S/PV.477 Security Council

On behalf of the Secur:ty Council, 1 should like to thank the representative of the United States for the first report by the United States Government submitted pUl'suant to the Council's resolution of The Far East Command had no responsibility for the defence of the Republic of Korea, but when the actual order was gïven its available forces struck with lightning speed and precision, and without flinching, before the fearfttl riskswhich had to be taken. vVe are aIl relieved to hear that, in spite of the overwhehning odds, the casualties have been relatively light. The tactical advantage is still with the aggressor, but the tide seems slowly to be turning. l hope, to use a Churchillian phrase, that if we have not yet reached the beginning of the end, we have·at least reached the end of the beginning. This opening chapter \Vas planned by the aggressor and dominated by him, but l hav-: no doubt that the next and conc1uding chapters will he written by the United Nations. I, fOl: one, am particularly encouraged and stimulated by the closing ~aragraphs of the report, reproducing the latest appra1sal of the Korean operations bv the Unified Commander, General MacArthur. The account of the daring skill and valour shown by the first small forces, magnificently led, but fighting against heavy odds, must appeal to any man. It seems as if the high principles for which they are fighting have infused them aU, from General MacArthur down to the GI's in the thin front line, with indomitable courage. l think l speak for aU of us when Ipay homage to these men. Theil' devotion and valour have given a meaning and strength to the recent resolutions of this Council which it was beyond our power to impart. ~, As the report by the United States Government was distributed only at the beginning oJ this meeting, l suppose that the representatives may wish to studv it before making any statements. l sha11, therefore, adjourn the meèting until E'riday, ~8 July, at 10.30 a.m. But before doing so, l shaH caU upon the representative of the United States, who wishes to read a statement by Ml'. Corde11 Hull. Ml'. AUSTIN (United States of America) : First of a11, let ·me thank the President of the Security Council for his gracious reception of this first report, and a110w me ta say that l shall have the hanour of transmitting theremarks of the Pl'esident to the Unified Command and to General MacArthur. l wish to read a statement by former Secretary of State Cordell Hull.• one of the prof\cient founders of the United Nations. This inspiring paper was prepared "June 26 is a date that should be always remembered by the people of the entire world. This year it marks the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, a document which embodies the ideas of many men of many lands. No other international document was ever given sa much thought by sa matiY people for such a long period of time. "The Charter of the United Nations has taken its place beside the English Magna Carta and the American Declaration of Independence as one of the finest e.~pressions of human aspirations of aIl time. Its provisions express the hopes of men everywhere: peace, security, justice, self-determination of peoples, higher standards of living, economic progl"ess and development, human rights and fundamental freedoms. "Despite immense difficulties, the United Nations has, during the past five years, moved slowly toward the realization of these princÎples. It has already made a solid contribution to international peace and stabiIity. But :\Vaging peace is an endless process that requires vigilance clay in and day out, year in and year out. "We must not be discouraged if in five years we have not moved further and faster in advancÎng the principles of the Charter. These principles are goals toward which mankind must. work through the years, through the centuries. They must be the central rallying point of aU our efforts if our hopes for a better worId are not to be in vain. "On this anniversary, let the peoples of the worId cleclicate themselves anew to peace,· security, freedom and justice, and to unceasing labours toward their attainment. Let history record that "le of this generation who had the vision toset forth the. noble principles of the United Nations Charter, had also the courage to make mighty advances toward their realization. "\"hle live in a perilous age. Failure to meet our responsibilities coule! have tragic consequences to civilization. But catastrophe is avoie!able if we aet calmly, persistently ane! intelligently. Of us are requiree! steae!fastness of pm"pose, faith, confidence, strength and a spirit of s~crifice. Mankind has passee! thro\l~h many Cri:s e!UlJg the ages ane! has always emergtd triumphant."