Turkey, 1969

168. Madam President, it gives me great pleasure to

extend to you my hearty congratulations upon your

election as President of the General Assembly. We have a

very full agenda, perhaps too full and the present session of

the Assembly is no better off than preceding sessions with

regard to the crises and the violence that continue to poison

the atmosphere of international relations. In the circumstances,

we have the difficult task of engaging in useful and

fruitful discussions on questions directly affecting peace

and security and of focusing our attention on economic

problems of an urgent nature. It is thus with the prospect

of much hard work before us that your talent, your

experience of the United Nations and of international

affairs and your personal charm will be called upon to guide

our debates to a successful conclusion. Your election has

certainly another significance: it is evidence of the

ever-increasing role played by the dynamism of the African

continent in the field of international politics. I wish to

assure you of my delegation’s whole-hearted support in the

performance of your important duties.

169. I also wish to associate myself with the tributes paid

by several speakers to the memory of the late President,

Mr. Emilio Arenales. I need not repeat what has already

been said regarding his qualities, which have always been

universally admired. In Mr. Arenales, Guatemala has lost a

distinguished statesman and the United Nations a faithful

servant of the cause of peace and international understanding.

170. The establishment of an international order based on

law and justice is still the main subject of our interventions.

The United Nations continues to be a meeting place where

we air our complaints rather than a forum where the

individual efforts of our Governments are harmonized to

deal with the various problems threatening our peace,

tranquillity and conscience. This discouraging observation

at least has the advantage of showing us the way in which

we should direct our efforts in order to make this

Organization the guardian of peace and international

stability.

171. Unfortunately, the bane of our time is not our failure:

to recognize the danger involved in recourse to force,

injustice, discrimination and suspicion everywhere, but

rather our inability to provide effective remedies commensurate

with the seriousness of our problems. We must bow

to facts: the Organization will never be able to perform the

functions assigned to it in the Charter as long as relations

between countries are not guided by the ideals and

principles laid down together with these functions. The

succession of disappointments we have suffered is no more

than the consequence of discordant and divergent attitudes.

172. However, I do not wish to seem pessimistic. Fortunately,

there are certain new developments which are

indicative of a more promising outlook. Indeed, some

critical problems seem to have become less acute, even if

they have not yet been solved. My meaning is that if we are

to attain the objective of mankind, that of universal peace

and stability, we must all strive to eliminate the sources of

tension and prevent the formation of others, while seeking

out those areas which lend themselves to fruitful co-operation

within the community of nations. This, of course,

requires a positive and constructive approach towards

problems whose solution depends in the first place on the

spontaneous and willing co-operation of all countries. It is

precisely the absence of this essential element which is at

the root of many of the disturbing situations and upheavals

that endanger peace and stability.

173. It is distressing to find that some of our problems are

anachronisms in this age, of which one of the most

characteristic features is the emancipation of man and the

recognition of the right of peoples freely to determine their

own destiny. We are saddened to note that, in practice,

respect for the rights of man, the basis of liberty, justice

and peace in the world, still leaves much to be desired.

There are still to be found on our planet repugnant

practices based on discrimination on account of race,

colour or religion. In our day these practices constitute an

inadmissible denial of fundamental human rights.

174. Turkey, which has just been elected to the Commission

on Human Rights, is very glad to be able to take an

active part in the constructive work of this Commission,

whose aim is to bring about universal and effective respect

for the dignity of the individual.

175. I have more than once had an opportunity to speak

on the question of the elimination of colonialism since the

adoption of the Declaration on decolonization, of which

Turkey is proud to have been a sponsor and of which we

will be celebrating the tenth anniversary next year. We must

persevere in this course and continue to exert unremitting

efforts in order to bring colonialism to an end as quickly as

possible.

176. Vestiges of colonialism are mainly to be found in the

southern part of the African continent. The conscience of

mankind rejects the policy. of apartheid and racial discrimination

practised by the Government of South Africa, which

is giving a most objectionable example of the enslavement

of peoples by refusing to grant Namibia its independence

despite all the resolutions of the General Assembly and the

Security Council. The United Nations Council for Namibia,

of which Turkey is a member, has once again drawn the

attention of the Security Council to the seriousness of the

situation in this part of Africa. It is regrettable that the

Government of South Africa does not seem prepared to

respond to the appeal made to it by the Security Council to

withdraw its administration from Namibia before 4 October

1969 [see resolution 269 (1969)].

177. Another distressing example of colonialism is provided

by the illegal racist and minority régime of Southern

Rhodesia. Turkey has scrupulously applied the measures

prescribed by the Security Council against this inhuman

régime, which has just carried out a farcical referendum of

which the outcome was known in advance. I need hardly

add that the constitution that emerged from this so-called

referendum and which aims at the consolidation of the

racist régime in Southern Rhodesia is not legally valid.

178. Our Organization must pursue its untiring efforts and

adopt the appropriate measures so that the people of

Zimbabwe may achieve their independence.

179. I trust I shall not be trying the patience of the

Assembly if I dwell rather fully on the situation in the

Middle East, where the conflict has definitely taken a turn

for the worse, particularly recently. In fact, we are

witnessing an increase in tension along the cease-fire line

which has given rise to deep concern among all those who

hope to see peace restored in the region as soon as possible.

The frequent clashes between the armed forces of the

parties concerned have tended to take on the dimensions of

full-scale military operations.

180. It would be a mistake to view the violence in the

region solely in the light of violations of the Security

Council’s cease-fire resolutions. I do not believe that

appeals for moderation can really suffice to maintain calm

as long as efforts to facilitate a solution to the conflict do

not hold out hope of an early settlement.

181. The burning of the Al Aqsa mosque has added a very

critical element to an already alarming situation. This

sacrilegious act has plunged the Moslems of the world into a

state of great emotion and deep sorrow and has certainly

further emphasized the need to do everything possible to

solve this conflict, which renders the Middle East an

explosive region. At this stage it would not be proper to

make any accusation, but it is difficult to absolve the

country occupying the Arab part of Jerusalem of responsibility

for an act committed in a place under its military

jurisdiction. It is all the more regrettable that this country

continues to ignore the resolutions adopted by the General

Assembly and the Security Council calling upon it to

rescind all measures that would have the effect of altering

the status of the city of Jerusalem.

182. In this connexion, it is worth recalling here the

statement issued by the Conference of Heads of State held

in the capital of Morocco barely a week ago. This

statement not only drew attention to the emotion aroused

in the Moslem world by the burning of the Al Aqsa mosque

but also once again highlighted the urgency of achieving

just and fair solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

183. A year ago I stated in the General Assembly that

continued occupation of Arab territories and the non-application

of the General Assembly resolutions concerning

Jerusalem constituted a serious threat to both the stability

of the region and world peace. Today I will repeat the

statement with even greater emphasis. If the main objective

is the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle

East which would pave the way to normal relations among

the countries of the region, it is obvious that the fait

accompli and the acquisition of territory through the use of

armed force are not the correct methods for attaining this

objective. Let us hope that the recent deterioration of the

situation in general and the burning of the Al Aqsa mosque

in particular will induce us to redouble our efforts to end

the deadlock in the Middle East conflict.

184. Fortunately we have a valuable basis for a political

settlement in the shape of the Security Council resolution

[242 (1967)]. I wish here to express my Government’s

support for the steps taken by the Governments of four

permanent members of the Security Council. These two-Power

and four-Power talks are for us a source of hope and

a sign that the possibilities of achieving a solution are not

yet foreclosed. We have noted with satisfaction that the

United States and the Soviet Union are making renewed

efforts to achieve a settlement of the Middle East conflict.

These steps could insure the success of Mr. Jarring’s

mission, provided the countries directly affected by the

conflict also lend their support.

185. I also wish to make a few remarks on a subject of

direct concern to Turkey: the question of Cyprus. More

than a year has elapsed since the beginning of talks between

the two communities of Cyprus. The purpose of these talks

is to seek out and explore the basis for a return to normal

conditions and to constitutional order on the island. We

believe that this dialogue should have a successful outcome,

since the future of Cyprus-closely depends on complete

agreement between the two elements of the island and on

their fair and balanced participation in all the activities of

an independent State.

186. To this end, the two communities must show

understanding and tolerance towards one another in order

to prepare the basis for an administration of the State of

Cyprus that would be founded on mutual respect for their

separate identities as national communities. If one of the

parties should develop the illusion that it had a monopoly

of wisdom and reason and expect the other party to make

all the concessions, it must be recognized that such a state

Of mind is not conducive to achieving a solution. I believe

that in the light of the lessons of the past, Greece and

Turkey have a great responsibility to see to it that the two

communities of Cyprus are not tempted to adopt such a

fruitless attitude.

187. The restoration of confidence and the preservation of

security are essential for the progress of the talks now

under way. Consequently, we believe that the United

Nations Force in Cyprus must be maintained at its most

effective level. I should once again like to thank the

Secretary-General and other United Nations authorities for

their constructive interest in the question of Cyprus, and

also to thank the Governments that have contributed to the

formation and operations of the United Nations Peace-Keeping

Force in Cyprus.

188. The conflict in Viet-Nam continues to be a source of

concern to the world. Although the Paris talks have not yet

produced tangible results, the marked reduction in the level

of military operations is certainly creating an atmosphere

more propitious to the search for a solution. The steps

taken by the United States Government are likely to

facilitate such a process. I believe that all Governments with

a particular interest in the re-establishment of peace and

stability in this part of the world should support the efforts

aimed at ending the conflict.

189. The question of disarmament continues to be a cause

for serious concern. The final objective, which is general

and complete disarmament under international control, is

no longer even taken up directly. Due to the continuing

armaments race, particularly in the field of nuclear

weapons, all mankind is subject to a danger without

precedent in history. It must be recognized that the results

of the efforts thus far deployed to halt this race, sincere

though they may have been, are somewhat meagre in

comparison with the magnitude and urgency of the

problem. Even in those areas where we were able to register

some progress, much remains to be done to complete the task.

190. The partial nuclear test-ban treaty remains to be

completed by the extension of the ban to underground

testing. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear

Weapons [resolution 2373 (XXII)], which is the most

recent, cannot prove its worth unless it receives a greater

number of accessions and unless the nuclear countries

themselves are able to reach agreement on certain restrictive

measures directly affecting their nuclear arsenals. I hasten

to add that the contacts now taking place between the

United States and the Soviet Union with a view to the

opening of negotiations on the limitation of strategic

nuclear arms give us ground for hope in this connexion.

191. My Government appreciates and supports the trend

that is gaining ground towards the prevention of the spread

of armaments into areas that have not yet been contaminated.

An important step in this direction was the Treaty

on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the

Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon

and Other Celestial Bodies [resolution 2222 (XXI)]. Work

is in progress on another equally important matter, instructive

efforts are being made to ensure the utilization of the

sea-bed and the ocean floor for exclusively peaceful

purposes and the exploitation of those areas for the

well-being of all mankind. Such action meets the desire to

forestall activities that it might prove impossible to prevent

later on, and it also opens up prospects for fruitful

co-operation in the interests of the community of nations.

192. Nor is there any doubt that we should direct our

knowledge in the field of chemistry and biology solely to

the well-being of mankind. Consequently, while we favour

wider accession to the 1925 Geneva Protocol for the

Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous

or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare,

we also hope that complementary arrangements will be

made to reinforce the ban provided for in that Protocol. We

are highly gratified by certain steps taken to this effect.

193. In this connexion, I should like to underline the

growing role being played at Geneva by the Committee on

Disarmament as the forum for dealing with questions of

disarmament. The increase in the number of the Committee’s

members from 18 to 26 is in accord with the general

desire that its composite membership should be adopted to

take account of the intensified interest in its work.

194. Where disarmament is concerned, our balance sheet is

far from satisfactory and we are aware of the obstacles that

must be overcome before we cover the distance that

separates us from our final goal. But given the results thus

far achieved, we remain convinced of both the necessity

and the usefulness of pursuing our efforts unflaggingly. In

any event mankind has no alternative but to overcome the

challenge posed by these ultimate weapons of its own creation.

195. After these remarks of a political nature, I wish now

to make some brief comments on problems in another

equally important sphere, namely, international co-operation

in the economic field, a subject on which various

opinions have already been expressed.

196. The determination of developing countries to achieve

economic and social development is well known. This

determination, which is general throughout the developing

world, should surely be reflected and implanted in the work

of the Organization. In this respect we note that promising

and significant developments have taken place in recent

years. Indeed, even now, the Preparatory Committee for

the Second United Nations Development Decade is at work

drawing up the International Development Strategy for the

next 10 years. Every one of the States Members of the

Organization, whether developed or developing, has a duty

to assist in bringing this undertaking to a successful

conclusion, for it is not only the prosperity and happiness

of the majority of mankind that is at stake, but the very

foundations of peace and stability.

197. We are faced with the alternative: we will either

muster the requisite political will and adopt the necessary

policies, in both developed and developing countries, to

ensure a satisfactory rate of progress or we will run the risk

of anarchy, the result of unfulfilled hopes and chronic

frustration. There is no question that the main responsibility

for the economic development of developing countries

lies with those countries themselves. However, their

efforts in this direction need strong encouragement and

support from the developed countries.

198. In this inter-dependent world of ours it is time to

redouble our efforts to co-operate in promoting economic

and social development. The unprecedented affluence of

the industrialized countries makes it possible for them to

set aside the necessary resources for this purpose. Science

and technology, moreover, continue to provide man with

the most effective tools to overcome age-old obstacles. In

addition to bilateral procedures, the Organization itself is

provided with various institutional mechanisms for the

channelling of assistance to developing countries. If we

succeed in reaching a substantial degree of agreement on

the policy measures to be adopted within the framework of

the International Development Strategy, and if we have the

imagination and perception to implement those measures,

we shall surely reach an historic milestone in international

co-operation.

199. The Turkish delegation draws great satisfaction from

the knowledge that the problems of the deteriorating

human environment are finally receiving due attention from

the United Nations. Problems of such vast proportions need

to be dealt with on a world-wide scale, and we believe that

the United Nations is in a good position to set up the

framework and procedure necessary for co-ordinated international

action in this field.

200. In Turkey, we are engaged in preparations for the

forthcoming United Nations Conference on the Human

Environment, scheduled for 1972, and we are in favour of

the Conference being held in Sweden, the country which

took the praiseworthy initiative of bringing the question

before the United Nations.

201. The Organization’s activities in such fields as economic

development, population, the human environment,

human rights, the peaceful uses of outer space, the

exploitation of the resources of the sea-bed are not only in

line with the objectives of the United Nations but also open

up new vistas for international co-operation. I believe that

our faith in the United Nations will have been amply

justified and rewarded by our achievements in the pursuit

of these economic and social objectives.

202. A new era has dawned. The dream of conquering the

universe, which has captivated man’s imagination for

centuries, has just become reality. The brave American

astronauts, symbols of man’s ingenuity, have set foot on

the moon. Modern science and technology have once again

proved that the genius of man knows no bounds in the

attainment of his objectives. The recent spectacular success

in the field of science would, however, be much more

gratifying if man, who has just set off for the conquest of

space, could also place the same ingenuity at the service of

mankind for the solution of his political, economic, social

and humanitarian problems.

203. Ironic though it may be, this remark leads me to

nurse the well-founded hope that we shall achieve a better

world than the one in which we are now living. I am sure

that through goodwill, common sense and perseverance we

shall succeed in building the better world to which we all aspire.