YouSaid · the spoken record

Prince WAN WAITHAYAKON

lines on the record: 39
first: 1954-09-24
most recent: 1958-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“The United Nations is not yet bankrupt in its statesmanship, and I am confident that a peaceful outcome will be found.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“President, no doubt, recall with me the statements of Premier Chou En-lai at the Bandung Conference pointing to the possibility of a peaceful solution to the question of Taiwan. Indeed, the resources of peace are many. Besides the negotiations at Warsaw, the success of which is the ardent desire of all peace-loving people throughout the world, there is the United Nations, which has the duty of preserving world peace and which has shown itself to be a good instrument of reconciliation. We have, in particular, the Secretary-General, in whom I have great faith as a conciliator. We also have Member States with diplomatic representatives in Peiping, who could lend their good offices. Indeed, the call of world public opinion for the prevention of a major War must be answered.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“The technical talks on the detection of nuclear weapons tests succeeded, and it is our earnest hope that an agreement to suspend such tests will be forthcoming from the conversations at the end of October. It is also our ardent hope that the technical talks regarding security from surprise attack, which are to take place in November, will be successful and that an agreement in that matter will also be reached. There would then be better prospects of further progress in the disarmament talks. Furthermore, the very terror of the devastating power of a nuclear war serves as a deterrent in itself and cannot fail to instil into the Powers concerned an imperative sense of responsibility to avoid war. 93. The situation in Quemoy and the Taiwan Strait is certainly very serious and fraught with great danger. But you, Mr.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“Another matter which is of great concern to the under-developed countries is the problem of fluctuating commodity prices, and thus my delegation gladly welcomes the reconstitution of the Commission on International Commodity Trade. In the meantime, however, the co-operation of the Soviet Union is urgently needed in regard to tin. My Government has already approached the USSR Government with a view to its adhering to the International Tin Agreement. I hope for its favourable consideration. 92. The mention of atomic energy conjures up great prospects of industrial power for the good of humanity, on the one hand, the dire terror of utter destruction for the annihilation of mankind, on the other. But we must not be pessimistic.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“The Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East has had the happy idea of setting up a programme for the integrated development of the Lower Mekong River Basin, involving co-operation among the four riparian States of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and the Republic of Viet- Nam. I attach great importance to this programme, because it is economic development that is needed in the under-developed countries. That is why Thailand is in favour of bilateral, as well as United Nations, programmes of technical and economic assistance, and we cordially welcome the establishment of the United Nations Special Fund. Thailand itself is encouraging private investment by a new law offering greater security and inducement. 91.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“On behalf of my Government, I wish to state that Thailand, for its part, fully respects Cambodia's neutralist policy. As I have already stated, Thailand's relations with its other neutralist neighbours are excellent and there is no reason why the same should not be the case with Cambodia, especially, as the Charter enjoins us to practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours; and tolerance is a Buddhist virtue common to both Thailand and Cambodia. 90. Nor must political divergencies distract our attention from the common interests which draw us together in economic co-operation.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“The negotiations in Bangkok, unhappily, did not succeed; and so there, too, a press campaign and a demonstration occurred. But both sides have declared themselves in favour of further negotiations and a peaceful settlement, Thailand did not close the frontier, but merely redeclared the state of emergency on the frontier in order to prevent communist infiltrations. 88. In this connexion, I am happy to note the statement by the Prime Minister of Cambodia [756th meeting] that his Government respects the decision of neighbouring countries to adhere to organizations for common defence and that they would keep a constant and vigilant control over questionable elements in the Chinese and Viet-Namese minorities living in Cambodia that would tend to cause trouble to a neighbouring Government. 89.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“Of course, with a long common frontier, frontier problems of various kinds are inevitable, but, if the relations are friendly, they are settled amicably and permanent arrangements are made for the promotion of good-neighbourly relations along the common frontier. 87. This policy of friendship and good-neighbourliness of my country naturally applies to Cambodia as well and, I may even say, applies particularly to Cambodia, because Thailand and Cambodia are, in fact, sister nations. As such, however, we are sometimes afflicted with a family quarrel. There is an ancient shrine on the Thai side of the watershed frontier line, as defined in the treaties, and Thailand has been in possession of it even before Cambodia became independent. Cambodia now claims it, starting with a press campaign and a demonstration.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“Although the world is now one and indivisible and peace, too, is one and indivisible — that is why Thailand has sent troops to serve under the United Nations Command in Korea and has sent officers to join the United Nations Observation Group in Lebanon — yet, the development of friendly relations among neighbouring countries is a contribution which small nations can most usefully make to peace in a particular region. That has been and is the policy of my country, and I am glad to report that Thailand's relations with its immediate neighbours, Burma, Laos and the Federation of Malaya, are excellent.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“It is my belief that a second conference should be held in 1959 or 1960 in order to resolve the outstanding question of the breadth of the territorial sea. Some time should be allowed for Interested Governments to negotiate, but there should be no long delay in convening the conference lest unilateral declarations of the breadth of the territorial sea and the contiguous fishing zone should complicate the situation. Agreement on the breadth of the territorial sea and, in particular, of the fishing limits would certainly promote and improve good-neighbourly relations among nations. 86.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“The achievement of the Conference stands as a concrete' evidence of the spirit of co-operation shown by the eighty-six participating States, to which I wish to pay a warm tribute of appreciation. 84. The law of the sea is a delicate subject in regard to which there are divergent views and wide differences of national interests. The wonder to me, therefore, was not that complete agreement could not yet be reached, but that so much could already be agreed upon; in fact, every matter was agreed upon except that of the breadth of the territorial sea, and even in regard to this matter, points of view were getting closer together, as is evidenced by the simple majority vote obtained for the United States compromise proposal. 85.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“Thanks to the monumental basic work of the International Law Commission and the good preparatory work of the Secretariat, the Conference was able to open for signature four conventions, namely: the Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, the Convention on the High Seas, the Convention on Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resources of the High Seas and the Convention on the Continental Shelf, and also an Optional Protocol of Signature concerning the Compulsory Settlement of Disputes. 83. These instruments constitute not only a codification of international law, but also a progressive development of it, for new rules are laid down, such as those on the continental shelf, for Instance.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“The corresponding provision in the Charter is couched in wider terms: it is to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained. One such condition is the encouragement of the progressive development of international law and its codification. I had the honour to be elected President of the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, which was held at Geneva earlier this year.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“After careful reflection, I am of opinion that Special Committee is doing the right thing in collecting more information for report to the General Assembly which alone can determine further action." 81. The special report of the Special Committee [A/ 3849] is now submitted to the General Assembly and will be duly acted upon. The practice of tolerance on the part of the Hungarian and Soviet Governments would, I am sure, bring about an effective solution to the problem, and thus I make an earnest appeal to their delegations to that effect. 82. The tenth principle of friendly co-operation of the Bandung Conference is respect for justice and international obligations.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“As Special Representative of the United Nations General Assembly, I did my best to impress upon the Hungarian delegation the Insistent demand of world public opinion, including Asian opinion, for humanitarian treatment of Hungarians detained in connexion with the revolution. I therefore deeply deplore this inhuman act of execution, which surely will be universally condemned by people with a human heart all over the world. The United Nations must continue to devote its attention to this matter of Hungary." And to the Special Committee on the Problem of Hungary I sent the following message: "I warmly appreciate excellent communique issued by Special Committee which has received whole-hearted approval throughout the world.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“I therefore hoped that, as the international tension relaxed, I would be given an opportunity to assist in establishing full international co-operation in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Hungary. . 80. Unfortunately, events have afforded me no such opportunity, but, worse still, on 16 June 1958, it was reported that Imre Nagy, Pá1 Maléter and two of their associates had been executed. The news came as a great shock to me, as I said in the statement which I Issued at the time, as follows: "I am terribly shocked to learn of the execution of Premier Imre Nagy, General Maléter and others.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“The first principle of friendly co-operation is respect for fundamental human rights and for the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations. As the General Assembly's special representative on the Hungarian problem, I made a humanitarian appeal to the Foreign Minister of Hungary and the Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union, but in vain, as I reported to the General Assembly on 9 December 1957. in that report, I expressed my regret that I had been unable to find an opportunity for negotiations. I could not believe, however, that the Hungarian and Soviet Governments would remain insensible to the voice of world opinion and the conscience of mankind.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country. "8. Settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means, such as negotiation, conciliation, arbitration or judicial settlement as well as other peaceful means of the parties' own choice, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations. "9. Promotion of mutual interests and co-operation. "10. Respect for justice and international obligations." It will thus be seen that the ten principles of friendly co-operation of the Bandung Conference are more comprehensive than the five principles of peaceful coexistence of the Moscow declaration of 24 May 1958 and, in the opinion of my delegation, represent more closely the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. 79.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“Respect for fundamental human rights and for the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations. "2. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. "3. Recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations, large and small. "4, Abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of other countries. "5. Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself, singly or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations. "6. (a) Abstention from the use of arrangements of collective defence to serve the particular interests of any of the big Powers. "(b) Abstention by any country from exerting pressure on other countries. "7. Refraining from acts or threats o!”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“It is only when you let live that you can live together in peace with one another as good neighbours. Thus, aggression, direct or indirect, is to be condemned, precisely because it is a violation of the practice of tolerance. 78. The practice of tolerance, as representatives are aware, was given its due importance in the Declaration on the Promotion of World Peace and Co-operation, adopted by the Asian-African Conference at Bandung in 1955 in its final communique. The declaration says in part: "Free from mistrust-and fear, and with confidence and good-will towards one another, nations should practise tolerance and live together ’in peace with one another as good neighbours and develop friendly co-operation on the basis of the following principles: "1.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“I regret that I could not attend the General Assembly during its third emergency special session personally, but I wish to associate myself with the general gratification expressed at the fact that the Arab States themselves drew up resolution 1237 (ES-III), which was unanimously adopted by the General Assembly. 77. I am happy, too, to see cited in the preamble of that resolution the Charter aim that States should "practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours". I never tire of citing this provision of the Charter, for it appears to me to express in a positive and correct form what is purported to be conveyed by the term "peaceful coexistence". The practice of tolerance is a prerequisite of peaceful coexistence, for live and let live must go together, and the practice of tolerance is to let live.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“75. On behalf of my delegation and myself, I extend to you, Mr. President, our cordial congratulations on your election to this high and highly responsible office of President of the General Assembly during its thirteenth regular session. We know that you will discharge the duties of your office with your well-known qualities of competence, efficiency and impartiality. But it is a further source of satisfaction to us to see in you a representative of our Asian culture, who will bring to the accomplishment of his task a spirit of humanity and a sense of spiritual values which are essentially and urgently required for the solution of the grave problems now confronting us. 76.”
1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)
“Therein the principle of self-determination, self-government and independence is upheld in unequivocal terms, as well as the principle of co-operation in the economic, social and cultural fields in order to promote higher living standards, economic progress and social well-being in the region. 62. The Manila Treaty is indeed an instrument of peace with freedom and economic and social well-being, but it does not supplant the machinery of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security; it is complementary and subsidiary thereto. 63. The Government of Thailand regards the United Nations not merely as the best hope for peace but as the only hope for peace and, in its hour of need, it is to the United Nations that Thailand will turn.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“Thailand has arrived at this conclusion because it has previously tried other forms of peace pacts, such as non-aggression treaties, which, however, did not work in the Second World War. 60. The defensive character of the South-East Asia Collective Defence Treaty, signed at Manila in September 1954, is made plain by its provisions. It is a regional arrangement for common defence within the framework of the Charter of the United Nations and subject to the ultimate responsibility of the United Nations. What is worthy of notice is that the Treaty deals not only with the danger of aggression but also with the danger of subversion. 61. The positive aspects of the promotion of freedom and of economic and social well-being are made even clearer in the Pacific Charter, which is due to the happy initiative of the Philippines.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“The question of aggression already has the attention of the United Nations but not yet the question of subversion, which constitutes a real danger for my country and for other countries. The question of subversion in. all its aspects should, therefore, be studied so that it may be considered by the General Assembly at a later session. 58. In view of the danger of Communist expansion to which Thailand is exposed, the Thai Government has long been interested in a peace or security arrangement for South-East Asia. I say “a peace or security arrangement”, because what South-East Asia needs is more than a mere common defence arrangement; it needs an arrangement for peace with freedom and with economic and social well-being. 59.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“One happy result of the agreements is that Laos and Cambodia are now sovereign and independent and, as they are peace-loving States which accept the obligations contained in the Charter and are able and willing to carry out these obligations, Thailand wholeheartedly supports their admission to membership in the United Nations. 56. With regard, however, to the general situation in the area in so far as the international security of Thailand is concerned, I am obliged, on behalf of my Government, to express our grave concern. My Government has reason to believe that preparations are being made for large-scale Communist infiltrations from Yunnan through Viet-Minh into Thailand in order to subvert the Government of my country. 57.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“my Government then proposed for inclusion in the agenda of the eighth session of the General Assembly an additional item entitled “Request of Thailand for observation under the Peace Observation Commission”. After the conclusion of the armistice agreements for Indo-China, however, my Government did not press for a resumed session but, in a letter date 20 August 1954 [A/2708], reserved its right to raise the question, if need be, during the ninth session. It still reserves this right. 54. The armistice agreements for Indo-China provide for a cessation of hostilities. We may congratulate ourselves on that provision and on the actual cessation of hostilities; my Government’s only wish is that the armistice agreements will function smoothly. 55.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“Therefore, in the opinion of the Thai Government, it was essential for the United Nations to have authentic and objective observation and reports, and my Government accordingly brought the situation to the attention of the Security Council in a letter dated 29 May 1954 [S/3220], and requested that the Security Council provide for observation under the Peace Observation Commission. 52. After considering the matter, the Security Council voted [674th meeting] upon the draft resolution submitted by the representative of Thailand [S/3229] with the following result: nine votes in favour, one against and one abstention. As the one negative vote was that of a permanent member of the Security Council, action by the Security Council was thus frustrated. 53. In a letter dated 7 July 1954 [A/2665].”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“Viet-Minh activities, however, not merely by means of subversion but even by the actual invasion of Laos and Cambodia with material and political support from outside Indo-China, created a situation which constituted a threat to the security of Thailand, the continuance of which was likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security. Large-scale fighting had repeatedly taken place in the immediate vicinity of Thai territory; there was, in the view of my Government, a possibility of direct incursions of foreign troops into its territory. The whole world was well aware of the tension in the area and of its dangerous potentialities, which required precautionary measures for protection against war.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“My Government, besides developing friendly relations with countries in South-East Asia generally, has attached the greatest importance to the development of close co-operation for peace with its immediate neighbours. A border police arrangement, therefore, exists with Malaya. When Burma was faced with the problem of the existence of irregular Chinese troops within its borders, my Government readily helped in the evacuation of such troops. 50. With regard to Thailand’s immediate neighbours to the east, namely, Laos and Cambodia, they are so closely bound to my country by traditional ties, not alone of friendship but also of affinity and kinship, that it is only natural for my Government to develop the closest co-operation with them. A similar policy on the part of my Government applies to Viet-Nam. 51.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“By acting outside the League of Nations, the great Powers weakened both the League and themselves, so that when the crisis came the League was impotent and the great Powers were powerless to stop the Second World War. If the great Powers act within our world Organization, they will have the support of the small Powers and also the force of world public opinion behind them. The General Assembly is not a debating society, as is sometimes asserted, but a form of world public opinion. 49. At any rate, so far as Thailand is concerned, we shall rely on the United Nations for any problem of peace which we may have. It is the determined policy of Thailand to promote and strengthen peace in its part of the world.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“I also upheld the role of the United Nations in the supervision of genuinely free elections, which were considered indispensable for the establishment of a unified, independent and democratic Korea. 48. The Government of Thailand considers that, as peace is world-wide and hence one and indivisible, every problem of peace should be a United Nations problem or, at any rate, a problem which can be raised at any time in the United Nations. In this connexion I wholeheartedly agree with the wise observations made by the Secretary-General in the introduction to his annual report [A/2663). If I think that the United Nations should be kept in the picture in connexion with every problem of peace, it is because o£ the lesson to be derived from the failure of the League of Nations.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“In the case of Communist aggression in Korea, Thailand, as a firm supporter of the United Nations, was among the first to respond to the United Nations appeal and to furnish both economic and. military assistance to the Republic of Korea in order to help repel the armed attack upon it and to restore international peace and security in the area. The people of Thailand realize the true significance of the United Nations principle of collective security; the United Nations, they know, will come to the help of any nation, great or small, which is the victim of an armed attack constituting a breach of the peace. 47. This principle of collective security is considered by my Government to be a fundamental one, and I had occasion to emphasize its importance at the Geneva Conference.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“Their free way of life is akin to the democratic way, into which it is being developed, and is repugnant to the communistic way. There are very few Thai Communists. In a population of 18 million, however, there are some 3 million Chinese, who form an industrious community engaged in trade, business and commerce. Fortunately, they are now loyal to the Nationalist Government, but there have been and there are infiltrations of Communist agents among them. There are also about 50,000 Viet-Namese refugees in the Thai border provinces along the Mekong, and here, too, there have been and still are infiltrations of Communist agents among them. 45. The Thai Government, therefore, has had to watch closely for any movement of Communist expansion in the Far East. 46.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“My country, like other Asian countries, felt the impact of imperialism during the colonial period, but, through territorial cessions and extra-territorial concessions, we managed to preserve our independence and finally, after long and laborious negotiations, we managed to recover our full sovereign rights. 42. The great lesson that we have learnt from our experience in international relations is the inestimable value of tolerance, which is a disposition, if need be, to agree to differ or a willingness to let live or let alone. 43. The Charter of the United Nations, in all its wisdom, has laid down the true condition for peaceful coexistence. “To practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours” says the Charter. 44. The Thai people are lovers of freedom. The name “Thai” means “free”.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“Thailand has never been a closed country; it has readily welcomed relations with foreign nations, whether of Asia and Africa or of Europe and America. Its religion, Buddhism, is well known for its tolerance, and foreign missionaries have received from the Government of Thailand not only facilities for the propagation of their faith but even lands for their churches, schools, hospitals and other institutions of humanitarian work. Economic and cultural relations have also been welcomed while, in the political field, Thailand has stood and still stands for international co-operation and for the conciliatory settlement of disputes by peaceful means. 41.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“So far as Thailand is concerned, however, our preoccupation has necessarily, in view of the situation obtaining in that part of the world, to be concentrated on the problem of the maintenance of international peace and security. 39. Thailand yields to none in its devotion to peace, its dedication to the purposes and principles of the United Nations and its scrupulous observance of its obligations under the Charter. It has no aggressive designs of any kind. It wishes only to be left alone to promote social progress and better standards of life in greater freedom, in co-operation with other like-minded nations, whether within or without the United Nations. 40. My country is as eager as any other country to see the world enjoy peaceful coexistence.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“We call it santisukh, which means, “happiness in tranquillity”, because peace to us must be peace with freedom and justice, leading to prosperity. It is, in fact, peace in the sense of the Charter of the United Nations, that is to say, peace as a state of security, free from war, in which freedom and justice prevail so that the economic and social advancement of all peoples may be promoted. 37. The activities of the United Nations are, therefore, manifold, as is indicated by the sixty-seven items on the agenda of the present session of the General Assembly. They are all calculated to strengthen the fabric of peace in the comprehensive way contemplated by the Charter. 38.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)
“May I, first of all, join with previous speakers in offering to Mr. van Kleffens my sincere congratulations on his election to the presidency of this high Assembly. His is an arduous task, for the problem of peace is intricate and complex, and, as he has so well said, “we are seated no longer on a mere keg of powder, but on a thermo-nuclear bomb” [473rd meeting]. The conciliatory atmosphere infused into our proceedings by the Secretary of State of the United States is, however, a good augury for our deliberations. 35. There is no war in the world today. That is fortunate and gratifying. But neither is there peace. Even in Korea and Indo-China there are only armistice agreements. 36. Peace to the people of Thailand is not a mere cessation of hostilities; it must be a positive state of welfare.”
1954-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 9 (1954)