YouSaid · the spoken record

Rahim

lines on the record

59

first

1958-09-24

most recent

1959-09-24

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

1. “Let us then dedicate ourselves during this session to the solution of the problems besetting the people of the Middle East, in Palestine, in Algeria, in Oman, and in the Southern Yemeni territories and give them hope. If we succeed, then the optimism and hope, which are now prevailing in some parts of the world, would also dawn on the Middle East. Let us share our hopes so that our children shall inherit a peaceful earth.”

   1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

2. “If this objective is realized during this session, it would be one of the most outstanding achievements of the United Nations. 35. There are sound reasons for optimism because we see the possible end of the long and protracted cold war. But is there such a climate of optimism in the Middle East? The only optimism in the Middle East depends on a large “if” in Algeria. But what about other regions? Is there any cause for optimism in Palestine and among its refugees, victims of a country that persists in its aggressions and refuses to implement the United Nations resolutions? Is there any cause for optimism in Oman and the Southern Yemeni territories, where nationalists clamouring for their unity and independence are subdued by brute force? 36.”

   1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

3. “Under these circumstances it is imperative that conversations should take place immediately, either with the Provisional Algerian Government, which is the legitimate representative of the Algerian people, or through the good offices of friendly nations, taking place within the United Nations or outside it. 34. Every year we emphasize in this Assembly the right of the Algerian people to self-determination. This right being now recognized by France, we should, this year, reach a final solution of the problem. Within the framework of the United Nations, through direct or indirect negotiations, we should bend every effort to reach agreement on cease-fire and on conditions and guarantees for a free and liberal plebiscite for self-determination.”

   1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

4. “It directs and controls the resistance of the Algerian people and the liberating struggle of the Army of National Liberation. Thus, there can be a return to peace only with its accord. This peace can be immediate.” The Algerian Government's reply declares also Algeria's readiness “to enter into conversations with the French Government, in order to discuss the political and military conditions of a cease-fire and the conditions and guarantees of the application of self-determination". The Yemen delegation fully supports and endorses the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic in its wise and constructive reply to the French proposals. 33.”

   1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

5. “And even if the French people should approve the Algerian choice for independence, Algeria, according to these proposals, will be visited by the colonial scourge of "partition". Any plan for partition would, as explained by President de Gaulle himself, include a French part, which will naturally comprise the most wealthy and fertile lands, including the Sahara oilfields. 32. The Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic has announced, on 28 September 1959, its reply to the French proposals. This reply was formulated after long and careful study, which indicated the Government's wise statesmanship and sense of responsibility. It declares that: "… the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic ... is the trustee and the guarantor of the interests of the Algerian people until this people shall freely pronounce itself.”

   1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

6. “Military men everywhere, including the Algerian freedom fighters, have their ideas of honour and obligation to the dead. From the Algerian point of view, surrender and laying-down of arms are unthinkable. 30. According to the French proposals, the plebiscite to be conducted for self-determination would take place within four years, at a time and duration of French choosing. The representative of France referred [814th meeting], in his opening speech, to this plebiscite as a free election. 31. Judging from past experience, we wish we could share his conviction. But even if such a plebiscite were conducted freely, the outcome of the plebiscite would be dependent ultimately upon the desire and consent of the French people. This is tantamount to negation of self-determination.”

   1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

7. “The Algerian war has resulted in thousands of killed and wounded, and hundreds of thousands of refugees, mostly women, children, and elderly people, who were forced to flee their country. 29. In a speech by the President of the French Republic on 16 September 1959, an attempt was made to solve the Algerian problem. Though the French proposals are replete with loopholes, they nevertheless recognize the right of Algeria to self-determination. It is a step forward which we note with satisfaction, brought about solely by Algerian sacrifices in their determined struggle for freedom. However, the self-determination proposed by the French is dependent upon unconditional surrender. The brave Algerians, who have struggled so long for complete liberty, can never be induced to accept such a condition.”

   1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

8. “I submit that the deeds of Israel belie its words. Before their empty talk about peace, let them abide by the United Nations resolutions and implement them. Before their empty talk about peace, let them stop their continuous aggression against the Arab countries and give the refugees their inalienable right to return to their homes. 27. Does the Algerian situation inspire optimism? For five years the Algerian people have been struggling with courage, and in a manner unprecedented in the entire history of the Asian and African nations, to regain their freedom from France. The Algerian people have the inherent right to decide their own fate — a right guaranteed to all mankind by the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To suppress this right by sheer force is a grave act of injustice. 28.”

   1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

9. “olive branch, the Mixed Armistice Commission condemned and strongly blamed Israel for the unprovoked attack by four Israel fighter planes on an Egyptian airliner. The Commission termed this aggression a flagrant breach of the General Armistice Agreement. This is only one of hundreds of instances. 25. It is common knowledge that the repetitious talk by Israel about peace is always followed by aggression. It is also a well-known fact that Israel has flouted all the United Nations resolutions on Palestine. It triggered the infamous war against Egypt in 1956. It has been formally indicted by the United Nations at least twenty-five times for aggression by its regular armed forces against the Arab countries, including the United Arab Republic. In spite of this aggressive record the Israel representative has the audacity to talk about peace. 26.”

   1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

10. “In his intervention yesterday [820th meeting], the representative of Israel pretended that no country supported the United Arab Republic's policy in the Suez Canal. Nothing if further from the truth. The United Arab Republic is fully supported by many peace-loving nations, including all the Arab States. Yemen declares her full support to the United Arab Republic in her stand, and in so doing, she and the other Arab States implement the decision unanimously adopted in the meeting of the League of Arab States in Casablanca on 1 September 1959 on this question. 24. Yesterday, also, the representative of Israel stretched out his hand for peace, and just last week [806th meeting], when Mrs. Meir was talking also about peace and waving the.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

11. “Following the nationalization of the Suez Canal Company, Egypt formally declared its intention to respect the principle of free transit, and passage of ships has continued on a regular and ever-increasing basis. The services rendered under the Arab management of the Suez Canal have evoked the satisfaction and admiration of world navigation. Furthermore, continued improvements in the Canal assure increased, shipping through that important waterway. 22. The United Arab Republic has declared on more than one occasion her determination to adhere to the 1888 Constantinople Convention and, moreover, has communicated to the Secretary-General in a letter that she accepts in this matter the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice. What more could be expected of the United Arab Republic? 23.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

12. “This is the least that the United Nations can do for these oppressed people. 20. Another important issue relating to the right of the refugees to repatriation is the increasing threat of Zionist immigration into the occupied territory of Palestine. This immigration, during the past thirty years, has been, and still is, the basic cause of tension and instability in the Middle East, and continues to be the main obstacle in the way of implementing the United Nations resolutions. The Arab countries consider any political or financial assistance given to facilitate this immigration as an unfriendly act detrimental to stability and peace in our area. 21. This Assembly has recently listened to statements stressing freedom of passage through the Suez Canal. Such statements are pointless, because ships pass through it freely.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

13. “An elaborate economic study attached to the Secretary-General's report, containing proposals for the continuation of the United Nations assistance to Palestine refugees [A/4121 and Corr.1, Annex], points to the possibility of reintegrating the Arab refugees in neighbouring countries. Thus, an economic factor has been needlessly injected into the issue of continuing that Agency. Such integration is in conflict with the General Assembly, resolution [resolution 194 (III)] on repatriation and is inconsistent with the desire of the refugees themselves. The General Assembly has, on many occasions, reaffirmed the refugees' right to repatriation. The fundamental principles of justice and freedom demand that the Palestine refugees should be allowed to choose between repatriation and resettlement with adequate compensation.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

14. “These fortunes produce large incomes which could be utilized to replace an important portion of the funds needed to maintain the refugees, without having to beg contributions in their name. It is imperative that the United Nations take the necessary measures to protect Arab properly now exploited by Israel, by the establishment of an office to take over these properties, administer them, and prevent Israel from disposing of them. The United Nations has already exerted a praiseworthy effort in recording these Arab properties [see A/4225], but this effort is in need of completion. 19.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

15. “The Israel aggression on Palestine and its subsequent partition was, and still is, a black spot in the book of humanity, a great injustice plaguing the conscience of the world, a grave responsibility for this international Organization, and a continuous threat to world peace. A million Arab refugees have been thrown out of their homes by Israel to live in tents and caves, in utter despair and misery. For the last ten years UNRWA has been engaged in alleviating the misery of those unfortunate refugees. An important question to be reviewed during this session is the continuation of UNRWA. The Secretary-General has strongly recommended it, and we support his recommendation. 18. These Arab refugees are not destitute. They could be partially sustained by their own vast fortunes left behind and now exploited by Israel.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

16. “The aggression continues, and Yemen still endeavours to solve these problems peacefully. 16. The war in Oman and the successive waves of aggression in occupied southern Yemeni territories, and in Yemen proper, are manifestations of the nationalist spirit now prevalent in the Arab world, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Arabian Gulf. The peoples of this area are determined to continue their fight for their rights of freedom and self-determination. Brute force can never separate the southern part of the Arabian peninsula from the. rest of the Arab homeland. 17. How much optimism is there for the Arab refugees from Palestine?”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

17. “Terrorism and oppression have been so utilized in setting up such federations that the Sultan and the principal members of the Lahj Government have had to flee the country. Yemen has formally protested to the United Kingdom Government that such federations contradict the third article of the 1934 Treaty between the United Kingdom and Yemen. 15. The imperialistic authorities, however, continue their military operations in Yemen proper, with resultant heavy Yemeni casualties. Harib, El-Sauma'a and Shuqueir are but a few examples of the destruction brought to southern Yemen by the attacks of United Kingdom planes. The Yemeni delegation has brought these aggressions to the attention of the Security Council more than once. Yemen has tried several times, but in vain, to reach a settlement with the United Kingdom through peaceful negotiations.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

18. “This secret war should be publicized from this, rostrum, so that the world will realize the danger which threatens the south Arabian peninsula and world peace. My delegation strongly recommends that this Assembly send a fact-finding mission to penetrate the imperialistic curtain, to investigate current military operations, their casualties and losses, and to submit a report to this body. 14. Where is the optimism in southern Yemeni territories? The situation in occupied southern Yemen — Aden and the neighbouring so-called protectorates — is no less grave than that in Oman. Here imperialistic authorities form fictitious federations, not based upon the wishes of the inhabitants but aimed at strengthening their own ambitions.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

19. “A dispatch from London, published on 26 August 1959 by the New York World-Telegram and Sun is an eloquent proof of its secrecy. This dispatch informs us of the awards conferred on thirty-one United Kingdom troops who fought a secret war in the Arabian desert. The dispatch goes on to describe how the men, members of an airborne task force, flew to the United Kingdom Protectorate of Muscat and Oman in January 1959, overcame tremendous obstacles of terrain, and put down a rebellion that had assumed serious proportions. It was all done in four weeks and in secrecy. 13. This war is unknown to the world because the imperialistic forces have used every effort to keep it that way. They besiege the area and prevent newspaper correspondents from penetrating it.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

20. “The scale of United Kingdom operations in Oman demanded the establishment of a headquarters in the Sultanate of Muscat for the purpose of training a strong army of local inhabitants, in addition to the massing of thousands of troops there. Naturally, these forces met, and continued to meet, heroic resistance by the Omani people. 11. The situation in Oman led Mr. P. Noel Baker, a member of the United Kingdom House of Commons, to wonder: "Why is the British Government reluctant to admit that the Oman operations were connected with oil? Everything in Western Arabia is connected with oil. Of course it was for oil that military operations in Oman were undertaken." 12. Impossible and unbelievable, but the violent war now raging in Oman is a secret.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

21. “But I cannot feel assured when I know that such thinking is wishful. Too many unsolved problems in the Middle East threaten the peace of the world. 9. Where are we to find optimism in the Arabian peninsula when colonialism continues its aggression? The leaders of Oman are being oppressed; the Omani people dispersed; their homes destroyed — all this for no crime committed by them, unless the demand for freedom and self-determination is a felony to be punished by death and the destruction of property. 10. Oman is an Imamate whose autonomy the United Kingdom recognized by the Sib Treaty of 1920. It continued to enjoy that independence until the area began to smell. of oil and the forces of imperialism began to occupy the land.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

22. “Through his scientific accomplishments man has penetrated outer space, but there is much to be accomplished still on the surface of the earth. 7. My delegation expresses its satisfaction over the establishment of the International Development Association, and hopes that more attention will be directed to the strengthening of the United Nations programme of technical aid to under-developed countries. In this area we have set the pattern for the future, although we have not accomplished enough in the past. We have much more to accomplish. 8. We do, indeed, have solid reasons for our optimism in vast sections of the world. But is there a climate of optimism in the Middle East? Assured voices in this Assembly hall have interpreted the comparative calm prevalent there as a reason for optimism. I wish my voice were one of them.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

23. “But nothing practical has been achieved so far except the establishment, of the ten-power committee to discuss this serious subject. While wishing this committee all success the other Members of the United Nations, which are vitally involved, earnestly hope that the United Nations as a whole will play an effective part during this session in laying the necessary groundwork for disarmament. The peace and prosperity of the world depend upon it. 6. But disarmament, total or partial, is not in itself sufficient to guarantee world peace. Peace is social; peace is economic. The billions of dollars now being wasted on destruction should be employed in raising living standards and improving human welfare. Hundreds of millions of human beings are still doomed to poverty, afflicted by disease and ignorance.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

24. “In spite of assurances by the French representative last week that precautions will be taken to eliminate all risks, the 1959 Annual Report of the Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation [A/4119] clearly reveals the futility of such precautions. Since the atomic Powers have temporarily heeded the collective appeal of the world to end these experiments which endanger the human race, we cannot suppress our hope that France will be persuaded to abandon the Sahara tests. 5. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union has presented this session of the Assembly with a proposal for general and complete disarmament [799th meeting]. The United Kingdom has presented another proposal [798th meeting]. Both sides have shown their good intentions to settle the vital problem of disarmament.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

25. “Yemen and the other Arab States joyfully await the birth of a young Cyprus Republic so that they may renew their historical friendship and good-neighbourly relations. 4. The sinews of peace have also been healthfully exercised in wrestling with the problem of nuclear experiments. Their temporary suspension to the end of this year may spur this session of the General Assembly to lay a firm foundation for the absolute and permanent prohibition of these experiments, as well as to provide for the necessary controls over this prohibition. My delegation, however, views with deep concern the announcement by France that it plans to carry out atomic experiments in the African Sahara. Such plans create fears of great danger, especially to the northern half of the African continent.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

26. “The meeting in Geneva of the Foreign Ministers has renewed our optimistic hope that we may see an end to the cold war which has undermined the morale of the world for more than fourteen years. Although these meetings did not lead to conclusive results, they did bring the two parties closer together, helped to dispel some of their mutual fears, and paved the way for the exchange of visits between the leaders of East and West. 3. The problem of Cyprus, to which the General Assembly has devoted much time during the last two years, and which evoked sharp debate among friendly nations, has been settled successfully through complete agreement by the United Kingdom, Turkey and Greece.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

27. “1. My delegation takes pleasure in congratulating you upon your unanimous election as President of this fourteenth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. We feel certain that, with your wisdom and wide experience, this session, with God’s help and the co-operation of the Members of this Organization, will contribute significantly to world peace. 2. It has been the custom at this time every year in our general debate to review international events, to take stock of the past and try to plan for the future. Fortunately, our session this year begins with revived optimism and hope for the solution of international problems. Despite the storm clouds hovering over Laos, the Indian frontier and Berlin, and the delayed reunification of Germany, rays of light are breaking through the darkened international skies.”

    1959-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 14 (1959)

28. “No power on earth can isolate this area for long from the strong surge of Arab nationalism. The peoples of this area intend to fight for their inalienable rights of freedom and self-determination. If the present occupying Power refuses to see the clear handwriting on the wall and persists in the use of force, denying the people of their God-given right of freedom, I solemnly warn this Assembly of the danger of a new Algeria in the southern Arabian Peninsula. 134. I have sketched in brief the debit and credit side of world peace — the dark clouds and the charged atmosphere, together with the faint rays of hope which pierce the gloom. May we all dedicate ourselves to work through these rays of hope, enlarge their radius and increase their brilliance, so that light will break through darkness and humanity will at last be blessed by peace.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

29. “When we seek for the reasons behind this increase of repressive colonial tactics in our area, the obvious answer which confronts us is the discovery of oil in the interior of the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. If oil has been a great blessing to independent sections of our homeland, here — in territory subject to colonial designs — it is proving to be a calamity to the Arab people. Its discovery has resulted in a rebirth of harsh military manoeuvres in Omar and Buraimi, depriving the local people — and, indeed, all the people of the so-called "protectorates" and "sheikdoms" — of their God-given rights to liberty and independence, and subjecting them to merciless exploitation. 133. Brute force can never separate the southern Arabian Peninsula from the rest of the Arab homeland.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

30. “In other parts of the south-eastern section of the crease in colonial aggression directed against the national aspirations of the Arab inhabitants. The merciless military action taken against the people of Oman has already been brought before the Security Council. This aggression, which is depriving the Omani people. of their legitimate rights to self-determination, is still continuing. 131. Close to Oman lies the Saudi Arabian oasis of Buraimi, which was seized by British forces in October 1955, This oasis is beyond doubt an integral part of Saudi Arabia. However, despite the fact that Saudi Arabia agreed to submit its dispute with the United Kingdom to peaceful arbitration, no solution has yet been reached. 132.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

31. “But whenever and wherever they have attempted to express their desire for these basic human rights, they have been opposed by naked military force. 129. In the Yemeni province of Lahej, for example, the Arab people and their leaders vigorously rejected a colonially-inspired plan to create a "federation" among local tribes in the southern occupied provinces of Yemen. As a result, the Sultan of Lahej, who had previously flown to London to protest against this proposal, was not permitted to return to his homeland. Lahej itself was invaded by colonial forces; some of its citizens, including the Minister of Education, were arrested without trial; others — such as the President of the Legislative Council — fled to Yemen for safety. And a few days after Lahej was completely occupied, loyal Lahej troops took refuge in free Yemen. 130.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

32. “Therefore, we have reached the unavoidable conclusion that the attacks upon Yemeni territory constitute part of a well-premeditated scheme of colonial domination for the entire southern Arabian Peninsula. In the southern occupied Yemeni provinces, my Government has noted with grave concern the increased concentration of colonial troops — an action which we can only regard as direct aggression against Yemen and a threat to the peace of our area. 128. Furthermore, we cannot escape cognizance of the repressive measures which have been taken against our Arab brethren in other parts of the Peninsula which are still under foreign domination. Throughout these areas, the Arab people have been inspired by the same urge for freedom and self-determination which is a hallmark of our era.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

33. “In recent years, however, this foreign domination has taken a new and dangerously expansive turn. Our own country has repeatedly been the victim of incessant attacks mounted by the colonial Power which is desperately seeking to maintain its outmoded influence in the peninsula. Some of these attacks, in direct violation of the territorial integrity of free Yemen proceeded as far as fifty miles inside free Yemen, causing irreparable losses in human life and property. 126. Despite the unprovoked nature of this aggression, we have tried repeatedly to reach an amicable solution of this dispute — but to no avail. Only last November, the Crown Prince of Yemen flew to London in a vain effort to negotiate a peaceful agreement which would put an end to unnecessary bloodshed. 127.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

34. “2] and "provided satisfactory progress is being made [in Jordan]" [Ibid., annex II, para. 3.]. This terminology means, unfortunately, that withdrawal is still conditional and tentative; and we do not yet see a formal and final date for the removal of those troops whose presence is a great source of danger to peace and security in our area. 124. After surveying the related problems which endanger other areas of the Arab world, I would like to call to the attention of this Assembly the explosive situation which exists in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, a situation which is obviously of immediate and pressing concern to my delegation. 125. It is no secret that this section of the Arabian Peninsula has long been subjected to colonial domination in the guise of "protectorates".”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

35. “Given the necessary time to ease the tension prevailing in the area, and provided no outside interference intrudes, the Arab countries will readily compose their differences and live up to the spirit of the Pact of their own League and the Charter of the United Nations. 123. However, on the key feature of the resolution — the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Jordan and Lebanon — the report of the Secretary-General contains no binding commitment from the two Powers which originally dispatched these troops. In two annexes from the United States and the United Kingdom, we find only a qualified promise of withdrawal expressed in the following words: "provided the international security situation with respect to Lebanon continues to improve" [Ibid., annex I. para.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

36. “The report also mentioned that the Governments of Lebanon and the United Arab Republic have undertaken: "to grant all the facilities, including liaison offices in Beirut and Damascus, needed in support of the establishment of a United Nations organ in Jordan." [Ibid., para. 30]. The Secretary-General in his report referred also to: "encouraging contacts about the supply of oil to Jordan through the Syrian region and the supply of oil from Iraq on a commercial basis." [Ibid.. para. 22]. 122. Thus we can see that the Arab countries, which sponsored the unanimous resolution of 21 August 1968, are intent upon carrying out the provisions of the resolution.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

37. “There presence represents a source of great danger to the entire area, and a major factor of insecurity and unrest. The cardinal point of the resolution unanimously adopted on 21 August 1958 by the General Assembly at its third emergency special [resolution 1237 (ES-III)] was the withdrawal of foreign troops, and the Secretary-General paid a special visit to the area to facilitate this objective. We are sure that his contacts and consultations will prove most valuable; his unstinted efforts for world peace deserve our gratitude. 121. My delegation has carefully studied the Secretary-General's report and notes his expression of: "appreciation for the way in which Governments in the area engaged in a full and frank discussion of the difficult and delicate matters involved,.." [A/3934/Rev. 1. para. 20].”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

38. “These acts of violence are inexcusable. But so long as our Organization shirks its responsibilities on this burning question, as it has in past years, and so long as this problem is not solved according to the principles of justice and self-determination, all the North African countries lie under the menacing shadow of increasingly dangerous hostilities. 119. A proposal has been advanced in certain quarters to make Algeria a land of milk and honey. But I say to those who may be impressed by such projects that the Algerian people will never live on bread alone. They will continue to fight for their dignity and freedom. 120. Moving eastward in the Arab world to Jordan and Lebanon, we find that a large concentration of foreign troops is still present.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

39. “Last year at this time the so-called loi-cadre was invoked here to lull the United Nations into inaction. This year a so-called "referendum" is introduced as an element for evading the real solution of the Algerian problem. These delaying tactics have been most detrimental to the peace of North Africa and to France itself. 118. One of the most disquieting features of the Algerian situation is that hostilities are no longer localized in Algeria, but are extending to neighbouring countries. The tragedy of the Tunisian border town of Sakiet-sidi-Youssef is painfully alive in our minds. From this rostrum, a few days ago, the representative of Libya called our attention [766th meeting] to the latest French aggression on Libyan territory bordering Algeria, an action which caused death and severe damage to property.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

40. “When protecting platoons were in place on the crests, 200 soldiers marched into a village, a stocky French captain in the midst of them. "The soldiers, several making moderate use of cudgels, herded the village men into a group. The captain then made a brief speech to the effect that they were all good Frenchmen and that they would have to vote tomorrow. He did not tell them how to vote, but said that anyone who did not show up at the polls would ‘passer par les douze balles’. meaning the firing squad." 116. It is thus clear that the "referendum" was held under conditions of duress and coercion. It is surely a significant fact that within France itself, where the elections were not "supervised" by the French army, 400,000 Algerians abstained from voting. 117. History repeats itself.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

41. “The Algerian people under their immediate domination had no other choice than to go to the polls. One article published in a widely-circulated Western newspaper summed up conditions in Algeria as follows: "Under army rule there, opportunities for campaigning against the Constitution were almost non-existent and, because of the unsettled state of the country, the polling took place under army escort and guard in most localities." 115. Eye-witness accounts from the embattled country also provide conclusive evidence that massive interference was used to force the people to take part in this election. One war correspondent, writing for the same influential Western newspaper, described an incident he viewed in the following words: "The other day about 400 french soldiers clambered up into hills near here.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

42. “Racial origin, history, language, religion, and its way of life are eloquent proofs of this fact. 113. Under these circumstances, it is natural that the Algerian people have formed their own Government which today has already been recognized by many Governments. Others undoubtedly will follow suit. We believe that this new Arab Government is a step in the right direction and a contribution towards peace in our area. The Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic represents the free will of the Algerians and the embodiment of their hopes and their future. 114. Lately a so-called "referendum" took place in Algeria, and reports claim that polling was heavier in Algeria than in France itself. We all know under what conditions this referendum took place. Algeria is at war, and 800,000 French military and police units patrol the land.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

43. “The aggressive record of Israel is well known; it has been indicted several times by this Organization, and the first emergency special session of the General Assembly is still painfully alive in our minds. 112. An equally notorious denial of human justice is to be found in Algeria, where the Arabs have been shedding their blood for four long years to achieve their liberation from an oppressive foreign yoke. Despite the fact that Algeria has already sacrificed about 10 per cent of its population in this struggle, and despite the Assembly resolutions [1012 (XI) and 1184 (XII)] expressing concern about the events in Algeria and calling for a peaceful settlement, we find that the occupying Power is still persisting in its intransigent claim that Algeria is a part of France. Algeria is not and never will be part of France.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

44. “These people insist on repatriation to the land of their birth, to the family homesteads which they have cherished for many generations. In his annual report to the General Assembly at its twelfth session, the Director of the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East portrayed this fact in the following terms: "The great mass of the refugees continues to believe that a grave injustice has been done to them and to express a desire to return to their homeland." [A/3686, para. 6.] 111. This is a right, based on justice, and until justice is restored in the Holy Land, there can be no peace in the Land of Peace. The Israel representative spoke this morning of a "good neighbour policy". Indeed, the Israel representative should be the last to speak of peaceful relationships.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

45. “On one pretext or another, we have lately witnessed the landing of troops in two Arab States and even military aggression against another. Nevertheless, those Powers who participated in these operations take no effective action on the vital problem of Palestine, which is the real cause of tension in the Arab East. Indeed, one cannot but wonder why the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on questions involving the Far East seem so sacred to these Powers, while those adopted on the question of Palestine in the Middle East do not. 110. Today, we find one million Arabs displaced from Palestine, innocent victims of unprecedented aggression. Through no fault of their own, they find themselves paying for the sins of others. For the past decade they have been living in huts, tents and caves- prey to hunger, sickness and misery.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

46. “I am referring, of course, to the resolutions calling for the repatriation of the Palestinian Arabs [resolution 194 (III)], the internationalization of Jerusalem [resolution 303 (IV)]. and the withdrawal of Israel from territory not allotted to it. Every time any phase of the Palestine problem is considered in the United Nations, this Assembly keeps recalling and reaffirming its previous resolutions. Yet Israel, which owes its very existence to this Organization, keeps ignoring and defying those selfsame resolutions. 109. At the same time certain big Powers, by their studied inaction in relation to this problem, coupled with their generous military and economic assistance to Israel, have contributed to a further deterioration of the situation in the Middle East.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

47. “I submit that this newly-born republic should be the concern of the United Nations, and my delegation hopes that before this session comes to an end Guinea will be admitted as a Member of the United Nations and will be afforded all possible technical, economic and administrative assistance. 108. I would like to turn now to a discussion of the problems besetting the peace of our area, the Arab homeland. First and foremost comes the Palestine question, the most important cause of strife and instability and a constant threat to peace. For over ten years Israel has been refusing to implement the numerous resolutions adopted by this Assembly on the Palestine problem.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

48. “My delegation believes that if this problem is not settled in a way that protects the rights of the people of Cyprus and realizes their lawful aspirations on the basis of justice and self-determination, then the issue will continue to be another disruptive and explosive factor in the troubled Middle East. 107. The third problem is teat of Guinea, which recently opted to secede from the French Empire and declared itself an independent and sovereign republic. From this rostrum we salute this new African republic and wish it well on the road of freedom and democracy.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

49. “Before touching upon the grave problems besetting the Arab world, I would like to refer to other international issues with which my Government is greatly preoccupied. 105. The first is the status of West Irian. It is a matter of deep concern to my Government that this problem has not yet reached an amicable solution, despite the resolution adopted by this Assembly [resolution 915 (X)]. It is high time that we recognized that West Irian is an integral part of Indonesia, for the sake of peace in an area already plagued with dangerous hostilities. A just and equitable solution for this problem should be found as soon as possible. 106. Second comes the burning question of Cyprus.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)

50. “Furthermore, the League has established a permanent mission here to maintain liaison between the United Nations and League headquarters. 103. The third emergency special session of the General Assembly blazed a trail in this direction when it acted unanimously on a resolution [1237 (ES-II)] which took note of one of the main provisions of the Arab League Pact. This was a significant step forward. In our view this step should be followed up by stronger and more comprehensive ties and relationships with the world Organization. Such ties, which would be welcomed by the League of Arab States, would be in conformity with the provisions of the United Nations Charter, and would certainly contribute to the promotion of peace and the general well-being of our area. 104.”

    1958-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 13 (1958)