Norway, 1969

20. Madam President, nothing

said from this rostrum can add to your honour and prestige,

but my Government wishes to add its voice to the

impressive choir of congratulations and good wishes. We

also wish to express our deep-felt respect for the memory

of the late Mr. Arenales, the President of the last Assembly.

Before I start, I should also like to convey greetings to our

Secretary-General and warm expressions of understanding

and confidence from my Government.

21. We meet today, as often before, under the shadow of

armed conflicts in many parts of the world. The tragic

events in Viet-Nam, the Middle East and Nigeria, as well as

the stalemate situation in the southern part of Africa, have

a direct bearing on the political climate in general, and

influence our ability to deal with other urgent problems of

the day. The Secretary-General has underlined these

dangers in the introduction to his annual report [A/7601/

Add.1]. With stark realism he points out that time is

running short when it comes to maintaining international

peace and security, developing friendly relations among

nations, and achieving international co-operation. Speakers

in this debate have reflected the same sentiment.

22. The optimism of the immediate post-war era has long

been replaced by a more subdued mood. The commitment

to international co-operation, so essential to our survival, is

often giving way to a policy of more narrow and limited

considerations. This trend must be reversed before it is too

late. International collaboration must be strengthened, and

our Organization must be used more effectively. This,

however, does not necessarily mean that all problems must

come to this Assembly to be debated and settled. There are

many questions which can be better and more efficiently

dealt with on a direct nation-to-nation basis or in the

context of a regional organization. Even so, the problems

must be seen in a wider perspective so that the legitimate

interests of the world community are never lost sight of.

23. My Government attempts to pursue a foreign policy

based on a strong feeling of international solidarity and a

realization of the interdependence of all nations. That also

explains our strong support of the United Nations. I should

like to underline that this support of the United Nations in

my country is deeply anchored in public opinion in all

segments of our population.

24. Our policy must be pragmatic but realism must not

degenerate into sterile pessimism. We must not forget the

progress which has been made in international co-operation

to in the post-war era, above all in the fields of economic and

social affairs. The United Nations has also, on many

occasions and in many contexts, played a significant role in

settling or contributing towards the settlement of political

disputes. It is now necessary to look forward and to devise

new methods and new programmes. We have to look at the

world as it is, but we must not submerge ourselves in an

obsession with the present predicament to such an extent

that we lose our perspectives. We must never

forget — never — that our common interests are immeasurably

stronger and more lasting than what divides us.

25. We must learn from past mistakes, but leave the

burden of defeat behind us. We carry the present problems

with us and are challenged by problems to come. The rising

new generations demand of us a new spirit of willingness

and co-operation in finding solutions to common problems

and in undertaking new endeavours on a global basis. If that

will is lacking, the programmes we devise and the

machinery we establish will be of no avail.

26. There is a tendency today, whenever we face a serious

problem, to leave it to the big Powers to deal with. At the

same time there is a current of criticism against the great

Powers for arrogating to themselves too much power and

deciding the fate of all, big and small. The roles of the big

Powers, the middle-sized States and the small nations have

rather to be adjusted to it, and fitted together in the

common endeavours of finding solutions to the problems

facing us all. Their roles are, or at least ought to be,

complementary. There are certain questions where we feel

the great Powers must take the lead, such as the limiting of

strategic armaments. So is the situation in the Middle East.

However, that does not free the rest of us from responsibility.

27. As far as disarmament is concerned, the smaller

nations should let their voices be heard and express their

anxiety to the big Powers, which seem to be doing far less

than the situation requires. It is the fervent hope of my

Government that the United States and the Soviet Union

will soon start talks on the limitation of strategic armaments.

We are dismayed at every new delay and we are

deeply concerned about the lack of progress.

28. It is also of the utmost importance that the Treaty on

the Non-Proliferation on Nuclear Weapons [resolution

2373 (XXII)] should be ratified by as many nations as

possible. It is particularly important that the great Powers

should do so, and we applaud the step taken by the United

Kingdom in this respect. The beginning of talks on the

limitation of strategic armaments and the entry into force

of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

are not only very important in themselves, but they will

also help to create the atmosphere of confidence which is

essential for progress in other fields as well.

29. Another such element is the proposed all-European

security conference. My Government has responded favourably

to the invitation from the Government of Finland to

take part in such a conference. It must be well and

thoroughly prepared and must count the United States and

Canada as participants. Such a conference might improve

the political climate of the world; but at the same time, the

success of such a conference depends on the political

climate. I would be less than frank if I did not say that

developments in Czechoslovakia might have an important

bearing on the political climate in our world.

30. Another situation which fills us all with concern and

anxiety is the Middle East, where we do not seem to have

made any progress in the last year. A solution to the

conflict must be found within the framework of the

Security Council resolution of 22 November 1967

[242 (1967)], which constitutes the basis for Ambassador

Jarring’s mission. We appreciate his efforts in carrying out

the Security Council resolution and welcome the increased

involvement of the big Powers in finding a solution. As we

see it, it is not a question of imposing a solution, but rather

of defining the elements that go into a solution and

broadening the common grounds for its acceptance, and

thus strengthen the position of Ambassador Jarring.

31. While encouraging the big Powers to assume their

responsibilities for the maintenance of peace and international

security we should ail, even the smaller States, do

our utmost to search for and point out solutions. Above all,

we should pledge our readiness to assume our share of the

burdens and responsibilities in connexion with a settlement

of the conflict. The Norwegian Government has already

declared its willingness to contribute to an economic

development plan for the whole Middle East region if that

should be agreed upon.

32. One of the key elements in the whole Middle East

situation is the refugee problem. This is not only, primarily,

a humanitarian problem but, as recent developments in the

area have shown, it is above all a political question which

must be solved if a lasting settlement is to be found of the

Middle East conflict.

33. The suffering of the civilian population in Nigeria has

caused deep concern. The Norwegian Government has, on

strictly humanitarian grounds, contributed to the international

relief work for the benefit of the civilian population.

The many appeals by the Nordic Governments have

been solely motived by a desire to make the relief work

more effective and to offer their support for any measures

which may contribute to a solution of the conflict. We

strongly regret that it has not yet been possible to reach an

agreement for the resumption of flights bringing relief and supplies.

34. The Norwegian Government is cognizant of the ardent

efforts undertaken by the Organization of African Unity to

solve the conflict and is of the opinion that this Organization

is especially well qualified for finding a basis for a

negotiated solution. The Foreign Ministers of the Nordic

countries discussed this problem at their recent meeting in

Reykjavik, Iceland. The Nordic countries will continue to

give their full support to mediation efforts through the

Organization of African Unity and other channels particularly

well suited for bringing about contact and negotiations

between the parties.

35. It is the intention of my Government, one of the

larger contributors to relief work during the civil war, to

view, positively, requests for assistance for the reconstruction

of the war-devastated areas when the hostilities are

brought to an end. The Norwegian Government is also

prepared to comply with requests for observers and

personnel for control units in connexion with relief work or

a cease-fire.

36. The sea and what is in it has always played a large role

in the life of man. This importance has been reflected in the

sustained and positive contributions by the United Nations

towards a modern law of the sea. However, the great and

mysterious depths of the oceans have only recently been

drawn into international co-operation. Our Organization

embarked upon a vast and complex task when it took up

the question of the sea-bed and the ocean floor two years

ago. Perhaps the Assembly did not then quite realize the

size of the problem or the great potentialities for the

benefit of mankind. It has, however, begun to be understood

that great political, economic, scientific and technical

problems will have to be solved before we can harvest the

riches on or beneath the ocean floor. The sea-bed Committee

has done a constructive job and focused attention

on the problems before us. But time is of the essence.

Rapid progress must be made. Otherwise we risk creating

vested interests which will make our task desperately difficult.

37. During this session of the Assembly we must adopt at

least a set of principles as guidelines for the Committee in

its future work. The technical skill of the Member States to

exploit the sea-bed is rapidly expanding. The United

Nations has no time to lose if we wish to avoid a disastrous

race among nations in the exploitation of this area. The

result of such a race would deepen still more the chasm

between the rich and the poor nations. In the opinion of

the Norwegian Government, the exploitation of the sea-bed

and the ocean floor for peaceful purposes should be guided

by an international régime as soon as possible. The extent

of the area should be defined before it is too late. If this

session of the General Assembly could take a decision on

nothing else with regard to its long agenda than to establish

a set of principles for the sea-bed, it would nevertheless be

regarded as a successful session. An understanding amongst

us on this issue would require, however, that we raise our

eyes above national horizons. Only through genuine international

co-operation and goodwill can we reach a solution

for the benefit of us all. While we strive to develop new

resources we must also protect all parts of our natural

heritage. We have not husbanded our resources with

prudence and foresight. In humanity's march to a continually

increasing mastery of nature we have paid a terrible price.

38. Most of the problems connected with human environment

cannot be solved individually by nations. The

situation calls for constructive efforts on the international

level. It is particularly important that the United Nations

take the lead in this work so as to give the necessary global

framework for the discussions. We are looking forward with

great expectations to the United Nations Conference on the

Human Environment which will take place in Sweden in 1972.

39. This of course is only one example of the fact that the

political situation in the world is greatly influenced by the

serious economic and social problems which our Member

countries have to deal with. Much attention has been paid

to these problems in the past both by national Governments

and by international organizations, particularly by

the United Nations family, but the impact of these

problems is still not fully realized. We have not yet quite

understood the importance of finding satisfactory answers

which will enable future generations to improve their

conditions of life.

40. It is against this background that my Government

views the work now under way in the various United

Nations organs in the preparation of the Second United

Nations Development Decade. We cannot, of course, in this

preparation find solutions for all the problems of the

developing countries. However, we should at least try to

learn to understand the problems and must try to find

better means of co-ordinating the national and international

efforts in this field. If we do that, the next General

Assembly may adopt the. strategy for the Second United

Nations Development Decade, which will be a useful

starting point. No strategy or even the most complete

analysis of the development problems can serve any

purpose unless the Governments back them up, and unless

the political will freely expressed by the people, rich and

poor, developed and developing nations alike, work on them.

41. The problem of economic and social development is a

very complex one. It changes from country to country and

may vary from region to region in the same country. The

responsibility for development policies must, obviously,

rest with the Government and the people of each individual

country. Most of the economic resources needed for

development must come from the developing countries

themselves. This does not at all mean that the efforts of the

industrialized nations can only have a marginal effect. It is,

first and foremost, their responsibility to ensure a steadily

expanding world economy and world trade. This is an

essential condition for economic and social progress in the

developing countries. They are, to a large extent, dependent

upon stable world markets for their products in order to

secure the necessary resources for their development.

42. Great efforts must be made to ensure a continually

increasing participation of the developing countries in

world trade. My Government strongly supports the efforts

made by the United Nations Conference on Trade and

Development in this field. The contribution which

UNCTAD is making to the strategy of the Second United

Nations Development Decade will be extremely valuable.

Past experience has proved conclusively that more is to be

gained by quiet consultations and negotiations than by

direct confrontation in this as in many other fields.

43. In recent years science and technology have advanced

at a breath-taking pace unmatched during any previous

period. Even so, we have not solved the problem of

mobilizing unused resources in the developed countries.

There are still enormous resources in the sea which could be

used directly for feeding the hungry. There are also large

unused production facilities in agriculture which could be

used for the same purpose.

44. The United Nations can take pride in the steady

expansion of its work in the field of economic and social

affairs. There has been an increasing realization that these

matters are of common concern and have to be discussed

and handled on a global basis. At the same time there has

been an increasing awareness and acceptance of responsibility,

on the part of the international community, with

regard to alleviating human suffering and safeguarding

human rights in disaster situations. Various forms of

humanitarian relief are now being provided through several

international agencies, governmental as well as private.

Experience has shown many weaknesses in the methods

which are at the disposal of the international community

when it is a question of providing humanitarian relief to the

civilian population in natural, as well as disaster situations.

Further steps of an international character are therefore

needed to ensure prompt and effective relief in such situations.

45. My Government, together with the Canadian Government,

sponsored a declaration at the recent International

Red Cross Conference in Istanbul, setting forth a set of

principles for international humanitarian relief to civilian

populations in disaster situations. This declaration provides

that disaster relief for the benefit of civilian populations is

to be given without discrimination. It also states that the

offer of such relief by an impartial international humanitarian

organization ought not to be regarded as an

unfriendly act. It is further laid down that all States are

requested to exercise their sovereign and other legal rights

so as to facilitate the transit, admission and distribution of

relief supplies provided by impartial international organizations

for the benefit of civilian populations in disaster areas

when such situations imperil the life and welfare of the

population.

46. We hope that this declaration will give the needed

impetus to an increased acceptance on the part of the

international community and the individual Governments

for participation in relief work which has the humanitarian

needs of the affected population exclusively in mind.

47. Next year we shall celebrate the twenty-fifth birthday

of our Organization. This event affords a unique occasion

for taking stock of our achievements and for fixing our

aims for the future.

48. Several proposals have already been put forward to

change our Charter and other rules, and my Government

will, in due time, examine them with great care. But it is

quite clear that no changes will be of any deep significance

if we do not bring a new and positive spirit to our

Organization. We must meet our responsibilities in such a

way that we will give new confidence to men and women

all over the world and so inspire youth with a greater hope

in the future of the United Nations. This hope and this

confidence will be the touchstone of the future.