S/PV.969 Security Council

As agreed at the last meeting the business of this evening's meeting will commence with the hearing of statements by members of the Council in ·connexion with the application of Sierra 3. The happy outcome of our discussion this morning on Sierra Leone and the application for membership in the United Nations has, l am sure, given sincerr pleasure to all members of this Council. Our eleven votes cast without reservations were proof, if any were needed, of the goodwill Sierra Leone enjoys in aU parts of the world. l have no doubt at aIl that as a Member of the United Nations Sierra Leone will, when our recommendation has been endorsed by the General Assembly, by its contribution to our work increase that goodwill and enrich our counsels. My delegation interprets this morning's vote as anindication of the welcome weare always ready to give to a former dependent territory which has achieved its independence. 4. Once again we welcome the request by a new African nation that this Organization should set the seal on its independence by admitting it to full membership. We mU!3t not, indeed, forget that this is one of the first and most significant marks of a country's independence. Though it is by now a familiar story, like many familiar stories, it 113 none the less inspiring and happy because of that. In no instance has this been more true than in the case of Sierra Leone, whose distinguished representatives are among us today, and whom l am sure we aU cordially welcome. 5. It is now five months since the independenee celebrations were held in Sierra Leone, and she has already taken her place in the counsels of the world outside the United Nations. Her voiee is alreadyheard with respect and her Prime Minister, Sir Milton Margai, is already recognized in Africa and beyond as a wise counseUor and an able administrator and leader. There can thus be no doubt that the United Nations will he the richer by admitting Sierra Leone to its membership. 6. Sierra Leone's orderly and harmonious evolution through an increasing measure of self-government to the final goal of complete indepen,dence has been a classic example of what can be achieved by friendly co-operation. For us it has been a thoroughly happy and constructive association and, as Mr. Macleod, the United Kingdom Secretary of State for the Colonies said at the conclusion of the Sierra Leone Constitutional ConÎerence: "Sierra Leone and Britain have been friends for 150 years. AU of us who have takenpart in the talks see no reason why, as independent States, we should not remain close friends for many years to come." 7. Sierra Leone already has achievements of which she can be proud. She takes special pride in her outstanding record in education, exemplified by suchfine 8. We also welcome Sierra Leone as a further addition to the Commonwealth countries represented in the United Nations. The Commonwealth is unique as an institution which supplements other groupings without in any way weakening or threatening them. Sierra Leone becomes the third African member ofthe Commonwealth, and she will soon be followed by others. We believe that the United Nations and the Commonwealth-whose aims and views are very close to those of the United Nations Charter-will gain greatly by her addition to their number. 9. Therefore my delegation is proud to have cosponsored, with Ceylon and Liberia, the resolution adopted unanimously this morning recommending Sierra Leone's admission ta the United Nations. 10. Ml'. MALALASEKERA (Ceylon): My delegation wishes to congratulate the Government and people of'Sierra Leone on their success in overcoming the first and most difficult hurdle in their application for admission to the United Nations Organization, thus enabling her to occupy the very significant place of being the one hundredth Member of the world Organization. 11. This is the third time that the Ceylon delegation has had the pleasure and privilege of supporting the admission of a fellow-member of the Commonwealth since Ceylon took a seat in this Couneil in January 1960. Since that time we have seenNigeria and Cyprus taking their rightful places in this family of nations. To me, participating in meetings of the Security Council for the first time, it is indeed a very happy augury to have had this opportunity to co-sponsor with the United Kingdom and Liberia the draft resolution for the admission of Sierra Leone, which has reached such a happy and successful conclusion. 12. In an age when so many nations, after regaining their freedom, have taken their place in the world Organization, it is fitting that this country, symbolic of freedom ever since it was peopled at the end of the eighteenth century, should now complete its process of evolution to full nationhood by taking its rightfuI place amongst us. With Sierra Leone's admission to the United Nations, the popular strength of the United Nations will be increased by more than two million. l venture to give this number because it indicates the growth by that figure of further support for the aims and ideais of the United Nations. We are happy to think that by this accession an institution which is a great stabilizing force in world affairs is being further strengthened. To us who are members of the Commonwealth, the occasion is one that gives, if l may say so, a double satisfaction. 14. Ml'. STEVENSON (United States ofAmerica): The United States welcomes the application of Sierra Leone for membership in the United Nations. 15. Sierra Leone has had a long and distinguished history filled with episodes of valour and hardship. The purpose of its establishment, as we well know in this country, in 1787, was to assist in the abolition of slavery. For many years it was to Sierra Leone that captured slave ships were brought for trial and disposition. The part it played in the elimination of that abominable traffic was a very significant and vital one. 16. Over the years Sierra Leone progressedsteadily towards independence. In 1863 it received separate executive and legislative councils. By 1925 it had a constitution which provided for the election of African legislative councillors. By 1948 the number of elected members in legislative council was .nade greater than the number of appointed members. 17. MeanwhHe, economic development was steadily pursued. The construction of a railroad from Freetown to the interior between 1896 and 1908 made it possible to develop an export trade. With the discovery of valuable iron ore and diamond deposits in the 1930's, the colony increased in economic importance. 18. On 27 April 1961, the green, white and blue flag of independent Sierra Leone flew for the first time at a moving ceremony which the United States was honoured to attend. On that occasion, President Kennedy sent the good wishes of the people ofthe United States to the people of Sierra Leone whom he described as a people: "who cherish individualliberty and independence and who have made great sacrifices so that these vital principles might endure". 19. The Security Council again has the happy task of voting on the admission of a new African State for membership. There have been many such admissions in recent months and years, but the experience never fails to be moving or the occasion heartening. 20. The United States welcomes the application of Sierra Leone to membership of the United Nations, as 1 have said. We voted with pleasure for the resolution sponsored by Ceylon, Liberia and the United Kingdom, and we look forward with equal pleasure to working with the representatives of Sierra Leone during the coming months and years. 21. Ml'. CHEHLAOUI (United Arab Republic) (translated from French): My delegation is very glad that the proposaI to admit Sierra Leone to the United Nations has been adopted by the Security Council. Sierra Leone possesses an the qualifications for membership, as no one has denied, and it is with great pIeasure that we welcome this new African State, which, as a Member of the United Nations, will contribute to the maintenance of world peace.

The application of another new African State, Sierra Leone, for admission to membership in the United Nations demonstrates the continuaI and gratifying process of the liberation of the African peoples from colonial dependence. The Soviet delegation has had the opportunity to say, and now repeats, that the birth of increasing numbers of independent African States is a significantand gratifying event of our age, beariug witness tothe great historic changes which are taking place on the African continent. 24. The Soviet people, together with peace-loving humanity as a whole, has always had profoundrespect and sincere sympathy for the African peoples struggling against imperialst and colonial servitude for their freedom, independence, democracy and social progress. The Soviet Union always supports freedom and independence against the attempts of foreign oppressors to maintain and extend their sphere of imperialist dominion. 25. In their rightful struggle, the peoples of Africa can always rely on the disinterested aid of the Soviet State and of aU the socialist countries. Among the other African peoples, the valiant people of Sierra Leone has for decades been struggling againstforeign domination. The admission of this State to membership in the United Nations will undoubtedly help to strengthen its independence and enhance the political consciousness of the people of Sierra Leone. 26. The Soviet delegation today voted in favour ofthe draft resolution recommendingthe admission ofSierra Leone to membership in our Organization, and wiU support this resolution in the General Assembly. In a telegram from the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, N. S. Khrushchev, to the Prime Minister of Sierra Leone, Sir Milton Margai, of 26 April 1961, it was stated: "The peoples of the Soviet Union convey to the people of Sierra Leone their sincere desire for its prosperity and happiness, and for its success in consolidating the sovereignty of its State and in developing its economy and culture. The Soviet Government, which is a staunch supporter of the self-determination of peoples and has a feeling of profound respect for the people of Sierra Leone, hereby states that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics recognizes the Republic of Sierra Leone as an independent and sovereign State and is ready to establish diplomatic relations and exchange diplomatic representatives with it." 27. In conclusion, aUow me to wish the new State every success in the strengthening of its sovereignty and the developing of its economy and culture, in co-operation with the other States Members of the United Nations.

Our colleague from the United Kingdom has given us an account of the circumstances in which the State of Leone attained independence. 30. Such is the liberal enterprise for which we must thank the United Kingdom authorities and upon which we must congratulate the people of Sierra Leone. 31. Another claim to our gratitude lies in the patience and stubborn persistence with which the Governmènt of the United Kingdom and the authorities in Sierra Leone devoted their efforts to solving the difficulties which arose betweenthe territory andthe protectorate. ln the course of lengthy negotiations carried on between 1947 and 1950, the GovernmentinLondonsought and succeeded in arranging an agreement between the colony and the protectorate on the basis of the introduction of universal suffrage throughout the country. At the same time it was able to persuade representatives of both groups to participate in the drafting of a new Constitution on democratic lines, based upon human rights. 32. The joint achievement of the United Kingdom authorities and the people of Sierra Leone, and the circumstances in which this State has attained independdence, remind us of what France itself has done for other African peoples and other African States which now sit with us. This is yet another reason why my delegation is so pleased that the Council has unanimously recommended that Sierra Leone's application should be approved by the General Assembly. 33. My delegation would like to extend its heartiest and rnost sincere congratulations to the authorities in Freetown-headed, in the person of Sir Milton Margai, by a most enlightened statesman-and to the United Kingdom authorities.

The Chilean delegation wishes to express its satisfaction at the agreement in the Security Council which has opened the way for Sierra Leone to become a Member of the United Nations. The Government and people of Sierra Leone are to be congratulated on this unanimous decision. The name of their capital, Freetown, is a symbol of the aspiration to freedom of this African people which a few months ago so joyfully replaced the Union Jack with the new green, white and blue flag. 35. My delegation also believes that it is appropriate at this moment to refer to the United Kingdom, which has displayed so much wisdom and understanding in assisting its former colony to become an independent ·nation. A new and substantial fragment of the African continent, and one holding out great promise, has been added to the many-coloured mosaic of the United Nations. 36. The Government and people ofChile are confident that the process of liberation in Africa will shortly be completed and that the liquidation of the remnants of colonialism, as a stage ofhistorywhich cannot survive in our day, will enable those African peoples who are 38. Ml'. TSIANG (China): The achievement ofnational independence is always an important and happy event in the life of a people. In the present case. 1 wish first of aIl to congratulate the people of Sierra Leone and their leaders. They have not only achieved independence. but achieved it by peaceful means. Furthermore. they have begun their independent nationallife \Vith a very high degree of political. economic and social maturity. 39. In the second place, 1 wish to congratulate the United Kingdom onhaving contributed so constructivelyto that process of progressive development which our vote this morning may be said to have crowned in a fitting way. 40. It was with great pleasure that my delegation voted in favour of the draft resolution sponsored by Ceylon, Liberia and the United Kingdom. On behalf of the Government and people of China. 1 wish to express to the Government and people of Sierra Leone our best wishes for continuedprogress andprosperity. 41. Ml'. BENITES VINUEZA (Ecuador) (translated from Spanish): Thank you, Ml'. President. for giving me this opportunity of associating my delega.tion with the welcome that has been extended to the new State of Sierra Leone. 42. Nothing is more pleasing to my delegation than to seal the independence of aState with its vote and to open the way for it to enter the United Nations. for this is a contribution to that principle of universality which is the very foundation of the international community. We have special pleasure in doing so when the vote goes to aState which is emerging from colonial status and when it is an African State. for it was this continent which feIt the fatal curse of that cruel trinity of imperialism-racialism. slavery and colonialism. My delegation believes that the liquidation of colonialism will be the outstanding feature of the historical epoc~ upon which we are entering. 43. 1 should like at this point to reaffirm once again my delegation's fai.th in Africa. We are firmly convinced that Africa will make a notable contribution ta the building of a free worldj we say this with complete impartiality. for my delegation thinks that it would be abominable if. after the African man-hunt of previous centuries, there we:re now to be a new hunt-a hunt for African votes. 44. We are confident that the young State of Sierra Leone will contribute with enthusiasm. passion and intelligence to the building of the free world; we believe this because it was from this very State that the ebony cargoes of men enslaved by other men set sail and. as we aIl know, the man who has been without his freedom is the only one who can truly value attainment of freedom. We therefore warmly wel- 46. l also wish to congratulate aU the other African countries. as weIl as aU the other members of the Commonwealth who are also Members of the United Nations on the occasion of this precious addition to the ranks of both. 47. At the same time, we wish to express our deep appreciation to the United Kingdom of this new example of understanding and friendly co-operation in the attainment of the full independence ofSierra Leone. 48. We are looking forward with great pleasure to the prospect of friendly and fruitful co-operation with the delegation of Sierra Leone in the United Nations. We have no doubt that the Organization will he enriched by their valuable contributions. We extend to Sierra Leone our heartiest welcome and our best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of its people.

The last speaker on this item is the representative of LIBERIA and l speak now in that capacity. 50. Tt was a privilege for my delegation to support this morning the recommendation for the admission of Sierra Leone to membership of the United Nations and. with the United Kingdom and Ceylon. to sponsor the draft resolution in that regard. 51. l congratulate the Government and the people of Sierra Leone on the unanimous decision adopted by the Security Council iD recommending that country for admission to membership of the United Nations. and l express the hope that the recommendation will meet with similar success in the General Assembly. 52. My feelings on this occasion are heightened by the fact thai Sierra Leone is an old friend and neighbour and its history. in Many respects. parallels that of my own country. Our two nations were conceived in strikingly similar circumstances: in the idealistic crucible of freedom and justice. The idea giving birth to both Liberia and Sierra Leone-and which is the core of the spirit of both lands-is that our nations were to he havens for those who had been pressed into bondage. homelands where they and their unborn generations could lead lives dedicated to freedom. opportunity and human dignity. Thus. in 1787 Sierra Leone's first settlers were brought back to Africa. and in 1822 a similar pattern was repeated with the establishment of what was to become my nation. Liberia. In both of our countries our people found a new life. filled with the opportunities which enrich the human spirit. Thereafter. the two areas developed. each in its own way. to the point where today l M.ve been privileged to endorse the application of Sierra Leone. a peace-Ioving State. for admission to mem- 54. The beginnings of co-operation onthese problems took place at the Monrovia Conference earlier this year when, for the first time, Sierra Leone participated in a meeting of independent States as a full and equal partner. From the spirit of co-operation which it showed there, and from the history of its people and its distinguished leaders, we are sure that this beginning foreshadows a great period of advance for Sierra Leone, for West Africa and, indeed, for the whole of Africa. The parallels of our histories, our common boundaries, the closeness of our peoples and, most important of all, the spirit of liberty which breathes llie into both our nations, bode well for the growth and continued strength of the long-existing bonds of friendship between our two countries. 55. l would be remiss if l failed to mention the role of the United Kingdom in the achievement by Sierra Leone of its independence. Prior to such achievement, the officiaIs of the United Kingdom who were responsible for the administration of Sierra Leone gave unstintingly of themselves in bringing about an orderly transition and establishing stability in that country. When Sir Milton Margai said, "Now is the time", Sierra Leone was ready. The best testimonial to the performance of the United Kingdom was the statement of the Mayor of Freetown on the occasion of his presentation of the keys of that city to the Duke of Kent. The Mayor stated: "We in Freetown share with our brothers throughout the country the pride andjoywe all feel at having achieved our independence, not by bloodshed, not by revolution, but in friendly agreement following the British tradition of evolutionary constitutional government." 56. l am certain that Sierra Leone will make a significant contribution to the development of this Organization and to the evolution of t.."'le world communi~Tin general. Recent events have made it even clearer that it is the small nations who, above all, must rely on this Organization and it is, therefore, appropriate that such nations should put forth their maximum efforts towards strengthening worId peace and building a prosperous world order. 57. It is then for these reasons that l deem it a distinct honour and privilege to have endorsed wholeheartedly the recommendation for Sierra Leone's admission to the United Nations. 58. l now suggest, as PRESIDENT, that the Council considers sub-item (Q) of its agenda.

My delegation would like to request the of the meeting, under rule 33 of the pr()vülioltlal rules of procedure. 61. May 1 therefore suggest. in accordance with ruie 33. paragraph 3. that the meeting should he adjourned until Monday next. 2 October. at 3 p.m. It was so decided. The meeting rose at 10.10 p.m.