to be a feeling in many quarters that we have ample time to solve the problem of development. 171. That is a dangerous misconception. A large part of the population of the earth is living on or below the minimum subsistence level. The population explosion may well create an untenable situation, if far-reaching measures are not taken. Time is running short. Fortunately, it would appear that these grim facts are now penetrating deeper and deeper into the public consciousness.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“Besides the problems of nuclear weapons, the threatening spectre of the development of biological and chemical weapons has been given increasing attention in the last few years. It is our hope that the studies initiated in this field will soon result in international agreements. Only by such means will it be possible to prevent the catastrophes which may follow if the development of those weapons is allowed to continue unchecked. 170. A field where interdependence is being recognized, although imperfectly, is that of economic and social development. It has been increasingly realized that welfare, like peace, is indivisible. Twenty years ago, the industrialized States were engaged in rebuilding their own economies. It was only thereafter that they began to take an active interest, gropingly at first, in the problems of development.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“It is to be hoped that the events in central Europe will not jeopardize this process. 167. The next steps will be crucial. Will it be possible to slow down the spiralling armaments race or will the race towards more destructive and more expensive arms continue unchecked? 168. A very heavy responsibility rests with the two super-Powers. The plans for an agreement regarding limitations on nuclear missiles, plans which were coming to fruition before the Czechoslovak crisis, must be pursued. A complete test-ban treaty must be hammered out and the countries which continue to test nuclear weapons must be persuaded to stop doing so. We have a right to expect the super-Powers to give, without delay, concrete evidence of their declared intentions to take further steps on the road to nuclear disarmament. 169.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“All Governments must nowadays take this opinion into account. 166. In the field of disarmament we have during the past year been able to register one important achievement. The non-proliferation Treaty promised to lay the foundation for further relaxation of tensions. It was also regarded as the first bridge to be crossed on the road towards more far-reaching measures of disarmament. Whatever reservations we in Sweden may have had in regard to the text of the Treaty while it was being negotiated, we are firmly convinced that these expectations are still well founded and that therefore the Treaty should be signed and ratified by as many countries as possible, as soon as possible, including, in particular, those countries whose participation is absolutely necessary to make the Treaty a living reality.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“164. One of the conclusions which can be drawn is that the United Nations must be strengthened in every way. If it is to represent fully the essential unity of mankind, the goal of universality of membership must be actively pursued, and, in particular, the doors of the Organization should be opened to the People’s Republic of China. 165. Even though our recognition of the fact that we all belong together and must therefore keep together is incomplete and in no way measures up to the degree of factual interdependence, we can, nevertheless, point to certain hopeful signs. It seems, at last, to be understood by people everywhere that disarmament is a vital issue. Public opinion has begun to realize that the frantic arms race does not increase security and that the precise opposite is true.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“No country can insulate itself against the changes caused by the application of modern technology to communications, information media, industry and commerce. This trend towards greater interdependence is unmistakable and it will continue to grow at an ever increasing pace. All the people on our planet are bound to a common destiny. Nobody can escape, not even by excursion into outer space or to other celestial bodies. 163. The fact that the deeper movement of history brings us towards increasing interdependence is something which we understand and experience only slowly and hesitatingly. Even more slowly and hesitatingly we recognize that our dependence on one another requires a fresh way of looking at international and social relationships, new concepts and methods for meeting the imperative need to create a stable and just world order.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“He adds that, if this trend is not reversed, “the future of international peace and security itself is indeed a very dark one” [ibid.]. Is that equally true if we try to place world developments in a slightly longer perspective? 162. There is no doubt that we live in a time of dramatically increased interdependence. That is true both in war and in peace. An armed conflict between the great Powers would now directly affect us all and cause destruction and suffering of unimaginable proportions. At the same time, however, the conditions for peaceful: coexistence have changed radically, drawing the peoples ever closer together. Modern science and technology have broken down the barriers of time and space.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“It was a remarkable achievement for the Security Council to reach agreement on the guidelines for such a solution. The whole world now expects the parties to collaborate in good faith with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the search for a solution. It is the duty of all other Member States, in particular the great Powers, to do everything they can to facilitate and expedite this search. 161. We are now living through a period of tension and frustration. To quote the Secretary-General in the introduction to his annual report: “there has been a serious decline in the standards of international ethics and morality, with States relying increasingly on force and violence as a means of resolving their international differences” [A/7201/Add.1,para, 174].”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)
“According to available information, the total explosive power of the bombs “used over North Viet-Nam has not diminished. In our opinion, the bombing should be halted today. This would mean a great step towards peace in Viet-Nam. 160. In the modern era, the use and the threat of force cannot ensure durable peace. That assertion is equally true in the Middle East. The cease-fire which was achieved after the war in June last year is precarious and constantly threatened by serious incidents. It must be replaced by a peaceful solution which respects the principle that military conquest does not establish any right to the territory of another State and which, at the same time, recognizes the right of all States to live in peace and security.”
1968-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 23 (1968)