YouSaid · the spoken record

Freitas

lines on the record: 39
first: 1961-09-24
most recent: 1962-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

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“In our opinion it would be difficult to deny that these expenses, incurred under resolutions adopted by the General Assembly or by a United Nations organ as important as the Security Council, are expenses of the United Nations. My delegation therefore hopes that, in the light of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, the General Assembly will at this session speak out dearly on this serious problem. 27. In conclusion, and at the risk of repetition, my delegation wishes to express its profound conviction that international peace and security will not be truly guaranteed unless all of us, great and small, rich and poor, band together to wage war upon man's real enemies — poverty, hunger, disease and ignorance.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“Dag Hammarskjold, our former Secretary-General, we unanimously elected an Acting Secretary-General, who within a relatively brief space of time has been able to prove to us how effective is the system of having one single capable and competent Secretary-General. We feel that this system of administration must be maintained, not only for the sake of the effectiveness of the United Nations but for its very survival. 26. The question of the expenses relating to the Emergency Force and the United Nations Operation in the Congo also seems to my delegation to be of paramount importance for the future of the United Nations, particularly in the light of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice [A/5161].”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“We still think that it is important, in the interest of the United Nations itself, to ensure fair representation for all the continents, particularly in the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council. 23. As far as the Security Council is concerned, as the present geographical distribution of the seats of the six non-permanent members is not based on any provision of the Charter, it should be easy to revise it, if not. to increase the number of those seats allotted to the African and Malagasy States, which, while numbering only two in 1955, today account for nearly one-third of this Assembly. 24. Before I conclude, may I explain my delegation's position with regard to two questions of vital importance to the United Nations. 25. Following upon the difficulties resulting from the tragic death of Mr.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“Although the United Nations Development Decade may be a bold programme, we think that, if applied with specific objectives in view, it will give a mighty impetus to the economic and social progress of the under-developed countries. We realize that in Africa this progress depends partly on the efforts of the African States themselves. This is the reason why my country lays stress on large-scale inter-African co-operation in the economic, social, cultural and technical fields, within the context of the African unity to which all African States aspire. It is by organizing ourselves that we shall help to accelerate the pace of our economic and social development. 22. With regard to the various United Nations organs, we said last year that they should be adapted to the new circumstances.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“paragraph 81.] 20. As regards the Congo, my delegation is of the opinion that the Secretary-General' s plan, with its provision for a federal system, preserves the national unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of the Congo. We shall therefore support it. 21. For us newly independent States, the economic and social progress of our under-developed countries is a sine qua non for international peace and security. For this reason the Republic of Togo attaches particular importance to the United Nations Development Decade, which seeks to establish an equilibrium between the highly industrialized and the underdeveloped countries. We feel that the first objective along this path should be the establishment of fair prices for the commodities produced by the under-developed countries.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“The Government of South Africa cannot now be a party to any proposal or action which could imply a departure therefrom." [A/5212, paragraph 9.] This text, together with the statements made by that Government's spokesman from this rostrum a few days ago (1128th and 1129th meetings], constitutes the best corroboration of the report, which is a challenge to the conscience of the United Nations. 19. In the face of such an uncompromising and categorical stand, my delegation has no alternative but to endorse the Special Committee’s conclusions, in particular the following passage: "It is therefore imperative that the United Nations take a firm and resolute action on this question so ' that the South African Government willingly allows the United Nations to perform its legitimate supervisory function over the Mandated Territory.11 Ibid..”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“Following upon'-all the well-known difficulties, the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the Special Committee were alone authorized by the South African Government to visit the Territory. The report of the Special Committee [A/5212], based on the report submitted to it by those two members, furnishes ample evidence of the unchanging nature of the situation in South West Africa. Paragraph 3 of the letter from the South African Government to the Special Committee reads as follows: "The record will also snow that where the South African Government was not prepared to adopt measures required by the United Nations, its attitude was dictated by its juridical position.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“With reference to South West Africa, my country had the honour to be appointed a member of the United Nations Special Committee for South West Africa. I must therefore dwell on this point at some length. In resolution 1702 (XVI) of 19 December 1961, the General Assembly "solemnly proclaims the inalienable right of the people of Southwest Africa to independence and national sovereignty" and, to that end, "decides to establish a United Nations Special Committee for South West Africa...". Under paragraph 2 of this resolution the Special Committee was expressly entrusted with certain urgent tasks which would pave the way for the granting of complete freedom to the people of the Mandated Territory of South West Africa, naturally in cooperation and consultation with the Mandatory Power. 18.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“Our position with regard to the situation in South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, so-called Portuguese Guinea and the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is, as we have just said, perfectly dear. It is to be hoped that Portugal will understand the situation and, in its own interest, realize that the sword is powerless against the spirit, and that the white minorities in the Rhodesias and Nyasaland will realize that they cannot dominate these countries any longer. My delegation counts on the effective co-operation of the United Kingdom with the United Nations so that the objectives set in our unanimously adopted resolution 1514 (XV) may be attained rapidly in these territories, in orderly and peaceful conditions. 17.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“It is unthinkable that in this twentieth century African lands should still be consciously regarded as an extension of European metropolitan territories and that entire peoples should thus find themselves enslaved in their own countries. My delegation is therefore ready to support any draft resolution on decolonization which would recommend practical and realistic means appropriate for each case. The loyal and sincere co-operation of all Member States is, however, necessary to ensure that our joint decisions may lead to positive and tangible results. 16. Our attitude towards the inhuman acts of all kinds being committed in Africa and elsewhere is one of complete and unequivocal disapproval.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“My delegation takes this opportunity to express once again its satisfaction over the attainment of independence by the four new States admitted to membership of the United Nations at the beginning of this session, as also by Uganda and Algeria, which are about to join us, For the sake of the heroic Algerian people and of France, we particularly welcome the happy outcome of the armed conflict which had divided them for over seven years, 15. Unfortunately many instances of colonialism have yet to be liquidated. My delegation deplores the negative attitude of the colonial Powers which are still desperately trying to resist the current of decolonization, which is, however, irresistible.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“We maintain that only the self-determination of the German people and really free elections to produce genuine spokesmen can bring peace and order back to this part of the world, and we hope that the allied Powers, which joined together for the very purpose of fighting for law and freedom, will not deny these rights to the German people. 14. Decolonization is, beyond question, another of the main factors of international peace and security. The Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples [see resolution 1514 (XV)] makes it incumbent upon all. the colonial Powers to grant independence to their colonies.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“No doubt it can also feel satisfaction about the agreement between Indonesia and the Netherlands concerning West New Guinea [see document A/5170, annex], if only because the peaceful people of this area, the protection of whose interests has now become our sacred and collective trust, have been spared suffering and desolation. It must not, however, lose sight of the fact that there are still areas of dangerous tension in the world, such as Berlin with its wall, a permanent source of conflict, where the situation is most disquieting. 13. My delegation's position with regard to the German problem has not changed.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“We say once again that, in the interests of mankind, nuclear and thermo-nuclear tests must cease. They must cease because of the harmful effects of radioactive fall-out on living beings on our planet. To this end the General Assembly must reaffirm the position it took last year and request that the moratorium should be reimposed pending the conclusion of a treaty by the nuclear Powers at the earliest possible moment. 12. The United Nations can feel heartened by the settlement of the Laotian problem through the formation of a Government of national unity and thanks to the international agreement guaranteeing the independence and neutrality of Laos.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“It is necessary in order that the fabulous sums now being devoted to armaments can be used for the greater good of mankind. It is only on the means of achieving disarmament that there is any disagreement, and that is due simply to mutual mistrust. In this respect, my delegation feels that the Joint Memorandum of the neutralist countries at the Geneva Conference deserves further serious consideration by the two sides and thorough study by the General Assembly. We feel that this memorandum may serve as a basis for agreement and negotiation. 11. This brings us to the question of the halting of nuclear tests, which in certain quarters is being linked with the conclusion of an agreement on general and complete disarmament. My delegation still does not share this point of view.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“is it in the interests of peace that territories are annexed against the will of their inhabitants and that certain States Members of the United Nations entertain expansionist designs and promote, organize and support subversive activities in neighboring sovereign States? Is it in the name or for the sake of peace that apartheid is still being practised in South Africa and that unspeakable acts of repression are being committed in Angola? The United Nations has indeed good reason to be concerned at the state of conflict and tension in the world. 10. Today more than ever disarmament is a matter of imperative and urgent necessity. All the speakers who have come to this rostrum, even the leaders of the two blocs, are agreed on this. Disarmament is necessary in order to relax international tension and reduce the danger of a hot war.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“The maintenance of world peace, disarmament, decolonization and the economic and social progress of the under-developed countries: these are the matters with which we have been primarily concerned. 8. Since, these same problems are still the greatest source of concern to the General Assembly at this session, my first impulse is to sum up all I have to say in a few words: namely, that my delegation's attitude to these problems has not changed. In the circumstances, however, repetition is undoubtedly both useful and beneficial. 9. As we have, already said, and shall say again, there Can be no real peace unless it is based on law and justice. Is the situation in South Africa, Angola, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and other places an example of law and justice or a manifestation of bur genuine yearning for peace?”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“The peoples of these States should be the first to be congratulated on their attainment of independence but we must also pay a tribute to the United Nations, which, together with the Administering Authority and through the operation of the Trusteeship System, has performed the difficult task of guiding them to independence. It gives us great pleasure to see that, as in the case of Togo, the hard work of the Trusteeship Council and the Fourth Committee has been crowned with success. 7. When I spoke from this rostrum exactly a year ago [1026th meeting], I referred to the problems on which the attention of the Republic of Togo was mainly focused because they were crucial for the peace and stability of our world, and I described my delegation’s attitude to each one of them.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“5. My delegation is happy and proud to extend to you, Mr. President, its heartfelt congratulations on your splendid election to the presidency of the seventeenth session of the General Assembly. We are certain that under the guidance of a man of your culture, competence and vast experience of international affairs our work will proceed in an atmosphere of complete calm and with the maximum degree of efficiency. 6. Having ourselves been only recently admitted to membership of the United Nations, we are always very glad to see new independent States come to take their rightful place here. My delegation is therefore pleased to welcome Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Burundi and Rwanda. Like Togo, the two last-named States are former United Nations Trust Territories.”
1962-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 17 (1962)
“That is why the African States, and especially Togo, will do their utmost to support the United Nations which alone, by maintaining peace, can enable them to attain full development."”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“My delegation feels that action should be taken to fill the gap caused by the absence of a real Deputy Secretary-General capable of discharging all the functions of Secretary-General for an interim period in case of need. That post might well be filled by two deputies. 26. That is my brief statement. May I conclude by repeating the words with which President Olympio concluded his statement from this rostrum last year [866th meeting, paragraph 30]: "Africa, more than any other continent, needs peace, because peace is essential for its own internal growth, for the consolidation of the freedoms that had been won and the improvement of the living conditions of its inhabitants.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“The untimely death of Dag Hammarskjold faces us with the problem of electing a new Secretary-General of the United Nations and also raises a question of principle in view of the divergent views which emerged in this Assembly during the fifteenth session. My delegation believes that a single Secretary-General should be elected. All the criticisms and attacks directed against the Secretary-General should have been directed against the Organization itself. The Secretary-General, after all, is simply an executive agent. If at any time he went beyond his rights, it was because we wished it. The Security Council was there to call him to order if necessary. 25.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“With regard to the various organs and specialized agencies of the United Nations, it no longer needs to be demonstrated that they are ill-adapted to the new conditions. It is important and urgent, in the interest of the Organization, that measures be taken to adapt them to the changed conditions if the conclusions and decisions of the various bodies and agencies are to reflect the views of all the Members of the Assembly. We therefore propose that, before we end the work of this sixteenth session, action should be taken which Would permit the revision, if not of the Charter as a whole, at least of the relevant Articles, so that the essential reforms of, for example, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council may be carried out. 24.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“As I said a moment ago, the concern of the young under-developed States is not the armaments race or the race for the conquest of outer space. Our main concern is the organization of our economies for the greater well-being and happiness of our peoples. 22. In this connexion my delegation believes that the Economic Commission for Africa, with a suitable structure at the regional and even national levels, and furnished with sufficient and effective means of action, could play a decisive role in the guidance and development of our national economies. This would also be the best way of limiting the evil of which many have complained from this rostrum—the tendency to subject foreign assistance, economic, cultural or other, to political considerations. 23.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“For this reason our Organization must unanimously exert on those colonial Powers all the moral pressure which it can muster, in particular to ensure that all its Members without exception observe and implement its decisions, so that there shall be an end everywhere to wars of foreign domination which are out of place in this day and age. If this is done, we will see the end of the bitter Algerian tragedy, which has lasted all too long, the end of the so-called civil war in Laos, the end of the appalling carnage in Angola, the return of peace to the Congo and elsewhere and the growth of a fraternal and fruitful co-operation among all the nations and peoples of the earth for the betterment of mankind. 21.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“But my delegation is convinced that, in any case, any solution which did not take into account the interests and opinion of the German people of both East and West would be at best precarious and would not guarantee real peace. The conclusion of a treaty with Germany as soon as possible is highly desirable, but the signatories of that peace treaty on the German side, whether East or West, must be truly representative and genuine spokesman of their people and this can only be ensured by truly free elections. Here the United Nations could contribute valuable assistance. 20. Decolonisation is today a factor for peace which cannot be isolated from the other aspects of the problem of world security. For this reason the Member States who are still colonial Powers must do their utmost to liberate rapidly the territories still under their rule.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“If we are sincere when we speak of saving mankind, nuclear tests must be ended without delay, not merely because of the ultimate end to which the tests are directed, but because of the radioactive fall-out, the harmful effects of which are not denied by anyone of good faith. 18. To make the cessation of nuclear tests dependent on the broader question of disarmament is to wish deliberately to continue these explosions with no regard for human life. 19. The question of Berlin, although not included in the agenda of our Assembly, is rightly a subject of major concern to all State Members of this Organization for peace, because of the grave risk of war which it now involves. Our Organization must contribute to the solution of this problem, which ought not to exist.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“For us, the, new under-developed States, this should present great advantages. First of all, a system of collective protection and defence would obviate the need for the establishment and upkeep of an expensive army, by each individual State, thus freeing our scarce resources, which we could then devote entirely to the economic and social advancement of our countries. Secondly, the large sums which would no longer be spent on armaments by some countries could be used to bring about a substantial increase in assistance to under-developed countries. 17. Our concern, the concern of the young emerging States, is not to conquer outer space, but to overcome hunger, disease and ignorance, as was so aptly pointed out in this Assembly by our friend the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Senegal (1012th meeting).”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“That is why, after having listened with the greatest attention to the two giants of the family, who have reached agreement on the terminology of general and complete disarmament, my delegation is certain that they will use all their good will in seeking a basis of agreement on the only point still in dispute, control. In our view, control at all stages in the only means of achieving effective disarmament. In this, the help of those who do not possess the weapon& it issue would no doubt be useful in dispelling mistrust and suspicion among those who have them. At the same time we must consider and seriously study the ideas expressed from this rostrum by the President of the United States [1013th meeting], concerning the establishment of an international police force for international security.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“On the latter point, my delegation is submitting a formal request to the General Committee for the inclusion in the agenda of our present session of an item entitled: "Problem of the refugees in the Republic of Togo". 14. After these general comments on the principles which are the very foundation of the United Nations and this concrete and, I believe, significant example, it remains for my delegation to state its views regarding the specific matters which are the main object of our concern at this session. 15. Everyone agrees that disarmament is today a sine qua non if the human race is to be saved from appalling and total destruction.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“We all remember the regrettable violence in that Territory which accompanied the proclamation of the independence of Ghana. And peace, for which we are meeting here, has still not been restored there. The measures which the Government of that country has seen fit to take in order to achieve peace are in fact leading to a mass exodus to the Republic of Togo. 13. Today the Chief of State of Ghana, strong in the easy victory assured to him by the General Assembly's decision, is still obsessed by the somewhat oversimplified idea that the integration of the Republic of Togo with Ghana by any means would be the solution of this political problem, which continues to be a real one for my people, and which is, alas, now complicated by another problem, that of the refugees, whose number increases day by day.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“But there is more to it than that. If we consider the results in each area, as the special report of the United Nations Visiting Mission of 1955 had advocated,!/ we see that in the Southern Section 69.5 per cent of the valid votes rejected union with the Gold Coast and only 30.5 per cent accepted it—a majority of 39 per cent, more than twice the majority of 16 per cent indicated by the total results. 11. Those are official figures from United Nations documents. In the light of these results, it may well be asked why the solution recently applied by the Organization in the case of the former Trust Territory of the Cameroon was not applied in the case of Togoland under British administration. IS it surprising that we feel frustrated and the victims of injustice? 12. Naturally, the consequences of such a decision were not long in appearing.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“In 1955, because the Gold Coast, a colony, was about to become independent, the General Assembly decided by its resolution 944 (X) of 15 December 1955 that a plebiscite should be held in Togoland under British administration, with a view to the union of that Territory with an independent Gold Coast. Is not* such an act in principle questionable in itself? Indeed, how could it be honestly thought that the problem could be posed of the union of a Trust Territory with a colony whose people were recovering their national sovereignty? In any case, the plebiscite took place. What were the results and what are its consequences today? Considered as a whole, the results showed 58 per cent in favour of union with the Gold Coast and 42 percent against, an overall majority of 16 per cent, a rather small majority to decide the future of a people. 10.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“Justice among men, among peoples and nations. And to achieve justice, one must surely be on the side of law. Does not this ideal of justice lead us, perhaps unconsciously, towards that integrity which leads us not only to respect what does not belong to us, but willingly to restore what we have unjustly kept from others? In this connexion, we in this Assembly must give the world an example of justice, if we are really to preserve international peace and security, the fundamental purposes of our Organization. 7. But do the positions we take and the decisions we adopt always obey this golden rule? We have only to examine our" consciences, to see that that is not the case. In this context I should like to mention an example that concerns my country. 8.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“For surely it is contradictory and even paradoxical that there should be talk of peace and general and complete disarmament while nations continue to arm themselves with the most formidable weapons, thus opening the door to the extermination of the human species. It $s true that some States have felt that the possession of these weapons of mass destruction or annihilation by all nations would discourage any aggression. My delegation does not accept that view. In our opinion, peace, true and lasting peace, will be found by other means, by peaceful action to achieve the goals of freedom, law and justice. 5. Freedom for the individual and freedom for the peoples to choose their own path , whether philosophical, ideological, political or social. Hence, freedom or self-determination for the peoples, whether white, yellow or black. 6.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“After only a year, we cannot claim to be sufficiently familiar with the problems to teach others how they should be solved. We therefore propose, from this rostrum, simply to express our feelings and our views concerning some matters which are today the focus of concern for all mankind. 4. The words "peace" and ^disarmament" are in fashion in all countries, independent or dependent, large or small, rich or poor, Members or non-members of the United Nations. But we must know whether these words are used with their real meaning or whether they are mere slogans, instruments of propaganda for purely political purposes.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“to renew to him here, as well as to his people and his Government, the good wishes we conveyed to them [ when their independence was proclaimed. The Chief of State of Togo, who personally led the Togolese I delegation at the fifteenth session, said at the con- I elusion of his brief statement to the General Assembly following our admission to membership [866thplenary meeting, paragraph 31]: "We have not come here presuming to teach you how to solve the serious problems of the present day. I As I said before, a small nation can have its share of wisdom, and in our case that wisdom bids us now I learn, observe, exchange ideas and think. Then, after I gaining practical experience and a knowledge of the problems we shall be able to make the contribution J which the United Nations is entitled to expect of us." 3.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“We are the more pleased because we are certain that your devotion to the Charter, your long and distinguished diplomatic experience, your tact and your calm will enable you to discharge worthily and without difficulty this onerous task at a moment when the United Nations must be steered through difficult and perhaps dangerous waters. 2. May I take this opportunity of welcoming our brother State of Sierra Leone into the great international family. On behalf of President Olympio, who is, I know, on terms of personal friendship with the Prime Minister of Sierra Leone, and on behalf of the Government and people of Togo, I ask the Prime | Minister of Sierra Leone to accept the sincere and I fraternal expression of our pleasure at seeing a new State emerge on the international scene. We are happy !”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)
“1. Mr. President, I am particularly pleased to find myself at the head of my delegation on this occasion and to have the privilege of conveying to you personally on my own behalf and on behalf of this delegation, our very warm congratulations on your unanimous election as President of this great Assembly. This almost worldwide expression of confidence, which is a tribute to your personal, human, moral and intellectual qualities, is at the same time an expression of confidence in the whole of Africa. We can therefore take legitimate pride in it.”
1961-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 16 (1961)