A/15/PV.876 General Assembly

I should like to invite the attention of Members to two letters from the President of the Security Council [A/4513, A/4514] transmitting the texts of resolutions adopted unanimously by the Council recommending the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of Mali, respectively, to membership in the United Nations. Members of the Assembly also have before them. a draft resolution submitted by France and Tunisia [A/L.309] l'ecommending the· Republic of Senegal for admission to membership in the United Nations and a draft resolution submitted by Ceylon,France and Tunisia [A/L.310] recommending the admission of the Republic of Mali to membership in the United Nations. 99. I would ask the Assembly to vote on the draft resolution recommending the Republic of Senegal to membership in the United Nations [A/L.309]. The draft resolution was adopte::l by acclamation. 100. The PRESIDENT: I ~nw.declare the Republic of Senegal admitted to membership intheUnitedNations. The deled,atiotl of the Republic of Senegal was escorted to its place in the Gene.ralAssembly ball. 101. The PRESIDENT: I would nowasktheAssembly to vote on the draft resolution recommending the ad... mission of the Republic of Mali to membership in the United Nations [A/L.3lb]. 95. We have studiedthe annual report ofthe Secretary- General [A/4390 andAdd.l], containingmany important ideaEi, all of which, as I said at the beginning, can be taken up by the General Assembly atthe proper stages of its work. There is one point, however, to which I. should like to refer now~ and that is the question of the development. of the under-developed countries. The views of Afghanistan on this. matter have been m.ade .known in the General Assembly and alsoin the Economic and Social Council. The responsibility ofthe United Nations in this connexion, regarding the new areas of under-development, has been rightly recogni.zed. But special consideration as to its effect on other areas of responsibility is req>..rlred. The delegation of the RepUblic of Mali was escorted to its plaoe in the General Assembly hall. 104. I propose to call now on the sponsors of the two resolutions which we have just adopted. I call first on the representative of France. 105. Mr. BERARD (France) (translatedfrom French): On 20 September [864th meeting], Mr. Couve de Mur- ville, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, expressedregrets atbeingunable towelcome the Republics of Senegal and of the Sudan along with the remaining eleven States which, having become fully independent after a long associationwith France, had just ·been admitted to membership in the United Nations. France-he said in so many words-would be the first to welcome the day-which he hoped would come soon-when the Assembly would ba in a position to .act l~pon their admission. The hope expressed on that day has now been happily fulfilled. 106. Meeting this morning under the Presidency of Mr. Ortona, the Italian .representative, the Security Council unanimously decided to recommend to this Assembly the final admission of the two Republics. My delegation would therefore like to recall, in sup- port of the unanimous decision just taken by the ASRembly upon the COunCil'R recommendation, our long-standing friendly co-operation with the peoples of these two States. 107. Three centurie.s ago, with the foundation of the town of st. Louis, my country established continuous contacts with the Senegalese people. As time went on, these contacts, became increasingly wider and more intimate. Nowadays, Senegal is one of Africa's most highly developed and industrialized countries, with a most promising 'future ahead of it. Dakar, its capital with a population of over 300,000, is one of the con- tinent's most thriving centres. In addition to being an administrative, commercial and industrial city, it is also an outstanding cultural centre" with its university which is already attended by morethan1,aoo students, its arts centre and.its numerous literary and artistic· groups. 108. The Sudan, which has now assumed the name of the Republic of Mali. has advanced by leaps and boUnds in the la:st f:ifty years. Credit for this is due mainly to its brave, tenacious andhard.-working peo- ple, who are renowned throughout WestAfrica. Tech- nological discoveries have opened up for this country the fairest of prospects. 109. A country's merit is measured not only by its economic might but also by the quality of its "elite". All the delegations present in this hall are acquainted with President Leopold Sedar Senghor and President Mamadou Dia, whom they had the opportunity ofmeet- ing 'at previous sessions of the Assembly. All the delegations have also had the opportunity of meeting and appreciating the great Mali leaders such as Mr. ModtboKeita and Mr. Madeira Keita. There can be no doubt that with suchleaders the twoyoung Republics are in good hands. Mr. MatsudairJJ. (Japan), Vice~President, took the Chair. 113. Mr. SLIM (Tunisia) (translated from French): The Tunisian delegation always deems it an honour and a pleasure to salute from this rostrum the ado- mission of ne"" Members to our great Organization. N~turally, this honour and this pleasure become es- pecially pronounced and intensewhen, as inthepresent case, we are welcoming African sister nations which, like us, aspired to the same goals of freedom and dignity and put aU oftheir strengthinto realizing these legitimate aspir~tioJ'.,.s. 114. This explains the joy with which 1 convey to the two new Members, the Republic of Sel.'legal, and, the Republic of Mali, the sincerest congratulations of the Tunisian Government and people. 115. My delegation is convinced that it is expressing the joy felt at this :;:loment by all the African delega- tions at seeing the representation of the African con- tinent in the United Nations reinforced and expanded by the admission of the two Republics of Senegal and of Mali. 116. In welcoming the two new African Republics, we are convinced that both of themfully realize the major responsibilities whichtheirentryinto our Organization entails. There can be no doubtthattheywill endeavour to discharge those responsibilities boldly and withthe dignity of fully mature nations, both on aninternational scale and, more particularly, iu'relation to Africa's imperative needs. The two sister Republics are con- . sciou8 of the duties which devolve uoon them-and \ upon all of us here-towards the non"self-governing African.peoples 'Who, for many years, have been,en- during' the· noblest and, 'at the same time, the most painful sacrifices in order to wrench their freedoIll from obstinate foreign rule. Senegal and Mali will certainly not fail to show a constructive African soli" darity towards those brother peoples, a solidarity 124~ On the other hand. we are all fully aware of the tremendous tasks of nation building that face these ilew States, tanks which require capital,techniques and personnel. Like my own country, they will, during the difficult period of transition from a colonial economy ·to a non-colonial one; require much assistance from outSide. I am sura that theUT.lited Nations, which is today admitting them to full membership will readily hold. out the hand of assistance to them in all fields, as it has done to so many other nations in the past. 118. Tunisia, an African State. assures the two new African States of its fraternal feelings and expresses the hope that, together with all of us, they will be fer- vent defenders of peace in Africa and of internation"al co-operation. 119. Sir Claude COj1EA (Ceylon): This morning it was my privilege as t~le representative of my country in the Security Coun.::il to co-sponsor with the repre- sentatives of France and Tunisia. at the request of the Republic of Mali, the draft resolution recommending to the General Assembly the admissionoftheRepublic of Mali to membership in our Organization. It was also my privilege to support at that same meeting the draft resolution recommending the admission of the Republic of Senegal to membership in the United Nations. 125. We are also gratified that France has assured them of friendship and guidance, and we ar~ glad that France has helped. them in the attainment of their independence. 126. On behalf of the Government and th,~ people of Ceylon, I have great pleasure in extendiIlg tothe Gov- ernments and the peoples of the Republics ofMali and Senegal our warmest good wi~hes, confident that the'Y' will, while turning their efforts to their political de- velopment, socialimprovementandeconomic advance- ment. at the same time strengthen this Organization and thereby help attain the fulfilment of the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Na~ons• 127. Mr. PAZHWAK (Afghanistan}: It is'\\ithafeeling of great honour and privilege that I have·asked the President's permission to eome here to welcome the two independent nations which have just beenadmitted to membership in this Organization: Mali andSenegal. It is also a great honour for me that'Ispeak:at this stage not only onbehalfofthe delegationof Afghanistan but also on bahalf of a great number of countries in Asia and Africa who have asked me to eA"tend to the representatives of these two countries their m()st cordial and heartfelt congratulations on this occasion. 128. The increase in the membership of the United Nations has been remarkable atthis session, andtoday the Assembly has taken another step in this direction, which makes it even more remarkable. Tbus,we look upon what has happened as something of greatsigiJi- ficance, and that is the support of the United Nations as a whole for the cause of independence; the support . of the United Nations as a wholefor the universality of this Organization; the Sllpport of the UnitedNations as a whole fCI' the·fulfilment of the legitimate ~spira­ tions of peoples and of nations, particularly for their right to .dignity, to· independence and to equality; the support of the United Nations for a causewhich nobody 'can deny-that a universal organization can only work in a better way if the people ofthe world are all given an equal chance to contribute to the common caaseof . .humanity, in the interests of mankind as a whole. 120: It gave tL."l great pleasure to do so this morning. .and it has given my delegation pleasure once again in .the General Assembly to support·the application of theS0 two African Republics to membership of this body. 121. My delegation welcomed, at the 869th meeting of the Security CouDcilheldon28 Junelast. the recom- mendation for the admission of what was then the Federation of Mali, consisting of ~enegal and Sudan. Since that time, this Assembly well knows the circum- stances which led to the present position where the two constituted components ofthe erstwhile Federation of Mali have satisfied their aspirations in making their futures as two sovereign, independent and sepa- rate Republics. It is a manifestation of the political maturity of the two young Republics that they have shown an appreciation of reality and resolved their constitutional and politioal differences by pacific and amicable methods without recourse to bitterness orto means other than those of negotiation and adjustment. 122. Indeed, need wehave any doubts aboutthe politi- cal maturity and wisdom of States led by men of such calibre, ability and intelligence as Mr. Mobido Keita, President of the Republic of Mali, whichwasformerly Sudan. and Mr. Leopold Senghor, President of the RepubJ.ic of Senegal-two leaders who have recently been added to the list of African statesmen which the liberation movement in Africa has produced in recent times. In these circumstances,there is little doubtthat contrib~te to the peace and prosperity of the world in the interests of mankind. 130. Satisfaction in many areas may be easy to ob- tain, but in the field of the right of dignity and inde- pendence it is not an easythingtofind. We do not deny that the Organization has been successful inthis field; but if there is an exception in any part of the world, the fulfilment of the principles of this Organization will not be considered complete. Wllen we saywe look forward to seeing all the peoples of the world inde- pendent, we say it with a feeling of confidence. At this moment we cherish the hope that it will come about very swiftly. The countries of Asia and Africa hope that it will take place tomorrow.

On behalf of the delegations of Albania, the Byelo:;:uss~anSSR, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, the Ukrainian SSR, the Union of So-vietSocial- 1st Republics and the Romanian Peoples'· Republic, I warmly welcome the Republic ofMali andthe Republic of Senegal which are becoming Members of the United Nations. 132. The Socialist COl:lltries believe that the entry of new States into the international community, as Members enjoying.equal rights, strengthensthe forces wMoh are now operating in support of :teace and the cons,olidation .of international security. By coming a little clorer to universality, ourO~'ganizationacquires greater prestige and authority. We are all the more hc;-;py to welcome thesetwonewMembers ofthe United Nations since they are two African States whose accession to independence is part of the process of the liquidation of colonialism, which is hated by the pea-. pIes and disgraces mankind. 133. The two new States are beginning their activity in our Organization at a truly historic moment, when numerous peace-lovillg States are represe~tedat the fifteenth sesllliou of the General Assembly by themost eminent. statesmen, a fa~tor that creates altogether UnprecedElDtedconditions fOi' getting closer to finding a solution to·the major pl'o:"lems disturbi,ng internationall'elations. We are convincedthatthemewAfrican States which arejo:L1ing the UI!.ited Nations today willmalte a positive contribution to the.· solution £1£ these problems. 134. .I venture to observe at the SaDl.e 'time that the admission of two new African Statf<lS, a £e'w days ..Iter that of thirteen· other new Africa'a States and of the R~public .of Cyprus, coincides with th'e. noble taskwhich I·. hope will. be reflected in tb/a agenda of the (Jeneral Assembly...of adopting the De/olaration onthe .Grant of Independence to Colonial COWltries and Peoples~.which should accelerate the process of elimina- ·tion of the .last traces. of the hateful colonial system. This ·fact.gives to what·has been called "The Afliean 'year at the United Nations" special significancewhich,

It is a great honour for me to speak from this rostrum when the meeijng is being presided over by so distinguished,a statesman as yourself. 136. On behalf of the Latin American nations, who in this have asked me to speak in their name, I should like to say that we shareintherejoicing, this evening, in the General Assembly at the admission of two new States, theRepublic ofMaliandtheRepublic of Senegal. We are fully aware of the noble mission which lies before these peoples and their Governments in the world Organization. We know that, because of their great traditions, they will play a constructive part. Their peoples are most conscious of their duties and their rights, and are called upon tomake a substantial contribution 1:0 international peace and security. May I therefore conv~'· most cordial congratulations to these two new Member States, as well as to the other new African States with whom, also, the peoples of Latin America share common ideals. 137: Mr. DJERMAKOYE (Niger) (translated from French): At this time whentheindependence ofSenegal and of Mali is re!}eiving recognitionintheworld forum: of the United :Nations, I should like to t:«press on behalf of the four members of the Conseil de I'entente -Dahomey, the Upper .Voila, the Niger and the Ivory Coast-our heartfelt fraternal congratulationsto these new Members. 138. The break-up of the Federation of Mali might have led-as has happened elsewhere-to serious political diffi,culties prejudicial to the harmonious development of the young African States which, after many struggles and sacrifices, have succeeded in winning recognttion of their political coming-of-age. But, thanks'to the mediation of various responsible African pc)1iticia.ns, thanks to the good will andunderstanding of the Malian and Senegalese authorities. thanks to the· commOn desire to settle all differenc~" aJDong African States by peaceful means, the distul.. ing crisis of theformer FederationofMalidid not give rise to another drama in t'he heart of our continent. 139. May this wisdom of the African States serve to establish for alltiriles the principle of seeking peaceful settlement, first and· foremost,· at home, in order to avoid immediate outside intervention the spectacular nature of which at once leads to the crystallization of the attitudes of the various parties and which,· owing to a lack of sufficient knowledge.:>f Afri·· can psychology and despite the best will ofthe friends offering help. is fraught with the danger ofaggravating the situation. 141. Ml'. EDUSEI (Ghana): On behalf ofthe delegation of Ghana 1 wish to weIcome the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Senegal to membership in the United Nations. It is rather significant to note that these two sister States of Africa, which were until recently colonies of France, have been admitted to membership today, that is, 28 September 1960. Iventureto suggest that the occasion constitules an irony of historical circumstance in perspective. Today is a signliicant day because it was exactly two yéars aga that, by the free exercise of their will and sovereign rights, the people of the former French colony of Guinea rejected by their vote the new French Constitution, thus asserting their right to be independent and to be masters of their own destiny. At that time the Government of France and in fact the friends and allies of France thought that the people of Guinea had committed political and national suicide by voting against the French Constitution and by proclaiming the RepuQlic of Guinea as a sovereign State outside the French Community. The Republic of Guinea was subsequently admitted to membership in the tJ:nited Nations. 142. Shortly after this historie and momentous event the French colonies of Senegal and of Sudan came together and formed the Federation of Mali. The establishment of the Federation of Mali was conceded by Ghana as a step in the forward movement of African peoples toward political unity. When, therefore, in June of this year the Federation of Mali became an independent State and applied for membership in the United Nations, Ghana was happy about that event. We were quite prepared to support the admission of the Federation of Mali to membership in the United Nations. However, the Federation of Mali which was barely two years old has now been broken up and dissolved as a political and juridical entity. In place of the Federation we now have the Republic of Mali and the Republic ofSenegal-two sovereignand independent States-which are now prepared to take their seats in this great Assembly of nations and toplay their destined l'ole in modern international life. 143. Perhaps 1 need not re-emphasize the fact that the very mention of the name Mali brings back into the minds of modern African youth the grandeur and the achievements of the great empire of Mali and also of the empires of Ghana and of Songhai which flourished in the western Sudan during the mediaeval period. The memories of these empires and the exploits and achievements of our predecessors in that glorious period of our common history inspire us to higher endeavour in the new and destined l'ole which we are called upon to play in modern international llie and in the projection of the African personality. 144. We hope therefore that the dissolution of the Federation of Mali will in no way prove to be a hindrance in the progressive movement of the Mrican peoples toward political unity in our time. On the other hand we hope that our two new sister States will continue to co-operate in an fields of action for the improvement of their respective national economies and 145. On behalf of the delegation of Ghana l congratulate our brothers from the Republic of Mali and from the Republic of Senegal as they take their seats in the Assembly and as they begin to participate in our common efforts ta maintain peace, security, mutual understanding, and mutua! self-respect among the nations of the world. 146. Ml'• .;l(rishna MENON (India): Ml'. Vice-President, may l on behalf of my delegation congratulate your country on its election ta the vice-presidency of the General Assembly. 147. It is with Et sense of privileged duty that my delegation appears on this rostrum, on its own behalf and also on behalf of the delegation of Pakistan to con- .vey our congratulations ta the two young Republics- Senegal and Mali-which have now joined us as States Members of the United Nations. 148. We have reason to congratulate ourselves on more than one oount. First of all, the wisdom and statesmanship of the leaders of these countries have saved us from the fear of another criais and another seat of confusion on the Mrican continent. The Assembly owes them a debt of gratitude for having been able to resolve their disputes in this way and for having given a demonstration of the implementation of the principles of the Charter v.;rhich calls upon people to resolve their disputes by peaceful means. 149. The Assembly is overcast, Ida not want ta say with gloom but with concern, about the affairs of the world. The tension that exists has in no way been lowered by the meeting of a large number of statesmen in this place. The event which we are celebrating today is a silver lining in these clouds and some of us hope a precursor of the dispersal of them. The wisdom shown by these young countries and their statesmen-and l say this with great respect-might perhaps point the way for greater and wiser men to resolve their disputes. It has been said that one can even learn from children; and sa others can learn from young nations. 150. My country is very happy ta feel that on this continent of Africa where in 1950 there were four independent countries-that is, if you include South Africa as an Independant country, large numbers of !ts people not being independent-tllere are now some twenty-six independent countries, covering a population of 178 million out of a total estimated population of 222 million. The great French empire with its area of 4.5 million square miles has now only three quarters of a million square miles under its tutelage. It is our hope that with thevictory offreedom in Algeria j the greater part of that area also will come within the ambit of freedom. The remainder of what is truly dark Africa is South West Africa-I use the lang'Uage of the present rulers-and Portugal in Africa. We have no doubt that the vigour and the determination of the African peoples. backed by enlightened public opinion and the conscience of humanity, will see the 151. Senegal and Mali assure the Assembly that we need have no concern regarding theliberationofyoung countries provided the circumstanoes that make it possible for them to come together are provided in some degree by the others. If countries and naiions, particularly ex-colonial countries, were allowed to settle their own affairs, thay would pl'obably settle them and wo could thus get away from the doctrine of "divide and rulen aud get to the modern version- "divide and leave". In this particular casethebounda... ries of these States were settled by themselves; their problems were resolved in a short time. We have every reason therefore to regard this as a comparatively good day for the United Nations. i52. As I have said, perhaps we can leave here tonight in the hope that some of the great problems tbat confront us may draw some inspiration from whathas happened here this afternoon. Once again, I congratuwo late these two countries. 153. Mr. COOPER (Liberia}: It is with great satisfaction and deep emotion that my delegationwelcomes to the United Nations the two sister States of Mali and Senegal, our closest neighbours. We salute their courage, their patience and their determination. 154. It is difficult to live under any form of foreign tutelage or domination, howeverbenevolent.Itistherefore remarkable indeed thatthesetwo countries should have achieved their independence without untoldhardship and bloodshed. We must express some apprecia..· tion for this to France, which has made passible this smooth, peaceful and harmonioustransformationfrom colonies into independent States. We hope that, as a result" of their 6X'Perience and their trials under such tl:ying and difficult circumstances, the two countries will bring to this Organization a new appNach to the many and vexing problems which require our utmost patience and perseverance. ~ 155. To these countries I say that our task is not completed and cannot be completed so long as some of our brethren live under foreign rule, with all the humiliation and oppression, and even death, that are generally suffered by a dependent people. I am sure that they will exert all their efforts, as they have done in the past, to see to it that their brothers in Africa achieve that freedom and jUstice whichthey now enjoy. 156. Mr. TO'URE Ismael (Guinea) (translated from F:rench): Allow me, Mr. President, to thankyou and to recall that two years ago, in the Security Council, it 'was your delegation which. tlJgether with that of Iraq, sponsored the admission of the Republic of Guinea to the United Nations. My delegation might quote an African proverb and say that you had·a lllucky touch11p for since the Republic of Guinea became the eightysecond Member of the international Organization ill."" dependence has ·been achieved by a.veritable wave of countries and fourteen more African States have been admitted to the United Nations. 157. My delegation warmly welcomes the two.sister Republics of Mali and Senegal, and would stress that the admission of these States to the United Nations has. special significance for llS. Thelinks which bind us.to the peoples of Mali and Sl3negal are so close that there is no needto emphasizethem. I shall merely 158. In the eyes of my delegation, the admission of the two neigJ>~lll'ingStates of Sellegal and Malt to the internatir..nal Organization is at the same time a Sign of progress, So promise of success and a proof of jus.. tice in the great stru,ggle of the peoples of Africa for the reconquest of froodom and weU"being. 159. This is 28 September 1960, the second anni.. versal'y of the proc1amationoftheRepublic ofGuinea's independence. Dur. 'g those two years, the colonial sYstem has never succeeded in isolating the yuung Republic of Guinea. Today we are welcoming two new sovereign African states whose addition to the interoo national family will be a substantial contribution to the unity and greawE'ss of the African continent. 160. Unity within the colonial system is meaningless for us; but we, the young states of Africa, are con.. vinced that history, which today is imparting hard instruction to the crumbling colonial system, is in&- vltably drawing us together,infreedomfromthe chains of slavery and in safety from the machinations of our enemies. 161. There are striking coincidences in the mstory of peoples. On 28 September 1898, with the defeat of the great patriot Almamy Samory Toure, theterritory of Guinea was conquered by France and enslaved. Sixty years later, on 28 Septeml>er 1958, Guineavoted "No" in General de Gamle's referendum and, be-- fore the world, proclaimed its independence. Today, 28 ~eptember 1960, two years later,twofurther sister Republics of Mrica, following thirteen others, have received international recognition. , 162. We wish to salute these two States and to con" gratulate them and their peoples. A long and difficult road· lies ahead. but we are convinced that the contribution of Senegal and Mali will be crucial, and we are also sure that we must all retain our confidence. With the Republic' of.Senegal and the Republic of Mali, our African brothers, shoulder to shoulder ona basis of equality with all peoples of good will, we know that our struggle for prosperity, dignity and peace will be crowned with success.

I ahould like to make some brief remarka on the occasion of the adD miSsion to the United Nations of two sister States, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Senegal. 164. The Government and people of Ethiopia rejoice in the admission of Senegal and Mali to the United Nations, not only because their right to full membership of this internationa11lommunity hasbeen acknow" ledged, but also because this fuU membership in the Uriited Nations of an increasing mu.nberof Africans is a clear indication ofthetotal emancipation of. Africa from colonial subjugation. It is an 'indication of the end of colonialism in Africa, from which the pecplefj of Africa have suffered SO much. 165.. I should like to request the delegations of the .Republic of Mali and the Republic ofSenegalto accept, and extend totheirpeople,theheartfeltcongratulations of the people and Government of Ethiopia. 166. The P:RESIDENT: I now wish, with my personal .congra.tulations. and deep feelings of welcome, to call on the representatives of the two nev.r Member States. 173. The problem which will increasingly face us -and we hope to be able to revert to it during this important session-is not ao muchthe struggleagainst colonialism, whose disappearance is inevitable, asthe problem of how to make up for i.nst time gnd reduce the ever-growing gap between the less developed and the more developed countries. 174. To be sure, we know the -value of freedom too well to fail to show, whenever necessary, our active sympat.'1y for all who are inspired by a national ideal and who accept heavy sacrifices inordertoachieve it. In this body, which is dominated by the ideal of San Francisco, we. may suppose that they will always find a hearing when defending the cause offreedom and the right of peoples to seli-determination. But I wouldnot wish to pursue this subject now, and I apologize for havi.-ng touched upon it in this short statement whose pu:rpose is really to a'lCpress our gratitude. 170. At this point I must express our country's full gratitude to the two great nations. FranceandTunisia, which sponsored our candidature for membership in the United Nations, as well as to Ceylo.... which supported our admission in this hall. 171. After everything that has been said during the past few days by all the new African States admitted to the United Nations, I do not think it necessary to expatiate on this subject. If any judgementofFrance's action in Black Africa were required, you have arrived at that judgement yourselves, inrecognizingour independence and soYereignty by a unanimous vote of the highest international body. What is remarkable is that tins independence should havebeenacquiredwithout friction or violence, in circumstances whichsafeguard friendship and fruitful co-operation. Behind all these radical changes, which set our relations with France on a new course, stands the illustrious figure to whose clarity and breadth of vision We pay tribute -General de Gaulie. I am. surethatthe United Nations, whose constant concern is the safeguarding of peace in the world, will rightly appreciate the atnl0sphere of peace and friendship which, thanks to the understilnding shown by the Head of the French State, we have established in this part of Africa. fu :the light of tl:;is auspicious precedent, from which we all take satisfaction, we hope that, despite the difficulties, peaceful solutions will befoundinotherparts of Africa which are the scene of fighting. Once it is recognized that decolonizatiQn is. the outstanding phenomenon of this century,and that it is necessary and inevitable, we see no reason why the parties involved shQuld not endeavour to give effect to it in thebest possible way. 175. In that connexion I should pa:rticularly like to mention how impressed we have been bythethoughtful attention and understanding shown. to us by both the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council. 176. Once more, onbehalfofthe delegationofSenegal, I express to the Assembly my deep gratitude for the action it has taken with regard to, my country~

The delegation of the Republic of Maltthanks the Assembly for its unanimous vote in favour of Qur country's admission to the United Nations. On behalf of the peop]", and tb.e Government of Mall, may I expresstc you our gratitude and affirm our. determination to live up 'to our responsibilities, thus provingworthyofyourtn\St. We are particula:dygrateful to the two sisternations, CeylC'D. and Tunisia, which did us, the hc;mourof sponsoring our candidature in the Security·Ccuncil. JtiS hardly necessary to stress that this was anatllrat choice since we stand fQrgreater Solidarity between the States ofAsia and Africa. 178. Those who have been following recent events in the Fedel'ation of Mali were no doubt SUl'I)risedto see a third and unasked sponsor added tothatwo sponsors we selec:ted, i.e.~ Ceylop. and Tunlsia. We regal:d this French move as an unnatural act which we wish to denounce solemnly from thii:lrostrumon behalf of the Government and thefieople of Mali. We wish to denounce the petty man('eutteswhich have been going on. in the lobbie.s of the United Nations ever sinoe the proclamation. of QUI' Republic·'l.IJ1d.inwllich recourse was sometimes had to the diSsemmation of false in- 172. In this connex:ion I am glad to emphasize haw proud we are of the sponsorship of Tunisia. President Habib Bourguiba is a living example offirmness, 179. Our first statement from this rostrum cannot be confined to an expression of the high esteem in which we hold the United Nations. Last week, sharing the emotion of all our African brothers, we were present in this hall at the uncontested admission of the new Afiican nations, while that of our own country was being deferred. Our birth to international life, like that uf the childbol'D.intravail, has not been painless. Therefore I cannot fail to telltheAssembly that, despite everything, our pride and joy are unimpaired. In. order to remove or prevent all misunderstanding, the peoples of the world whose representatives are here assembled should know from the outset who we are and why there has been a slightdelay in our com.- ing before this august Assembly. 180. No one can doubt that we would have preferred to be able to speak heretodayonbehalf of the Federation of Mali. Since the reasons for our devotion to the Federation may escapetheuninformedobserver, allow me to outline some ofthem•Strangeasit might appear, you know more about the .FederationofMalithan about its component States. A few years ago the glorious name of tlGhanal was assumed by Black Africa'sfirst post-war independent Republic. Eighteen months ago, when the two syllables 'Malill were heard, another and equally glorious page of African history emerged from colonial darkness. Eight centuries ago Mandingo rulers presided over the destiny of an empire which yielded in nothing to the kingdoms ofEurope and which maintained diplomatic relations with numerous countries. For eighteen months the chancelleries of the world have been weighing our generation's chances of matching in these modern times our empire-building ancestors' organizational and administrative talents. Some journalists even saw inthe adoptionbyour young Federation of this glorious ancestral name a secret intention of embracing the conquermg militarism that had marked tha zenith of the Empire of Mali. In. a short space of time those two syllables remindedmil- Hom. of Af...-icans of the fact that Europe had not introduced them to civilization; there could have been no finer stimulant for·ridding us of the complex that undezlies Africa's loss of personality. 18L Mali stands for all that and the Federation of Mali stood for even more. Within a space of eighteen months, by dint of strenuolW efforts" we set up the administrative infrastructure of a modern State. We c:t'eated institutions and passed laws on the basis of which we entered into internationalcommitments. OUr paramount achievement was to give a nationality to savt;)n million men and women. We gave its flag to an army which even today is making a contributionto tb~ struggle wagf:ld by the Congolese people to consolidate its national independence and maintain the territorial integrity ·of the young Republic of the Congo, whinh is threatened by imperialist forces. 182. That, all that, is what made us cling to the Federation of Mali. That is what makes USo the Malians of the Sudan, regard the secession of oal." 183. I will not disguise the fact that, in the circum_ stances, we are distressed by the childish attempts at justification that have been made sip.ce 20 August. We are distressed at seeing Africans boast ofhavingbeen :robbed of their personality by colonialism. When we see decadent radicaliSm 'and sterile polemics exalted into revolutionary doctrine, it is brought home to us how much still remains to be dene before Africa achieves complete emancipation. We are, however, still optimistic because we are convinced that the day is not far off when allthe Africanpeoples will be free, including the people whose ancient African essence is being denied by the very bards of llnegritudell• 184. When we say llall the African peoplesll we pa,r., ticularly have the Algerian people in mind. At the appropriate time we shall explain fully our views on this 1;lroblem. We reserve the right to speakof it here as mU0h as necessary. But since our attitude to this pl'oblem was one of the main reasons behind the plot. that has led to the dissolution of the Federation of Mali we wish to say here and now that our attitude has not changed. Our attitude to the colonialist war in Algeria was, when we still belonged to the French Community, and remains now that of all Africansface to face with their conscience: todayAlgeriais as muoh of a French colony as the Sudanese Republicwas yesterday, and the Algerian people has been fighting for more than five years to regain its freedom. The Mrican states whose independence has just been recognized by France cannot but realize that the sacrifices of the Algerian fighters and the earlier sacrifices of Viet-Namese patriots initiated the process that has led to the disintegration ofthe Frenchcolonial empire. The independent African States cannot deny to the Algerian people the right to independence. We have said so before and are saying it now. That is the very/ least that ;Mricans pan ~o. yve tbink,forour p~,t1fat the war m .Algeria is ID Itself reason et:l.Olfgh for a break between France and the African,-States. 185. Much has been said about,gerio~idein. th~ Congo where bands, armed by the colonialists, are trying ~o overthrow the country's legitimate Government. For our part, we think that the French have been commit.. ting the c:rime of genocide for years andwith impunity in Algeria where patriots areniassacred for demand-- ing self-determination. We have always thoughtsoand we have never concealed that view. 186. What concerns us now is that effo~ are being made to associate African States with that crime. We hope that no one will be misled and that no Mrican, nertainiy no A-friemi- State; will feel sufficient affinity with France to beGome an accomplice toa deed so fraught with consequences. We declare 9ur full soUdarity with the Algerian people whose martyrdom has gone on fol" too long and whose cause-we are con- 188. The Federation of Mali thus came to be held responsible for the chain reaction of independence. That is why Malihas alwaysbeeninthe dock. We could entertain no illUSIOns because history knows of no colonizers who relinquished their colonies of their own free will. The emancipation of colonies has always been the result of pressure, either brought to bear directly by the country seeking its freedom or exercised by revolutionary movements in other parts of the world. Events in the Federation of JY::ili were set in motion when the imperialists realized that the Mali nationalist wingrejectedtheneo-colonialisttenor of the. Franco--Malian agreements. There we:re people in Mali who wanted real independence, and as soon as that was grasped the Federation was doomed. 189. France hastened to make final the dissolution of the Federation of Mali by recognizing the independence of one of the federated States. The Sudanese partner in the Federation was therefore boundto draw the logical conclusion that, since the Franco-Malian agreements had been concluded by France with the Federation of Mali and not with either ofthe federated States, the disappearance of the Federation of Mali ipso facto rendered the agreements null and void. The Sudanese Republic thus became the Republic of Mali, free of all commitments and all political ties. Our Legislative AssemblY gave statutory form to this by passing on 22 Septembel' 1960, by acclamation, Act No. 60-35/AL/RS, which I shall now read out to you: JlArticle 1: The Sudanese Republic Shall, as from 11.25 a.m. on 22 September 1960, assume the name llRepublic of Maliw; the Republic of Mali shall be an independent and sovereign State. The independent and sovereign State of the Republic of Mali shall be free of all commitments and political ties. "Article 2: The present Act shall be promulgated under the emergency procedure.JI 190. ! have thought itessentialto giveanunambiguous account of the exact position of the new Republic.of Mali which has just been admitted into this great family of nations. It could indeed be said: J1Mali is dead, long live Mali". 191. From the point of view of its physical characteristics, Mali today, with a population of 4.5 million, has a territory which extends from Timbuktu, gateway to the Sahara, to the edge oftheforest; it is one of the richest lands held oy Africans and they have every reason to be hopeful. cha~pionsof this doctrine of the third forc'9 that we find thostJ who remindthe Russians thattheyhave skins of adiiferent colour than the Chinese; there again we note a desire to effect a split in the East. 198. We think that those views are academi-c.If it is t::ue ,that the blocs have been formed on the basis ,of irrecmicilable ideologies, a thirdforce, whichwould not b~ 'aggressive 'in 'any way but, rather, a steadying influence and a r"rce for peace; cOpld be found in the united, front of the Y0lmgnations and the underdeveloped countries which need peace in ordertobuild up real economic iIldependence. Weare"taunchchampions of peaceful coexistence. 199. ' SUch are the views of the Government of the' Republic "of Mali' 0:"1 ,the great problems with which the world is confrofited. We also wish to state briefly our views on~ystems of gow~rnm.ent.Weare not impressE)dby a~empts to represent as totalitarian the new AfriClm states which are anxious to maintain internaLorder and security in order to engage in national construction.. We want a strong democracy, a ,true .•democracy' which relies on the people and which allows a young State to cope with all its responsibiUties. ' 2()O.Thel:"e' are tho$e who think that the young and developip.gha~ionshave nopart to playinthisAssem- .bly-.R'aqia!ism and. domination of big.countries over small is what we s.ee in this way of thinking, which 'Caimot "but endanger worlcl peac~, and international solidarity. We believe that all the peoples are entitled to respect, since it is onlyonthebattlefield that might Is right. Ifitwere'agreedthat possession of great lJli.1itary strength was a p:rerequisite for being heard in inter;national debate,mimy who,now play prominent ,;,parts would be relegated to the extras. All of US must realize •this and remain .faithful .to the spirit. ofthe 201. There is one more pointwhichwewantto recall: it is that the strat.egists of imperialism have always disregarded national feelings in the colonial and dependent countries. That is a very important point and I Caimot conclude without reference to it. Those who fail to recQgnize,this colonial phenomenon mistakenly believe that we can barter our national dignity fot the promise of illusory material assistance. The 4.5 million Malians whom I have the honour to represent here want to be free, whatever the cost, and their decision is finale Although we ,are fully aware of the interdependence of Preoples and the imperative need for universal solidarity, we are none the less determined to be ourselves first and foremost. Our people would rather be poor than lose their dignity. We have known other privations during the eighty years of colonialism and we wish to state here that the tide of independence rolling over Mrica is irresistible. World peace would be injeopardyiftheformer metropolit.an countries which once lorded over Africa were to retain the secret hope of pre-empting our young states by hatching plots against their sovereignty. Humanity's great hope lies in the disappearance of all complexes between big and small on this rostrum so that our good will should be commensurate with our common ambition to 'build a world of peace and freedom. 202. Such is the message, of the young Republic of Mali to the Assembly. If is a message of a people ripened in trials, a people which is organized, dis- _cipli!l.ed and fully conscious of its responsibilities, a people which is determined to play its partin building a world community founded on iu~ticeandpeace.

I call upon the representative of France, who has asked to be allowed to speak in exercise of his right of reply. .

I have not come' to the rostrum in order to reply to the statements, allegations and even attacks made by the previoUS spe~er. Perhaps, when he has become more accustomed to this Assembly, hewlll realize that the tone he used and the words he uttered with regard both'to my qountry and to Senegal were out of keeping with the festiveatm.osph~rewhichhas reigned in the Aase:r:pbly this afternoon. 205. What has' impelled me to spealt is my desire that there should be no misunderstanding about the reasons for which mycountrysponsoredtheadmission of the Republic of Mali, and the Republic. of Senegal, in the Security Council and this Assembly. In myoapacity as .Iieadof the:Frenchdelegation I offered to sponsor,theadmissi6n of Mali., not +or the purpose of embarrassing the, young Republic or' of offending its delegation; I,had no, intention of forcingthemto accept sponsorship by IIlysell,or mycountry, sincethematter \ is one, of indifference to us. I did so at the formal request of the Government ofMali. The representatiVe of Mali will possibly denytbis, and saytllat his instructions ., are different',fr.qmmine. I have already ,had a discussion with him about .it.:Sutlha,ve, I am bound to say, received cqn:firmationthat such'was the wish of his Government. I willevenconfesstb.at, 71le meeting rose at 7.5 p.m.