A/1/PV.48 General Assembly

I call upon Mr. Thors, representative of Iceland. Mr. THORS (Iceland): Today, when the eyes of the entire world are on the General Assembly of the United Nations, it i~ of such little significance that one more small nation is' admitted to its !"anks. However, for the people of Iceland this is a long-desired moment and an historical event. On behalf of the Government of Iceland and of our people, the Icelandic delegation wishes to express its sincere thanks to the President of the . Assembly for his friendly and encouragin(T words of welcorn:e. We also vvish to thank every Member ?f. the Assembly for having voted for our admIsslO~, and we fee! particUlarly indebted to all the bIg Powers which, through the different stages of the admission procedure brought our application to final approval. 'It was also heartening to hear so many words of welcome from the representatives of so many countries at the many meetings where our case was being M. AZIZ (Afghanistan) (traduit de l'anglais) : C'est un grand plaisir que je saisis l'occasion qui m'est donnee d'exprimer ici la sincere et profonde gratitude qu'eprouve mon Gouvernement de l'honneur que represente pour mon pays son admission dans cette grande Organisation. L'Afghanistan est un pays essentiellement attache a son independance et a la paix; il assumera yolontiers les obligations qui lui incornbent desormais, car il est pleinement conscient de la noblesse des fins pour lesquelles les ~ations Unies ont ete creees; il fera tout ce qui est en son pouvoir pour contribuer a lcs realiseI'. L'Afghanistan crait fermement que les efforts inlassables de l'Organisation assureront finalement all monde une paix durable. Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole it M. Thors, representant de l'lslande. M. THORS (Islande) (traduit de lJanglais) : Au moment ou le monde entier ales yeux fixes sur les Nations Unies, l'admission au sein de cette Assemblee d'une nouveUe petite nation semble un evenement de bien faible importance. Pour le peuple de l'lslande, i1 s'agit cependant, la, d'un moment longtemps attendu et d'un evenement historique. La delegation de l'lslande desire exprimer au President de l'Al'semblee, au nom du Gouvernement et du peuple islandais, ses remerciements sinceres pour les paroles. de bienvenue, si amicales et si encourageantes qu'il a prononcees. Nous desirons aussi remercier chacun des Membrcs de l'Assemblee d'avoir bien voulu voter en faveur de notre admission, et nous noliS sentons plus particulierement redevables envers toutes les grandes Puissances qui ont fait franchir a notre demande les differentes etapes de la procedure jusqu'a l'admission finale. 11 a ete 'egalement reconfortant pour nous d'entendre, aux nombreu- We feel that Iceland has, in fact, always been one of the United Nations. All through the war our country, by a free and friendly agreement between the United States Government and the Government of Iceland, was used asa military base for the Allies. It became a most important base in the Battle of the Atlantic and was of vital importance for the defence of America and indispensable in keeping open the sea lanes to Great Britain and the Union of Soviet Sociali[;t Republics. We were proud to do our share. It cost great sacrifices. Through enemy action about two in every thousand of our population were killed and about twenty per cent of our fishing boats and transport vessels were lost. Iceland participated in all the war-time general conferences of the United Nations, such as that of the Food and Agricul.ture Organization and, with our insignificant share, we contributed to UNRRA. However, we remained outside the Golden Gate at San Francisco. The Icelandic people feel that they never cart and never will, at any time or under any circumstances, voluntarily declare war on any nation. According to Article 4 of the United Nations Charter, membership is open to peaceloving States. It is perhaps doubtful that any other nation fulfills this condition as completely as Iceland, as we have no anned forces. The Icelandic nation bases its life and its future on the ideals of peace, democracy and human rights, which are identical with the lofty aims of the United Nations. It is completely clear that today, with the horrible, devastating and far-reaching means of warfare, the security of the smallest nation of the world means the security of the largest nations and of all the rest of the world. When a house burns in one corner of our small globe, its flames may spread ~onflagration and ruin over all the world, ,our one world. We are perfectly well aware that Ioeland's contribution to the work of the United Nations can only be minimal, but we desire to give our wholehearted support to its noble aims to keep alive the tender flames of peace. We are well aware that peace and prosperity are merely two different expressions of the same goal. Under the banner of the United Nations, mankind at long last hopes to march on towards the realization of the ideals that generation after generation has dreamed of, but so far has not achieved. Iceland is happy to be allowed to participate in these endeavours. The success of the United ~'0vietjques. Nousavons ete fiers d'apporter notre contribution a l'effort commun. Elle a cntralflc de grands sacrifices de notre part; nos pcrtes en vies humaines, du fait de 1'ennemi, ont ctc de deux pour mille environ et vingt pour cent el1vjron d.e nos bateaux de peche et de nos batiments de transport ontete coules. L'Islande a participe a toutes les conferences rrenerales des Nations Unies qui ont eu lieu pendant la guerre, telles que celles de l'Organisation pour l'aEmentation et l'agriculture, et elle a eontribue, dans la faible mesute de ses ressourees, a 1'ceuvre de l'UNRRA. Nous n'avons toutefois pas ete admis a franchir, a San-Francisco, le seuil de la Porte d'Or. Le peuple islandais sait que jamais, a aucun moment et en aucune circonstance, il ne pourra ni ne voudra declarer de son plein gre la guerre a aucune nation. Aux termes de l'Article 4 de la Charte, tout Etat pacifique peut devenir Membre des Nations Unies. 11 est bien peu probable qu'aucune nation remplisse cette condition. d'une fac;on aussi complete que FIslande, car nous n'avons pas de force armee. La nation islandaise fonde son existence et son avenir sur un ideal de paix, de democratie et sur le respect des droits de 1'homme, ce qui repond exactemeht aux nobles fins des Nations Unies. Il est tout a fait evident qu'etant donne les effroyables moyens de destruction a long rayon d'action qui existent aujourd'hui, lasecuritc de la plus petite nation du globe est liee a celle des plus grandes nations et de tout le reste du monde. Lorsqu'une maison brUle en un point quelconque de notre petite planete, les flammes peuvent propager la destruction et la ruine sur tqute la surface de ce monde, qui est le notre, et qui est "un". Nous savons parfaitement que. 1',Islande ~e peut apporter a l'reuvre des NatIOns Umes qu'une faible contribution, mais nous tenons a participer sans reserve au no~le effort de l'Organisation en vue d'entretemr la Jlamme vacillante de la paix. Nous savons blen que paix et prosperitc ne sont que. deux aspects differents d'un meme but. Derriere le drapeau des Nations Unies, l'humanite espere pouvoir enfin progresser vel'S la realisation des ideals dont chacune des generations successives a reve, mais qu'aucune n'a pu encore realiseI'. L'Islande est heureuse de pouvoir participer a ces efforts. Le succes des Nations Unies est We feel that Iceland has, in fact, always been one of the United Nations. All through the war our country, by a free and friendly agreement between the United States Government and the Government of Iceland, was used as a military base for the Allies. It became a most important base in the Battle of the Atlantic and was of vital importance for the defence of America and indispensable in keeping open the sea lanes to Great Britain and the Union of ~.iovict Sociali.st Republics. We were proud to do our share. It cost great sacrifices. Through enemy action about two in every thousand of our population were killed and about twenty per cent of our fishing boats and transport vessels were lost. Iceland participated in all the war-time general conferences of the United Nations. such as that of the Food and Agricul~ure Organization and, with our insignificant share, we contributed to UNRRA. However, we remained outside the Golden Gate at San Francisco. The Icelandic people feel that they never can and never will, at any time or under any circumstances, voluntarily declare war on any nation. According to Article 4 of the United Nations Charter, membership is open to peaceloving States. It is perhaps doubtful that any other nation fulfills this condition as completely as Iceland, as we have no anned forces. The Icelandic nation bases its life and its future on the ideals of peace, democracy and human rights, which are identical with the lofty aims of the United Nations. It is completely clear that today, with the horrible, devastating and far-reaching means of warfare, the security of the smallest nation of the world means the security of the largest nations and of all the rest of the world. When a house burns in one corner of our small globe, its flames may spread conflagration and ruin over all the world, our one world. We are perfectly well aware that Iceland's contribution to the work of the United Nations can only be minimal, but we desire to give our wholehearted support to its noble aims to keep alive the tender flames of peace. We are well aware that peace and prosperity are merely two different expressions of the same goal. Under the banner of the United Nations, mankind at long last hopes to march on towards the realization of the ideals that generation after generation has dreamed of, but so far has not achieved. Iceland is happy to be allowed to participate in these endeavours. The success of the United

I call upon Mr. Unden, representative of Sweden. Mr. UNDEN (Sweden) (translated from French): Mr. President, allow me first of all to thank you very warmly for the kind words which you have been good enough to address to me in greeting Sweden as a Member of the United Nations. The Government of Sweden and the whole Swedish people have learned with profound satisfaction of the unanimous decision by which the General Assembly accepted Sweden's application for admission. We also wish to express our great gratitude for the cordial remarks made by many delegations when our application was being considered by the various organs of the United Nations. By entering the United Nations, Sweden is accepting important restrictions on her liberty of action in cases where collective steps may be taken to prevent threats to peace. In the Swedish Parliament there was no difference of opinion when it came to accepting these international obligations. We undertook them with a full realization of their implications. The Charter of the United Nations binds Members to endeavour to settle all international disputes solely by peaceful means. Already, as a Member of the League of Nations, Sweden was one of the States which" assumed the most far-reaching. obligations with regard to arbitration and conciliation in international relations. It is with great satisfaction that we welcome the establishment of the International Court of Justice as successor to the judicial body which used. to function under the auspices of the League of Nations. We also entertain the lively hope that the provisions of the Charter for the peaceful settlement of international disputes will be applied by the Security Council in such a way as to give the peoples of the world confidence in its impartiality and in its wisdom. In taking her place amongst the United Nations, Sweden will have the privilege of being able to take part in that international co-operation which, in many spheres, has already been initiated, or is about to be initiated, under the '\iuspices of the United Nations. We are embark., ing on this task with the best intentions and with a sincere desire to contribute to its fulfilment. Post-war experience has shown us that international negotiations often encounter great difficulties. That can readily l~ad public opinion to despair of the possibility of sincere and fruitful international co-operation. We must not, however, exaggerate the extent of these difficulties nor allow them to discourage or dishearten us. Their mentality, history and. geographical Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole a M. Unden, representant de la Suede. M. UNDEN (Suede): Monsieur le President, permettez-moi tout d'abord de vous remercier tres chaleureusement pour les aimabIes paroles que vous avez bien voulu m'adresser en saluant la Suede comme Membre des Nations Unies. Le Gouvernement de la Suede et tout le peuple suedois ont appris avec une profonde satisfaction la decision unamme par laquelle l'AssembIee generale a accepte la demande d'admission presentee par la Suede. Nous tenons aussi a exprimer notre profonde reconnaissance pour les paroles bienveillantes qui ont ete prononcees par de nombreux representants lors de l'examen de cette demande par les differents organismes des Nations Unies. En entrant aux Nations Umes, la: Suede accepte d'irnportantes restrictions a sa liberte d'action, pour le cas Oll des mesures collectives seraient prises en vue de prevenir des menaces contre la paix. Il n'y a eu, au Parlement suedois, aucune divergence d'opinion quand il s'est agi d'accepter ces obligations internatio- . nales. Nous les avons assumees avec la pleine conscience de leur portee. La Charte des Nations Unies oblige les Membres a rechercher le reglement de tout differend international, urnquement par des moyens pacifiques. Deja, comme Membre de la Societe des Nations, la Suede se trouvait parmi les Etats qui assumaient les obligations les plus etendues en ce qui concerne l'arbitrage et la conciliation dans les relations internationales. Nous saluons avec une grande satisfaction l'etablissement de la Cour internationale de Justice qui a succede a l'organisme judiciaire qui fonctionnait sous les auspices de la Societe des Nations. Nous avons aussi le vif espoir que les dispositions de la Charte sur le reglement padfique des differends internationaux seront appliquees par le Conseil de securite, de maniere a inspirer aux peuples de la confiance en son impartialite et en sa sagesse. En prenant place parmi les Nations Umes, la Suede aura le privilege de pouvoir participer al'reuvre de cooperation internationale q~i, dans de nombreux domaines, a deja ete inaugure ou qui va l'etre sous les auspices des Nations Unies. Nous nous mettons a cette tache avec les meilleures intentions et avec le desir sincere de contribuer ason achevement. Les experiences d'apres guerre nous ont montre que les negociations internationales se heurtent souvent a de grandes difficultes. Cela peut facilemerit amener l'opinion publique a desesperer des possibilites d'une cooperation internatio- I nale sincere et fertile. Mais il ne faut pas exagerer l'importance de ces difficultes, ni permettre qu'elles nous poussent au decouragement et au pessimisme. Par sa mentalit,e, par son.experience histori- In the great country which is offering its generous hospitality to our Organization, Sweden is often referred to as "the land of the middle way." Whoever coined that expression would appear to have had· in mind the methods adopted in Sweden for the solution of domestic problems, especially in the social field. We gladly accept that description, and would like to justify it in our attitude to the international problems which set countries one against the other. In the Charter, the peoples of the United Nations proclaim their resolve to follow this simple but essential principle: to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours. The Swedish people will have no difficulty in following this principle; Le PRESIDENT: Je prie les representants de l'Afghanistan, de l'Islande· et de la Suede de bien vouloir occuper leurs sieges dans l'Assemblee. (Les representants de l'Afghanistan, de l'Islande et de la Suede prennent place al'Assemblee generale.)

I invite the representatives of Afghanistan, Iceland and Sweden to take their seats in the General Assembly. (The representatives of Afghanistan, Iceland and Sweden took their seats in the General Assembly.) 108. Persecutio~s et discriminations. Reso~ lution presented by the Delegation of Egypt (document AI187) 108. Persecutions et discriminations. Resolution presentee par la delegation de l'Egypte (document A/187) Le PRESIDENT: Nous passons au deuxieme point de l'ordre du jour: le projet de resolution concernant les persecutions et les discriminations, presente par la delegation egyptienne et dont voici le texte: (CL'Assemblee generale declare qu'il est dans l'interet superieur de l'humanite de mettre un terme immediat aux persecutions et aux discriminations religieuses QU dites raciales, et invite les Gouvernements et les autorites responsables a se conformer a la Charte des Nations Unies, dans sa lettre et son esprit, et a prendre, a cette fin, les mesures les plus promptes et les plus·energiques." Je donne la parole a Badaoui Bey, representant de l'Egypte.

We now pass to the second item on the agenda: the draft resolution on persecution and di~crimi­ nation, presented by the delegation of Egypt, which reads as follows: (The General Assembly declares that it is in the higher interests of humanity to put an immediate end to religious and so-called racial persecution and discrimination, and calls on the Governments and responsible authorities to conform both to the letter and to the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations, and to take the most prompt and energetic steps to.. that end." I call upon Badawi Bey, representative of Egypt. BADAOUI Bey (Egypte) : A la derniere seance plenihe de notre Assemblee, lorsque, apropos du projet de resolution sur la discrimination et les persecutions que l'Egypte a eu l'honneur de presenter, fut soulevee la question de savoir si, oui ou non, ce projet devait etre porte it l'ordre du jour, j'ai expose id meme lell motifs qui nous avaient incites a presenter cette resolution que nous avons soumise a l'AssembIee, en derniere analyse, dans son expression la plus abstraite. Le caractere abstrait de ceUe resolution ressort encore plus du concours des honorables et genereux orateurs qui ont pris la parole pour d€fendre l'inseription de cette resolution al'ordre du jour, et de ceux qui reclamaient l'adoption BADAWI Bey (Egypt) (translated from French): At the last plenary meeting of our Assembly, when the question was raised as to whether the draft resolution on discrimination and persecution which Egypt had the honour to submit should or should not be placed on the agenda, I explained the motives which had prompted us to bring forward this draft which we have now submitted to the Assembly in what, it must be admitted, is its most abstract form. Its abstract nature was brought o,ut still more by the galaxy of honourable and generous speakers who defended the placing of this resolution on the agenda, .and by those who called for the adoption of the substance of the resolution: If today I say that the substance of the resolution has already been broached, discussed and even exhausted, I do not think that I run the risk of distorting the facts or exceeding the strict limits of truth. For that reason, I personally have no intention of repeating or even expanding today what I said at the previous meeting. Allow me, however, to observe that each of the speakers who defended this resolution had . in mind one particular form of discrimination or persecution. May I suggest that this was because they were all moved by intimate convictions, and that these convictions, while based on distinct and different sets of facts, all converged in the general expression of a principle which constitutes one of the masterpieces of our Charter, one of the victories of good over evil, one of the great achievements of our civilization. These speakers, with their minds on the alert, and jealously guarding their achievement, were' determined not to give ground, but on the contrary to fight every kind of discrimination, whatever its form and wherever it might be found. May I add that, when an idea, such as the one expressed in this resolution, provokes such sentiments, there is every likelihood that it is the expression of a sublime and immutable truth. I hasten to say that we do not claim this idea as our own. Although it was uttered through the mouthpiece of Egypt, it was a unanimous feeling, though latent and clandestine. Neither its full value nor its potentialities will be fully realized until it has been formally expressed not by Egypt, not by a few represenatives, not by a majority of the Assembly, but by a unanimous vote. The PRESIDENT (translated from French) ~ I call upon Mr. Lange, representative of Poland. Mr. LANGE (Poland): In the name of the Polish delegation, I want to give my fullest .suppo~t to the resolution presented by the representatIVe of Egypt. Ours is a nation which has suffered .very deeply fro~ the nazi occupation. The naZlS treated us as a so-called inferior race. We haye lost six million citizens during the occupatIOn. Today, the fascist Axis is defeated, but we know that the problem of religious and so-called racial p.ersec~tion and discrimination is far from being solved 10 the world. 1 think that the representative of Egypt is doing a great service to our Organization by calling our attention to the pr~blem and asking us to adopt this resolution. It IS really only an implementation of the section on human rights in our Charter, and I think that we shall all be acting in the spirit of the Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole a . M. Lange, representant de la Pologne. M. LANGE (Pologne) (traduit de l'anglais): Au nom de la delegation polonaise, je tiens a appuyer sans reserve la resolution proposee par le representant de I'Egypte. La nation polonaise a tres profondement souffert de 1'0ccupation des nazis. Ils nous ont maltraites, pretendant que nous etions une race inferieure. Nous avons, au cours de cette occupation, perdu six millions de nos concitoyens. Aujourd'hui, l'Axe fasciste est vaincu, mais nous savons que le probleme des persecutions et discrirninations fondees sur la religion et sur des considerations dites raciales est loin detre resolu dans le monde; et je crois que le representant de l'Egypte rend a notre Organisation un grand service en appelant notre attention sur ce probleme et en nOllS demandant d'adopter la resolution qu'il presente. Celle-ci n'est a vrai dire, qu'une mise en reuvre c:le la partie de notre Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole a M. Vychinsky, representant de l'Union des Republiques socialistes sovietiques.

I call upon Mr. Vyshinsky, representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Mr. VYSHINSKY (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) (translated from Russian): The Egyptian delegation has submitted to the Assembly an extremely important question regarding the cessation of religious and racial persecution and discrimination. This task is completely in conformity with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, which proclaims the high duty of the United Nations in achieving co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, political and humanitarian character and also in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. M. VYCHINSKY (Union des Republiques socialistes sovietiques) (traduit du russe) : La delegation de l'Egypte a soumis a l'Assemblee une question tres grave. Sa proposition tend, en effet, a mettre un terme aux persecutions et aux discriminations religieuses et raciales. Ce dessein est parfaitement en harmonie avec les buts et les principes enonces dans la Charte de notre Organisation, qui proc1ame que les Nations Dnies ont le noble devoir de realiser la cooperation internationale en resolvant les problemes internationaux d'ordre economique, social, politique et humanitaire, et en encourageant le respect des droits de l'homme et des libertes fondamentales, sans distinction de race, de sexe, de langue et de religion. L'Union sovietique salue toute mesure prise en vue d'appliquer ces nobles principes. Neanmoins, la delegation sovietique doit dire que la resolution egyptienne - que nollS etions unanimes, la dernicre fois, a vouloir inscrire a 1'01'- dre du jour de I'AssembIee generale - ne peut pas nous satisfaire. Cette resolution est tres generale. EUe ne cite aucun fait precis, aucune donnee concrete; lorsque'elle parle de persecutions et de discriminations raciales, eUe nedonne aucun nom, aucune adresse, elle ne nous soumet aucun fait qui merite l'attention ou qui appelle des mesures contre la discrimination et les persecutions pour des questions raciales ou analogues. Cette resolution est done trop generale et depourvue de tout caractere concreto Cependant, nous savans bien que de tels faits existent et qu'il est reellement necessaire de prendre des mesures pour mettre un terme a cette situation deshonorante. La resolution qu'on nous propose comporte done de graves imperfections. Cependant, la The Soviet Union welcomes the steps which are being taken with the object of achieving the high principle mentioned. At the same time, the Soviet delegation must state that the Egyptian resolution, which at our last meeting we unanimously considered it necessary to include in the agenda of the General Assembly, cannot satisfy the Soviet delegation. This resolution is general ,in character. It does not give any concrete data when mentioning racial persecution and discrimination, it does not give any facts, any names or addresses, calling for attention and the taking of appropriate measures against this discrimination and persecution on racial or similar grounds. This resolution, therefore, is of a general character, and there is nothing concrete in it. Nevertheless, we know that such facts exist and that measures to put an end to this shameful state of affairs should indeed be taken. The proposed resolution therefore has serious deficiencies. But the Soviet delegation considers that, in so far as it is of considerable significance in principle, there is no reason to raise objections to it although it possesses deficiencies to which I have just referred. In spite of its deficencies the Soviet delegation will vote for the Egyptian resolution regarding the adoption of measures against all manner of persecution and discrimination on religious and, so-called, racial grounds. deJ.~gation sovietique estime que, malgre ses imperfections, cette resolution a une grande importance parce qu'elle touche a une question de principe; nous ne voyons donc aucune raison pour nous y opposer. Malgre les imperfections que viens de mentionner, la delegation sovietique votera pour la resolution presentee par la delegation egyptienne et qui propose de prendre des mesures contre les persecutions et les discriminations de tout genre, religieuses ou dites raciales. Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole aM. Wellington Koo, representant de la China.

I call upon Mr. Wellington Koo, representative of China. M. Wellington Koo (Chine) (traduit de l'anglais): La deMgation chinoise s'associe de tout creur al'esprit et au sentiment qui animent la resolution presentee par la delegation egyptienne.Nous comprenons parfaitement que le principe qui a inspil1e cette resolution est l'un de ceux qui figurent dans la Charte de notre 01'- Mr. Wellington Koo (China): The Chinese delegation heartily associates itself with the spirit and the sentiment which inspired the Egyptian resolution. We r,ealize that the principle enunciated in the resolution is found in our fundamental Charter. But we believe, with the Egyptian delegation, that we cannot call We support the proposal all the more heartily because we realize, and are concerned, that, while the resolution itself does not propose any concrete measures at the present time, there are different parts of the world which still fail to observe this fundamental principle of equality of races and equality of religions. I I join with the representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in hoping that, in the future, our Organization will have an opportunity to propose more concrete measures, especially when concrete questions are brought before the United Nations for adjustment. China welcomeS the Egyptian resolution because, in the five thousand years of our national existence, we have found from experience that neither race nor religion should be allowed to interfere with the happiness and progress of a country. Within the confines of China we have five races, we have many languages and we have nearly all the principal religions in the world. But they are never allowed to intedere with the normal 'life of the people, whatever may be their race and whatever religion they may embrace. In fact, we have always believed, and we still do believe, in the doctrine of Confucius that within the four seas all are brothers. It is for that reason that we fully endorse this resolution and join the Egyptian delegation in expressing the very sincere hope that the support of the Asse1ll;bly will be unanimous. .

I call upon Mr. Romulo, representative of the Philippine Republic. Mr. ROMuLO(Philippine Republic): The Philippine delegation desires to place on record its vote in favour of the Egyptian resolution because it believes that every appeal to the conscience of the world, that has for its purpose the welding together of the United Nations into one. world, must be, supported. Where there are religious and racial persecution and discrimination, there can be no friendship and no good will. And where there are lacking these essentials for humanity to live.together in friendliness, there can be no peace. It is true that this is a resolution without teeth, as we might say, and needs implementation. But it is important that we ourselves, in this General Assembly, realize how significant is the expression of the will of this Assembly. A resolution of this nature is a warning call by fifty-four nations, a reminder, if you will, to every Member nation that it must give way to the pressure of world C'est avec satisfaction que la Chine accueille la resolution presentee par l'Egypte. Cinq mille annees d'existence nationale ont enseigne a la Chine qu'il ne faut pas laisser des considerations de race ou de religion faire obstacle au bonheur et au progrcs d'un pays. Sur le territoire de la Chine vivent des hommes de cinq races differentes, qui parlent des idiomes nombreux et qui pratiquent presque toutes les ,principales religions du monde. Jamais, cependant, nous ne permettons a ces considerations d'entraver la vie normale des citoyens, a quelque race qu'ils appartiennent et quelle que soit la religion qu'ils professent. En fait, nous avons toujours ete et demeurons fideles a la doctrine de Confucius, qui dit que les quatre ooeans entourent un peuple de freres. Voila pourquoi nous appuyons sans reserve cette resolution; nous nous associons a la delegation egyptienne pour exprimer l'espoir tres sincere quel'Assemblee l'adoptera unanimement. Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole a M. Romulo, representant de la Republique des Philippines. M. ROMULO (Republique' des Philippines) (traduit de lJanglais): La delegation des Philippines desire que son vote en faveur de la resolution egyptienne soit consigne au proces-verbal car ellt: estime qu'il faut appuyer tout appel a la conscience universelle qui tende a fondre les Nations Unies en un seul monde. La ou ont lieu des per&6cutions et discriminations fondees sur des considerations religieuses et raciales, il ne peut y avoir niarnitie, ni bienveillance; et la ou les conditions indispensables a d'arnicales relations entre les hommes font defaut, il ne saurait y avoir de paix. " I1 est vrai qu'il s'agit d'une resolution, platonique pourrait-on dire, a laquelle il manque la force executoire. Mais il importe que, reunis en cette AssembIee generale, nous soyons conscients de l'importance que revet l'expression de la volonte de l'Assemblee. Une resolution de ce genre constitue un avertissement, lance par cinquante-quatre nations;' ou, si vous voulez, Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole a M. Chagla, representant de l'Inde.

I call upon Mr. Chagla, representative of India. M. CHAGLA (rnde) (traduit de l'anglais): Au nom de la delegation de 1'lnde, je tiens adonner un appui chaleureux et sans reserve ala resolution presentee par le representant de l'Egypte. I:orsque j'ai pris la parole au sujet de l'inscriptlOn de cette resolution a l'ordre du jour, j'ai fait remarquer qu'elle ne faisait rien de plus que de mettre en relief les dispositions essentielles et fondamentales de la Charte. La Charte a institue l'Organisation des Nations Unies afin de donner au monde la paix et la securite. Cette paix et cette securite sont fondees sur la liberte de tous les peuples, ainsi que sur la reconnaissance de la dignite de la personne humaine et du principe que l'ame humaine a la meme valeur, qu'elle habite le corps d'un etre de race blanche, jaune ou noire. Il est bon que la resolution inviteles Gouvernements a se conformer a la lettre et a l'esprit de la Charte. Si nous voulons faire de l'Organisation des Nations Unies une organisation vivante, nous ne devons pas nous bomer a signer des chartes ou a adopter des resolutions solennelles; nous devons egalement nous conformer fidelement et honnetement aux principes auxquels nous avons souscrit en adoptant la Charte. Lorsque nous aurons, comme yen suis certain, approuve unaniment cette .resolJ.1- tion, j'espere que les representants de tous les Etats Membres, une fois rentres chez eux, examineront soigneusement les lois et les regIements de leurs pays respectifs afin de s'assurer qu'il n'existe, ni dans le domaine legislatif ni dans le domaine administratif, aucune inegalite de traitement entre les peuples de race et de couleur differentes, et qu'aucune partie de la population n'est persecutee du fait de ses opinions religieuses, politiques ou pour toute autre raison. C'est avec un grand plaisir que j'appuie la resolution de la delegation egyptienne. Mr. CHAGLA (India) : On behalf of the Indian delegation I wish warmly and most heartily to support the resolution moved by Egypt. When I spoke on the question of the inclusion of this item on the agenda, I pointed out that it does nothing more than emphasize the essential and fundamental provisions of the Oharter. The Oharter has set up the United Nations for the purpose· of giving peace and security to the world. That peace and that security are based on freedom for all people, on the recognition of human dignity, on the fact that the human soul has the same value whether it is encased in a white, brown or black body. It is well that the resolution calls upon the Governments to conform to the letter and spirit of the Oharter. If we want the United Nations to become a living organization, it is not sufficient to sign charters or pass solemn resolutions; we must conform loyally and honestly to the principles we have subscribed to in the Charter. After ,we have passed this resolution unanimously, as I am sure we shall, I hope the representatives of every Member State will go back to their respective countries and carefully scrutinize the administration and laws in order to make sure that neither in legislative nor administrative matters, is there any discrimination between peoples of different races and colours, and that no section of their people is persecuted because of their religion or political opinions, or on any other ground. I have great pleasure in supporting the res~­ lution. Le PRESIDENT: Je donne· la' parole a M. Austin, representant des Etats-Unis d'Amerique.

I call upon Mr. Austin, representative of the United States of America. M. AUSTIN (Etats-Unis d'Amerique) (traduit de l'anglais): Ce qui se passe aujourd'hui au sein de cette Assemblee devrait etre une source d'encouragement pour le monde entier. En raison de son caractere spirituel, cette resolution a une importance considerable. L'appui unanime qu'elle a trouve id dissipe toutes les craintes et les doutes que le mande a pu concevoir sur la capacite de l'A~r.embIee generale des Nations Unies a conduire ses travaux et a. Mr. AUSTIN (United States of America): What is taking place in this Assembly today ought to encourage the whole world. The substance of this resolution is of immense importance because of its spiritual character. Its unani. mous support signifies that whatever fears and doubts the world may have had, with respect to the capacity of the General Assembly to transact business and make progress on a level which gives the greatest assurance of removing the This constant and repeated reference to the fundamental principles of the Charter is very important for the leadership of thought all over the world. I assure you that in my own country the reaction to the conduct of this General Assembly with respect to this particular subject will benefit the cause of the United Nations. Consequently, without extending my remarks further, I want to say that the United States delegation recognizes in the resolution itself, in its substance, and in the fact that it was presented and espoused by countries that are not among the permanent members of the Security Council, a very significant affirmation of that great principle of sovereign equality which is the oaken beam that supports the entire superstructure of this Organization for security and peace in .the world.

I call upon Sir Hartley Shawcross, representative of the United Kingdom. , Sir Hardey SHAWCROSS (United Kingdom) : I had wondered whether it would have been enough to content myself with merely raising my right hand in support of this resolution, because obviously it is a resolution in regard to which we are all agreed. I am not now going to take up time in prolonging our discussion but, as the representative of a country which, for centuries, has been foremost in the struggle for human liberty, which in 1940 found itself, together with the British Commonwealth of Nations, standing alone to defend these liberties, and whose present Government believes profoundly that the fundamental dignity of man transcends all the power and might of States, I gladly join in supporting this resolution. But r agree with my friend and colleague Mr. Vyshinsky, that is not enough to pass pious resolutions and make eloquent speeches about matters of this kind. In more than one country at the present time, the liberties, the rights, the dignity of man are not fully achieved and in some respects are actually trampled underfoot. That is why it is so important that we should, without delay, complete the constitution of the Commission on Human Rights and see to it that that Commission draws up a Bill of Rights defining the fundamental liberties of man, ensuring that there is no religious, racial or political discrimination, and providing machinery to ensure that these rights are secured and protected. For our part, we intend, not next year, not the year after, but in the appropriate Commit- Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole a Sir Rartley Shawcross, representant du Royaume- Uni. Sir Hartley SHAWCROSS (Royaume-Uni) (traduit de l'anglais): Je m'etais demande si, pour faire connaitre man adhesion a cette resolution, il ne suffirait pas que je leve la main; car il est evident que nous sommes tous d'accord sur la resolution qui nous occupe. Je ne veux pas prendre plus de temps et prolonger notre debat. En ma qualite de representant d'un pays qui, depuis des siecles, a ete a l'avant-garde du combat pour la liberte humaine, qui, avec le Commonwealth britannique des nations, s'est trouve etre, en 1940, le seul defenseur de ces libertes, et dont le Gouvernement actuel croit fermement que la dignite de l'homme est un principe fondamental qui l'emporte sur toute la puissance et la force des Etats, je me rallie avec joie a cette resolution. Cependant, je suis d'accord avec man ami et collegue, M. Vychinsky, pour penser qu'il ne suffit pas, en de telles matieres, d'adopter des resolutions de pure forme, ni de prononcer d'eloquents discours. 11 y a, a, l'heure actuelle, plus d'un pays OU la liberte, les droits de l'homme et la dignite de la personne humaine ne sont pas effectivement respectes et ou its sont meme, a certains egards, foules au pied. C'est pourquoi il importe tant que nous achevions sans delai de constituer la Commission des droits de I'homme, et que nous veillions a ce qu'elle elabore une declaration des droits de l'homme, dcfinissant les libertes fondamentales, garantissant qu'il ne sera fait aucune discrimination religieuse, raciale ou politique, et etablissant le mecanisme necessaire pour assurer la garantie et la protection de ces droits. En ce qui nous concerne, nous nous proposons - et je ne parle pas de l'annee prochaine ni de

I call upon Mr. Parodi, representative of France. Mr. PARODI (France) (translated from French): I intend to be the briefest of all those who have spoken, or who intend to speak, in favour of the Egyptian proposal, not because I think it would be useless to adduce reasons for supporting it, but on the contrary, because I think that the General Assembly of the United Nations will adopt it unanimously, and with enthusiasm. I belong to a country which is particularly proud of the fact that its laws have never recognized any inequality of treatment on racial grounds. I may add that our way of life and our national thought are, and always have been, radically opposed to any such conception. The French delegation will therefore vote wholeheartedly for the proposal of the repre- 3entative of Egypt. J'appartiens a un pays qui s'enorguei11it tout particulierement de n'avoir jamais reconnu dans sa legislation I'inegaIite de traitement en matiere raciale. J'ajoute que nos mceurs et notre philosophie nationale sont, et ont toujours ete foncierement hostiles ace concept. La delegation franiSaise votera done sans reserve pour la proposition du representant de I'Egypte. Le PRESIDENT: Il n'y a plus d'orateur inscrif. Personne n'a parle contre la motion. Je propose done de la considerer comme adoptee a l'unanimite.

There are no more speakers on the list. No one has spoken against the motion. I propose, therefore, to regard it as adopted unanimously. Decision: The d1'aft resolution was adopted unanimously. Decision: Le projet de resolution est adopte d l'unanimiee. 109. Election of thre'e non-permanent Members of the Security Council

The agenda calls for the election of three nonpermanent members of the Security Council. I will remind you briefly ot the circumstances: During the first part of its first session, the General Assembly elected six non-permanent members of the Security Council, in accordance with the terms of the Charter and the provisional rules of procedure. Three of those members, Australia, Brazil and Poland, were elected for two years. Egypt, Mexico and the Netherlands were elected for onc year. By a resolution adopted at its thirty-second plenary meeting, the General Assembly decided that the members of the Security Council elected for a period of one year should hold offite until JaI).uary 1947. LePREslDENT: L'ordre du jour comporte l'election de trois membres non permanents du Conseil de securite. Je rappelle brievement com~ ment la question se pose: . Au cours de la premiere partie de sa premiere session, l'Assemblee generale a procede a 1'61ection de six membres non permanents du Conseil de securite, conformement aux termes de la Charte et du reglement interieur provisoire. Trois de ces membres, l'Australie, le Bresil, la Pologne, ont ete €lus pour une p6riode de deux ans. L'Egypte, le Mexique, les Pays-Bas ont ete elus pour une periode d'un an. Par une resolution adoptee au cours de sa trente-deuxieme seance pIeniere, l'Assemblee generale a decide que les membres du ConseiI de securite elus pour une periode d'un an exerceraient·leur mandat jusqu'en janvier 1947. . 11 convient done que l'AssernbIee generale procede maintenant al'€lection de trois membres pour remplacer les trois membres sortants du Conseil de ~4curite au mois de janvier proehain. Conformement aux termes de la Charte et du reglement interieur provisoire, teI qu'il a ete amende ici au cours de la deuxieme partie de la The General Assembly must therefore now proceed to elect three members to replace the three members retiring next January. In accordance with the terms of the Charter and the provisional rules of procedure, as amended here at the second part of the first session, the three membe:rs to be elected by the Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole a M. Pa.- rodi, representant de la France. M. PARODI (France): Je me propose d'etre le plus bref des orateurs qui ont pris ou prendront la parole pour soutenir la proposition egyptienne; non, certes, que j'estime inutile de fournir id des raisons de l'appuyer, mais parce que je pense, au contraire, que l'AssembIee generale des Nations Unies sera unanime avoter ceUe proposition, et ala voter avec enthousiasme. 109. Election de trois membres non permanents du Conseil de s'ecurite The ballot papers will be distributed. Not all the names of Members of the United Nations are listed on those papers. The names of the eight Members which are still on the Security Council and of the three which are not eligible for re-election, that is, -Egypt, Mexico and the Netherlands, are not on the list. Only the names of Members eligible for the Security Council are included. Heads of delegations are asked to mark with a cross the square opposite the name of each Member for whom they wish to vote. There must be no other mark on the ballot paper. Papers with votes for more than three members will be declared void. I propose that the GeJ?eral Assembly appoint as tellers Mr. Perez Cisneros, representative of Cuba, and Mr. Papanek, representative of Czechoslovakia. We shall now proceed to vote. (The votes of the delegations were taken in turn by secret ballot).

The roll-call is comple-ted. I call upon the tellers to count the votes. (The tellers proceeded to count the votes.)

The result of the voting is as follows: Number of Members voting .... 54 Number of blank or invalid papers 0 Number of votes cast , 54 The two-thirds majority required for election is therefore thirty-six. The number of votes obtained is as follows: Number of votes Colombia -- " 51 Syria , 45 Belgium 43 India 13 Norway..................... 4 Canada....... 1 Cuba 1 Greece .. , ,. . . .. 1 Turkey... 1 Decision: Colombia, Syria and Belgium were elected members of the Security Council for a period of two years, beginning 1 January 1947. 110. Election of six members of the Economic and Social Council

We shall now proceed to the election of six members of the Economic and Social Council on which six seats are due to become vacant in January 1947, I;lamely, those of Colombia, Greece, Lebanon, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, United States of America and Yugoslavia. Le PRE.SIDENT: Le scrutin est clos. J'invite MM. les scrutateursa proceder au depouillement. (Les scrutateurs procedent au depouillement du scrutin. ) Le PRESIDENT: Void le resultat du scrutin: Nombre de votants 54 Bulletins blancs ou nuls . . . . . . . . 0 Suffrages exprimes . .. . . . . . . . .. 54 La majorite requise des deux tiers est donc de trente-six. Ont obtenu: Nombre de voix Colombie 51 Syrie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45 Belgique 43 Inde , .. .. . . .. . . . .. 13 Norvege '" , .. .. . 4 Canada -...... . 1 Cuba 1 Grece 1 Turquie :................ 1 Decision: La Colombie, la Syrie et la Belgique sont clues membres du Conseil de, sccurite pour une periode de deux ans commen~ant le ler janvier 1947._ 110. Election de six membres du Conseil economique et social Le PRESIDENT: Nous allons maintenant proceder al'election de six membres du Conseil economique et social, six sieges devant devenir vacants au mois de janvier 1947: ceux de la Colombie, de la Grece, du Liban, de la Republique socialiste sovietique q'Ukraine, des Etats- Unis d'Amerique et de la Yougoslavie. In accordance with the General Assembly's decision with regard to the;: length of the term of office of members of the Council, the six members to be elected now will hold office for a period of three years as from 1 January 1947. New ballot papers have been distributed to you. You will see that they contain a list of all the Members eligible for the six seats on the Economic and Social Council. The twelve Mem~ bers of the United Nations whose names do not appear on the;: list are those elected last January to the Economic and Social Council for terms of two or three years. Under Article 61, paragraph 2, of the Charter, retiring members of the Economic and Social Council are imm'ediately eligible for re-election. The names of the six' members retiring next January therefore appear on the ballot paper. Representatives are requested to place a cross in the space beside the name of each Member for which they wish to vote. There must be no other mark on the ballot paper. Any papers with votes for more than six Members will be declared invalid. . Are there any observations? If not, I will ask Mr. Perez Cisneros and Mr. Papanek to act as tellers. We shall vote by roll-call.

The roll-call is completed. I call upon the tellers to count the votes. (The tellers proceeded to count the votes.)

The result of the voting is as follows: Number of Members voting..... , 54 Number of blank or invalid papers 0 Number of votes cast 54 The two-thirds majority required for election is therefore thirty-six. The number of votes obtained is as follows: . Number of votes United States of America 51 Venezuela ~ ; 46 Le PRESIDENT: Le scrutin est clos. J'invite MM. les scrutateurs a en operer le depouillement. Le PRESIDENT: Voici le resultat du scrutin: Nombre de vetants . Bulletins blancs ou nuls . Suffrages exprimes . La majorite requise des deux tiers de trente~six. Ont obtenu: 54o 54 est donc Nombr8 d8 voix EtatS-Unis d'Amerique . . . . . . .. 51 Venezuela 46 Le PRESIDENT: Je vous propose de proceder aun deuxieme tour de scrutin.

I propose that we now hold another ballot. M. NOEL-BAKER (Royaume-Uni): Puis-je demander une seconde lecture du nombre de voix obtenues par 1es pays qui n'ont pas ete elus? Mr. NOEL-BAKER (United Kingdom): Might we have read again the number of votes ob~ tained by the States which have not been ,elected? (The figures were read out.)

, We now have to decide whether we wish to hold a second ballot immediately. I propose this course) as we may have to take other votes subsequentIy. We have to apply rule 84 of the provisional rules of procedure of the General Assembly) which reads as follows: "When two or more elective places are to be filled at one time under the same conditions, those candidates obtaining in the first ballot the majority required in rules 78 or 79 shall be elected: If the number of candidates obtaining such majority is less than the number of persons or members to be elected) there shall be additional ballots to fill the remaining places) the voting being restricted to the candidates obtaining the greatest number of votes in the previous ballot) the number of candidates being not more than twice as many as the places remaining to be filled." Nous avons a appliquer l'article 84 du reglement interieur provisoire de l'Assemblee generale, dont la teneur est la suivante: . "Quand deux ou plusieurs pastes daivent ctre pourVllS par voie d'election en meme temps et dans les memes conditions, les candidats qui, au pren1ier tour, obtiennent la majOl'itc requise en vertu des articles 78 ou 79, sont elus. Si le nombre de candidats obtenant cette majOl'ite est inferieur au nombre des personnes ou des membres a elire, on procede ad'autres tours de scrutin afin de pourvoir les postes encore vacants, le vote ne portant que sur les candidats qui ont obtenu le plus grand nombl'e de suffrages au scrutin precedent et qui ne doivent pas etre en nombre superieur au double de celui des postes restant a pourvoir." For this election there were six vacancies; three of them have been filled. Therefore, we have to elect three Members to fill the three remaining vacancies. There can only be six candidates, namely, those which obtained the largest number of votes in the ballot which has just taken place. These candidates are Lebanon, the Netherlands, Turkey, Yugoslavia, the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic and Poland. These are the only countries eligible. A new ballot paper will be distributed to you; you may not vote for more than three Members. Le PRESIDENT: Nous avons maintenant a decider si nous voulons proceder iJumediatement a un second tour de scrutin. Je vous propose d'agir ainsi, car nous amons a proceder a d'au- tres votes par la suite. En l'occurrence, nous avions six sieges vacants. trois d'entre eux ont ete pourvus. L'election va done porter sur trois sieges. 11 ne peut y avoir que six candidats, ceux qui ant obtenu al!l scrutin auquel nous venons de proceder le plus grand nombre de voix. Ces candidats sont le Liban, les Pays-Bas, la Turquie, la Yougoslavie, la Republique socialiste sovUitique de Bielorussie et la Pologne. Ce sont les seuls qui soient eli- gibles. Il va vous etre distribue un nouveau bulletin de vote; vous ne pouvez voter pour plus de trois Membres. '

It is impossible for the President to foresee what CJ. speaker is going to say, but what the Polish representative has just said is contrary to the rules. There can be no nomination of candidates and no withdrawal in favour of a specified country. If the second ballot gives no definite results, I propose that the Assembly postpone the third ballot till this afternoon. I would ask the tellers kindly to take their places again. We shall proceed to a vote.

The roll-call is completed. I call upon the tellers to count the votes. (The tellers proceeded to count t~e votes.)

The result of the voting is as follows: Number of Members voting. . . . .. 53 Number of blank or invalid papers 0 Number of votes cast , 53 The two-thirds majority required for election is therefore thirty-six. The number of votes obtained is as follows: Number of votes Lebanon 41 Turkey , , 32 Netherlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30 Yugoslavia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 27 Byelorussian SSR 22 Poland. . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . 6 Decision: Lebanon was elected a member of the Economic and Social Council for a period of three years beginning 1 .January 1947.

As two seats remain to, be filled we shall take a third ballot this afternoon. FORTY-NINTH PLENARY MEETING Held on Tuesday, 19 November 1946, at 4 p.m. CONTENTS Page 111. Election of six members of the Economic and Social Council (continuation) .... 980 112. Election of three members of the Com- mittee on Contributions: reference of the item to the Fifth Committee 981 Le PRESIDENT: Il est impossible au President de prevoir ce qu'un orateur va dire, mais les paroles que vient de prononcer le representant de la Pologne sont contraires aux dispositions du reglement. Il n'y a point, lieu a presentation de candidats, et l'on ne peut se retirer en faveur de td ou td pays. Si le deuxieme tour de scrutin ne doit pas donner de resultats definitifs, je propose a l'As- semblee de remettre le troisieme tour eventuel a cet apres-midi. Je prie MM. les scrutateurs de bien vouloir reprendre leur place. Nous allons proceder au vote. (Le vote a lieu au scmtin secret, cl la tribune.) Le PRESIDENT: Le scrutin est clos. J'invite MM. les scrutateursa en' operer le depouille- ment. (Les scrutateurs procUent au depouillement du scrutin.) Le PRESIDENT: Void le resultat du scrutin: Nombre de votants .. , . . . . . . .. 53 Bulletins blancs ou nuls . . . . . . . . 0 Suffrages exprimes 53 La majoriU requise des deux tiers est done de trente-six. Ont obtenu: Nombre de voi:c Liban " 41 Turquie , .. .. . . .. . .. 32 Pays-Bas 30 Yougoslavie . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 27 RSS de Bielorussie ..... . . . . .. 22 Pologne ..... ,.............. 6 Decision: Le Liban est Elu membre du Con- seil economique et social pour une plriode de trois ans commen~ant le 1er janvier 1947. Le PRESIDENT: Deux sieges restant a pour- voir, nous procederons cet apres-midi a un troi- sieme tour de scrutin. La seance est levee cl 14 h. 30. QUARAN-rE-NEUVIEME SEANCE PLENIERE Tenue le mardi 19 novembre 1946, Cl 16 heU1·es. TABLE DES MATIERES Pages 111. Election de jlix membres du Conseil eco- nomique et social (suite) 980 112. Election de trois membres du Comite des contributions. Renvoi a la Cinquieme Commission .. .... ,................, 981