A/5/PV.289 General Assembly

on of the United Kingdom, I most warmly welco Republic of Indonesia as a fellow Member United Nations. I am sure that it must be a m great satisfaction to all of us here to feel that the Nations has recently been able to play so helpful in the progress of Indonesia towards indepe But that, of course, in no way diminishes our and the strength of the tribute which we wish to the statesmanship and the wisdom of the lea the Netherlands and of the Republic of Indones respect to the process of transition. 117. There are, as several speakers have sai many other countries awaiting'admission to the Nations. Sir Mohammed Zafrulla Khan today, a Bevin, in addrressing the Assembly last week meeting] , mentioned especially the case of C another Asian· country whose claim to member this Organization is as incontestable as that Republic of Indonesia. BUlt as the Assembly aware, Ceylon is not the only instance. There less than eight other countries still debarred membership of the Organization, although an whelming majority in the Security Council and General Assembly have on a number of occasion for their admission. I hope that the decision Security Council to recommend the admission o nesia in this instance means that the deadlock subject, which has. so long paralysed the C action, has now been broken and that it will n -found possible to reach agreement on the admis all those States which a majority of the G Assembly have considered qualified to become Me 118. The United Kingdom delegation will do thing in its power to bring this about. In the me my country is delighted that at least one o admirably qualified ca."1didates is to be admitte I am confident that Indonesia; now in the As and in future years, will make a notable contribu the work of our Organization. 144. Yes, the State of Indonesia won its independence through sacrifice and bloodshed. The dangerous appetites of certain countries which are eager to enforce the system of colonization upon the peoples of Asia give us reason to think that there are still further difficulties ahead. We believe, however, that Indonesia's experience of the past will be a source of sufficient wisdom and 158. It was on 17 August 1945, following the surrender of Japan, tho.t the Indonesian people proclaimed their irrevocable decision to be a free and independent -nation. On that day they took their sacred oath to sec·t.lre -their. freedom in word as well as in fact and to preserve it for all time. That day ushered in a new era in the destiny of my peopie. Many things have taken place since then in the l1istory of our national struggle. Right from the very beginning of our struggle for the exist- .ence of Indonesia as a free nation, never for one moment .did the people of Indonesia, men, women and children, waver in their determination to attain their cherished goal, whatever the cost in terms of suffering and sacrifice of life and treasure. 159. At long last our unrelenting struggle has been rewarded. Today, slightly over five years after our proclamation of independence, we, as a free nation but :in deep humility. t.tand here before you to accept this 164. The Indonesian peo It is convinced that peace nations are free and if among mankind. In assum "~le economic development of Indonesia. We hope that in our desire to work out the economic and social development of Indonesia we may be benefited by the assistance of the United Nations and its Members. 166. We have to increase the productivity of Indonesia fi-om the available sources of production and from new, additional sources to be tapped in the future as the process of development progresses. We are determined to raise the standard of living of the common man in Indonesia. We shall have regard to the equality of status of men and women, without discrimination as to religion or creed. In conjunction with other Members of the United Nations, we pledge ourselves to maintain the dignity of man and to protect the fundamental human rights of the individual while alleviating human suffering and poverty in our country. 167. ,",ve are anxious to make our contribution to the promotion of the common weal of Asia and of the world. Printed in D.S.A. A-40464-0ctober 1950-3-700