II-26 "THE SO-CALLED FINANCIAL CRISIS OF THE UNITED NATIONS IS ESSENTIALLY NOT A FINANCIAL BUT A POLITICAL QUESTION, A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF THE SYSTEMATIC VIOLATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER BY THE WESTERN POWERS": Letter From the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. (Khrushchev) to Bertrand Russell, July 13, 1963 (Excerpts) 62 The United Nations Charter" confers on the Security Council the primary responsibility for maintaining peace and security. Only the Security Council has the right to adopt decisions on using armed forces of the United Nations member-countries for maintaining international peace and security. It is also the Council's exclusive competence to define the number of states contributing their armed forces for this purpose and the conditions of their contribution, including the financial conditions. All these questions must be settled on the basis of the principle of unanimity of its permanent members which operates in the Security Council. To try to make peaceloving states pay for the consequences of the actions of aggressors and colonialists, actually means to encourage aggression, to encourage the colonialists' policy and interference in the internal affairs of other nations. This would be the only result. Is it not a fact that those who plan aggression would see that they would be able to get away with anything they do? II-27 "THE UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING CAPACITIES- 63 Soviet News, July 17, 1963, pp. 43-44. Text in American Foreign Policy, 1950-1955: Basic Documents, vol. I, pp. 134-161. U.S.-U.N. press release 4349; the Department of State Bulletin, Jan. 27, 1964, pp. 130–133. D. Admission of New Members II-28 UNITED STATES SUPPORT OF THE ADMISSION OF KUWAIT TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE UNITED NATIONS: Statement Made by the U.S. Representative (Stevenson) in the U.N. Security Council, May 7, 19631 My distinguished colleagues who have preceded me this afternoon have already said everything that I had intended to say. So I must content myself with welcoming and endorsing the application of Kuwait for membership in the United Nations for the second time.2 My Government reaffirms its recognition of the sovereignty and the independence of Kuwait. The membership of Kuwait in the United Nations seems to us a very logical outgrowth of the increasing scope of its international activities as reflected by its participation in several organizations of the United Nations family. In addition to enlightened constitutional development and its energetic and effective steps for improvement of the standards of living and of education of its people, Kuwait has, as we all know, initiated a program of foreign financial assistance that over the years will make a major contribution to economic development in the Middle East. In its most recent application for membership in April 1963, the distinguished Foreign Minister of Kuwait, His Excellency Sabah AlAhmad Al-Sabah, has reaffirmed his Government's previous acceptance of the obligations contained in the Charter of the United Nations. My Government has long held the view that the Government of Kuwait is able and willing to carry out these obligations and that, therefore, it is fully qualified for membership in this organization. Hence we welcome Kuwait's application and look forward to useful and to agreeable cooperation with its representatives in the United Nations. It is, therefore, with great satisfaction that we shall vote for the admission of Kuwait.* 'U.S.-U.N. press release 4201 (text as printed in the Department of State Bulletin, June 27, 1963, p. 884). 'Concerning Kuwait's previous application for membership, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1961, p. 693, footnote 10. U.N. doc. S/5294. The Security Council decided, without objection, to recommend to the General Assembly Kuwait's membership in the United Nations. On May 14 the General Assembly passed by acclamation Res. 1872 (S-IV) admitting Kuwait to membership in the United Nations; text of the resolution is printed in U.N. General Assembly Official Records, Fourth Special Session, Supplement No. 1 (A/5541), p. 7. Doc. II-28 II-29 UNITED STATES SUPPORT OF THE ADMISSION OF ZANZIBAR AND KENYA TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE UNITED NATIONS: Statement Made by the U.S. Representative (Stevenson) in the U.N. Security Council, December 16, 1963 5 There is something paradoxical about the admission of two tropical states on the coldest day of the winter. But the admission of new members committed to the principles of the charter, and thereby the extension of the influence and discipline of the United Nations to ever larger areas of the globe, is always an occasion for rejoicing. And so it is today. The privilege of welcoming the new state of Kenya and the ancient state of Zanzibar and their distinguished delegations on behalf of the United States is an honor I shall long remember. In a message to the Sultan of Zanzibar upon the occasion of that country's independence, President Johnson wrote: 6 we will continue to press for equal rights for all-both in my country and abroad-and we will continue to assist the world's new and emerging nations in their efforts to strengthen their foundations of freedom and independence. President Johnson expressed similar sentiments in a message delivered to the people of Kenya at their independence celebration: 7 ... the United States is devoted to the same basic human aspirations as those of the people of Kenya-and, indeed, as those of people of good will throughout the world. To the courageous people of Kenya, the American people and I send the warmest good wishes as you enter into nationhood. Just as the infant United States was encouraged and strengthened by the sympathy of those throughout the world who love liberty, so your young and vigorous nation will have the understanding support of free men in every land. Mr. President, both these countries comprise multiracial societies which are pledged to accord equal rights and opportunities to all of their citizens in the eyes of the law, the government, and the world. As I said this morning in the Security Council, the statesmanship of their leaders and of the United Kingdom, and the negotiations conducted with honesty, forbearance, and determination which have concluded so peacefully and happily, can serve as an example of cooperation and tolerance throughout the continent of Africa. We believe too, Mr. President, that the statesmanship of Kenya and Zanzibar bodes well for the future of this organization. For the success of the deliberations of the United Nations also depends upon the equality of nations, forbearance, concern for the views and interests of others, and a sincere search for a common agreement. No nation here is so big that it cannot profit by listening to the views of others; no nation is so small that it cannot make a useful contribution to our work. U.S.-U.N. press release 4346 (text as printed in the Department of State Bulletin, Jan. 6, 1964, p. 32). Post, doc. VIII-45. Post, doc. VIII-40. For text, see U.S.-U.N. press release 4345. In the close exchange of views and the frank expression of opinions lies our hope for a deeper friendship among nations and the best assurance we have against the dangers of misunderstanding, mistrust, and conflict. My country has long enjoyed such friendly and mutually profitable relations with our new members. The establishment of our first consulate in Zanzibar predated the era of major European influence in Africa. An American Friends Service Mission was established in Kenya as early as 1904 and is still functioning there. Large numbers of students from both these countries have come to the United States. More than 1,000 from Kenya alone are now studying in American schools and universities. Our aid programs in these countries, worked out with the recipient governments, along with private commercial relations, have further contributed to our respect and friendship for each other. We look forward to continuing this relationship as equal members of this world organization: in debates, in conferences, in all those exchanges of opinions which express our desire to create that world of free and equal men envisaged in our charter." E. The Eighteenth Session of the U.N. General Assembly II-30 "THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT APPEALS TO ALL GOVERNMENTS: LET US BUILD RELATIONS BETWEEN STATES IN SUCH A WAY THAT INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES WILL BE SETTLED NOT ON BATTLEFIELDS BUT AT CONFERENCE TABLES, THAT NOT A SINGLE STATE WILL BE ABLE TO USE FORCE AGAINST ANOTHER STATE WHOSE DOMESTIC SYSTEM IT DOES NOT LIKE": Address by the Soviet Foreign Minister (Gromyko) Before the U.N. General Assembly, September 19, 1963 1 1 The Security Council approved unanimously the resolutions on admission of Zanzibar and Kenya to U.N. membership. Subsequently, on the same date, the General Assembly approved by acclamation Res. 1975 and 1976 (XVIII) admitting these countries to the United Nations; for texts of the resolutions, see U.N. General Assembly Official Records, Eighteenth Session, Supplement No. 15 (A/5515), pp. 9-10. II-31 "LET US SEE IF WE, IN OUR OWN TIME, CAN MOVE THE WORLD TO A JUST AND LASTING PEACE": Address by the President of the United States (Kennedy) Before the U.N. General Assembly, September 20, 1963 2 Mr. President-as one who has taken some interest in the election of Presidents, I want to congratulate you on your election to this high office 3-Mr. Secretary-General, delegates to the United Nations, ladies and gentlemen: We meet again in the quest for peace. 4 Twenty-four months ago, when I last had the honor of addressing this body, the shadow of fear lay darkly across the world. The freedom of West Berlin was in immediate peril. Agreement on a neutral Laos seemed remote. The mandate of the United Nations in the Congo was under fire. The financial outlook for this organization was in doubt. Dag Hammarskjold was dead. The doctrine of troika was being pressed in his place, and atmospheric nuclear tests had been resumed by the Soviet Union.10 Those were anxious days for mankind, and some men wondered aloud whether this organization could survive. But the 16th and 17th General Assemblies achieved not only survival but progress. Rising to its responsibility, the United Nations helped reduce the tensions and helped to hold back the darkness. 11 13 Today the clouds have lifted a little so that new rays of hope can break through. The pressures on West Berlin appear to be temporarily eased. Political unity in the Congo has been largely restored.12 A neutral coalition in Laos, while still in difficulty, is at least in being.' The integrity of the United Nations Secretariat has been reaffirmed.1 A United Nations Decade of Development is under way.15 And, for the first time in 17 years of effort, a specific step has been taken to limit the nuclear arms race. 'White House press release (New York, N.Y.) dated Sept. 20, 1963 (as-delivered text as printed in the Department of State Bulletin, Oct. 7, 1963, pp. 530-535). Carlos Sosa Rodriguez, of Venezuela, was elected President of the 18th Session of the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 17, 1963. See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1961, pp. 126-135. 8 See ibid., pp. 584 ff. 13 See post, docs. VIII-13 et seq. See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1962, pp. 1072-1073; also post, docs. IX-69 et seq. "See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1961, pp. 82-86. 15 See ibid., pp. 153-156; also post, docs. II-35 et seq. |