Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

every effort to promote conditions that could permit us to continue to participate in the organization.

The 30th session of the General Assembly was marked both by cooperation and contention. Many economic and social issues were debated, resulting in resolutions adopted by consensus. But political differences arose among the members over such issues as Korea, the Middle East, human rights and decolonization. Among other actions, a resolution equating Zionism with Racism was adopted over strong United States opposition. We view this resolution as a fundamental distortion of the truth and, as a result of its adoption, announced that we would not participate in the activities of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.

These are but a few of the important events in the United Nations during the past year. Much of the work of the United Nations is unknown because it is not regularly reported through the news media. The economic, social and technical coordination work of the United Nations, which account for more than 90 percent of its total resources, include such important activities as:

-Maintaining international aviation safety standards;
-Helping to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons;
-Working to combat illicit drug production and trafficking;

-Improving health conditions and standards worldwide and combating disease and plague;

-Setting improved standards for the environment;

-Improving international food standards and preventing plant and animal disease from crossing borders;

-Providing economic development and technical assistance to the poorer nations of the world; and

-Providing food assistance and disaster relief.

As the world's strongest economic power with the greatest global reach, the United States derives many tangible benefits from these United Nations activities, many of which resulted from American initiative and leadership.

Despite difficulties inherent in working within an organization of so many Sovereign states having differing interests and backgrounds, I believe that we are making progress in achieving our purposes in the United Nations. The United States is working actively to defend its interests, to oppose irresponsible actions and to promote cooperation among UN members in fulfillment of the great purposes of the Charter which we helped to frame.

As the world grows increasingly complex and interdependent, I conclude that United States leadership and participation in the United Nations serves our interests and hopes for realizing mankind's aspirations for a world of peace, economic progress and social justice.

THE WHITE HOUSE, October 1, 1976.

GERALD R. FORD.

« ÎnapoiContinuă »