YouSaid · the spoken record

KHOMAN

lines on the record: 389
first: 1959-09-24
most recent: 1971-09-24
sittings or episodes: 12
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

“At the same time, while peace and order are being precariously maintained through the use of the United Nations between the two camps, further efforts should continue towards a more permanent settlement. Such efforts may preferably take place within the United Nations while others may be pursued outside it as circumstances may require. In particular, contacts and negotiations between those who are endowed with the greatest power of destruction should be resumed and conducted in earnest and with genuine efforts to achieve tangible results. Such efforts may be particularly applied to the thorny and complex problem of disarmament, which remains the explosive issue of our time. Meanwhile a way should be found to dissociate the fortune of disarmament efforts from that of world peace.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“If any modifications should be brought about to that office, they should be aimed at increasing the authority of the Secretary-General and giving him, in addition to our support and confidence, the best possible means to enable him to carry out efficiently and effectively his mandate and duties, 17. In doing so the nations of the world will gain, and the chances for peace and stability will increase. In our submission, the United Nations remains the only organization at our disposal capable of intervening between the two opposing groups. It may serve to avoid all possible head-on clashes between the two and it may cushion any forceful contacts between them. 18.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“In the recent delicate and complex situation in the Congo the United Nations has rendered the most valuable services and it continues to do so. It has saved the Congo, and perhaps the whole world, from chaos. The Secretary-General, Mr. Hammarskjold, and all his associates deserve our high commendation and gratitude. The Secretary-General in particular, in the face of the most difficult circumstances, has shown a keen insight, great courage and wisdom. The overwhelming vote taken recently in this Assembly is a testimony of our wholehearted approval of his inspiring leadership and his conduct of the operations in the Congo. 16. With such results now at hand, the only logical course of action that remains open to us is to strengthen the office of the Secretary-General as institutionalized in our Charter.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Our efforts, therefore, should be directed first to preventing a further aggravation of this delicate state of affairs. Our energy should be applied to avoid further deepening of feelings of apprehension and lack of trust among nations, and we can do so by refraining from threats to use the modern weapons of destruction which in recent times have been among the major causes of world tension. At the same time our efforts must be conjugated to bridge this yawning gap. At present we have at our disposal the best instrument of our time and perhaps of all times: the United Nations. We should know how to make use of it and to make it serve our general interests and not merely the interests of one or of a few. 15. It seems hardly necessary for me to say that the United Nations has more than fulfilled our expectations.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“There the possibility of intervention by one brings the likelihood of intervention by the other, and that leads to the danger of possible conflicts. 13. This, in brief, is the basic problem which constitutes the fountain-head of our present difficulties. There is no doubt that this fundamental divergence between nations of the world affects and influences all other important questions — disarmament, economic aid or any others. 14. This is the deep-rooted problem we have to face, the solution to which is still beyond our reach. However, as long as the two camps face each other, with no possible compromise in sight and with profound feelings of fear and suspicion of each other, even a workable and dependable modus vivendi! remains difficult to achieve.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“On the contrary, disturbances and interventions by certain disruptive elements affect our own well-being and security which, as a Government responsible to our people, we intend to preserve with all the means at our disposal. 12. However, the crux of the problem, lies, no doubt, on the fact that the world is sharply divided in terms of ways of life, of interests and ideology. The chasm is wide and difficult to bridge. The opposition between the two camps is so manifest that it may appear anywhere and almost on any occasion, especially between the two major leaders, so much so that clashes remain a constant possibility. The same is also true in regard to situations which arise in new areas which do not come within the spheres of their immediate interests.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Such an investigation might this time be very revealing and might show to the world a number of alarming facts, particularly as we learn from news which has reached us this morning that heavy attacks have been launched by forces trained, equipped, supplied and directed by outside Powers. Such an investigation would clearly Show who is intervening, by what means and to what extent. It may not meet with the approval of those who are at present threatening the security and the very existence of that country, nor of their friends, but it may well serve the freedom and stability of that country. 11. As far as Thailand is concerned, it has no material or economic interest in that country, nor does it have any territorial designs. Our only interest is to see peace and order prevail for the benefit of those people themselves.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“As to the alleged troop concentration, anyone, whether one of our nationals or a foreigner, who lives in a free and open country like ours, with no kind of curtain, may bear witness to the imaginary character of the accusation. 10. However, charges such as these are not completely devoid of meaning; in our opinion, they may well portend an open intervention by certain elements which have so far remained in concealment. At any rate, they reveal certain interests which cannot be termed unselfish. In a case like this it might be interesting to envisage the revival of an investigation both inside that country and around it by impartial authorities such as those of the United Nations.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“In reality my country has scrupulously refrained from intervening in the domestic affairs of that country or indeed of any other country, in spite of the fact that during the recent disturbances many of our nationals have been beaten and manhandled and our boats were fired upon while navigating on our side of the river. Neither has my Government provided any facilities or passage through our territory to foreign forces. In this particular case, a simple glance at a map would reveal that, neither side has any need to pass through our territory, since there is a great river which affords ample and convenient means of communication.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“One of the most recent cases, which I should like to mention, occurred a few days ago when a Government, which does not so far have diplomatic representation in a country of South-East Asia neighbouring on Thailand, accused the Government of Thailand of intervention in the affairs of that neighbouring country, of providing opposing forces with access to Thai territory, of concentrating military units on the border of that country and finally of firing from our boats on our neighbour's ships and troops. These accusations are a pure travesty of the true facts.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“This war of words knows no limit of decency and it is a common happening that falsehoods are repeated over and over again, gaining more strength as they become more blatant. Who can ever claim that such propaganda activities will foster goodwill and good understanding? My country for one, knows from bitter experience the extent of those activities including wild charges and accusations. If we choose to ignore them and not to respond to them in most cases, it is in the firm belief that those who engage in them will succumb to their own viciousness. 9. These propaganda activities sometimes do not conceal their heads under the anonymity of normal information media. They come out into the open in official statements and blatantly launch the most groundless accusations with the sole purpose of achieving propaganda benefit.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“Instead of what was known to our internationalist forefathers as comitas gentium we now have to witness an intentional and calculated discourtesy toward one another as well as frequent resort to abusive language, There can be no doubt that such a behaviour will not enhance international concord and harmony; it rather vitiates the atmosphere and renders more difficult, if not impossible, the chances for better understanding and conciliation. This may be a passing sign of our time. Nevertheless, one cannot help expressing the hope that the sooner it disappears the better it will be for bur international community. 8. Another disturbing feature of our present world is the relentless propaganda activities, both verbal and written, which have already been raging for some time against one another.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“However, if the lack of desire on the part of most nations to plunge the world into a conflict is a definite asset for our efforts towards peace, it does not, unfortunately, follow that all of them are willing to refrain from words or actions which, by themselves, sow the seeds of conflicts. 7. Especially in the verbal domain no one could have failed to notice a marked deterioration in the usage adopted in international gatherings.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“On the positive side we may safely assume that no nation, at least those which are Members of this Organization, desires to steer the world into a widespread conflict, because those who are in possession of modern weapons know, and those who do not have them can well imagine, the magnitude of the destruction and sufferings that will descend upon us should a world-wide conflagration break out. The very fact also that many high personalities are assembled to take part in the work of the Assembly may be interpreted as an indication of the deep aspiration of most countries to find a path towards enduring peace.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“That is why my country will never relinquish what we consider to be our duty and to that end we shall do everything possible within the limits of the resources of our nation. 5. What should We think of the situation so succinctly described above? Should we adopt an apathetic attitude and say to ourselves that, after all, the world has for some years felt hot and cold winds alternately blowing? Or should we rely on that well known cyclic law which would govern both the economics and politics of everything human? This is the problem. Now we may try objectively to consider its component elements, to consider the assets and liabilities which are offered to us. 6.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“We owe it to our peoples and those of the world, whose eyes are focused upon us, to do everything we can to remove the causes of possible conflicts and to lay the foundation of a long and lasting peace. Today, more than ever, the greatest single problem facing us is still that of preserving peace, of shielding it from unwitting and deliberate assaults and strengthening it so as to enable it to resist any future encroachments. This is not a task which should be assigned to any single Power or group of Powers — a smaller Power has as great a stake in it as a larger one — and should we fail to attain this momentous purpose, we know what will happen to us all, to our peoples and our homelands.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“In the interval between the two sessions of the General Assembly, efforts to improve international understanding suffered so many reverses that, as the fifteenth session convenes, the world is still shaken from the turbulent weather through which it has gone during the last few months. 4. The time is not for panic but rather for sober thinking. What is needed is probably less words and more thoughtful deliberations and constructive steps designed to relieve the deep anxiety which grips the bodies and minds of millions of people. Our aim here should be not to manoeuvre for propaganda or psychological gains but to join efforts in restoring healthy international conditions.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“I wish, in the first place, to offer to you, Mr. President, on behalf of my delegation and on my own behalf, our warm congratulations upon your election to this high office. We feel confident that your wide knowledge and experience of United Nations affairs and your wisdom will lead the deliberations of the General Assembly to concrete results. We wish you all success in this very important task ahead. 2. As we gather here again for the fifteenth session of the General Assembly, there is no doubt that the international climate now prevailing is widely different from that which existed a year ago. Unlike last year, when hope and optimism pervaded the atmosphere the Assembly now meets in grim circumstances, a continuation of a critical period during which man's yearnings for peace and tranquillity have been singularly contradicted. 3.”
1960-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 15 (1960)
“As we can well see, the task confronting the United Nations is multifarious and world-embracing. Although this Organization may not succeed in every task facing it, nevertheless in the short period of some fourteen years it has done more than any other international organization has ever done in the whole history of mankind. Given further encouragement and better means, it can do even more. For the sake of our present and future generations, can we afford to deny it the chance to help us Member States to fashion a better, safer and friendlier world to live in? Thailand, for its part, gives the United Nations its unswerving loyalty and support.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“It is our hope that while helping us, the friendly aid will also enable us to play a useful and worthy role for peace in our part of the world. 146. We in Thailand believe that economic and social development is an essential element to consider and to bear in mind in any efforts to preserve and maintain peace. That is why we whole-heartedly support such regional projects as the ones now contemplated for the Mekong River basin and the Asian highway. Although these projects will Require time and important financial outlay before they can materialize, it is our fondest hope that the necessary help will be forthcoming, as their realization will bring stability and progress to South-East Asia and indirectly to the world at large and will be truly symbolic of fruitful co-operation among the nations of the world. 147.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“If such is the case, the conclusion would be that the latter should deem it an obligation, moral or economic, or both, to assume greater responsibility toward the under-developed nations, either on a bilateral, or multilateral basis, than that presently prevailing. My country, for its part, is fully conscious of its duty towards its own people and is shouldering a heavy burden. Thailand at the same time gratefully acknowledges the help it has received from international agencies such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and the Special Fund, as well as from friendly countries such as the United States, from some of its fellow members of the South-East Asia Treaty Organization and finally from the Colombo Plan.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“As has been noted by the Secretary-General in his annual report [A/4132], and also by many representatives who. preceded me, the gap between the rate of income and the economic growth of the advanced nations and that of the under-developed nations continues to grow at an alarming pace, and so does the disparity between the increasing prices of manufactured products and the lowering prices of primary commodities. If such a trend — which may be due to natural economic laws or to controllable factors — were to persist, it might look as if the burden of ensuring the progress and prosperity of the advanced nations would fall heavily upon the shoulders of the under-developed nations. For it is they, with their sweat and toil, who supply the cheap materials for the others to process and resell at high profits.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“In conformity with this concept, I must say that there is a growing realization in our part of the world that the nations living in the same region share a common interest and a common stake in their own welfare and prosperity. They feel, therefore, that it is essential for them to develop and strengthen among themselves the ties of regional solidarity which in due course may mature into a form of regional co-operation as envisaged by the Charter. 145. While the political situation in the world attracts most of our attention and preoccupation, it can hardly be forgotten that peace, order and justice in our international society will not be maintained for any appreciable length of time if some nations and peoples live in conditions widely different from others.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“From what has been said above, it is clearly apparent that what the world at this juncture needs most is not so much high-sounding affirmations of one’s longing for peace as the will to have peace, to live in peace and to act accordingly. If the nations of the world, great and small, should agree to practise tolerance in all its aspects, to develop better understanding of one another, and to renounce force and violence and to have recourse only to peaceful means for settling disputes, peace will reign. In other words, if nations are willing to help themselves in their mutual relations, the United Nations will help them have peace.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“And when we are fully cognizant of the fact that the Secretary-General is not only truly devoted and dedicated to the cause of world peace but also capable and willing to take upon himself the high responsibility of his office, more delicate tasks concerning the preservation of world peace may be entrusted to him with confidence. On the other hand, we should by no means neglect to tap other possible sources of services. High moral authorities who in the past have lent their valuable contribution to conciliate and reconcile divergent or even conflicting interests may still perform a highly useful task for world peace. Even though I do not follow the Catholic faith, I am pleased to recognize the high moral and spiritual authority of the Head of the Roman Catholic Church, whose devotion and concern for peace are clearly evident. 144.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“In support of what the Foreign Minister of Cambodia said [798th meeting], my country also can speak from direct experience and state that when diplomatic relations were at one time suspended, the United Nations, through the personal representative of its Secretary-General, was instrumental in helping the two countries re-establish normal relations. Since then, and thanks to the will of both Cambodia and Thailand to live as good neighbours, the clouds of misunderstanding are gradually being dissipated. This incident is illustrative of the services this Organization can perform for its Members.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“It is high time that if we want to be true to our pledges both as peace-loving nations and as faithful Members of the United Nations, we must give serious consideration to the materialization and enforcement of this sacred duty for all nations, whether or not they are Members of this Organization. 143. In this connexion, my delegation fully shares the ideas developed by the Secretary-General, Mr. Dag Hammarskjold, in the introduction to his annual report [A/4132/Add.1]. Both the United Nations and its Secretary-General have presently and potentially a truly significant role to play in preventing conflicts from becoming aggravated as well as in resolving them peaceably.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“Never can there be a grading of human lives and human freedom, and whether they belong to Africa, Europe, America or Asia, they are endowed with the same intrinsic value which must be carefully safeguarded and developed. 142. Another important characteristic of present international relations appears to be that while nations affirm their dedication to peace and their abhorrence of war, there has not been an absolute and categorical renunciation of force and violence on the part of every nation. Neither has there been an unequivocal pledge to have recourse only to peaceful methods of settlement of international disputes. In fact, as we have Seen, forceful measures continue to be used not only in settling differences among nations but also especially in imposing one nation's views upon others or to achieve political gains.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“It is difficult to comprehend that in the era in which we live, when the means of communications and transportation are progression at gigantic strides, artificial barriers have to be erected and maintained to keep peoples and nations apart, thereby preventing them from coming into contact with and understanding one another. Fortunately, at least on the high official level, the necessity for entertaining direct personal contacts has been felt and has begun to materialize. It is our hope that such personal relationships will further develop and will produce beneficial results not only for the countries directly concerned but also for the world at large. We cannot help thinking that however powerful some countries may be, and however widespread their interests may be, peace is still the deep concern of the great as well as the small.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The ruthless use of force to subjugate a peaceful people who desire nothing but to preserve their free way of life has deeply shocked the Asian people, and can only be considered as an unmistakable sign of intolerance on the part of the aggressive ideology referred to previously. 140. Therefore, the prerequisite for peace, a durable and just peace, must be the recognition and effective practice of tolerance. No clamour for peace or peacefulness, however loud it maybe, will be sufficient to ensure peace; if peace is to prevail, all these acts of intolerance, interference and intervention, all these subversive activities, must cease. 141. An important corollary of tolerance is also the capability to understand other peoples' point of view.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The present case has been cited to illustrate the point that we, the smaller nations, are deeply and closely affected by the insidious activities of a certain aggressive ideology which actually undermines the basis of peace even to a greater extent than the apparently well-known world issues. 139. Besides Laos, there are numerous other practical manifestations of ideological aggressiveness. Sometimes the eruptions took place in the Middle East, some other times in Europe or in Asia, such as in Tibet or on the Indo-Tibetan border. In Tibet, in particular, and irrespective of constitutional opinions one may have on the subject, the occurrences are highly disturbing.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“137. At the same time, although the matter has been considered by the Security Council, it will be difficult to overlook the disturbed situation in Laos, where foreign intervention is threatening the national existence of a Member State. As the Sub-Committee appointed by the Security Council is now conducting its investigation and collecting evidence of that intervention, my delegation will only say that the above measure has already produced some tangible results for the restoration of peace and tranquillity. It is our hope that the Sub-Committee will be allowed to function in Laos for some time, and if it should be withdrawn the United Nations must take other adequate measures to safeguard peace in the area. 138.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“As far as Thailand is concerned, my Government has made it abundantly clear that my country fully respects the views of other nations, and never will it do anything whatsoever to influence or coerce them to modify their views and policies. Neither will it engage in activities to interfere with the internal affairs of others. As a corollary, Thailand expects others to show the same respect towards its policies and opinions, and it will exercise all vigilance in preventing and suppressing interference in its domestic affairs, especially in the form of subversive activities, which of late have substantially increased. In this connexion, we feel that both our country and South-East Asia owe a debt to the South-East Asia Treaty Organization, a purely defensive organization, for safeguarding the region from major disturbances and encroachments.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“If agreement on such a point can be reached, it will probably change the face of our present world and will remove the fear and mistrust among nations which are the fundamental causes of today's international tension. To us, small nations, the disease which plagues the world and poisons the relationship between nations resides mainly in continuous interference or even intervention from outside. The sooner it is removed from the world body, the better will be its health and its atmosphere. From then on, further elaborate technical works on disarmament can be pursued by the major Powers which possess the most up-to-date engines of war with greater and better chances of success. 136. The standpoint from which we look at the world today is not purely academic or idealistic.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“And if one should go further and aim at a still more lugubrious objective, either in the physical or figurative sense, then reactions would naturally become stronger, as no one or no system that we know of is prepared to be resigned to such a fatal destiny. 134. The effect of all this will only tend towards developing fear and mistrust and is evidently the negation of what the Charter enjoins all the United Nations Members to do, namely "to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours". 135. To achieve the objective set forth by the Charter, it is imperative that efforts and preparations to destroy one another, not only by modern weapons in time of war but especially in peacetime by infiltration and subversive activities, should cease.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“If we care to have a close look at the international situation, we cannot fail to realize that the ills which beset the world today do not lie so much in the Berlin and German problems or even in the arms race, which are only outward manifestations, though weighty and consequential manifestations, of the present international tension, as in the aggressiveness of a certain ideology or political creed, its fanatical proselytism and its frantic and relentless expansion and propagation beyond national boundaries. Even if one firmly and sincerely believes that one's own political or social system is superior to others, the fact that one tries to force it down some other people's throat can only bring a natural reaction of self-preservation.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“The peoples and nations of the world may agree or disagree with one another, but the alternative to agreement can never be the destruction or extermination of those who do not agree with us. The solutions must be found elsewhere: they must lie in our efforts to practise tolerance towards one another, to develop a better comprehension of our mutual position, to renounce measures of force and violence and to resort only to peaceful methods of settling differences All this is not new. But at this time, when we are being cornered and confronted with this deadly dilemma, it is imperative that we extricate ourselves from that corner and shake ourselves from the hypnotism which tries to make us believe that the other alternative for harmony between nations is war, nuclear or otherwise. 133.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“One thing is certainly evident, and that is the feeling that the world finds itself at an uneasy peace and that it has been tossed about by cold and hot blasts of stormy winds. In the midst of this incessant turmoil, even the pleas for peace which rose from this rostrum and elsewhere had a hoarse and highly disturbing ring, for they are invariably accompanied by the threat that the only alternative to peace is the merciless destruction of human lives, of cities, and the silence of the ashes and graves strewn all over the world. 132. To us in Thailand and, I am sure, to many hundreds of millions of those who have a faith, whichever it may be, this dilemma is highly repugnant and intolerable. We can never accept the dilemma as it is presented to us.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)
“130. Once again we are here gathered in this Assembly, coming from all parts of the world with our ideals and aspirations as well as with our concerns and our problems, to look at the world with its achievements during the past year, its problems., and above all, its future, a future which, we hope, will be of peace, of justice and progress. 131. It is the practice for the representatives who take part in the general debate to review the international situation since the last session of the Assembly adjourned. Since much has already been said, nothing will be gained by repeating the appraisals which have been made, in most cases, with a keen sense of comprehension and accuracy.”
1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)