A/PV.1332 General Assembly

In assuming the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly at its twentieth session, my first thought is to thank you for the honour you have done my country in my person. It is a tribute to the ideals of peace and justice which ha-le consistently motivated Italian foreign policy since the end of the world war. The confidence you have placed in me obliges me to do my best to be deserving of it. I shall faithfully interpret your will and I shall devote all my energies to diEcharging the responsibilities you have placed upon me, guided solely by the princi.ples of law and democracy which alone can enable us to act realistically. 13. In this task, I shall endeavour to follow the example of my eminent predecessor, who directed the work of the nineteenth session of the General Assembly with self-sacrifice and wisdom. We all followed Mr, Alex Quaison-Sackey's efforts to encourage moderation and conciliation, and I am sure that I interpret the feelings of all in expressing our deepest gratitude to him. 14. Frankness is a duty. I should be failing in that duty were I not to stress in unvarnished terms the graVel!9SS of the situation confronting the entire 'world at the present time. Immense responsibilities. both individual and collective, rest upon us all. Enormous difficulties face us. We must overcomethem at all costs if we are to fulfil the anxious expectations of public opinion in our countries. 15. Our deliberations last year. unfortunately, were neither as productive nor as far-ranging as had been hoped. The twentieth session is opening now to the accompaniment of battles which are drenching Asia in blood, and progress is at a standstill. Our agenda. last year. includedcrucial items. Itis most regrettable that, notwithstanding the President's efforts, we should have shelved them so long instead of dealing with them in clear-cut resolutions. Not only did we plunge the United Nations into actual lethargy, but we also believed that this international Organization could survive without taking any (lecision6. Harsh reality has proved the contrary. 16. Today, the obstacles which confronted us last year seem. fortunately. to have been overcome. Far be it from me to analyse here the rea,sons for the paralysis of the nineteenth session of the General Assembly. What I wish to do is to emphasize the great responsibility which we all assumed in failing to agree in goodtimeto clear up thE! misunderstandings which divid~d us concerning the interpretation of Article 19 of the Charter. By showing ourselves 17. As I speak to you. guns are thtmdering in Asia. Houses are crumbling. Men are dying. More and mort:; families are plunged in despair. Some of the armies which are fighting now helong to States Members of the United Nations. that is. to States which asked to sign our Charter. which prohibits the use of force, because they were "peace-loving." 18. Unfortunately, the conflagration appears to ::>e spreading further and further. We have no right to close our eyes to these terrible realities. We cannot evade our stern responsibility to put an immediate end to such a state of affairs. We would be taking the easy way out were we merely to repeat appeals to common sense and feelings of humanity. Such appeals must not remain a dead letter; that would spell the doom of this Organization. 19. The madness which, twenty years after the First World War. ravaged the world a second time. can spread. as we know, like wildfire. This time. however. the destruction of the human race is at stake. We cannot allow this spectre to reappear without reacting with all our might. 20. The defence of peace is a collective task. and I am sure that we shall succeed in fulfilling it. It is my duty solemnly to draw your attention to the responsibilities incumbent upon us, upon all of us. and to ihe legal and moral obligations which we have all assumed. That is why I must say to you that it is good. of course. to tleplore what is happening. but that it is essential to act. If we cannot manage. in all sincerity. to lay the foundations for equitable solutions capable of restoring peace and tranquillity to the regions torn by conflict. it will be difficult to regard the United Nations as a determining factor of international order and a rampart of our security. 21. Our Secretary-General, U Thant. was confronted with many difficulties during his recent mission to Asia. Nevertheless, he was able to discern certain positive elements. What we must do is to concentrate on those elements and take such action as will cause them to prevail over the rest. We shall certainly succeed if we do our utmost. In this case-and this is our dearest hope-the United Nations will emerge from the test acknowledged f all time as a source of life and not as a witness of death. 22. As regards disarmament. the Committee of Eighteen.!J has presented us with a report [A/5986] Which, although it unfortunately records no agreement, does show that the work done at Geneva was useful and that progress will be possible once that work 23. The Committee's report contains useful ideas and many proposals. Our goal lemains, of course. general and complete disarmament.butour endeavours must also be directed towards collateral measures whose urgency' was clearly emphasized by the Committee. in particular. the prohibition of all tests, and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. 24. In its work here. the Assembly will be able to take up either the interesting suggestions which have been put fOl,~vard. or certain otherpracticalproposals aimed at halti~gthe spead of nuclear weapons. These proposals call fJr the conclusion. first and foremost. of a general treaty on non-proliferation; the draft of such a treaty has for the first time been deposited on the conference table at Geneva. That. of course. i~ the main goal: the conclusion of a treaty which would permanently bind both nuclear and non-nuclear Powers to collaborate in halting the spread ofnuclear weapons. 25. There are decisions which even non-nuclear and poorly armed nations can take. There are examples which we must have the cOill'age to give in order to 1ead others on to the r!ght road and to be sure in our own minds thf': we have dc:ae everything inour power. That is why a proposal fJr a verilted moratorium has been submitted at Geneva. It offers Powers which do not possess nuclear weapons the opportunity to prove that they do not ju~~t ask others to disarm. Preaching by their own example., t.~ey can show the whole world that it is posf.dble to advance, not only in words but also in deeds. 26. Here we have an opportunity. 8,lld we should be wrong to let it go. It will give us the right to ask others, in all good conscience. to take the road of nuclear disarmament in their turn oy };'l'actical and constructive action. 27. The debates at the twentieth sessi m of the General Assembly will also bear on certain eticnomlc problems of fundamental importance. and. in par· ticular. on the resuli;s ofthe United Nations Conferer.ce on Trade and Development.Y The economic imbalance between the different parts of the world. has worsened in recer.'& years. despite the end(lavours to increase economic assistance to the. developing countries. Indeed, this imbalance is so great and so serious as to jeopardize the economic and social progress of all mankind. 28. We thus have befc" ·a us a task no less important and urgent than that ofdisarmament. Thetwoproblems are. in fact. closely inter-related. because. if we can achieve real progress in disarmament. we shall be able to mobilize more resources and great~r energies for economic development. We hav-e to look upon the problems of world peace and economic' stability from a world-",ide perspective; therefore they must be solved together. 3(.. Leading figures from all nations and continents are gathered together here to reaffirm those ideals, mindful of the deeds and words of President Kennedy, and of the sacrifice of Secretary-General HammarskjlUd. If we forget the lessons offered to us and show ourselves incapable of honouringour signatures, then the responsibility towards the entire international community will fall upon us, upon our countries, upon our children. 31. In afewdays'tim~,theHolyFather,PopePaul VI, will .come here to remind us of this and to encourage us to remember this obligation. The announcement of tilis visit has been received as a token of confidence in the spiritual values, of universal application, whose preservation all the States Members of the United Nations are called upon to ensure. 32. In conclusion, may I express the well-pondered hope that the work of the tweftieth session of the United Nations General Assembly will prove that we live up to our duties and obligations.

In accordance with the procedure followed in the past, I should now like to invite the Assembly to consider agenda item 20, entitled "Admission of new Members to the United Nations". This procedure has been applied on previous occaswQ.'3 in order to given newly independent· States wl"Jch have applied for membership in our Organization the opportunity, if the General Assembly accedes to their request, of participating in the work of the session from the outset. If there is no objection, we shall proceed in this manner. 34. The Security Council has unanimously recommended to the General Assembly the admission of the Gambia [A/5911], the Maldive Islands [A/598!] and Singapore [A/5982] to the United Nations. 35. I suggest that we should consider first the draft resolution recommending the admission ofthe Gambia [A/L.462]. May I take it that the Assembly accepts the recommendation of the Security Council and adopts the draft resolution by acclamation?

I declare the Gambia admitted to membership in the United Nations. The delegation of the Gambia was escorted to its place in the General ASSembly Hall.

I declare the Maldive Islands admitted to membership in the United Nations. 39. The representatives of the Maldive Islands have not yet arrived at United Nations Headquarters. Upon their arrival, we shall arrange to have the flag of their country raised at a special ceremony and to seat them in the General Assembly Hall. 40. We shall now take up the draft resolutionrecommending the admission of Singapore [A/L.4M and Add.!]. I shall ask the Assembly whether, 0).1 the recommendation of the Security Council, it adopts the draft resolution by acclamation.

I declare Singapore admitted to the membership in the United Nations. The delegation of Singapore was escorted to its place in the General Assembly Hall.

On behalf of the General Assembly, I am happy to welcome the Gambia, the 'l\/{aldiveIslands andSingapore to the United Nations. :I. should like to address to the Governments and peoples of the three new Member States the warmest congratulations of the General Assembly on this happy occasion, and to convey to them our best wishes for their future. It is a great pleasure for me to extend a verywarm welcome to the Gambia, the Maldive Islands and Singapore, which have just been admitted into the great family of the United Nations by the unanimous vote of the Assembly. These are three newly independent countries whose history, civilization and attachment to the ideals of peace and freedom assure us that their contribution to the work and deliberations of the United Nations will be useful and important. I extend to the three countries my most sincere and cordial congratulations on their admissionto the Organization, and to their peoples and Governments my personal wishes for their happiness and prosperity. 43. Lord CARADON (United Kingdom): Mr. President, first let me offer my respectful congratulations to you, Sir, on your election to th~ Presidency. Equally, we congratulate ourselves. How fortunate wee,re that you, who have held high office in the service of your own great country, should now come to preside over the deliberations of this world assembly. 44. It would be impUdent for me to attempt to enumerate your personal qualifications for the unique position which you now occupy, but we know how diverse and extensive those qualifications are. You combine-and this is surely a rare combination-the qualities of the scholar, the writer, the distinguised professor of political economy, with the qul!lities of a man of action, the creative orator, tb-e political organizer, the fearless reformer. Anu I would add that we are glad that amongst your maininttirests and 46. All of us can join in rejoicing that in this critical year, in which we hope to see a revival of the authority of ·the United Nations-a renaissance in international endeavour-we shall be led by such a distinguished Italian. 47. At the outset of this momentous session it is fitting that we should start our proceedings by extending a welcome to new Member States. It is happily the kind of ceremony in which my country has had long and wide experience. 48. Last year, at the opening of the nineteenth session, I had the honour of welcoming and congratulating three new Member States. I havethe honour of welcoming three more this year: the Gambia, the Maldive Islands and Singapore. With all three we have long enjoyed relations of true friendship, 49. The path to self-government and independence is now a well-trodden road, and we rejoice together as each traveller alongthatroadarrives at the:destination of full sovereignty. 50. At the same time we recognize that this is not only a time of fulfilment and achievement. It is not an end but a beginning-a new start in a renewed friendship of equality and freedom. 51. The Gambia is the last of the West African States previouslyunder Britishadministration-Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and the Gambia-States with a total population larger than that ofmy own countryto attain independence. But, small as the Gambia is in comparison with its great neighbours, it has made and will make, we are sure, a distinctive and constructive contribution to the advance of Africa. 52. On· behalf of my country I wish to add a special word of respectful greeting to the distinguished Prime Minister of the Gambia and to the otheY' members of his delegation who are seated with us today. 53. Singapore has long played a leading role in the East, and. we are confident that this island State will continue to put to good effect the vitality and the experience and the enterprise of its people both at 'home and in the wider world of international affairs. 54. We are happy to welcome very warmly the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore and the other members of the Singapore delegation, who have come to take their place amongst us. 57. We believe in diversity not only in geography and religion and race, but also in size, for while we respect numbers and power we respect justice and liberty more. Our welcome is therefore no less genuine to these States comparatively smallinpopulation or in area than it has been to States with far greater resources and populations. 58. We warmly welcome these new Members to the family of sovereign States, and respectfully wish them all good fortune as fellow Members of the United Nations.

Mr. President, I find myself in the very happy position of being able to tender the felicitations of the Government and people of my country on your elevation to the office of the highest dignity that this Assembly canoffer. 60. In thinking ofyour country onecannothelp thinking of Rome, and while I may not be able to echo the sentiments of the representative ofthe UnitedKingdom in regretting that my country was not colonized by Rome, I should lilte to state that one cannot think of Rome without recalling the legal institutions to which she has given birth. In the regulation of any orderly society, the rule of law as we understand it has to be observed, and when one considers law he is reminded of the great Roman emperor Justinian, whose institutes and Digest have been the inspiration of legal systems not only in my nation but in a nu.mber of other progressive countries. 61. If it is not impertinent I should like to say this: having held the highest offices which your countrycan offer to any citizen, you bring here, Mr. President, a sense of impartiality and dignity in the conduct of the proceedings of this Assembly. May I very humbly, on behalf of my delegation, offer you our fullest cooperation in the work you will ha.ve to face. 62. I now turn to the new Members which have been admitted tothe brotherhoodofnations inthis Assembly. It may be L"1vidious to single out one or two, but the Members of this Assembly will pardon me, I am sure, if I refer first to that little island State of Singapore, which, during the British era, was a country with which my Government was closely associated. Singapore evok~s sentiments offriendship and cordiality in us. If 1 may be permitted, I should like to tell them that Ceylon, during the British era, contributed in some small measuretothe development and progress of Singapore, and Singapore in·return was a. home away from home to a number of us who had to leave our shores to seek work elsewhere. 65. All these countries are· very small, but may I be permitted. as the representative of a small country myself, to assure members here that they and we yield to none of the bigger, more powerful and more gifted nations in our devotion to peace and its pursuit. I have no doubt that they will. each in their own way. assist in the defence of the Charter of the United Nations. My country and its neighbours in Asia. on whose behalf I speak, sincerely welcome the Gambia, the Maldive Islands and Singapore to the community of nations. 66. I should like to take thiS! opportunity to say that it must be gratifying to the United Kingdomto witness the ease with which an evolution has taken place and to see those small States, which were under its wings and its tutelage. today take their places as fully fledged nations exercising sovereign independence. 67. To the other larger and more powerful countries, I should like to say that it is particularly gratifying to note the spontaneity and enthusiasm with which they are here to welcome smaller, less fortunate andless developed countries into theworldAssembly. By the admission of ·smaller nations on terms of complete equality, you have set the seal of sovereign national independence and raised the dignity of man wherever he may. be found. 68. Dato' !SMAIL (Malaysia): Mr. President. permit me at the outset to congratulate you, on behalf of the Government of Malaysia, on your near unanimous election as President of this important session of the General Assembly, the jubilee session. Mr. President. your career. among other things, as the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy, has been in the public eye for many years and your standing and reputation as a European statesman are so well known as not to need any special mention by me. 69. I am particularly happy to recall the close association between your great State and mine, extending back to several years. It therefore gives me particular pleasure, as a Minister ofthe Malaysian Government. to extend to you a very warm welcome and conveytoyoumy delegation's and my Government's good wishes for your tenure of office as President of the Assembly for its twentieth session. 70. I have come to this rostrum on this occasion to perform .the very pleasant task of welcoming three new Members. to our great Organization. The Gambia. the Maldive Islands and Singapore. The admission of more members to the United Nations increases the influence oUhe Organization. not merely innumerical terms but also improves the status and the stature of the Organization by helping it to get closer to the ideal of universality. It goes without saying that the broader its base in terms of membership, the more meaningful becomes its authority. so that the.United 72. Of Singapore, I claim a special privilege to speak. Singapore is our closest neighbour whose progress and welfare are so inter-linked with those of Malaysia, particularly with its peninsular part, that until the other day it was an important constituent part of Malaysia. 73. The peoples of Malaysia and Singapore have been thrown together by the inescapable incidents of geography and long subjected to a common administration by the accidents of history. Hence, notwithstanding the separation, there is the fullest awareness in the leadership of both States that, constitutionally separated as they may be, their identity of interests and the inter-twined activity of their peoples in every facet of human life will, as in past decades, create the incentives and provide the encouragement for them to live together as good neighbours. In a variety of common tasks. we share the same attitude and prize the same ideals. The constitutional bond has been severed; the human bond remains. 74. Singapore has a great contribution to make in the field of international co-operation in the United Nations and has adequate resources, both human and material, to enable it to do so. 75. My Government therefore welcomes Singapore's admission to the United Nations with particular pleasure and wishes it all success. 76. Mr. mop (Senegal) (translated from French): The delegation of Senegal would like, first of all on behalf of the Senegalese Government, to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your election by such a notable majority. We echo the well-deserved compliments which previous speakers have addressed to you. You are alreadywell knownto us by reputation, and your outstanding career as a statesman. both national, in Italy, and international, is for us a guarantee supporting our conviction that you will bring the work of the twentieth session of the General Assembly to a successful conclusion. 77. On behalf of the Government of Senegal. my delegation wishes to convey its warm congratulations to the new Member States-the Gambia. Singapore and the Maldive Island-on their attainment of international sovereignty and their admission to the United Nations. 78. The Senegalese Government. may, perhaps. be allowed to make special mention of the Gambia since, more than any other Government represented in this Assembly. it welcomes the Gambia's accession to national independence and its entry into the United Nations. 79. We shall be recounting n9thing new if'we recall briefly the close ties which exist between the Gambia and the Senegal, in particula.r their geographical 80. Moreover. our two countries are inhabited by peoples of the same ethnic groups: chiefly Malinkes. Volofs and Diolas. On either side of the official frontier live populations which are very closely related. Trade relations between the Gambia and Senegal follow age-old economic channels. Since markets ~re not far distant from one another. goods transport costs are low. so that Senegal and the Gambia are mutually advantageous trade outlets for each other. 81. Consequently. as President Senghor has already stated, it is Senegal's hope that the collaboration between the two countries will expand increasingly. The future of the Gambia and Senegal and their economic and social development are interdependent. 82. We again convey to the Prime Minister of the Gambia. Mr. D. K. Jawara, who is present in this hall, and to his delegation, the 'most sincere congTatulations of the Government and the delegation of Senegal on the accession of their country to national independence and its,admission to the United Nations. We express our warmest wishes for the prosperity of the Gambia and.the happiness of its people. 83. In addition, I should'Uketothank the Government of the United Kingdom,'whichcisthus continuing its work of decolonization· in Africa. and r hope that this good example will shortly be followed in Angola, Mozambique, so-called Portuguese Guinea, South Africa and Rhodesia.

Mr. President,your election to the Presidency of the twentieth session of the General Assembly is indeed an auspicious augury. May I, before anything else, offer you the congratulations and greetings of the Government, the people and the delegation of India on your election to this exalted office. In your own country. where you are responsible for the conduct of foreign affairs, you are known as a scholar of eminence and a political leader symbolizing courage and integrity. Italy and India have had the friendliest relations from the days of the ancient Romans. During that era-the period of the. Kushan and Maurya emperors in India-the cultural. literary. artistic and industrial mores of either land found reflection in the other. Even today we venture to hope that your Presidency will serve as a rallying point for a troubled world. and the people of India will derive hope and inspiration from your occupation of this high office. 85. My delegation has hadthe honour ofco-sponsoring all three resolutions for the admission of the Gambia, the Mald:i.ve Islands and Singapore-three new States which have just become Members of our great Organization. Their admission no doubt brings the Organization one step close:i.' to attaining the ideal of universality. These three new Member States belong to the Afro-Asian family. and therefore we have even greater cause to rejoice. The Maldive ~ 86. In welcomingthesethree countries to membership of the United Nations, India extends to them the hand of friendship and assures them that they will not find us wanting or tardy in promoting technical and economic co-operation witn them to the fullest extent possible for attaining our common goals of social and economic development.

It is with great pleasure that I join my colleagues who preceded me in congratulating Foreign Ministe:c Fanfani on his election here today. I congratulate him both as an old friend, personally. and as a friend of my country. It was my pleasure not so long ago to see him in Washington, and I am sure that neither of us realized at that time that we would renew our friendship here in this Assembly Hall. 88. I hope you will forgive me, Mr. President, if I have a special message for Lord Caradon. If Lord Caradon takes justifiable pride in the fact that his country was colonized by Italians fifteen hundred years ago, I must remind him of that great and peaceful voyage ofChristopher Colombus which opened the way for his country's colonization of my country. and the subsequent Revolution and the subsequent independence of my country. And. to emphasize the peaceful character of Italian colonization ofthe United States, I now extend a most cordial welcome to Lord Caradon to join me on the stand at the forthcoming Colombus Day Parade in New York. 89. I take pleasure in welcoming the three new nations as Members of the United Nations. The United States has long enjoyed cordial relations with the Gambia. In fact. if my history is correct, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first President of the UnitedStates, inhis official capacitythere were others who did so as private citizens-to visit the African continent: and he enjoyed several stops in the Gambia during the Second World War. The United States therefore welcomes the Gambia as a Member of the UnitedNations,withthe convi.ction that its role in this body will be a positive and constructive one in the important work which stands before all of us. We wish the Gambia and its people all success and godspeed. 90. It is always gratifying, further. to welcometothe family of nations a State which has achieved its independence through peaceful negotiation. The United States therefore. has the '~pleasure of noting the 91. Similarly, I take particular pleasure in extending the welcoIlle of our country to Singapore on its admission as a Member of this great Organization. It was my pleasure to visit Singapore last summer, and I can pear personal witness to the energy and capacity of the peoplb ofthat country. We confidently expect the Government and people of Singapore to make a significant contribution to the deliberations and councils of this Organil!:ation,andweare convinced that Singapore will apply to our common problems of world peace and security the· dynamic and constructive approach which has been a hallmark of the extraordinary sO!lial, economic and political development of this Asiatic State.

I wish to thank Mr. Goldberg for the worQ$ which he has addressed to the President and, by leave of Members of the Assembly, to thank him also on behalf of the peaceful Italian colonizers of this hospitable land.

May I first of all, Mr. President, congratulate you on your election to the Presidency of the twentieth session of the General Assembly. You have come to us, Sir, with a very well-established reputation as a scholar of renown and it statesman of great distinction. In your own country you have occupied the highest position. Your wise and varied experience in world affairs eminently qualifies you to lead us and guide our deliberations in this important session of the General Assembly. You rep~'~;>ent It country that has contributed immeasurably to'human civilization and that has always played a .central Role in the progress of mankind towards a better and fuller'life. I happen to come from' a very ancient country myself, andyour people and ours have crossed paths on many occasions during the last 2,000 or more years. Our histories have been so long that it is difficult for me to remember how many times we colonized you and how many times you colonized us. But I can say, as you know, Sir, that we have the closest and most cordial relations with your great country. 94. It gives ,me great pleasure now to· speak on behalf of the Arab States Members of the United Nations, who have been kind enough to ask me to speak on their behalf, in welcoming the three new Members of the United Nations. ,95.· It is always an important occasion when new Members are admitted to the United Nations. It brings us nearer to the goal of universality for which we all strive but which we have not yet attained. We are particularly gratified in this case that the three countpies that have become full-fledged Members of this Organization have always had the closest and friendliest relations with the Arab people. 96. The admission of the Gambia and its accession to independence is particularlygratjfyingtous because as Members of the United Nations, and particularly 97. The Maldive Islands have a special relationship with the Arab nation. We have the closest historical and cultural ties with the people of the Maldive· Islands, and our own language is spoken by them. 98. We are also very happy to seeSingapore admitteci as a Member of the United Nations. The Arab people and the people ofSingaporehave hada long association, and we have always had the most cordial and the closest relations with them. 99. It is therefore my verygreatpleasuretowelcome very warmly these three new Members of!'he United Nations and to wish them success. We are sure that they will enrich our debates and will help us very greatly in achieving our .objective in handling the tasks that lie ahead. 100. Mr. MATSm: (Japan): Mr. President, may I first offer to you the warm congratulations of the Japanese delegation on your election as President of the twentieth session of the General Assembly, an event that gives us the greatest satisfaction. We look forward to working under your very distiZ'l.!,'llished leadership, and we are sure that this session will produce an abundance of fruitftu results under your wise guidance. 101., May I~ at the same time, express our profound thanks and appreciation to our former President, His Excellency Mr. Alex Quaison-Sackey, who ata moment of crisis in the United Nations was able to discharge the heavy responsibilities placed upon him and guide the nineteenth session of the General Assembly to . ./ a successful conclusion. 102. The Japanese delegation has deemed it a high honour to participate as one of the co-sponsors of the resolution proposing Singapore for membership of the United Nations, and we now take great pleasure in extending to the delegation of Singapore our warm congratulations and a hearty welcome. 103. Singapore is a relativelysmallcountryperhaps, but we all know in the United Nations that small countries frequently make the largest contributions to the successful outcome of our tasks. The truly remarkable progress Singapore has made under the leadership of its highly resp'3ctedPrimeMinister, Mr. Lee Kwan Yew, in the few short years since it became fully self-governing, is ample evidence of what VIe might expect from Singapore in the United Nations. We are <lonfident that the delegation of Singapore will have many very substantial contributions to make to our deliberations and to our work for the freedom and independence and the peace and prosperity of mankind. §J Special Committee on the Situatio~ with regard to the Implements-, non of the Declaration Oil the Granting ,of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

As I am sf'eaking for the first time in this Assembly, I sho..::lrl !!!:~ to extend to you, Mr. President, on behalf of the Australiandelegation, our congratulations on your election. It is a tribute to your very great country; it is a tribute to. you per:sonally, to the qualities and experience that you have, and a tribute to the high offices you have held in the past and h0ld today. Iassure you ofthe co-op'3ration ofthe Australian delegation to the best of our ability inthe performance of your tasks this session. 106. I should also like to say a few words, about the retiring President, Mr. Quaison-Sacker, who is an old colleague of mine and an old friend. I am afraid that the circumstances' of the last session made it impossible for him to preside at the rostrum here as long as and on as manY occasions as some former Presidents. But this same circumstance called for more effort from him in keeping the Organization going and ~n t:i'Ying to overcome the obstacles that were preventing its meeting. Thi!'; is one of the occasions when the absence ofwork ~ )r the Assembly meant more wOlk for the President. We are\ all very grateful to hitr. for the devotion and imagination that he showed throughout the year that he was President. 10'l. I now turn to the admission of new Members, and on this subject I am speaXiI!g not only for the Government of Australia, but also for the Governments of Canada and New Zealand. We are very glad to welcome these Members. They are all countries with whic.h we have had some connexions in the past through membership of the Commonwealth or through other Commonwealth links. I shall discuss these countries in the order in which they have come before us for approval. ~-, The Gambia is a fellow member of the Commonwealth. It is another African member of the Commonwealth. We al;ready have the most friendly and co-operative arrangements with the existing African members of the Commonwealth, and we look forward to the same intimate ties with the Gambia. 109. The Maldive Islands are close to Australia. We have only a stretch of the Indian Ooean lying between us and we are deeply interested in the pontinued progress and stability and security of those islands. We look forward to good relations with them and we hope that they will play their part, their worthy par", in this Assembly. '110. I turn now to Singapore. Singapore is a State with whichAustralia andNew Zealandhaveparticularly close ~ssociations. We are in much the same geo- 111. The Prime Minister of Singapore. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, paid a most successful and impressive visit earlier this year to Australia and New Zel?.land. Only a few weeks ago the Minister of Law, Mr. E. W. Barker, was in Australia with the Chief Justice, representing Singapore at the Commonwealth Law Conference. which was the first Commonwealth conference to be held since Singapol~e became a new State. So the three of us-Australia, New Zealand and Canada-look forward with particular pleasure to having Singapore in our midst. We look forward to the very close and intimate relations with them. We look forward to doing what we can to further the continued progress of Singapore. 11 ,. Singapore and Malaysia and all the other Commonwealth' countries in this region have a particular interest 1.'1 the welfare of a new State. Therefore, on behalf of the tlu'ee Governments I have mentioned- Australia, Canada and New Zealand-I tai~e pleasure in welcoming the new Members.

It is a real pleasure for me. Mr. President. to present to you the warmest congratulations of the Republic' of Haiti on your almost unanimous election to the Presidency of the twentieth sessi0n of the General Assembly. The choice which the delegations here have made is a well-deserved tribute to your well-known qualities of moderation and wisdom, and is a happy refter-cion on your great country, Italy, the mother of literature and the arts. The wishes of the delegation of Haiti for your success go with you in the arduous task that lies before you during the present session. 114: I am particularly happy to welcome, on behalf of my country. the entry of the Gambia. the Maldive Islands and Singapore into the 'great family of the United Nations which, it is our cherished hope, will grow until it embraces all the na.tions of the world. 115. The countries which are today being admitted to participation in the life of the Organization are not large countries. countries with exceptional economic and human resources, the use of which could be a threat to anyone or anything. These are countries which ask only to live in peace with their neighbours. to develop harmoniously for the well-being of their citizens, and to partake of the benefits and achievements of civilization, while respecting the principles, purposes and ideals, of the United Nations. Their accession to full political independence is. nevertheless. a new victory for justice and the right of peoples to decide their own destiny, in brief. a victory for the principleS of self-determination and non-intervention on which the political balance 'in the world is founded. 116. ' Haiti, a weakcount.TY withollt great resources but proud of its glorious, past, and', one of the first countries in, America to have thrown off the yoke of 121. It also gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the African group. to congratulate you. Mr. President, on your election to the high office of the Presidency of the twentieth session ofthe General Assembly. Your distinguished career in the field of international affairs is very well known and highly appreciated. It is therefore most opportune that the destiny of this august body should be in your very capable hands. 122. Italy is the cradle of past and present civilization. Rome, to many of us. is still the capital of all that represents progress, peace and prosperity. During this session. we therefore have every right to be optimistic about the furtherance of the wort.1.ly ideals of international peace and prosperity. 123. The twentieth session begins with grave international problems still unresolved. We feel confident, however. that your election to the office of President will make a positive and significant contribution to 8. lastipg· solution of the complex and vexing issues facmg mankind today. 124. I have great pleasure. ai,. "'1 Cll behalf of the African group, in welcoming the new Members to this august body. One of the happy signs of dynamic growth of our present Organization is the annual 129, Once again, on behalf of the African group, I take this opportunity to welcome the States of the Gambia, the Mlildive Islands and Singapore to this Organization.

The Western European group, comprising eighteen countries. has requested me to act as its spokesman. Mr. President, and to congratulate you most warmly on your election by a sweeping majority to the Presidency of the General Assembly at its twentieth session. It is a duty which I fulfil with great pleasure. 131. History and geography have given Italy a special and eminent position in Europe. Many Europeans regard themselves as sons, or:rather,great-grandsons of Rome. that extraordinary civilization whicJ;1 to a great extent helped to shape the emerging European societies. Many European States owe to it an essent!al part of their institutions. Italy has been and remalOS for us a marvellous source of culture without which 132. Your qualities as a statesman, Mr. President. are well known, and I am happy. as a Frenchman and as the rE-presentative of the Western European group. to associate myself with the many and well-deserved tributes which have been paid to you. The Western European group expressed the warmest hopes for the success of the lofty and difficult mission which has been entrusted to you by the virtually unanimous vote of this Assembly. 133. My country is gratified at the admission of the Gambia, Singapore and the Maldive Islands, and extends the most cordial good wishes to their leaders on the occasion of their admissionto the Organization.

The kind remarks which many representatives from different countries have made about me make me very conscious of the need to do my best to deserve the confidence which the Assembly has expressed in me today. After thanking all those who have shown the desire to reiterate that confidence, I take pleasure in inviting the Prime Minister ofthe Gambia. Mr. D. K. Jawara. to address the Assembly.

lVIr. President. please allow me to arid my own and the Gambian delegation's warmest and most sincere congratulations to those ofso many othe:;.' distinguished representatives on the occasion of your election as President of the twentieth session of the General Assembly. Although we are relative strangers here, the services and achievements which have earned you this distinction are no secret to us. as has beenevidenced by previous speakers. It is a matter of immense satisfaction to us, and I dare say it is to everyone here. that your untiring efforts in the cause of world peace, international fellowship and co-operation should now be given the recognition which they so eminently deserve. 136. I should also liketo congratulateyour immediate predecessor. Mr. Alex Quaison-SalJkey, for having given in the course of the past year. wonderful and devoted service to this Organization during a period of crisis and anxiety. 137. It is with a sense of deep sorrow that I address the General Assembly for the very first time: sorrow because of the fratricidal war in which two of our Commonwealth brothers-India and Pakistan-are at the moment engaged. It is my earnest hope that these two great countries will heed the counsels of peace emanating from this United Nations and bring about an immediate cessation of hostilities inaccordance with the Security Council resolutions. 138. But it is also With a deep sense of pride and humility that I avail myself ofthe honour and privilege of addressing this Assembly. With my people. I take pride in the thought that. without ever departing from the path of peaceful and orderly progress, the Gambia has taken its rightful place in the family of .nations. But I am all humility when I reflect that, in terms of size, population and resources. the Gambia 141. My Government, being conscim.is both of tl:.e close ethnic ties between the Senegal and the Gambia. and of the problems which a small independent country would eventually have to face, has always felt that the future of the Gambia lies in a close and friendly relationship withSenegal. Withthis uppermost in mind. my Government held discussions \vith the Senegalese Governmentwhichledto the commissioning of a team ofUnited Nations experts, withthe assistance of the Secretary-General. to whom I owe a personal debt of gratitude for his generous offer of assistance. to examine and report on the possibilities of closer association between the two countries on the attainment of independence by the Gambia. The report was considered by the two Governments. and Senegal and the Gambia have agreed to a partnershipbased on a loose entente regulated by treaties. 142. I am happy to be able to inform this Assembly that the two Governments have agreed to co-operate in the fields of foreign policy, security and defence. In implementing these agreements. the Gambia and Senegal have exchanged High Commissioners with a view to furthering the cause of closer co-operation. I must also mention that a team of sl?ecialists from the United Nations l"ood and Agriculture Organization (FAO), who were seconded to the United Nations Senegal-Gambia Mission. have examined the implications, for agriculture. ofeconomic integrationbetween the Gambia and Senegal, and have laid the groundwork for a development survey of the Gambia River basin on a regional basis. The report has been examined by both Governments and the recommendations accepted in principle. Arrangements to provide the finance required' for a feasibility survey of these projects are now being examined. 143. W1rl.lst admitting that the Gambia has' many problems. particularly economic and financial, I take comfort from the fact that. having regard to the sympathy and impartiality which characteri.ze the brotherhood of nations, my country is no longer alone in its struggles now that ithas gained admission to this society. 145. Everything. therefcre. which can be done should be dcne to maintain and further strengthen such an effective instrument for the improvement of the lct of mankind. It is in this spirit that I pledge the unqualified support of my co:mtry for any cause which this Organization may decide to make its own. and which aims at recogni?ing the uniqueness and the value of the individual and the common humanity of all peoples. 146. Before I finish, I should like to express my personal gratitude and that cf my Government and the people of the Gambia to all t,.'lOse nations which have, at various stages in the proceedings, sponsored my country's admission to membership in tL~e United Nations. as well as to all those representatives who have spoken so eloquently today to bid us welcome to this Assembly. 147. Finally. I must say that this day will live with me for as long as memory last•• and I pray that the Almighty will watch overthe liberwies andthe destinies of all Members of this Organization which. it is true to say, has upheld the finest traditions of this century and all that is noble in humanity. May continued goodwill and success attend its deliberations.

After congratulating the Prime Minister ofthe Gambia once again upon the admission of his country to the United Nations. I have pleasure in inviting His Excellency Mr. Rajaratnam. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, to address tile Assembly.

Mr. President. parmit me to add the congratulations of my delegation to those of other representatives on your election as President of the twentieth session of the General Assembly. It is undoubtedly your great experience and wisdom in the ways of Di9n and nations which prompted your colleagues to elect you to this high and responsible office. As. a new Member. my delegation will rely o~ your wisdom and experience to guide it through this session and my delegation will. for its part, try to lighten your burden by giving you the fullest co-operation throughout the proceedings ofthis session. 150. I also take this opportunity tothank all members of the Security Council who scrutinizedour application for membership and did not find us wanting. We are particularly grateful to Malaysia. Jordan. the Ivory Coast and t.he United Kingdom for jointly sponsoring our appiication for membership. Last but not least. I must thaitk all those Member States which co-sponsorec:i the resolution welcoming our admission into the United Nations. 153. We support these ideals because we realize that the well-being, security Clnd integrity of our cmmtry can be assured only on the basis of these principles. It is practical self-interest and not vague idealism which makes it necessary for Singapore to give loyal support to these basic elements in the Charter of the United Nations. 154. World peace is a necessary condition for the political and ecor..omic survival of small countries like Singapore. For one thing. we want pea.ce simply because we have not the capacity to make war on anybody. We are surrounded by biggel' and more powerful neighbours with whom we cannot afford to settle issues by force of arms. So it is natural that my co~try should adhere firmly to the policy of resolving differences betweennations throughpeaceful negotiations, not by violent means. 155. At the same time my country is well aware that it is situated in a region of the world which has traditionally been the battleground of big power conflicts. Singapore itself. by virtue of its strategic location, has attracted the attention of nations which have Wished to dominate South-East Asia. Under British colonialism, Singapore was developed not only as the commercial hub of South-East Asia. but also as a military base for consolidating Western imperialism. 156. Today, with the granting of independence to Singapore, the role of this base is no longer to underwrite British colonialism in South-East Asia. My country has made it clear that it will never allow the base to be used for aggref'lsion. The base is there with our consent to ensure our own security in an area of increasing military instability. The moment we can be assured of effective alternative arrangements which Will guarantee our security. that moment foreign bases will have to go. 157. My country feels that money spent on weapons of war and armies is money wasted. Furthermore, it is obvious to us that. given modern techniques of war. a country of about 2 million peoplecan never. on its own. adequately secure its own defence. Modern defence has to be collective in character. especially for small nations, and that is Why we believe that ultimately our defence and security must be secured 162. My country, by the very nature of its historic experience, is aware that in the contemporary world a developing country must learn to cherish independence withoutdenyingthe reality oftnterdependence .of nations. OU1' abhorrence' of dependence on others should not drive us into embracingthe dangerous myth of absolute sovereignty. In order to learn to live in peace with other countries there must be Willing acceptance of' the need for interdependence. The cultural and political development of my country has for decades been based on free intercourfle a.nd exchange of ideas drawn from many races and from The meeting rose at 5.55 p.m.