S/PV.1243 Security Council

On behalf oftbedelegatiens of tbe Ivcry Coast, Jordan. Malaysia and the Wnited Kingdom, 1 take gneat pleasure in introducing the draft resolution recommending to the General Assembly tbat Singapore be admitted to membership in the United Nations. 12. Singapcre bas a recorded history of very ancient vintage, going back the the thirteentb Century. Rut modem Singapcre was founded in the closing years 1.3. Early in 1946, seven montbs after tiae end of tbe Second World War, it became a separate colooy in and from 1948 onwards counted elected SS legislatwe. lts pmgress leaped in an effort to make up for the years of stagnation dwing the war. Political progress kept pme ial prosperity aad a new CORS elected majo There SMB emein London which accepted the priaciple of Singapore hecoming a Stage witb full internd self-govermnent, witb a fully elected legislake. a parliamentary system of government and a cabinet responsihle to tlle Pegislature. Externnal affairs and defence alone rernained in the baxds of the Covernment of the Uaited Kingdom. 14. Tbe St& of Singapore Act was passed by the Britisb Parkament in August 1958, aad tk new Constitution was bmught into force inNovemberl958. The first general elections retwned the Peuples Action Party to poser a?ïd they formed the government with MP. Lee Kuaa Uew as Prime Minister. T~AS party and this leadership, haviag received endorsemeat in a subsequent general election, bave continued in power ever sinoe. 15. As a restit of constitutional discussions prethe promised date of fui1 independ@nce to the e, Singapore decided, witb the support of its ~More, reaffirmed and fortified by special seferendun, that the State should simultaneoosly with the acbiewment of an independent statu enter the newly projected Federation to be crdled Malaysia, -hi& was to inolude the former independent State of tbe Federation of Maiaya, Sabah. Saravrak and Singapore. 16. Qn 16 September 1963 tbis enlarged Fedaration, which included Singapore, came into baii and the former Federation of I%¶alaya taok its place at the United Nations under its aew name of Malaysia. 18. The State of Singapore is at 0.x south-east extremity of the Continent of Asia, at the soutbern tip of tbe Malay peninsula and consists of the priu- Cia%% island of tbat “ame and adjacent islets. Tbe island at its widsst extends twenty-six miles from east to west and similarly fourteen miles from ao* to s~uth 5~2 bas an area of 224.5 square miles. Tbe city-tbe commercial, cultural and administrative centre-ocoupies an area of over tbirty-seven square miles along the island’s southern extremity. It bas a population of approximately l,&.!&,QOO, sud bas one of tbe bigbest birtb-rates in the world. 19. Singapore owes much of its wealthandprosperity to its focal position in South-East Asia linking the West and tbe East on international sea andair routes. This and its deep water harbour ha. t made it tbe largest port in Soutb-East Asia and one of the worldfs greatest commercial centres. The free port of Singapore bs the flfth largest in tbe world and second only to London witbin the Commgnwealth and it protides facilitiez% In 1962, the latest year for e* are mailaMe, a total lY s,ofnear%y 84millionne e. entered ami cleared the port. More m were international trading vessels. Bulk and general cargo handled in the year amounted to over 21 million tons. 20. Th? s re airport is ono of the largest and buslest in East Asia. In 19ôZ alone it handled approximately 42,050 aircraft movements accountiag for nearly 400,000 passengers and nearly 6 million kilos of freigbt. 21. Its total external trade in 1963 amouoted to $7.753 million. 1n the city there are over 95,000 privately owned cars, and 1,500 public transport buses, which provide an index to its sophistication and prosperity. Over 93,000 radio sets andover 40,000 television sets tel1 the same tale. 22. By the third year of the Four-Year Plan, 19ril- 1964, launched by the Nly elected Government of the new ;tate, the national income had risen to $2,416 million, being an increase of 26 per cent on the 1959 figures; and the per capita iucome rose to $1,407, being an increase of nearly 15 per cent on the similar 1959 figures, the population having increased in the meantime by 160,000. 23. An industrialization programme bas been undertaken wbich is designed to achieve a tagst figure of lOQ,O industrial jobs by 1970 and this in turn %Vi%% by n bave also craated 200,000 indirect job opportunities. Capital expenditure from l.961 to 1963 in tfie public sector alone for this purpose totaIled $516 million. an bealk5 seFvices is tbe Is.K@&. num bad bsen omstmcted a0d s ffeld cm be measumd bv eam since it becarae ahead in the acbievement of social venkure kQ s al pmgress. one may tbis woald IM) comparable itmy WbiCb bas ia&ieved image of tbe British base in Singapore. This existence of tbe British base in StigapQre bss given rise to vaexw p5stuFes about Sbgapore iiself. Pk is tberefom desimble fm me to state the barest of facts so t5at some of the existig fundamentsl misconcept~ about it may be cleared and future misunderstari may be avoided. 29. Tbe Fedemtion of Balaya in 1957, and later Malaysia, of which Singapore was a constituent part, enterad Mo defemive agreements-I emphasize the word wdefensiveR-and had to rely on British military assistance in securine: its iategrity and iadependence. Hadsg regard to modem warfare, tbe base in Shgapore 5as me visèon of kbe essential nucleus for éHhe prodefensive assistance in case of need. The agre t was freely negotiated. And what is even more important and rarely remembered is this fact: tbat Britain ha5 no sovereignty over the areas in Singapore whioh it occupies for providing the necesssq milita-y assistance. 3% At khe time of separation, the ~overaments of ?blaysia and Singapore agreed tbat, p gotiation of separaée d&nce agreementa by Malaysia “For whose defenoe? The defence of the interests of the people that we consider one, namely, 2 million Singaporeians and 9 million Malaysians; the people V&O bave been friendly to us. who are very close to us because of geographical proximityandhistoric experiences, wlth the same administrative pattern, legal systemandvalues,AustraliaandNew Zealand.” 32. Tbe Prime Minister went on to say that, if these bases were used for aggression, the bases coddbe paraiysed. Ae stated that “people here are politically alert and alive’ ûnd added: “After tire question is renegotiated, the world Will kuow-and 1 want my friends in Afro-Asia to know-that 1 Will not allow these bases to be used as jumping points for aggression, not even aggression against Indonesia.” 33. Recalling that there were economic reasons for keeping the bases where they are, the PrimeMinistsr said: “1 want tkem there, first, to protect my people, beoame w63ave net gotthewherewi tcdo SO. . . . We bave got. two battalions, 5 060 police, and two or three reserve units with arms. ATlIe first thing to tbink of is physioal survival. The second thing is, being physically able to remain distinct snd separate. we must bave the economic impetus.” 34. That is lhe true perspective in which one should view this vexed question of bases. and 1 trust that critics, interested or otherwise, Will bear this aspact of the matter in mind and Will neverforget that, at a11 events up to this moment, these are purely defensive agreements-and 1 bave quoted the actual words of the present Prime Minister of Singapore. 35. I therefore urge tkat the Council adopt this draft resolution unanimously.

It is a great honour for my delegation to join the delegations of Malaysia and the Unlted Kingdom in co-sponsoring a draft reeolution recommending to the General Assembly that the Maldive Islands be admitted to membership in the United Nations, and also to join the delegations of the bvory Coast. Malaysia and the United Kingdom in co-sponsoring another draft resolution recommendve IsIaads is relatively a smsll population, it is indeed a great accashn ta ses its natioabxi endoz3ed by membersbip in tbe Utited Nations. The pople of my coudry tbe peqde of the MaEdive Islands net only the same r4igion M a similar culture and laaguage. Ht therefase gives my delegation particular pleasure today to bave 3 part in tbe submission of tbe draft m?soluti~n 30 that our brethren may becomeMembers of tbe Vnited Nations in order that their voice may ah he heard. 39. My delegation feels tàat it was honoured for a second time today when it had the privilege of cospmsoring tbe dmft resolution recommendiig to the General Assembly the admissionof Singapore, another sister com%vy of Asia. As an AsPan country, Jordan welcomes tbis oppmttmi@ to recommena the admission of an~‘dmr Asian cmmtry. 40. We feel certain that tbe General Assembly Will umnimously appmve the admission of these two nations. On bebalf of my Govenment, 1 congratulate tbe tm new nations OI) their forthcoming new status in our midst, and I pray tlut tbeir participation in xhe Vnited Nations Will be cr~xvned witb pmduotivity and success. 41. MI-. AKA (Ivcwy Coast) (translated fromFrench): Among the pleasures and advantages attacbing to membersbip of the Security Council, there are net only tbose of deliberating into tbe early heurs on s of tension, but also those of welcoming uew Skites into tbe international community. Tbe Ivory Coast, whose admission to tbe Security C0unci.I coincided with one of those rare moments when 3 ?arge number of sovereign nations bec3me independent, bas already sponsored tbe admission of several States to tbe United Nations. It bas always done SO with enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility. It is 3 great pleasure for it ta do so again in the case. of Singapore and the Maldive Islands, wbose applications +he Security Council is called upon to consider todsy. 42. 1 believe that tbe smaller natiori are, the more they nsed tbe Wnited Nations. Consequently, Singapore and tbe Maldive Islands Will naturelly be bound. 3s hIembers of the United Nations, to cc-operate with the Organisation in bringing about the triumph of the ideak of peace and coexistence Mat we affirm and defend here. 43. Tbe prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lee Knan Yew, on tbe morrow of Singapore’s independence, proclaimed bis country’s neutrality. Tbat is a good indication of bis intention to lead Singapore along the patb of friendship and co-operation witb a11 nations. 45. Lord CARAUQN (Uuited Eingdom): It is a privilece ta folhxv tke renresentatives of Malavsia. Jordan _ . and tke Ivory Coast, and to joiu witb tkem in sponsoring th application 02 Singapox for memberskip in tbe United Nations. 1 associate myself wkolekeartedly with what bas alreac@ been saidinextending * wertn upe1wme to siagapore. 46. L¶y Gorema~ in cotnmon witb many others. skared the regret publïcly expressed by tke Governrnents of Mahysia and Singapore at tkeir decision ate. But, at tke satne tinte, we recagnized tkat tke freely elected Governments of Singapore and IUalaysi* wer.2 me only arbiters of the best futuve for tkeir countries. Ths step wkick tkey took was clearly and entirely witkin tkeir wn competence. We respect tkeir deeisions and wisk rhum gond fortune in peaee and pmsperity and in close snd friendly association. My country bas had a long association witk Singapore and we rejoiced bi Septernber 1963 wken Singapore sckievedits lndependence as a member State of Malaysia. At tkat time the sovereign responsibiity of tke Britisk Government in Singapwe, as in tbe otker tevritories constitutii Malaysia, came to an end, and Singapore joined tke long Hst of territories formerly under British administration wkick bave ackieved tkeir full independence. 4ï. Tke decision uow taken, lihe the decision taken in 1963, was freely taken by those best qualified to judge tke best interests of tkeir peuples, and for tke future we confidently put OU~’ trust in the statesmanship wkick these leaders kave alrsady skown in takhq devisions of suck moment and suck difficulty. Acting tkmugkout witk a spirit of restraint and mutual respect, tkey kave provided tke basis for confidence in the futxre, and an assurance tkat the two States will work in close co-operation and karmony. 48. Singapore is B small country. But it is rick in talent, iùll of energy, well squipped in political and ecooomic experience. It is acountry wkickkas already filled a prominent and distinctive vole in the world of the East. It wil, 1 kave no doubt, continue to mahe a fie contribution as a centre and symbol of freedom.

The Security Council is today considering tke applications for memberskip of two newly independent Asisn countries. As an Asian country, China welcomes tke applications of tke Maldive Islands and Singapore. 50. Tkougk r@atively small in land area and population, tke tvm applicants are, in the view d my 51. The only conditions that govern the admission of new members are those set for& in Article 4 of the Charter. That Articlelimits membership’~peaceloving States which accept tbe obligations contained in the Charter and are able and wllling to carry out those obligations. In fa&, tbese same coxlitions also govern the continuing membsrship of ail present Members. In tbe view of my Government, bath tbe Maldive Islands and Singapore meet tbese criteria. 52. The Maldive Islands are perhaps #e smalIest in sise of ail countries. Thls fact, bowever, bas net made any weaker tlae will of the brave Maldive people to independence and freedom. T&ir early history contains a proud record of successful resistance against numerous attempts by outside forces t5 control them. Of their own free Will, tbey once sougbt neighbourly protection from another counlry. And of their om free Will, tbey bave now achieved full independence. My Government already extended its warm congratulations and bestwishestotheMs.ldiveGovernment and peuple on that occasion. 53. Although limited in resources because of Che siee of tbeir country, the Maldive people are kco~ to -he industrious. It is our hope and belief chat thsy Will continue to be successful in their work of nationbuilding and development. It is gratifying to know that the United Kingdom, with which tbe Maldive Islands bave maintained close relations, has extended its belping hand in tbis regard. Xn admittingthe Maldive Islands to its membersbip, the United Nations sbould also stand ready ta be of assistance aadto co-operate if the Maldive people SO wlsh. 54. Let me now turn to tfie State of Singapore. 1 need hardly say tbat Singapore bas always occupiedawarm place in the hearts of the Chinese people. There are many strong ties tbat bind the twopeoples. Tbe psople of Singapore. while enriched in culture and tradition by their contact witb tbe Nlalayans and the British, still sbare wlth the Chinese people, in most cases, tbe saine heritage, tbe same social customs, the same family system, and a great number of tbeem,I believe, stlll speak the same tangue as the Chinese. 55. The Cbinese people will never forget the contribution made in many forms by te peopleof Singapore revoluticxmy mwement led W” Suo Y&=sen, succeeded in foutlding tbe Republic of China ur years ago. Since then, the two peoples bave enjoyed mutually beneficial close cc-operation. 56. There is no d.enying that tbe independence of Siogapore bas taken us and many other peopleby surprise. Neve less, since it istbea~eementreached by the peoples of Singapore and the Federation of 66. Political independence creates tbe conditions in which a people cari itself decide the ways lo which its country is to develop io the future. 67. On the day when the independence of tbe Maldive Islands was proclaimed, the Soviet Ution sent greetings to this new State. The following is part of a table from Mr. Kosygin, Cbairman of the Cou&l of Mini&ers of tbe USSR, to Mr. Ibrahim Nasir, Prime Minister of the Maldive Islands: “On behalf of the people and Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, we congratulate tbe people and Government of the Maldive Island& and you personally, on a significant event in ti historv of the Maldlve asonle-the acbievement of politi&l independence. iru’e*wish the Maldiw State every success in the consolidation of its independence.” 66. The Soviet delegation also congratulates the Government and .people of tbe Maldive Islands on attaining independence, supports tbe application of the Maldive Islands for admission to membership in the United Nations, and Will vote in faveur of recommending to the General Assembly tbat tbe Maldive Islands should be accepted as a Memker of tbe United Nations. 69. The Security Council is today also considering the application by Singapore for membersbip in the United Nations. In its declarat’-2 of 2 September 1965, addressed totheSecretary-GeneraI,theGovernment of Singapore stated that the State of Singapore accepts the conditions contained in tbe Ch+%er of tbe United Nations and solemnly undetiakes to fulfil them. Tbe Soviet Union therefore supports the accepkxnce of Singapore as a Member of the United Nations.

My delegationtakes pleasure in declaring its support for recommending the admission to membership in the United Nations of botb Singapore and tbe Maldive Island% 71. My delegation is particularly happy to endorse tbe admission of Singapore to our Organisation. Pn tbe course of time, Singapore, situated at the crossroads of the eastern world, has grown to be one of the great centres where many nations corne to trade. Sldps from ail over the wcprld vis% its port, carry’ away an infinite variety of products from this busy and industrious centre of trade and industry. Many of tbe sbips bave flown the red, white and blue flag us 5na receptivs to aad smreig31ty is rsrely easy, but the e peace in a region of the world which is, tmhhmately, increasàngly troubled. It is, therefore, with great pleasure that my delegation will vote in fam of tic draft resohtàon submitted by tbe egations of tbe Ivory Coast, Jordan, Malaysia and unàted Kingdom. 75. 9~3 SWKdive Kslands bave Ukmvise applied for admission to membership in tbe United Nations. My dskegation tisb~?s to welcome that country’s awlic5ti àts entry ànto the United Nations wili furnieh tlx embers of our Orgmiaation with information, which pmhaps a41 of us did net bave to the same degree, eancernàng tbe special problems confronting a State of thàs kind. We hope tbat the Maklive Islands will be able to play the useful roPe which, for all of us, justifies our participation in tbe work of the Qrganization. In this spirit the French delegation wiMII vote for the draft resolution submitted by Jordan, Malaysia and the United JSingdom. 76. Rowever, wbile approviug this second draft resolution, tbe French delegation wishes to point out that, in view of the responsibüities fncumbeut uponus under rtde 60 of the provisional rules of procedure, the Semity Council should net lose sight of rule 59.

My Government has taken note of the two commmications before the Council, one from tbe Prime Minister of tbe Maldive Ilands. Mr. Ibrabim Nasir, and the other from tbe Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Mr. S. Rajaratnam, in wbich they request the admission of tbeir countries to membership in the United Nations. 78. Uruguay is ready to vote in faveur of the two draft resolutions, wbich are also before the Council, which Will lead to the admission of tbese two new independent States to this Organisation. Eiad we had an incomplete picture of what the Maldive Islands and Singapore represent in furthering tbe ideal of freedom, the cloquent words of the various preoeding speakers would bave sufficed to convince us of the necessity of supporting the two draft resolutions.

TO increase the membership of the United Nations, provlded we are dealing with peoples who are ready to respect our Charter and to serve the ideals of worldpeace, means strengtheningour Organization and improving and increasing the prospeots for co-operation among nations. 80. Tb Maldive Islands and Singapore can Count upon Bolivia’s enthusiastic support of their applicatiens for membersbip in the United Nations. We are sure that these States Will honour the commitments tbey assume witb respect to tbe Charter and also fulfil their aspirations and exercise tbeir rights as new nations pursuing the path of peace.

1 asked for tbis second opportunity to address the Council SO that 1 might associate my delegation and my Clovernment with tbe felicitations and good wishes tendered to the new State of the Maldive Islands. 1 bave no doubt chat h&h the Maldive Islands and Singapore, on becoming Members of tbe United Nations, will play theirproper role in belping to acbieve and sustain tbe ideals of tbe Charter and Will make significant contributions to the United Nations. $2. The PRESIDENT: 1 bave no furtber speakers On my list. Tberefore, I sbould like to take the flloor as representative of the UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. 83. The United States is pleased to foin in support of Singapore’s request for membersbip in the United Nations. We welcome today tbe presence in tbis lisIl of the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Tob Cbin Chye, as well as the Minister for Poreign Affairs, kl’r. S. Bajaratnam. We are happy tbat tbey cm be with us on tbis auspicious occasion. alI entities in the world Tbe drafters 13f would tberefore urge tbat Couacil members r United Nations Members give early and 91. We do net for a moment suggest the exclusion of small new States from tbe family of nations. On the contrary, we believe we must develop for them some accommodation that Will permit their close association witb the United Nations and its broadranse of activities. This is anotber facet of theproblem th% we think demands early and careful consideration. 92. Speaking again as PRESIDENT, 1 think we may now proceed to vote on the draft resolutions before us. As we agreed at the opening of the meeting, the two draft resolutions will be taken separately. 93. 1 sball put to the vote first the draft resolution submitted by Jordan, Malaysia and the UnitedKingdom [fi/66951 recommending to the General Assembly that the Maldive Islands be admitted to membership in tbe United Nations. A vote was teken by show ofhands. The draft resolution wss adopted r.!ns.oimously. y

The Council will now proceed to vote on the draft resolution submitted by the Iwry Coast, Jordan, FIalaysia and the UnitedKingdom [El/66961 recommending to the General Assembly that Singapore be admitted to membership in the Unlted Nations. A vote was teken by show of hands. The dr& resolution wss sdopted uoaoimo?Isly. 2/

In accordance with rule 60 of the provisional rules of procedure of the Security Council, 1 shall immediately request the Secretary- General to transmit to the General Assembly tbe texts of the hvo resolutions wbich bave just been adopted as rell as the verbatim record of this meeting. 96. 1 congratulate the two States to which tbe Council has just expressed its welcome, and also express iny tbanh to the Council for its unanimous actionon tbese applications. The meeting rose at 5.5 p.m. u 5ee resoIudon 212 (1965). 21 sec resohdon 213 (1965).