A/12/PV.678 General Assembly

I mustapologize to the Assembly for speaking at Wastage in the proceedings. I know that it is not customary to do so; it has never happened during all the years I have had the honour of representing my country in the Assembly. I am well aware of rule 94 of the Assembly's rules of procedure, according to which all elections shall be held by secret ballot and 21. Both candidates are deserving of our full conSideration and respect. We are familiar with their ability and integrity, but the Assembly should, I believe, give complete authority to its . I3xt President. Like his predecessors, he must be above the battle and act impartially in dealing with all the problems submitted for our consideration. Like Prince Wan Waithayakon, the President of the eleventh session, and like preVious Presidents, he will have to rlischarge his high office in full compliance with the principles of the Charter and the provisions of the rules of procedure. 22. For these reasons, I take the liberty of suggesting that one of the candidates should stand down, thus enabling us to elect the next president of the Assembly by a unanimous vote. I know that sucha gesture would be welcomed by the Assembly. In so dealing with this matter - which is not political-we would begin our work in unity and amity instead of being divided and finding oUl'selves in the position of having to cOluer victory upon one candidate and inflict defeat upon the other. 23. I believe that the legitimate aspirations of the candidates will be supported by the delegations on a future occasion. For my part, I can say that my country will support the candidate who decides to Withdraw, thus enab~ing us to give greater backing and authority to the President who will be elected for this session. The withdrawal of one candidate would be an expression of the unity and the spirit of friendliness which exists in this matter - for this is not a debate on a political issue. Thus, all the Members of this Assembly could write and work in an atmosphere of harmony that might be an augury of a brighter future for the United Nations and for the world.

I listened with great care to the statement that we have just heard from our colleague and former PreSident, Mr. Padilla Nervo. I think the arguments that he adduced are sound and should be fully considered. Basing myself upon his statement, together with the expressions in it regarding the future, I wish to make the following declaration. 25. The deliberations of the General Assembly affect the peace of the world, and therefore the President of the Assembly, to 'be able to guide our proceedings with the requisite authority and prestige, must enjoy the broadest and, if possible, the unanimous supportofthe Assembly. 26. Now theAssembly has \oeforeittwo candidates, and we know that the house isfairly evently divided between them. In the space ofa few months we have been able to gather considerable support, whichby itselfwould have justified our pressing for a contest on the floor. Z7. However, considerations of strength or weakness are not the only, nor even the most important, considerations in this situation, for during our campaign it became apparent also that most of those who were 33. It is in recognition of his indisputabkmeritsthat 39. Mr. CASEY (Australia): I appreciatetheopportu- I wish to put on record the earnest hope and expectation nity of joining in the many expressions ofappreciation that the General Assembly, will, at some future time, of the high-minded and selfless attitude which Mr. avail itself of the services of so able and deserving a Malik has just demonstrated to us. man for its President, both as a simple matter of justice to Mr. Malik himself andas an act by which the 40. It was a matter of very considerable distress to General Assembly would honour itself. me, and I know to a number of other representatives, that the Assembly might be called upon to choose 34. Mr. DULLES (United States of America): This between two gentlemen of such high distinction and Organization is fortunate that it has among its achievements as Sir Leslie Munro and Mr. Charles members those who are well qualified to serVEl as Malik. As the representative of Mexico has said, there President of the GeneralAssembly. We have justheard is obvious advantage and merit in unanimity in this one of them speak: Mr. Malik, a man of great eminence case, since unanimity clearly adds to the authority of whom it has been my privilege to know even before the the income Presideht. United Nations was formed. He has shown, I think, by his statesman-like act toda.y, his devotion anddedication to the principles and ideals of the United r~ations. I know that we all rejoice that he will be able in the future to serve this Organization, the more DO because of his act here today. 35. Mr. TSIANG (China): The Secretary for External Relations of Mexico, in putting before us the suggestions which he made, has renderec. the General Assembly one more service. The sentiments that hs expressed are those of my delegation. Indeed, itwould be a privilege for my delegation to votefor Mr. Mal1k for President of the General Assembly. He has, in the interests of harmony, decided to withdraw. Itwillbe a privilege for my delegation to support him whenever he should offe:!.' his services to us in the capacity of President of the General Assembly. 41. This highminded and selfless attitude of Mr. Malik in standing down today has, I believe, added appreciably to his prestige in the United Nations and elsewhere, now and in the future. 42. A long time ago - in fact, fourteen years ag\j. ~ I had some association with the Middle East and with Lebanon. At that time, I became acquainted with a number of those who now occupy the highest positions in Lebanon. Mr. Malik, as a great many, if not all, of us know, as a :man of high distinction and :reputation, which go far outside his own country. He is one of t.'le best speakers in the United Nations. He is notable, perhaps, for his calm and philosophical analysis of world affairs. 43. In conclucUng this ...,~_)f statementof a.ppreciation, I would say that Mr. Mailkhas L"lcreasedin stature R..'1d in prestige by his selfless and high-minded action today. 46. The TEMPORARY PRESIDENT: The Assembly will now proceed to the election of the President. At the invitation of the Tem ra President Mr. Padilla Nervo Mexico and Mr. Luns Netherlands acted as tellers. A vote was taken by secret ballot. Number of ballot papers: Invalid ballots: Number of valid ballots: Abstentions: Number of members voting: Required majority: Number of votes obtained: SIR Leslie Munro (New Zealand) • • . . • . .• 77 Mr. Charles Malik (Lebanon) • • . • • • . . •• 1 • Havin~obtained the required majority, Sir Leslie Munro ew Zealand) was elected President of the twelfth session of the General Assembly, and took the Chair. 81o 81 78 ';9 53. In that quest, our Organization has made andwil1 continue to make an essential contribution in all the diverse fields of international activity. We should, as oUl' Secretary-General has pointed out inthe introduction to his annual report, "recognize the United Nations for what it is -' an admittedly imperfect but indispensable instrument of nations in working for a 47. The PRESIDENT: I need hardly say how profoundly peaceful evolution toward a more justand secure world I am moved by this occasion. BeforeI speak, as I want order" [A/3594/Add.l. p.3]. to speak, ofthewords that have been utteredby my most 54. The session we are now beginning is not to be distinguished friend Mr. Malik, the Minister of Foreign distinguished from those preceding it in the range or Affairs of Lebanon, I would like to acknowledge what complexity of the issues itpresents. The record shows has been saidby the Secretary for ExternalRelations of that the responsibilities resting on this Organization Mexico, by, the Secretary of State ofthe United States of are not episodic, but cumulative. The UJ'l..ited Nations America, by the heads of the delegations of the must do its work in a divided world in which for ten Philippines, France, China and L'ldia ands it goes years the nations bave been Without dependable safewithout saying, by the Minister of State for External guards against the catastrophe of total war. It is a Affairs oil Australia. Diatter for deep concern that many stubborn problems 4 should elude soluUon and should eachyear reappear on 8. I aDl very conscious of Mr. Mnlik's mag;nanimity our af~enda in onf~ form or another" A constant effort and of Ms highmindednessinwithdrawing his candidais therefore requlred if there ~s to be any enlargement ture beforethis election. His action, whichisconsistent of gains painfully made and painfully maintained. with aU that we in this Assembly know and I1dmire in U Address by Sir Leslie Munro, President of the Twelfth 'session of the General Assembly 50. In approaching my task I am fortified by the knowledge that I shall be able to count on the cooperation and the support of all members of the Assembly. We are enjoined under our Charter to have as our common purpose the preservation of peace and the enlargement of human welfare. It is my hope that the work of this twelfth session will advance these noble purposesandthatitwill reflect ina practical way our common attachment to the principles of the Charter. 51. Like all my distinguished predecessors, whose record of sei'vice provides me with both guidance and inspiration, I shall be sustained in the discharge of my responsibilities by the certainty that I can rely on the invaluable advice and assistance of our Secretary- General and his most excellent staff. 52. We meet with the memory fresh in our minds of a period of acute uncertainty and tension in major areas of the world. During the last twelve months, problems of the utmost gravity have confronted the United Nations. Our Organization has not failed to respond. The achievements of the eleventh session, which followed hard on the heels of two momentous emergency sessions, are none the less real for being limited. 'When full allowance has been made for their limitations, these achievements emphasize anew the position which the United Nations has come to occupy in the settlement of disputes and the quest for an international order based on justice. We must pursue the quest with unflagging determination.

The next item on the agenda is one which I am very happy to place before the General Assembly: it is the admission of the Federation of Malaya to membership in the United Nations. 62. The Security Council has unanimously recommended [A!3654] to the General Assembly that the Federation of Malaya be admitted to membership in the Organization. Today the Assembly will take action on a draft resolution submitted bv Australia Canada C J ' , eylon, Ghana, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and the United Kingdom [A!3655!Rev.l]. 63. I understand that there is a general desire a desire also expressed in the Security Council th~t a decision should be taken with respect to the ad~ssion of the Federation of Malaya at the earliestopportunity in order that we may welcome its representatives at the beginning of the sessionand benefitalsofrom their "I am confident that Malaya will respond worthily io the challenging tasks of independence andthat she will continue to show to the world that example of moderation and good will between all races that has been so marked a feature of her history." 70. The Federation, as an equaland independent member of the Commonwealth, can rely on the continued help and support of the United Kingdom and of the other Commonwealth countries, bothhere inthe United Nations and in other ways. 71. May! make just one further point. Some people have congratulated the Federation of Malayaon having won its fight for independence. Well, thatfightwas not against us, the British. We have, as a matter of deliberate policy, sought to guide the peoples of the British Empire to self-government and independence. We have not always agreed with them upon the timing or the precise methods, but it has been, and is, our declared and deliberate course of policy - a policy not forced upon us but voluntarily undertaken, and we are proud of it, 72. This is the forth occasion since the first session of the General Assembly in 1945 upon which a representative of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom has had the honour of proposing a newly independent member of the Commonwealth for membership in the United Nations, and it is our intention that there shall be other such memorable occasions in the future. 73. I am therefore honouredand gladto recommendto the General Assembly the draft resolution which other members of the Commonwealthhave joined in sponsoring. I am sure that the General Assembly will accord a unanimous vote in favour of this draft resolution, and that that unanimity will be an auspicious introduction to the entry of the Federation of Malaya into the United Nations. In moving this draft resolution, I repeat once more the heartfelt good wishes of the people of the United Kingdom for those of the Federation of Malaya.

We shall now proceedto vote on the draft resolution submitted by Australia, Canada, Ceylon, Ghana, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and the United Kingdom [A!3655!Rev.l]. A vote was taken by roll-call. Japanrl having been drawn by lot by the President, was ca ed upon to vote first. In favour: Japan, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, LibYa, Luxembourg, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Paki~ ...an, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugual, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of SovietSocialistRepublics, United Kingdom of Great Britainand NorthernIreland, United States ofAmerica, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burm;l., Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cam- The delegation of the Federation of Malaya was escorted to its plice in the General Assembly hall.

On behalf of the Assembly, I have the great honour, in sincerity and in friendship, to welcome to our membership the new State of the Federation of Malaya. 76. It is very proper, on this happy occasion, that I should recall the record of the Federation ofMalaya's uninterrupted progress towards independence, the great responsibility and statesmanship exercised by the Malayan leaders, andthe harmony andco-operation existing between the Federation of Malaya and the United Kingdom, with whose guidance and help the new State has taken its place in the community of nations. 77. I am confident that our Organization will substantially gain by this addition to our numbers of another Member dedicated to the purposes of the Charter. 78. Mr.ISMAIL (Federation of Malaya): On behalf of the Government of the Federation of Malaya, I would like to express our gratitude to the President and to the other representatives gatheredherefor their warm welcome. I would like particularly to express our thanks to the members of the delegation of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealthcountriesfor the draft resolution which preceded our admission to member(3hip in the United Nations. 79. It is with pride and hUmility that I speak before you today so soonafter the emergence of the Federation of Malaya as an independent andfully sovereign country on 31 August 1957. I speak here today in this, the greatest assembly of nations, as the representative of a small nation, a nation of only 6 million people, living in an area of only 50,000 square miles. The acceptance by the General Assembly of the membership of the Federation of Malaya in the United Nations confers on my country a privilege and a right which we shall cherish. At the same time, it confers on my country, small though it is, a great responsibility which we envisaged when we set out, with determination and singleness of purpose, on the road to independence. 80. Although our material wealth and our standardof living compare very favourably with those of many nations in the world today, as a smallnation, our basic strength lies not in these material things, but in the moral character and purposes of our people. We have in Malaya three major racial groups: the Malays, the Chinese and the Indians, who have lived together for generations in peace and harmony. Neither the difference in religion and cultural background, nor the difference in their eeonomic and social status, has created an insuperable barrier towards the national unity of these races. Our great desire is to have the right and the goodfortune to live as a free, independent and united national among thefree nations ofthe world. The achievement of this desire, through peaceful and constitutional means, throughfriendly negotiationand a spirit of compromise, is the result ofthe abiding moral 82. Our King, at the opening of our Parliament, had this to say: nIt is the intention of my Government to be on the most friendly terms with all countries in the world. My Government stands for peace, freedom and the well-being of every country of the world.n Continuing, His Majesty further said: nMy Government will adhere to the principles embodied in the Charter of the .United Nations and, if the Federation is elected a Member of that Organization, my Government intends that this country should play its part within the bounds which limited resources must dictate in the work of the many international bodies which operate under the auspices of the United Nations. YI 83. It is now my duty as the representative of the new independent Federation of Malaya, to affirm solemnly in the General Assembly the aim and object of the Government and people of the Federation of Malaya: with the grace of God, to observe the principles and further the purposes of the United Nations Charter. 84. With pride and joy, and an awareness ofthe grave responsibility before us, we take our place amongyou today. With God's blessing, we shall not fail in the trust that is placed upon my country and my people. '85. Mr. CASEY (Australia): Although I realize very well, Mr. PreSident, that there will be other and perhaps more appropriate opportunities for me, onbehalf of the Australian delegation, to welcome very warmly your election to the presidency of the General Assembly, I cannot let this first opportunity that presents itself to me go by without saying one word of sincere congratulations to you and, if I may say so, to the General Assembly, on your assumption of that office. 86. 1 am also grateful for this opportunity to say 9. few words of welcome to the representative of the Federation of Malaya. The admission vf any new Member into the United Nations is an event of consequence. The entry of a new Member such as the Federation of Malaya, follOWing to closely upon its assumption of nationhood only two orthree weeks ago, is a matter of particular significance for Australia, because over theyears, over the generations, there has been a very close association between Malaya and Australia in directions that I need not detail at this moment. 87. Only a week or ten days ago, I returned from representing my country at the hldependence celebra- 91. A !lew weeks ago, a member of ilie Canadian Governrnent, Mr. J. M. :Macdonnell, was present as a represemtative of my country at the impressive ceremonies at Kuala Lumpur on the occasionwhenthe Federa.tion of Malaya became one of the independent membflrs of the Commonwealth of Na.tions. At that time, the Canadian Governmentexpressedits pleasure in welcoming the Federation as another indepen::lent member of that Commonwealth. I reiterate ;~t welcome today to the representative of the Federation of Malaya, who has taken a seat in the General Assellllbly. It is most gratifying to me personally that my fllrst utterance in the Assembly shouldbe, on this 88. This must 'be a proud day for my f~iend Mr. Ismail the first Ambassador from the Federation of Malay~ to the UJllited States and the first Permanent Rspresentative of the Federationto the United Nations. Mr. Ismail has had more than a passing acquaintance with my coui'1f;ry, Australia. He was, with his distinguished Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, and others; among the architects of the nationhood of the Federation of Malaya, and, as I have said, he must be a proud man to be the first to represent his country in this great world Organization. 89. As I have said, the addition of any new Member to our ranks is a matter of impc_ tance. For Australia, and for the Commonwealth more generally, the attainment by the Federation of Malaya, first, of independence within the Commonwealth, and now of membership in the United Nations, is a matter for sincere cong;ratulation, and~ on my own behaJi and.on behalf of the: Australian delegation and the Australian Government ~.nd people, I should like to extend our sincere and warm congratulations to the Federation of Malaya.

Mr. President, will yc:u allow me to add to the words of congratulation which have been addressed to you in respectofyour election to the presidency. I do not subtract inany way from ~e warmth of my felicitations when I express to this Assemblv the high regard in which Mr 0 Malik is held by the Canadian delegation. We salute Mr. Malik f~r his unselfish action this aftemoon in withdrawing his candidature for the presidency. Co~rt, the Foreign Service and many departments of the Government. They threw themselves fUlly into the life of the people and they identified themselves with every progressive cause in our country. J:t gives us "Iery great pleasure indeed, therefore, to be a.ble to congratulate the Federation of Malaya very sincerely on the achievement of its objectives of inde!lendence and admission to the United Nations. 100. It is indeed a pleasure and a specialprivilege to me to join my colleagues, the other Members of this Assembly, in welcoming the Federation of Malaya into the membership of this great assembly of nations. Perhaps more readily than any other Member, my delegation understands the justified pride and sense of achievement which our colleagues from Malayafeel at this time. It was not so long ago that we ourselves, Ghana, were graciouslywelcomedintothe membership of this Assembly. It is therefore with great pleasure and pride that, on.behalf of the Governmentand people of Ghana, I welcome our colleagues from Malaya to Membership in this Assembly. 101. By a coincidence of history, the State of Ghana and the State of the Federation of Malaya can be regarded as twins, having attained independence in the same year and practically in similar circumstances. We hope that the time will not be far distant when all colonial territories in Africa and elsewhere will also attain their independence, as Ghana and Malaya have now done, and take their rightful places in this great family of nations. 102. Mr. Krishna MENON (India): Mr. Presid", t, I would like on behalf of my delegation to take ~~ oPpo1"tunity of my presence on this rostrum so early in the proceedings of the Assembly to offer you our good wishes on your election to the ll..!gh office of President of the Assembly. I feel sure that in expressing this I am expressing not only the view of my delegation, but also of my country, that the representative of New Zealand should take the Chair of the Assembly this year. 103. India has co-sponsored the draft resolution before the Assembly [A/3655/Rev.l] along with the United Kingdom and other members of the Commonwealth for the admission of the Federation of Malaya to membership in the United Nations. It is a happy augury for us that so early in this session we are welcoming the eighty-second Member, anewMember~ to the United Nations, thus makinga further advance in the process that began about two yearsagowhen some sixteen new Members were admitted. 105. In welcoming the Federation of Malaya to membership in the United Nations, we are happy to recall the fact that once again the United Kingdom, in the exercise of its sovereignty and by the process of co-operation, has enabled one of its former colonial territories to become an independent nation.

May I take this first opportunity of addressinga word ofappreciation to Mr. Charles Malik of Lebanon for his action in the Assembly today. What he did could not have been an easy decision for him to make, buthe made it very obviously in the interest of unity, and unityis of great importance to the work of the United Nations. My delegation, and indeed I thinkI can safely say the whole Assembly, has reason to be grateful to Mr. Malik for what he has done. 106. On this occasion, the names oftwo men, who are not present in the Assembly, come foremost to mind. One is the present Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, whose statesmanship and patience has enabled both the United Kingdom and the several States that compose the Federation, to overcome the difficu!ties that made the achievement of independence a very long process extending over several years of negotiation. 113. Naturally it is a source of pride to me as a New Zealander to see a fellow countryman, inthe person of Sir Leslie Munro, in the position of President of the Assembly. He is well known in his native country of New Zealand. He is well known to many of the people here, and I feel sure that they, with me, will feel confident that he will guide the destinies of the Assembly ably and wellduringthe time that lies ahead. 107. The other name that comes to one's mind is that of -other statesman, a Scotsman, the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in India, Mr. Ma.lcolm Macdonald, who a few years ago startedwhat then seemed the impossible task ofweldingthe various communities and territories of Malaya in preparation for independence. 114. It was with the warmest pleasure that the New Zealand delegation joinedwith the other Commonwealth co-sponsors in submitting the draft resolution just adopted by the Assembly and recommending the admission of the Federation of Malaya to membe:'\'shipin the United Nations. Two weeks ago the Security Council indicated in a unanimous vote its approval of the Federation's application. The Assembly has nowin like manner welcomed the new State to this Organization. 108. It wvuld not perhaps be inappropriate at this moment to say that, irrespective of the different raCIal stocks that exist in the territory, it is possible, given the will and the desire to co-operate, for them to be united in a form ofindependence within the aegis of the Commonwealth of Nations. This may be an instance which has lessons for all of us. We in India are happy to feel that the process that we began as an act of faith in the UnitedKingdomandin ourselves and other members of the Commonwealth eight or nine years ago, when the territories that became independent decided upon their own free willand with no pressure from the older members of the Commo~­ wealth to remain in the fraternity - that act of faith stands justified today. Now the tenth member of the Commonwealth has been admitted as a Member of the United Nations at the dawn of its independence and welcomed by the other States in the same way as its predecessors. 115. I am confident that t.lJ.e Federation ofMalayawill bear with distinction the duties and responsibilities it has assumed on its entry into the United Nations. Together with representativesfromthe Commonwealth and from many other nations. I was privileged to be present at the celebrations which were held in Kuala Lumpur to mark the achievement of independence by the Federation of Malaya. I was able on that happy occasion to convey to the new state the good wishes and sincere congratulations of my ownGovernmentand people. My visit serviced also to confirmimpressions of previous visits thatI had made there that the leaders of the Federation, with the ass=~tance of the United Kingdom, have achi&ved outstanding success, in the face of considerable obstacles, in creating a nation in a country inhabited by diverse races. The existence in the Federation of Malaya of a democratically elected Assembly and of a Government firmly establishedand enjoying wide supportthroughoutthe country isanother indication of the eminent fitness of that State to join the community of nations. 109. This is a further stepin the Asian revolution and the liberation of colonial peoples. Now two or three small pieces of territory have yet to take this course, and we hope that the United Kingdom and others that have assisted in the process ofthe liberation of Malaya will not be found wanting in the processes which will accomplish the same thing in regard to other territories. 116. That the ne';¥ State is so soundly established is due also to thG wise manner in whichthe United Kingdom carded out its responsibilities in Malaya. I feel that this is a proper ~casion on which to pay tribute to the United Kingdom for the guidance andassistance it has given to the ltiaders andpeople of the F Jeration in their path to independence. Malayan state..!lmenatthe 110. On behalf of my Government, which wa.s represented by one of my colleaguesatthe recent independence celebrations in the Federationof Malaya, we offer our congratulations and we hope that the resolution which has now been adopted will be welcomedall over 123. i feel that this is an appropriate moment to compliment the Government of the United Kingdom on once again making possible, by yet another fine act of renunciation, the orderlytransformation ofa dependent territory into an independent State. This is a great and auspicious occasion for the Federation of Malaya, for it is now established as another self-governing Asian Power. It has elected of its own free-will to belong to that ];"emarkable family, the Commonwealth, andithas today been elected, by unanimous consent, a Member of this wider international f~.mily, the United Nations. 135. Finally, on behalf ofallthe Arab States, I wish to congratulate the Federation of Malaya on its independence and welcome it to membership inthe United Nations. We send our heartfelt greetings to the people of the Federation, along with an expression of our admiration and our best wislms.

I should like, on behalf of the delegation and the Government of the Philippines, to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your election. Your personal record as the representative of New Zealand in the Security Council anu in the General Assembly and New Zealand's services to the cause of peace have earned for you this exalted position. 143. There is more to the admission of the Federation of Malaya than the fact that it has become the eighty-second Member of the United Nations. Its admission marks the passing ofan era inAsia: the era of West.ern colonialism. With the independence of the Federation, no li.i8.jor area of the Asian mainland is now a colony of a Western Power. 144. When my country, the Philippines, was given . independence in 1946, the UnitedKingdomand the other colonial Powers of Europe followed suit by granting freedom to India, Ceylon, Burma, Indonesia and Indo- China, including the French protectorates of Cambodia and Laos. The fact is that since 1946 more than half of the world's population, inhabiting twenty~five nations, has emerged free and independent. That is a point to underscore now. The march of freedom continues, and Western colonia~ism has accepted the reality of the emergence of Asian nationalism and has voluntarily withdrawn. 145. The Philippines is happy to welcome the Federation of Malaya. IndiaandCeylonclaimthattheir people went to Malaya. Our claim in the Philippines is that our ancestors came from Malaya. As fellow-Malays, we arc proud of their achh~vement,and we wish them Godspeed as they embark on their new adventure of self-guidance. 146. The Federation of Malaya has a. well-organized and competent civil service, inherited from the Br-itish, who, let it be satd in all fairness, sent their best men to help the new nation gradually rise to freedom. We pay our tribute to Her Britannic Majesty's Government and to the people ofthe United Kingdom for this new token of their liberalism. So wealthy is this great peninsula of Malaya in the two strategic commodities ot rubber l.I.nd tin that it was predicted ~' some th"l.t the United Kingdom would never let Malaya go, because it was the biggest dollar-earner' of the entire British Commonwealth of Nations - the fngure was almost $400 million a year. And yet, as th~ worl' sees today, through a voluntary act the Unicl:ilJack ha. come down from that flagpole at Kuala Lumpur, to be replaced by the banner of the Federation of Malaya: eleven red and white stripes, with an eleven-pointed star and crescent on a blue bactground.

First, Iwish to associate my delegation with other dele~.tionsin extending to Sir Leslie Munro our congratulations on his election as President of the GeneralAssembly. My d.elegation has come to know him as a friend who possesses a thorough familiarity with all aspects of the problems of this house, an intimate knowledge of th~ history of many of the items included in the Assembly's agenda, and a remarkable ability to establish workable and mutually satisfactory compromises in the ·most difficult situations. 137. The fact that yet another nation of Asia has achieved its independence, that the people of the Federation of Malaya have been reborn in freedom, cannot but be a source of deep gratification to my delegation. But, beyondthat, we feel a specialpride and joy in seeing the Federation of Malaya seated here among us. Malaya is our nearest neighbour and. a country with which, since time immemorial, we have enjoyed the closest ci,utural and economic relations. These ties of friendship and co-operation Will, I am sure, not only endure, but also grow and prosper in the future. 138. We have many things incommonwiththecountry and people of the Federation of Malaya. Both L'le Federation and Indonesia, while havingdeep roots inan old culture andtradition, are relativelyyoung countries in the arena of world affairs. Together, weenterl'}d the atomic age, as under-industrialized but, in terms of natural resources and manpower, potentially very rich countries. We share, I believe,the enthusiasmand bold initiative generated by our struggle for national liberation. Happily I can nota that in the case of the Federation the struggle for national freedom and 8elfgovernment was achieved without warfare, ina peaceful, United Nations way. I sincerely hope that this example will soon be emulated in the case of other countries still struggling for self~determinationand independence. 139. Indeed, we have with Malaya even a kinship of language. Thus, the love of freedom not only is commonly harboured in our hearts, but also is expressed by the same word: merdeka. And when, recently - on 31 August - the Federation of Malaya gained its freedom, when independence became a reality for it, the people of my country, I am happy to say, celebrated that day with the Government and people of the Federation. 148. Prince WAN WAITHAYAKON (Thailand): Mr. President, may 1, onbehalfoftte delegation ofThailand, e:ll..'iend to you, sir, ourwarmestcongratulations onyour election to the high office of the President of the twelfth session of the General Assembly. There is no ('ne to whom I would hand over the gav~l with greater pl.easure or confidence than yourself. I am sure that you will bring great success to the proceedings of this twelfth session, and you have the very best wishes of the delegati,..m of Thailand. 149. And now, as an immediate neighbour of Malaya, may I claim the privilege of extending the warmest welcome to the Federation of Malaya on the occasion of its admission to membership in the United Nations. The Federation of Malaya is not only a good neighbour and friend of Thailand, we consider it a sister nation and~ in fa.ct, the two countries are sister natior.,s bound together from time immemoxial by ties of the closest friendship, ties which it ls the policy et" my country to develop, and r am sure that thatpolicy \ ' reciprocated on the side of Malaya as well. 150. I had the privilege of attending t.'1eindependence celebl'a±ions in Kuala Lumpur and I was most favourably impressed by the peacefulattainmentof independeh...e in accordance with the principle of self-determination as contained in the Charter of t.'le United Nations. Above all, I was impressed by the cordiality of feeling between the Federation of Malaya and the United Kingdom. I think that it :reflects great credit on both the Fede!'ation of. Malaya and the United Kingdom that the Federation was brought into the United Nations in this way. 151. I tso had the privilege of attending the opening of Par.lia.ment and of hearing the statement of policy in the speech from the throne and I WclS greatly impressed - as no doubtallthe otherswho were th(lre on that oc(;asion were also impressed - by the mode:eation and wisdom of the policy stated. And so I am sure, and I can assure the GeneralAssembly, Umt the Federation oi Malaya willplay an importantpart L.'1 the Unii:~dNations towards the cause ofworld peace and freedom. 152. Mr. KUZNETSOV (Union of Soviet Socialist RepUblics) (translated from Russian): Mr. President, allow me first· of all to congratulate you on your el~ctioIi as President of me twelfth session of the General Assembly of our Organization. 153. .The Soviet Union deleg~::ion~ on behalf of the Soviet people' and t119 Government' of .the USSR, sincerely cong:ratulares the Malay ceople and its Government on the admission of the Federation of Malaya to the .United Nations. Tho freedom-loving peoplesw~lcometheachievemElni of independence by yetaIl0ther. nationaf the Asian continent. 1:!54. Since L'le· earliest days of it~ existence, the Soviet Union has been opposed in principle to oppression of any fO:t'ID by one nation against another. It has !:onsistently f..pplied the principles of the full equality of allpeoples Qnd of friendship and mutual assistance 156. The admission of the Federation of Malaya into the United Nations and the establishment and development of friendly relations withall countries, irrespective of their social systems, on U.~ basis of respect for the principles of equal rights, State sovereignty ar<:i non-intervention in domestic affairs can have a beneficial effect on the further development of the cou.ntry. This will enable the Federation of Malaya to make its contribution to the cause of developing practical co-operation among the cOlllltries of Asia and of the whole world; the cause of strengthening peace and security. 157. The Soviet delegation regards the unanimous support .~or the admiSSion of the Federation ofMalaya to the United Nations as a new manifestation of the solidarity of Member States with respect of the principle of the universality of t.'le UnitedNations. The Soviet delegation expresses the hope that in the future also this principle will be taken as the basis for the settlement of the question of the admission of new Members to tile United Nations. 158. We sincerely wish the Malay people, which has embarked upon thefirst stage of independentexistence, every success in rapidly achieving econoU'ic independenc,e anci the development of th~i'!: country in every field, increasing their prosperity and developing their national culture. 159. The Soviet delegation welcomes the rep:-esentatives of the Federation of Malaya who are here today and wishes them success and fruitful activity in tile application of the loft'] principles ofthe United Nations witn respect to the maintenance and strengthening of universal peace.

Mr. President, the United St';l.tes warmly welcomes the presence amongst us of the new State, the Federation of Malaya. 161. I recall that) when I first began work with the United Nations, there were only fifth Members. Now there ar~ eighty-two. Of the increase~ twenty are nations which have peacefully won their independence during these last, post-war years. 162. The people of Malaya hav!:' already shownin their struggles against communist t~rroriststhat they have the qualities needed to sustain indElpendence in the hard world of today; andthe United Kingdomhas shown the statesmanship to recognize those qualities and to give them their due. There is need in the world for those qualities. r.me! f "that statesmanship.

Mr. President, my delegation desires to ct;ngl'ilhJate ';Ol1 warmly on your elevation to the office h >1 ':Hf[!\l"f of President of the General Assembly. Th"ci('- 'ii~ho have been your colleagues, both here and in other spheres, have learned to admire the high qualities of statesmanship and integrity which 171. U THANT (Burma): Before I make a brief congratulatory statement, let me say how gratified my delegation is Mr. President, at your election to i:..lti.s exalted office ofthe Presidentofthe GeneralA.;sembly. 172. Let me join other delegations in congratulating the Federation of Malaya on its admission to the United Nations. Malaya and Burma, which I have the honour to represent, are notonlycloseneighbours, but our two countries share the co:oo.mon strains of historical processes - our independence, our bondage, our struggles a.'1.d our ..riumphs. 173. In this connexion, let me take tll.isopportunityto express the heartfelt thanks of the countryI represent to the United KingdmnGovernmentfor its magnanimity and foresight in accordingindependenceto theFederation of Malaya, which has now attained a sovereign status without the shedding of a single drop of blood. My delegation has no doubt that the admission of the new independent State of the Federation of Malaya to this world organization will be a force for peace. My delegation joins otherdelegations inwishingita peacefu~ and prosperous future. 174. Mr. TSIANG (Chtna): Mr. PI'esident, mydelegation wish~s to add its congratulations to the many that .u have rereived uponyour electiontothe presidency. is a great honour you personally and your country ...chly deserve. My delegation pledges you its support and co-operation in the dischaJ:ge of y'our tasks. 175. In the Security Council it was my privilegeand I regarded it as a privilege - to vote for and speak in favour of the admission of the Federation ofMalaya to membership in the United Nations. Similarly, today we are happy becauw~anewnation,anew Asian nath.m, a goodly percentage of whose people is of Chinese origin,· has been born. We are happy that that independence was peacefully achieved, withoutopposition or struggle between the United Kingdom, on the one ~Iide~ and the Federation of Malayaonthe other. It was a splendid example of a change from a colony to an independen\ nation,.· with the co-operation of both authorities. 176. I was deeply impressed by the tribute which the Prime Minister of the Federation paid to the United Kingdom on 31 August, when independence was celebrated. Indeed, this event is a creditbothto the people of the ::-'ederation and to the Government andpeople of the United Klng~.om. In fact, in the post-war period th&l'e has been no fightlilg between the UnitedKingdom and Malaya. 177. There has been much fighting and much bloodshed, but that VIas between the subversive agents of international communism and the freedom-loving people of Malaya. Fortunately, on the whole, that !;t;ruggle has been won by the latter. 178. My Government and my people wishthe Federation of Malaya peace, freedom, independence and prosperity in all the years to come. The meeting rose at 5.45 p.m.