Romania, 1969

38. On behalf of the delegation of the Socialist Republic of

Romania, allow me, Madam President, to offer you sincere

congratulations on your election to the high office of

President of this session of the General Assembly. This

election is a tribute to your country and at the same time a

recognition of your qualities as an outstanding diplomat

and of your long service to the United Nations. It also bears

witness to the respect of the international community for

the important contribution made by the African countries

to the task of promoting co-operation between peoples and

the consolidation of peace throughout the world.

39. I would further like to take this opportunity to renew

the expression of our high regard for U Thant, the

Secretary-General, and for his activities directed to

strengthening the Organization and enhancing its role in

international affairs.

40. I should also like to pay a tribute to the memory of

the last President of the General Assembly, Mr. Emilio

Arenales, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guatemala,

and to express our deep sorrow at the untimely passing of a

distinguished representative of the Latin American school

of diplomacy.

41. May I, Madam President, associate myself with the

feelings of profound respect you have just expressed for

Mahatma Gandhi, one of the great figures in the achievement

of independence by the Indian people and indeed in

the history of modern times. We join all those individuals

and peoples who have paid a unanimous and moving tribute

to his memory in celebrating the centenary of his birth. I

avail myself of this occasion to renew the expression of the

Romanian people’s esteem and friendship for the people of

India, for its glorious history and for its illustrious

contribution to human civilization.

42. The Romanian people have recently celebrated the

twenty-fifth anniversary of the liberation of Romania from

the Facist yoke, an event which ushered in a new era in our

history. In fact it is during the last quarter of a century that

Romania, for the first time in its history, has become truly

independent, has acquired the capacity for determining its

own destiny and has firmly embarked on the course of

dynamic development in every sector of social life. Evidence

of this dynamism is to be found in the fact that, in

comparison with the year 1938, the country’s total

industrial output has increased some 17-fold, its agricultural

production has doubled and the real per capita income of

the population has tripled.

43. On the basis of Romania’s economic and social

realities and the nation’s desire for peace and progress,

plans have been adopted for the next decade outlining our

goals and the ways and means of achieving steady material

and spiritual advancement. The fundamental objectives of

this vast programme are the expansion and modernization

of the entire economy through the application of the

achievements of modern science and technology, the

increased well-being of the people, the improvement of

social and State activities, the active participation of all

citizens in the formulation and implementation of the

country’s domestic and foreign policies and the protection

of the broadest rights and democratic freedoms for all

members of society in the interests of the full and

unrestricted development of the human personality.

44. An essential prerequisite for the fulfilment of that

programme is the existence of conditions conducive to the

maintenance of peace and co-operation among all peoples,

for it is only in such a context that each nation can reap the

benefits of a world-wide exchange of values. That is what

lies at the root of Romania’s foreign policy and of its

staunch support for the cause of peace and international

collaboration.

45. Romania, being a socialist country, the core of its

foreign policy naturally lies in the promotion of friendly

relations and co-operation with all socialist countries that

share the same philosophy and goals. In a spirit of peaceful

coexistence, my country has consistently pursued an active

policy designed to expand economic, political, cultural,

scientific and technological co-operation with all the States

in the world, regardless of their social system.

46. Ascribing dynamic significance to the concept of

peaceful coexistence, Romania’s leaders have held meetings

and engaged in discussions and negotiations with Heads of

State and Government and with outstanding personalities in

many countries of the world, convinced that this is the way

to better mutual understanding, to increased confidence

among States, and to stabilization of the international

political atmosphere.

47. Today, when the destinies and interests of all the

peoples are more closely interwoven than ever before in a

common effort to achieve a relaxation of tension and

peace, differences in social and political systems should not

be an obstacle to understanding and co-operation, provided,

of course, that there is a desire for concerted action in this

direction.

48. Romania has based its relations with all States on

respect for the principles of national sovereignty and

independence, equality of rights, non-interference in internal

affairs, mutual advantage and strict observance of

every nation’s right to decide its own future in accordance

with its vital aspirations and interests. My country’s

experience in recent years in the field of political and

diplomatic relations and in international life in general

permits me to assert that, providing these principles are

respected, good relations can be developed among all States

regardless of their size or potential. Strict observance of

these principles furnishes and ensures the best international

setting for the development of each nation’s creative

capacities and for its economic and spiritual advancement.

At the same time, it represents the key to the establishment

of relations of mutual trust and confidence and of

collaboration among States, while reinforcing their international

rule of law. The course of international affairs has

shown — and continues to show — that the consistent application

of these principles in international relations, the total

elimination of policies of domination and pressure, the

assurance that the necessary conditions will exist for each

nation freely to choose the course of its development

constitute the essential prerequisite for peace, international

security and co-operation in the modern world.

49. Of the principles that shape the background to

relations among the sovereign nations with equal rights that

make up the international community, co-operation, one of

the fundamental tenets of the Charter of the United

Nations, is having an ever-increasing impact on present-day

international life. Co-operation among States is an objective

necessity imposed by the present condition of mankind and

is rapidly multiplying ties among peoples. The profound

changes that are taking place in the modern world, the

dynamic growth of the forces of production, the explosive

impact of science and technology on all sectors of human

activity, the intensification of the international division of

labour objectively impose the compelling need to expand,

multiply and diversify the bonds of co-operation and to

develop relations and contacts among States.

50. Today, economic and cultural progress is inconceivable

without an extensive and sustained dialogue

between States, regardless of their social and political

systems. By promoting relations in the fields of economic,

cultural and scientific co-operation, by taking part in the

implementation of international programmes concerned

with research and peaceful application in the domains of

outer space, the oceans, human environment, biology or

atomic energy, States can become familiar with the

language of co-operation, and can promote an atmosphere

conducive to understanding and rapprochement among peoples.

51. In our view, which is shared by many other States, the

specific and well-defined purpose of international co-operation

is to facilitate, reinforce and protect the constructive

efforts made by each nation, and to give every one

the possibility of raising its economy, science and culture to

the level of the requirements of modern civilization.

52. A particularly significant role devolves on international

co-operation, which is called upon to support the

economic and social development of developing countries

and to facilitate and promote this process. Indeed, it is in

the true interests of the international community as a

whole to contribute to the development of young States, so

that they may take their due place in the international

community in accordance with the principle of equal rights

of States, and participate fully in the active and many-sided

process of co-operation among all the nations of the world.

53. Many aspects of contemporary political affairs point

to the ability of States, both large and small, to make a

positive contribution to the settlement of international

problems, to influence events by firmly steering them in the

direction of a relaxation of tension and an improvement in

the international climate. We welcome the steadily increasing

trend, based on political realism and on overriding

considerations of peace, towards the participation of all

States, on an equal footing, in the settlement of political

issues, and towards implementation of the principle of the

universality of international bodies, agreements and treaties

of general interest.

54. Once again we would emphasize the need for the

reinstatement of the People’s Republic of China in its

legitimate rights in the United Nations and all its specialized

agencies, as well as for the long-delayed but inevitable

expulsion of envoys of Chiang Kai-shek from the seat they

are illegally occupying. If it is to hold out hope of an

effective and lasting solution, any realistic approach to the

major problems of the modern world — whether they concern

disarmament and international security or the elimination

of under-development, or whether they relate to the

peaceful uses of nuclear energy or the resources of the

sea—calls for the participation of that great socialist State.

The reinstatement of the People’s Republic of China in its

legitimate rights in the United Nations, which Romania has

consistently supported, would strengthen the Organization

and enhance its effectiveness and prestige in the world.

55. In the interests of the European and world situation,

we also attach particular importance to the normalization

of relations with the German Democratic Republic and to

its admission to the United Nations. The presence of the

two German States in the Organization would enable them

to participate actively in international affairs on an equal

footing and would exert a beneficial effect on the activities

of the United Nations.

56. Concerned for the respect due to the principles

embodied in the Charter, for the right of every people to

self-determination, Romania, together with other countries,

has repeatedly asked for the withdrawal of the foreign

troops which are occupying South Korea under cover of the

United Nations, and for the dissolution of the so-called

United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation

of Korea.

57. The consolidation of peace and the promotion of

international co-operation make it imperative to eliminate

the last traces of colonialism and to respect the sacred right

of every people to decide its own future and freely to

choose its own course of social and political development.

58. The Romanian people, having in the course of its

history experienced all the bitterness of foreign exploitation

and oppression, firmly supports the peoples’ struggle

against colonialism and neo-colonialism, their fight to

achieve and consolidate their national independence and

their efforts to promote social progress. In this spirit, the

Government of the Socialist Republic of Romania has

suggested that the Preparatory Committee for the Tenth

Anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence

to Colonial Countries and Peoples should propose

that the General Assembly, at its next session, should

recommend effective steps for eliminating the remaining

traces of the colonial system once and for all.

59. In expressing its complete solidarity with the peoples

fighting for freedom and national independence, Romania

firmly condemns the policy of apartheid and racial discrimination

enforced by the ruling circles of the Republic of

South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, as well as the policy

of colonial oppression practised in Namibia, Angola and

Mozambique.

60. The complete and final eradication of the former state

of affairs presupposes the removal of any form of exploitation

or domination, open or concealed, colonialist or

neo-colonialist, and the strengthening of the economic and

political independence of the new States.

61. The efforts made by the young States themselves to

strengthen their institutions and make full use of their

material and human resources, to train qualified personnel,

and to ensure that the masses enjoy the benefits of culture,

which were systematically denied to these peoples during

the colonial era, all these objectives and initiatives should

find solid support in international co-operation so that

these tasks may be lightened and swiftly achieved.

62. It is very difficult to conceive of international relations

following a normal course if the gulf continues to

widen between developed and developing countries in

circumstances where material and intellectual: wealth accumulates

on one side only. The great progress achieved in

modern science and technology by human genius has

enhanced the possibilities of reducing these disparities

through the application of new achievements to the

national economy and through the assimilation of science

which thus tends to become an integral part of each

country’s potential. The Second Development Decade

represents an attempt to approach the economic and social

problems of developing countries in a concerted manner

and in a long-term perspective. We are convinced that the

United Nations and its specialized agencies have an important

part to play and a great task to perform in

implementing this programme.

63. To save the world from another conflagration, we

believe it is particularly important to stabilize relations

among States, to promote peaceful means of settling

international disputes and to prohibit and banish force and

tactics based on force from international affairs.

64. The bankruptcy of the policy of force is fully

illustrated by the failure of the foreign intervention in

Viet-Nam, where it has been confronted by the unflinching

will of the people of Viet-Nam to defend its right to choose

and freely to pursue its own social and political development.

By mobilizing all their energies to oppose the United

States intervention with a courage and strength born solely

of faith in a just cause, the people of Viet-Nam has

provided irrefutable factual evidence that a people defending

its sacred right to a free and independent existence

cannot be overcome. This example increases the confidence

of peoples in their own strength and makes them ever more

determined to defend their right to a free and independent

existence.

65. The establishment of the Provisional Revolutionary

Government of the Republic of South Viet-Nam, which

gained wide diplomatic recognition from the outset,

testifies eloquently to the profound aspirations of the

popular masses in South Viet-Nam, who are fighting for the

freedom and independence of their homeland. The

Romanian Government has noted with satisfaction the

formation of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of

the Republic of South Viet-Nam, with which it has

established diplomatic relations.

66. In the interests of peace, a settlement of the conflict

in South Viet-Nam must be brought about by political

means at the negotiating table and in strict observance of

the fundamental national interests of the people of Viet-Nam.

We hope that the negotiations in Paris will lead to the

conclusion of the war and to the withdrawal of foreign

troops from Viet-Nam, thus creating the conditions in

which the people of Viet-Nam can solve its domestic

problems, including the problem of reunification of its

homeland, in accordance with its inalienable right to

self-determination without any foreign interference. The

Romanian people has supported and will continue whole-heartedly

to support the people of Viet-Nam in its just

struggle to preserve its independence and the freedom of its

homeland.

67. In another area of the world, the Middle East, a focus

of conflict still exists, with serious consequences for world

peace. Military encounters, the material destruction and

loss of human lives which they entail, are inflicting untold

damage on the populations of that region and only serve

the interests of imperialist circles, which are seeking to

sharpen differences and heighten tension in order to

maintain and consolidate their domination.

68. All the experience of contemporary international

affairs confirms that attempts to settle conflicts by the use

of force cannot lead to viable solutions. It is only by the

use of political means, in a spirit of justice and respect for

the legitimate rights and interests of all the parties

concerned, that a lasting settlement can be achieved. In

order to create a favourable climate for the promotion of

such solutions, it is necessary to avoid any action that

might increase tension and add to the gravity of the

situation, making it even more difficult to solve the

problems of the Middle East.

69. Romania has consistently opposed military operations

in the Middle East and still believes in the need for a

peaceful settlement of the conflict, in accordance with the

legitimate interests and rights of all peoples living in that

region. Accordingly my country has consistently favoured a

solution to the Middle East conflict in the spirit of the

Security Council resolution of November 1967

[242 (1967)], which provides a reasonable basis for the

settlement of the situation in that area. In line with that

resolution, we consider it necessary that Israel should

withdraw its forces from the occupied territories without

delay and should give up all territorial claims. At the same

time, we believe that the integrity of the frontiers and the

security of all States in that part of the world should be

assured, and a solution found to the problem of the

Palestinian refugees giving due consideration to their

legitimate interests and rights.

70. We are convinced that all Member States of the

international community can contribute to a peaceful

settlement of the conflict in the Middle East, in the spirit of

the principles and goals of the Charter. We believe that it is

absolutely essential to take into account the negative effect

exerted by the time factor on the possibilities of settling

conflicts, and that courage and a sense of responsibility

should be shown in tackling the existing problems by

redoubling the efforts of all States, large or small, to bring

about a just and lasting peace in that area.

71. Of all the efforts directed to promoting peace in the

world, first place should be assigned to achieving European

security, a subject to which the Romanian Government

attaches special importance. The history of the first half of

this century has clearly shown that it is of overriding

importance, not only for Europe but for the whole world

to find solutions to outstanding European problems and to

transform Europe into a continent practising peaceful and

fruitful co-operation among nations, thus making it a stable

factor for peace and prosperity.

72. A positive contribution to the promotion of understanding

and co-operation on our continent is found in the

ideas and principles set forth in the resolution entitled

“Actions on the regional level with a view to improving

good neighbourly relations among European States having

different social and political systems” [2129 (XX)], which

was unanimously adopted by the General Assembly in 1965

on the initiative of nine European countries, including

Romania, and with the active co-operation of other

countries from Europe and from the rest of the world. We

believe that renewed efforts are now necessary by all

European States to promote good neighbourly relations and

co-operation, as recommended by that General Assembly

resolution.

73. The United Nations, its specialized agencies and other

governmental and non-governmental international bodies

provide a wide range of opportunities which could be seized

in an effort to bring about a relaxation of tension,

understanding and co-operation in Europe. We believe that

it is necessary to build upon what has been achieved so far

and to create conditions making it possible to progress

further along those lines, and in this connexion we would

express our determination to encourage actions aimed at

strengthening co-operation and improving the political

climate in Europe.

74. Achievement of the paramount objective of all

European States — the establishment of peace and security

and the elimination of the danger of war once and for

all — requires that we go beyond the stage of declarations of

intent and that specific measures be adopted that are likely

to strengthen confidence and closer relations among States.

To that end it is essential, in our view, to root out any

practices likely to engender.suspicion and animosity in

relations among States.

75. Working resolutely and consistently for an atmosphere

of peace and security in Europe, Romania fosters good-neighbourly

relations, peaceful coexistence and wide co-operation

with all European States and constructive action

to augment co-operation throughout Europe. The results of

numerous contacts and discussions which the representatives

of the Romanian Government have had with the

spokesmen of various European States have strengthened

our belief that at the present time conditions are favourable

to the achievement of some progress towards security in

Europe.

76. In this connexion, a broad constructive programme is

contained in the principles and proposals set forth by the

member States of the Warsaw Treaty Organization in the

declaration of Bucharest of 1966 and in the Budapest

appeal this year concerning the organization of a conference

of all European States. We believe that the

convening of one or even several meetings of European

States to discuss ways and means of solving outstanding

issues, the extension of multilateral collaboration and

co-operation and the achievement of security would be of

exceptional significance, for the road would thus be opened

for the establishment of lasting peace in Europe and

throughout the world. We will support any positive action,

any measure designed to bring about real progress towards

détente and increased security in Europe. In this spirit we

welcome the initiative taken by the Finnish Government to

encourage efforts to organize a conference on European

security.

77. My country considers that the attainment of European

security must be based on the realities of the period

following the Second World War, and in the first place on

the recognition of the two German States and of existing

frontiers, including the Oder-Neisse frontier.

78. A powerful factor retarding the favourable development

of the situation in Europe is the division of the

European continent into opposed military groupings, which

are a source of mistrust and an obstacle to the development

of European co-operation. Today, when an increasing

number of forces are declaring their support for détente

and co-operation among all States, the maintenance of

military blocs, which perpetuate the methods and spirit of

the “cold war” in international life, seems profoundly

anachronistic. The present European structure, based on

blocs and military force, leads to an intensification of the

arms race, to a corresponding increase in the danger of war

and, in the long run, to a greater degree of insecurity. in

our view, the strengthening of European peace and security

demands that firm steps be taken towards the simultaneous

dissolution of the military blocs represented by the North

Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Warsaw Treaty

Organization — a proposal put forward on numerous occasions

by the socialist States signatories of the Warsaw

Treaty — and towards the establishment of a lasting

European security system, which would make possible the

peaceful and unhampered development of all nations.

79. Pending the adoption of such radical action as the

dissolution of military blocs, we consider that the dismantling

of foreign military bases in the territories of other

States, the withdrawal of all non-European troops from the

continent and, more generally, the repatriation of all

foreign troops within their national frontiers would be of

fundamental importance. Similarly, the conclusion of an

agreement among all States which would cause them to

abstain from any exercise or show of force would be of

great importance for European and world peace and

security. Such action would create a climate of confidence

in which it would be possible to deal more effectively with

the problems which determine world peace and security.

80. Increased demonstrations of support for European

co-operation and security would be of real significance in

achieving a climate of détente in Europe and throughout

the world. In 1970, a quarter of a century after the end of

the Second World War, action could, in our view, be taken,

both at the governmental and the non-governmental level,

to foster European peace, co-operation and security — action

that could demonstrate emphatically the desire of the

European peoples to live together in peace and to develop

relations of good-neighbourliness, understanding, friendship

and co-operation.

81. As Mr. Nicolae Ceausescu, the President of the State

Council of Romania, stated recently:

“The path towards the transformation of Europe into a

continent of peaceful coexistence is made up of closer

contacts, better mutual understanding and specific

measures for strengthening collaboration and co-

operation among States.

“We are confident that the will for peace of the peoples

of Europe — who have suffered so many trials — the spirit of

political realism and human reason will prevail over all the

trends in those circles which are opposed to a détente and

that new progress will be made towards security, for the

peace and well-being of all peoples living in this part of

the world.”

82. We consider that the promotion of relations of

understanding and the development of economic, technical

and scientific co-operation among the Balkan States would

constitute a valuable contribution to the cause of European

security. Past experience bears witness to the fact that

differences and disputes among the Balkan peoples have

prejudiced their basic interests.

83. Romania, for its part, intends to continue to act with

determination in its efforts to contribute to the removal of

sources of mistrust and tension and to the improvement of

the European political climate, with a view to offering to

our continent the prospect of a peaceful and prosperous

development in the interest of the consolidation of peace

throughout the world.

84. The strengthening of international peace and security

is intimately bound up with the achievement of genuine

progress towards general disarmament, particularly nuclear

disarmament.

85. We cannot but note with grave anxiety that, during

the past 10 years alone, world military expenditure has

doubled. Armaments entail a diversion of the wealth of

nations from its normal purpose, a significant portion of

such wealth being directed towards the development and

perfecting of means of destruction. Not only does this

mean an unprecedented waste of material resources but

also, and above all, a loss to mankind of creative human

potential, for the energies and ingenuity of numerous

highly-skilled experts and specialists are being devoted to

the discovery and creation of new instruments of death.

86. Investments in thermonuclear, chemical and bacteriological

(or biological) weapons of mass destruction have

reached immense proportions, and the stockpiling of these

weapons in military arsenals represents a permanent danger

for all mankind. Prohibition of the use of such weapons and

liquidation of existing stockpiles are the categorical

imperative of general security. That is why the Socialist

Republic of Romania, together with other socialist countries,

has asked for the inclusion on the agenda of the

current session of an item entitled: “Conclusion of a

convention on the prohibition of the development, production

and stockpiling of chemical and bacteriological (biological) weapons and on the destruction of such weapons”

[A/7655].

87. In our view, one of the ways of decreasing the danger

of the use of nuclear weapons would be to establish

de-nuclearized zones in different parts of the world, that

measure being accompanied by adequate safeguards on the

part of the nuclear Powers. In this respect, the international

community has already had the benefit of the positive

experience of the Latin-American countries, whose collective

thinking is embodied in the Treaty of Tlatelolco.

88. We consider that the interests of peace require the

Governments of all States resolutely to enter upon the road

to general disarmament, halt the arms race, lower the level

of military expenditure, freeze the quantitative and qualitative

levels of their basic weapons and take practical steps

towards the reduction and liquidation of their stockpiles in

a systematic and continuous process established through

negotiations, which should become the focus of political

and diplomatic efforts during the next decade.

89. With a view to achieving genuine progress towards

disarmament, we consider that particular importance

should be attached to drawing up a coherent programme of

disarmament negotiations which could ensure the continuity,

consistency and successful outcome of efforts for

the strengthening of peace and the progress of all nations.

In this connexion, the Romanian delegation welcomes and

supports the suggestion made in the introduction to the

annual report of the Secretary-General on the work of the

Organization [A/7601/Add.1, para. 42] that the period

1970-1980 should be designated as a Disarmament Decade,

in parallel with the Second United Nations Development

Decade. We consider that such a Decade, which Romania

supported at the first session of the Conference of the

Committee on Disarmament held this year at Geneva,

would make it possible to merge the efforts of the

international community in two sectors of vital importance

for promoting the progress of peoples and for safeguarding

peace in general.

90. In our view, the objectives of the Disarmament Decade

should be based on the resolutions on disarmament adopted

in recent years by the General Assembly, on the recommendations

of the Conference of Non-Nuclear-Weapon

States and on the provisions of article VI of the Treaty on

the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [resolution

2373 (XXII)]. The objectives should also take into account

the documents, proposals and suggestions submitted by

various States both in the Geneva Committee and in the

United Nations.

91. The adoption of a programme of disarmament negotiations

and disarmament measures providing for immediate

and long-term action - a programme which has been supported

by many States — could open up wide prospects for

disarmament negotiations and make it possible to establish

a suitable order of priorities and precise target dates for the

application of the various measures. This would bring us

closer to the major objective of general disarmament and,

above all, nuclear disarmament.

92. Efforts devoted to international peace and security

cannot be separated from the promotion of, and respect

for, human rights and fundamental freedoms. To translate

these human rights into reality means the creation of

acceptable conditions of life, freeing man from exploitation

and social inequality and eliminating all discrimination

based on differences of race, creed or colour. The necessary

premise for securing these conditions is respect for the

personality of all peoples and for their right freely to decide

their own future in the framework of relationships established

in accordance with the principles of the Charter of

the United Nations.

93. International law formulates the principles on which

peace and security must be built. Because it encourages

political action and prohibits the use of force or the threat

of recourse to force, international law provides for those

who seek it a powerful instrument for promoting peace and

progress which, if used wisely and perseveringly, is capable

of bringing all efforts for the settlement of disputes to a

successful conclusion.

94. On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the

United Nations, a tribute of high significance that could be

paid to the Organization would, in the Romanian delegation’s

view, be a reaffirmation and strengthening of

confidence in the principles of the Charter as being the very

basis of international relations. The Romanian Government

has submitted to the Preparatory Committee for the

Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the United Nations a proposal

that possible action to this end should include the formal

adoption, in the presence of heads of State or Government,

of a declaration on principles of international law concerning

friendly relations and co-operation among States in

accordance with the Charter [see 4/7690, p. 63].

95. By expressing universal recognition of the fundamental

principles of international law, developed in the

light of contemporary realities, such a declaration would

contribute to effective observance of the principles on

which relations among States should be based, to a

strengthening of the rule of law and security throughout

the world and to the promotion of friendly relations and

fruitful co-operation among States.

96. As in previous years, numerous important items

appear on the agenda of the present session. Many of them

have a long history in the Organization; others have only

recently come up as a result of developments in world

affairs. Over and above this complex set of problems,

however, the discussions at the present session — as is

natural, particularly on the eve of the celebration of a

quarter of a century of the life of the United Nations — show

the concern of States to increase the effectiveness of the

Organization’s role in removing hotbeds of tension and in

turning to good account the huge potential of forces — now

in our view predominant — which are declaring their support

for the application of the principles of the Charter and for

world peace and understanding.

97. We hope that the numerous projects, proposals and

suggestions which have been submitted here will serve that

end. It seems to us essential, in this respect, to pursue a

genuine dialogue, with full participation and with strict

respect for the principles of the Charter. This means in the

first place a patient and persistent examination of problems

in a spirit of understanding of the position and arguments

of all concerned, with a view to finding solutions which

respect the legitimate interests of all nations.

98. It is in this spirit that the Romanian delegation, in

discharging the mandate of its Government, expresses its

determination to support fully and to take an active part in

efforts undertaken here, so that this session may contribute

to strengthening the United Nations, increasing co-operation

among States, ensuring respect for the principles

of international law and furthering the world-wide struggle

for peace, security and understanding among peoples.