Kingdom of the Netherlands, 1969

37. I should like to convey to

the President, on behalf of the Netherlands delegation and

on my own behalf, our warm congratulations on her

election to the Presidency. I am convinced that her wisdom,

perseverance and long experience in United Nations affairs

will enable her to shoulder, with great distinction, the

heavy responsibilities of her high office.

38. I cannot forgo this opportunity of expressing to the

delegation of Guatemala our feelings of sympathy and deep

sorrow at the demise, earlier this year, of Señor Emilio

Arenales. As our previous President, he left the image of

great perspicacity in United Nations affairs and of unfailing

devotion to the cause of peace. May his example of

yesterday provide us with a new impetus for the faithful

performance of our tasks of today.

39. The road on which the United Nations embarked now

almost twenty-five years ago, has been long and arduous.

The vistas of a better and more peaceful world, which

appeared to be within reaching distance when the Charter

was signed, turned out to be more remote than we had

hoped and expected. How far away we still are from an

attainment of the high objectives enunciated in the Charter

has been shown by the feelings of preoccupation and at

times grave concern expressed by many colleagues who

spoke before me.

40. We have to recognize that in many cases the endeavours

of the United Nations have failed to be successful, in

particular where the maintenance of peace and security is at

stake. Is it surprising, therefore, that people all over the

world — in my country no less than elsewhere — are becoming

somewhat disillusioned and are wondering whether the

United Nations has proved worthy of their trust and hope?

41. These doubts are voiced especially where questions of

war and peace are involved. There are indeed important

questions which appear with unfailing regularity on the

Assembly’s agenda without much prospect of solution,

Among these are issues affecting the life and death of

millions, threatening even the survival of the human race, to

which no other answer seems to be forthcoming than

prolonged and inconclusive debate. Finally, there are

burning questions which do not even appear on the

Assembly’s agenda.

42. A full year has elapsed since I expressed in this hall

[1681st meeting], on behalf of the Netherlands Government

and people, our deep concern about developments in

the eastern region of Nigeria. The armed conflict in that

area has continued without abatement, inflicting untold

suffering and sorrow on the civilian population. Hundreds

of thousands of women and children are faced with

imminent starvation and death.

43. The cause for our anxiety, I regret to say, has not been

removed. It is true, of course, that the almost desperate

food situation has been slightly relieved. But, while the

fighting continues, the need for humanitarian assistance for

the stricken population seems to be as urgent as before. For

several months now the flow of foodstuffs and medical

supplies has stagnated. Ways have been sought, in particular

through the International Red Cross and inter-church

action, to resume relief flights. It is most regrettable that

the local authorities in the eastern region have seen fit, at

the last moment, to withhold their consent to an arrangement

for the resumption of such flights. In this respect my

Government is willing, nay eager, to provide inspection

teams in order to allay apprehensions on both sides as to

the bona fide contents of the planes.

44. At the same time, there may be a spark of hope for

the future. My Government views the resolution adopted

by the summit conference of the Organization of African

Unity as such a spark, at least. We can but welcome a

development that creates the possibility of conversations

between the parties in the conflict. Although we do

understand the wish of the African States to seek a solution

to the conflict without outside interference, my Government

still regrets that the issue does not appear on our agenda.

45. Yet we see it 4s our duty — not only as a Member

nation of the United Nations, but also as human beings — to

continue to do all we can to assist in elaborating effective

measures for relief.

46. Since we last met the situation in the Middle East has

changed for the worse. The deteriorating conditions in the

area do not offer consolation nor do they allay our fears.

We cannot but share the feeling of gloom of the

Secretary-General in the introduction to his annual report and we

agree with his conclusion that “it is imperative and urgent

that some way be found to reverse the present trend

towards catastrophe” [A/7601/Add.1, para. 75]. We ask

ourselves: “What way?”. Have the numerous approaches so

far not turned out to be blind alleys?

47. Surely both parties should show the utmost restraint.

The way to arrive at a lasting settlement is not on the

battlefield nor on the demarcation line nor far behind these

lines, but at the conference table, whether through Ambassador

Jarring, through the four big Powers, or through

other procedures. Whatever the procedures, it is clear that a

final settlement should be based on clear and unequivocal

agreement between the parties.

48. In this respect, I would like to remind the Assembly of

the contents of the Security Council resolution of 22

November 1967 [242 (1967)] which clearly outlines the

conditions for a settlement. It is not only the important

wording of this resolution, but even more its spirit which

should guide the parties.

49. If a settlement should be reached and if it should

provide for a renewed United Nations military presence in

the region, I repeat, this time publicly, our willingness to

provide the Organization with specially trained units for

that task.

50. It is not only because of the great dangers to peace

inherent in the present tense situation which prompts our

active interest. It is also — and no less — because of our deep

sympathy for the Jewish people, so cruelly decimated

during the Second World War, and our strong links of

friendship with the Arab nations; these links have existed

for many centuries and are based on admiration for their

unique culture and proud traditions.

51. I cannot end my few remarks on the situation in the

Middle East without recalling the sad fate of the many

refugees. It has really become a problem which should

finally and by the common effort of all the countries

directly or indirectly concerned be solved in a lasting and

just manner. The relevant part of the Security Council

resolution of 22 November 1967 [242 (1967)] stresses that

need.

52. Within the next few weeks the Assembly will be called

upon to consider an item on its agenda, which is of

immediate interest to my country. It is included under the

heading: “Agreement between the Republic of Indonesia

and the Kingdom of the Netherlands concerning West New

Guinea (West Irian)”.

53. It is not my intention to dwell at length on this

matter — I might come back to it later. But, although the

reports on the Act of Free Choice are not yet available, I

feel it my duty to point out that in the Netherlands some

doubts have been expressed on the system chosen to

consult the Papuans and on the manner in which it was

carried out. The Secretary-General has already reported on

the results. Looking to the future, we have noted with

satisfaction, however, that the Indonesian Government will,

in close co-operation with its friends — and we count

ourselves among them — develop the territory, taking fully

into account the very particular character of its inhabitants.

54. My Government attaches great importance to effective

steps for the creation of a safer world by means of control,

limitation and reduction of armaments. Efforts in that

direction are necessary because of the almost inconceivable

destructive power of the weapons developed since the last

war - and the weapons used during that last war were not so

nice either.

55. I recognize, of course, that the “balance of terror”

between the nuclear super-Powers has, in past years, led to

an element of stability in international affairs. On the other

hand, we know that lately new developments in the

technology of armaments are taking shape which, unless

checked in time, could lead to a new escalation in the

strategic nuclear arms race and even upset the existing

precarious equilibrium of mutual deterrence.

56. In the light of that conceivable danger, it is of

particular importance that the United States and the Soviet

Union should conduct talks to prevent such an escalation.

No effort should be spared to work out mutually acceptable

arrangements in the field of nuclear weapon systems,

both offensive and defensive.

57. It is hardly necessary to add that the numerous and

complicated problems to de faced in trying to restrict the

armaments race cannot be solved exclusively by bilateral

talks between those two major Powers.

58. For that reason my Government has, right from the

start, shown great interest in the consultations of the

Conference of the Committee on Disarmament at Geneva. I

am happy, and my Government is happy, that we are now

able to participate in the deliberations of that central organ

for international consultations on disarmament and I am

aware of the special responsibility which that membership

entails. We hope to contribute constructively to a fruitful

exchange of views and effective steps in that crucial field.

59. To a large extent our present efforts in the field of

arms control and disarmament are focused on reducing the

risks and dangers of the nuclear arms race. We should,

however, be no less mindful of problems arising from the

spread of conventional armaments. Stockpiles of those

weapons in many regions of the world tend to increase

political tensions and aggravate warlike situations. Furthermore,

large sums of money are used for the acquisition of

conventional arms, money which might better have been

employed for other than destructive purposes.

60. The Netherlands Government will study all proposals

to curb the conventional arms race and will welcome and

support constructive proposals in that field. Surely, we are

aware of the many obstacles but, in view of the importance

of achieving results, we should really not adopt an attitude

of resignation.

61. If it is true and desirable that the United Nations

should be revitalized and its role in the political sphere

strengthened, co-operation under United Nations auspices

in the economic and social field has fortunately proved to

be more effective. I have here in mind, in particular, the

co-operation between, developed and developing countries.

The Netherlands Government strongly supports the efforts

of various United Nations organs and United Nations

commissions in mapping out the so-called development

strategy.

62. There is a close link between questions of peace and

security, and the economic and social situation in developing

countries and regions; or, one might say, conversely,

when economic and social development in large areas of the

world are lagging, peace and security are in danger to the

detriment of all. Awareness of this form of interaction has

led my Government to regard its policy of co-operation

with developing nations as a cornerstone of our over-all

foreign policy. My colleague, the Minister in charge of

Development Aid, who works at the Foreign Office and

with the best of my officials, will, no doubt, elaborate on

that theme further when, in a few weeks’ time — when I will

be back working in The Hague—he will be addressing this

Assembly.

63. In the order of priorities, we consider it one of our

prime responsibilities to strive for a better understanding

between the peoples of Eastern and Western Europe. It is

our sincere hope that one day the grim barrier still dividing

Europe will be removed. To bring that about it is essential

for both parties carefully to prepare the way. Ways and

means should be explored of arriving at a stage where

discussions are likely to lead to fruitful results and to

acceptable solutions of European problems which have so

far eluded any form of settlement.

64. My Government is ready to do its part to bring about

a lessening of tension in our part of the world. Numerous

contacts in the economic, scientific and cultural fields have

already been established. Also, it has been possible to enter

into an exchange of views on the more controversial

political issues. Yet it would be wrong to suppose that

differences of opinion on a number of fundamental issues

no longer exist. As soon as there are indications that a

conference on European security matters as envisaged by

the Government of Finland will be assured of some measure

of success, my Government will actively promote it and

take part in the deliberations.

65. In that connexion, however, I feel obliged to refer to

one matter in particular which continues to give us grave

concern. This feeling of concern, which I voiced at last

year’s session of the Assembly [1681st meeting] on

account of the situation in Czechoslovakia, is due to the

fact that the Soviet Union has made it clear in word and

deed that it is not considering itself bound by one of the

fundamental principles of international law: that is to say,

the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs and

respect for the sovereignty of other nations. That applies, in

the view of the Soviet Union, especially to countries which

enjoy the same form of government as the Soviet Union itself.

66. In Europe the creation of the European Economic

Community, now in its twelfth year — and I am rather happy

to remind my fellow representatives that they see before

them one of its founding fathers; I was, as you know, at the

cradle of the European Economic Community baby, which

is now in its puberty years — is a development of major

importance. As members of that Community, six industrialized

countries have succeeded in establishing a customs

union and in removing all trade barriers between them. An

economic union is in the making, not without pains, but we

have every hope that it will become a reality within the

not too distant future.

67. Common policies have been or are being developed

and applied in such complex and sensitive fields as

agriculture, taxes, subsidies, transport, trade, social

security, employment, health, and many others. I will spare

you an enumeration of the rest. All this calls for almost

weekly meetings of the Council of Ministers of the

Community, where the competent Ministers, with the aid

of the European Commission, thoroughly discuss their

problems — and very late at night, I may tell you — and take

the necessary decisions. Now I do not propose to enter here

into the details of those discussions and decisions, but I

mention them as evidence that, given a firm political will,

even the most difficult and complicated problems can be

solved. I stress the word “political“, for the creation of the

European Economic Community is not confined to purely

economic aspects. It had and has first of all a political

meaning. It means the final and definitive reconciliation of

century-old enemies. It also means the gradual elimination,

not only of economic barriers, but also of political

differences. It aims at the emergence of a political unity,

where for generations and generations energy has been

wasted in political strife, and often in wars.

68. Of course, we have to admit that much remains to be

done. For instance, the Community must be enlarged to

include all European countries that are willing and ready to

abide by its rules and objectives, and, I might add, that are

of the same state of mind. On the other hand, the existence

of the Community still poses many problems, not only to

its own members, but also to the world at large. We

recognize those difficulties and are aware of the need to

find acceptable solutions.

69. As you know, the Community has decided to meet on

17 and 18 November 1969 at The Hague for a meeting “at

the top”, to be attended by Heads of Governments or

Prime Ministers, as well as by the Foreign Ministers of the

six countries. My French colleague, Mr. Maurice Schumann,

has already in this Assembly [1763rd meeting] mentioned

that important meeting and given his comments. For my

part I should like to confine myself to stating that, in the

view of my Government, the three main subjects to be

discussed — to wit, the completion, the deepening as well as

the enlargement, of the Community — are equally important

and should be solved more or less simultaneously. In other

words, they are strongly and politically linked. It is

therefore difficult to imagine the Conference making real

progress in one of those sectors while neglecting another.

We sincerely hope that a new start of the European idea

will be made at that Conference of the Six.

70. In the course of this address I have pointed out how

much importance we attach to the maintenance of peace

and security. Our efforts in this respect would be of little

avail if we did not make progress on the road towards the

establishment of an international legal order. In this

connexion I should like to dwell for a moment on a very

important development concerning the law of treaties. The

Convention on the Law of Treaties drawn up at Vienna

during the second session of the United Nations Conference

on the Law of Treaties is perhaps the most vast and the

most difficult piece of work in which the United Nations

has successfully contributed to the codification and progressive

development of international law. At this point I

should like to express to the International Law Commission

my profound appreciation of its invaluable preparatory

work. Our thanks are also due, however, to the courage and

perseverance of some delegations and I am thinking

especially of the delegation of Nigeria — in finding commonly

acceptable compromise solutions. Without that

timely action, the absence of agreement on a most

important aspect, the settlement of disputes, might well

have placed the realization of the entire Convention in

jeopardy. As it is, we welcome the new Convention, albeit

the codification of the law of treaties is not yet complete.

In particular, the aspect of treaties between States and

international organizations is awaiting further study and

action.

71. Unprecedented developments in science and technology

have enabled man to move into new fields which, not

very long ago, appeared to be the exclusive domain of

science fiction. Visions which a short time ago were still

regarded as sheer fantasies, born from fertile brains such as

that of Jules Verne — I might say, I myself have dabbled in

them from time to time but with less success than that

famous French writer — have become a reality.

72. It is appropriate, therefore, that we pay a well-deserved

tribute to all those who made it possible for man

to venture out into space and to set foot on the surface of

the moon. That tremendous event will forever mark 1969

in the history of mankind, just as 1492 is the year of

Columbus. In particular, the crew of Apollo 11 and all

those who contributed to its success should receive our

undisguised admiration. May the courage and the stamina

shown by the three astronauts be an incentive to us in our

efforts to conduct global matters with tenacity and vision

for the benefit of mankind.

73. Not only space and the planets, but also the ocean

depths have become increasingly accessible for exploration

and exploitation by man. It is clear that all these

developments, exciting as they are, could easily lead to

confusion and chaos unless new rules of international law

can be worked out. Moreover, as far as the ocean floor is

concerned, there may be danger of an unequal race for the

areas with potentially the greatest natural resources. Such a

race might render the equitable distribution of the world’s

wealth even more difficult.

74. The fact that the exploitation of mineral resources of

the ocean floor is still in a very early stage affords an

opportunity to discuss and draw up an international

instrument governing that exploitation. With this in mind

and in order to stimulate thinking in that direction, last

year the Netherlands Government presented a memorandum

with some provisional ideas about an international is régime.

75. We follow the discussions of the Committee on the

Peaceful Uses of the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor beyond

the Limits of National Jurisdiction with keen interest. We

hope that the discussions during this Assembly may assist

the Committee in making rapid progress on such essential

questions as the nature of an international régime for the

ocean floor and the delimitation of the area beyond

national jurisdiction.

76. On more than one occasion in the past Assembly

Presidents, committee chairmen and members of individual

delegations have drawn our attention to the necessity of

strengthening the organization of the Assembly’s work. An

initiative in that direction was undertaken last year by the

Second Committee. We welcomed that initiative and are

gratified to note that the action recommended is already

being put into effect this year. We are looking with great

confidence to you, Madam President, to broaden these first

steps during your tenure of office.

77. Although there is a link between organization and

functioning, it goes without saying that the functioning of

the United Nations is an entirely different, a vastly more

complicated and delicate chapter. It touches on fundamental

issues and, in particular, on the way in which the

United Nations discharges its functions in accordance with

the provisions of the Charter. Moreover, as I had occasion

to mention briefly at the beginning of my address, it opens

a field which touches on the attitude we ourselves are

prepared to adopt in respect of action by the United

Nations as a whole.

78. No easy suggestions concerning this problem come to

my mind. I just wonder whether this problem might bear

looking into at the time we are celebrating the twenty-fifth

anniversary of the Organization itself. Might not the

Committee entrusted with the task of preparing that

celebration, upon the completion of its work, be invited

to continue its activities in the direction I indicated?

79. My fellow representatives may remember that even

last: year I mentioned during my intervention in the general

debate [1681st meeting] the desirability of seeking by

common action ways and means of reinforcing the Organization’s

efficacy. My delegation is willing, together with

like-minded delegations, to take initiatives in this direction

if the need should arise. My predecessor on this rostrum,

the representative of Southern Yemen, has just made a

most interesting suggestion in this connexion.

80. In. the course of this general debate a number of

delegations have referred to a practice which has become a

growing menace to commercial air transport in recent years.

The increase in incidents involving the hijacking of planes is

shown clearly in a few figures published recently by the

International Civil Aviation Organization. Up to 1966 only

a few cases were reported. In 1967 the number was five; in

1968 it was twenty-seven and in 1969, this year, up to the

middle of September it has shot up to no less than fifty. In

several instances and in various parts of the world passengers

have been detained for shorter or longer periods by the

Governments of the countries to which the planes were

diverted. As a matter of fact there are still a number of

passengers — I believe two — waiting to be liberated.

81. It goes without saying that the practice of hijacking, as

well as the practice not to liberate all the passengers at

once, is in a way comparable to piracy on the high seas and

is not only reprehensible in itself, but also endangers air

traffic. Aware of the great dangers involved, ICAO has

taken steps to curb this kind of piracy in the air. Under its

auspices the Convention on offences and certain other acts

committed on board aircraft6 was drawn up in 1963. It will

enter into force before the end of this year.

82. In the light of humanitarian considerations and in

order to ensure safety in air transport, my Government has

decided to request, as a matter of urgency under rule 15 of

our rules of procedure, the inclusion of a new item on the

agenda. Together with a number of other delegations we

shall shortly address this request to the Secretary-General.

In doing so we are motivated by two considerations: first,

that the United Nations, aware of this problem, should

recommend measures for the safety of air traffic and of

passengers travelling by air. Secondly, that steps be taken to

see that the perpetrators of these acts will no longer go free.

It is the intention of my delegation to enter into greater

detail when we are in a position to express our views before

the General Committee.

83. When we subscribed to the United Nations Charter

and undertook to pursue the realization of its lofty

principles, we had in mind not only what conditions in this

world were at that time, but also what—with sustained and

combined effort — they might be in the future. Since then

we have been working together, often by trial and error, to

create conditions where the peoples of the world can live in

peace and freedom — peace and freedom in their broadest

sense.

84. We do realize that the task we set ourselves is an

enormous one and that it is impossible to fulfil it without

the co-operation of all. In this, there should be a role for

everyone, not only for statesmen and experts in international

affairs, but for people from all walks of life, men

and women, old and young. In this respect I was greatly

impressed, Madam President, by what you said about youth

in your opening address [1753rd meeting]. I also share the

views of the Secretary-General in the introduction to his

annual report, where he points to the need to involve the

younger generation “usefully and wisely in world-wide

development efforts” [A/7601/Add.1, para. 87]. Indeed,

youth should be enabled to play an increasing role in the

planning of their and our future.

85. In my own country and in many other countries, we

witness, fortunately, an increasing interest among young

people in the work and objectives of the United Nations. It

will be our duty to find ways in which they can actively

and constructively participate in our efforts. In doing so,

the United Nations may, under the Lord’s guidance, well

acquire new strength, new energy and new incentives to

strive for a world which will be a better and safer place for

everyone to live in.