Ukraine, 1969

20. Madam President, I should

like to congratulate you on your election to the high office

of President of the General Assembly and to express our

confidence that under your able guidance the Assembly will

succeed in solving the important problems confronting it.

21. We associate ourselves with the condolences expressed

here in connexion with the death of Mr. Emilio Arenales,

who presided over the previous session.

22. The processes of contemporary international life are

complex and contradictory, and this is fully reflected by

the debate which is taking place in this hall. The speakers

are representatives of States with dissimilar social and

economic systems, with different outlooks and different

problems and needs. Yet nearly all of us seem to agree that

the world situation is characterized by acute tension and

that developments in international relations have reached a

dangerous stage.

23. As though expressing our accumulated common alarm

and concern, the Secretary-General stresses in his annual

report [A/7601/Add.1, para. 41] that the “world now

stands at a most critical crossroads” and calls for special

efforts for the maintenance of peace.

24. The time has therefore come for the most far-reaching

and, I would say, radical efforts to prevent mankind from

slipping towards a world war and to strengthen world peace

and international security. We, the representatives of the

socialist countries, have a clear-cut goal and absolutely

definite intentions in this respect. In this connexion, I

should like to quote a highly important extract from the

“Appeal in Defence of Peace” adopted by the International

Conference of Communist and Workers’ Parties held in

Moscow in June this year:

“Under all trials, we Communists have retained our

unflinching devotion to Leninist ideas of peace and

friendship among nations. Today as before, we shall strive

towards these lofty goals, which ave common to all

mankind, side by side with all those who oppose the

policy of militarism, aggression and war. To these ends,

we are prepared to develop contacts and to co-operate

with the widest variety of social and political forces.”

25. We see a real threat to peace in the imperialist policy

of activating military blocs and the arms race, in whose

service the latest achievements of technical progress and the

results of the scientific and technical revolution are being

placed. We also see a real threat to peace in the aggressive

imperialist strategy directed against the socialist States and

against socialism as a social and political system. Finally, we

see a real threat to peace in the imperialist policy of

fomenting conflicts and local wars in various parts of the

world, in the suppression of national liberation movements

and in the policy of revanchism, racial discrimination and

apartheid.

26. The Government of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist

Republic has instructed us to concentrate our efforts at this

session of the General Assembly on preparing, together

with other delegations, measures directed towards the

prevention of war and the strengthening of universal peace.

We regard this as the primary condition and main prerequisite

for the solution of all the other problems with which

the United Nations is confronted. That is why we whole-heartedly

support the proposal of the Soviet Union

concerning the strengthening of international security, set

out in the draft “Appeal to all States of the world”

[A/7654]. It is hardly possible to over-estimate the

political and practical significance of this document, which

can and must become the most important component of

the United Nations programme of action in forthcoming

years. It opens up vast opportunities for co-operation

among States with different political, social and economic

systems on the most burning problems of the day and

creates the necessary conditions for the preparation of

effective plans and the adoption of realistic measures to

prevent mankind from slipping into a world conflict.

27. It is a generally accepted truth that peace is indivisible

and that a breach of peace in one region of the world can

give rise to a chain reaction and to a world-wide conflagration.

To safeguard international security is to safeguard

peace in every region of our planet.

28. Accordingly, no special proof is needed that the path

to international security in our time lies in the peaceful

settlement of such acute problems as those of Viet-Nam,

the Middle East and Korea. We are all aware that each of

these problems is many-sided, comprises a whole complex

of issues and is a unique blend of contradictions. Each of

these problems requires a specific approach and calls for

specific means of settlement. But they also have something

in common. This common denominator lies in the fact that

imperialism is standing in the way of the Viet-Namese,

Korean and Arab peoples, which at one time were crushed

under the colonialist heel and rose up to fight for their

national liberation, for political and economic independence

and for the integrity of their native lands and their

national territories. As the result of wars, part of Viet-Nam,

part of Korea and part of the territory of the Arab States

have been occupied by the troops of foreign Powers. That is

a decisive fact and, in the light of that fact, the struggle of

the peoples against interventionists is a just struggle to

which all progressive forces lend their solidarity and support.

29. That is why the United Nations should declare itself in

favour of certain principles which alone can serve as a basis

for achieving and consolidating universal peace. We are

deeply convinced that the most important of these principles

is the withdrawal of troops from territories occupied

as the result of military action by certain States against

other States and peoples fighting for the independence and

territorial integrity which they have attained as the result of

the collapse of the colonial system. Attempts to bring

about a peaceful settlement by any other means are

ultimately doomed to failure.

30. In this connexion, Viet-Nam provides the most convincing

and irrefutable proof that in our time the process of

the national and social liberation of peoples cannot be

arrested by means of force, including military force. It is

well known that the war in Viet-Nam has already surpassed

the Second World War with regard to the quantity and

weight of bombs dropped, and the Korean war with regard

to the number of American killed. But what has the United

States achieved? Defeats on the battlefield and increased

isolation on the international scene. The United States of

America has found itself powerless before the courage and

resistance of the Viet-Namese people, before its will and

resolve to ensure the victory of its just cause and to expel

the foreign invaders and before the active international

solidarity of the socialist States and of all peace-loving

forces.

31. We recently heard from this rostrum an appeal to the

126 Members of the United Nations for efforts through the

diplomatic channel to persuade the Government of the

Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam to hasten the end of the

war. We do not, however, recall the United States of

America making any appeal for advice to all Members of

the United Nations at the time it began its aggression on

Viet-Namese territory. But that is not the point at issue,

particularly since those who dragged the American people

into this war obviously expected a different turn of events.

32. The point is that there is no need to persuade the

Governments of the Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam and

of the Republic of South Viet-Nam of anything whatsoever.

The Government of the Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam

and the National Liberation Front of South Viet-Nam have

agreed to negotiate with the United States of America and

have submitted a programme for the solution of the

Viet-Nam problem which fully corresponds to the principles

of the 1954 Geneva Agreements and meets the

national aspirations of the Viet-Namese people and the

interests of peace throughout the world. If there is any

need to persuade anyone of anything, it is the United States

of America that has to be persuaded of the need for the

complete and unconditional withdrawal of its troops and

those of its allies from South Viet-Nam, so as to enable the

Viet-Namese people to settle its own affairs in its own

territory. The people of Viet-Nam is fighting to defend its

native land and is thus exercising the sacred and inalienable

right of all peoples to self-defence.

33. The United States of America declares that, at the

Paris talks, it is willing to discuss all problems except one,

namely, the right of the people of South Viet-Nam to

determine its own future without external interference. But

there is one and only one instance of interference in the

affairs of Viet-Nam and that is American interference. And

there is one and only one means of eliminating interference

with the self-determination of the Viet-Namese people,

namel, the withdrawal of the troops of the United States

of America and its allies from this country. The sooner this

takes place, the better for the Viet-Namese people, for the

United States of America and for peace throughout the

world.

34. So far as the Ukrainian SSR is concerned, it is

wholeheartedly on the side of the heroic Viet-Namese

people. We are convinced that its just cause will triumph.

The workers of Viet-Nam, true to the precepts of the

President of the Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam, Comrade

Ho Chi Minh, that outstanding leader of the international

Communist, workers’ and national liberation movement,

will carry their struggle for the happy future of their

country to a victorious conclusion

35. Although the United Nations has been dealing with

the Korean problem for over twenty years, tension in and

around Korea is not easing, but, on the contrary, is

becoming more acute. Why is the Korean nation still

divided, despite its clearly expressed desire for the unification

of the country? Why does the situation in Korea still

represent a threat to universal peace? It is because of

flagrant outside interference in the affairs of the Korean

nation, which. was liberated from colonial dependence as a

result of the Second World War. The armed forces of the

United States of America continue to occupy South Korea.

36. The Ukrainian SSR, together with the other socialist

countries and a number of Afro-Asian States, has submitted

to the General Assembly for discussion an item entitled

“Withdrawal of United States and all other foreign forces

occupying South Korea under the flag of the United

Nations”. We appeal to all those who are struggling for the

national liberation of peoples from the imperialist yoke and

to all those who support the ideals of the United Nations in

deeds, not in words, to take a decisive stand against the

continued military occupation of South Korea. The path to

peace in that peninsule will not be opened until there are

no interventionists in the southern part of Korea, just as

there is not a single foreign soldier in the northern part of

the country. Can there be a task and purpose more in

keeping with the principles of the United Nations than that

of giving the Korean people an opportunity to settle its

domestic affairs by itself, without external interference?

37. The United Nations has the duty to play a decisive

part in the establishment of peace in the Middle East and in

ensuring the security of all its peoples.

38. Nearly two years have passed since the Security

Council adopted its well-known resolution [242 (1967)].

Instead of using this resolution to bring about a peaceful

settlement, Israel, intoxicated with chauvinistic dreams, has

completely sabotaged the efforts of the United Nations’

throughout this period. It continues to occupy Arab

territory and to provoke incessant exchanges of fire and

armed clashes in the areas of the Suez Canal, the river

Jordan and the Golan heights. Its acts of armed provocation

have lately become more frequent and are assuming an

increasingly dangerous and threatening form.

39. It is perfectly obvious that this provocative behaviour

by the Israeli aggressors would not be possible but for the

fact that Israel has enjoyed and continues to enjoy

protection and support from the United States of America.

The United States is not only giving political and economic

aid to the Israeli aggressors, but is continuing to supply

them with arms. Israel recently received from the United

States aircraft of the most modern type which are being

used for pirate raids against Arab countries.

40. It is therefore not surprising that the representatives of

Israel behave so insolently here in the United Nations. The

statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs during the

general debate [1757th meeting] proved Israel’s unwillingness

to take United Nations decisions into account. The

main object of that statement seemed to be to prove that

the United Nations is not in a position — is not able — to solve

the problems of the Middle East.

41. Israeli leaders often make speeches about their desire

for peace and security, but these are empty words. If the

real aim is to promote the peace and security of the

countries of that region, the main and essential prerequisite

for this is the liberation of the occupied territories. But

Israel prefers to follow a different and extremely dangerous

course, that of consolidating its annexation of foreign

territories. Its appeals for “direct negotiations” while parts

of the territory of Arab countries are still occupied simply

represent a manoeuvre to camouflage its refusal to comply

with the Security Council decision.

42. The delegation of the Ukrainian SSR considers it

essential to make renewed efforts to end the critical

situation in the Middle East.

43. The consultations between the four great Powers

which are permanent members of the Security Council and

the efforts of Ambassador Gunnar Jarring, the representative

of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, have

shown that to leave the situation in the Middle East as it

now is would be to endanger world peace. The Government

of the United Arab Republic at one time submitted

constructive proposals for a stage-by-stage implementation

of the Security Council resolution. The Soviet Government

has also taken the initiative in drawing up proposals

designed to promote a political settlement in the Middle

East. Responsibility for the fact that no appreciable results

have yet been achieved lies wholly with Israel and its

protectors.

44. Israeli leaders are not defending the right of their State

to an independent national existence, but are trying to

retain the Arab territories they have seized. It is the duty of

the United Nations to put an end to this, to support

constructive efforts and to promote a political settlement in

that region.

45. During the First and Second World Wars, the Ukraine

was the scene of fierce fighting and was subjected to

German occupation. In their struggle against the aggressor,

the Ukrainian people lost many millions of their sons and

daughters and suffered enormous material damage. That

fact alone should suffice to show how deep is our concern

for the establishment of a system of collective security in

Europe. The Government of the Ukrainian SSR is a firm

advocate of regional security systems, based on the common

efforts of all the States in the regions concerned. We

are compelled to draw attention to the absurdity of a

situation in which certain States wish to exclude the

German Democratic Republic, whose twentieth anniversary

will be celebrated in a few days’ time, from decisions on

European affairs and from participation in international life.

46. This ostrich-like policy with regard to a State whose

establishment marked a turning-point in European history

gravely hampers the cause of the peace and security of

nations. Since the earliest days of its existence, the German

Democratic Republic has considered that it has a national

mission and a responsibility to the peoples of Europe to

ensure that war can never again be unleashed from German

soil. It has declared itself in favour of collective security in

Europe, of a stable world order and of general disarmament.

In all its practical activities, it carries into effect the

ideals of peace, progress and socialism.

47. The peace-loving policy of the German Democractic

Republic is earning it increasing authority and respect. The

German workers’ and peasants’ State is also gaining

increasing recognition in international law. Its foreign

political, economic and cultural relations are being strengthened.

That is why we are strongly in favour of giving the

German Democratic Republic its rightful place in the

United Nations.

48. The main condition for peace and security on the

European continent is recognition of the inviolability of the

existing frontiers in Europe, including the Oder-Neisse line

and the frontiers between the two German States, the

German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany.

49. But this, together with other political realities of

modern Europe, is something they do not wish to recognize

in Bonn. The policy of Greater German chauvinism,

militarism and revanchism which is being pursued by the

ruling circles of the Federal Republic of Germany, hard

though they may try to conceal the fact, is still one of the

main sources of tension on the European continent. It is

this policy which is providing a propitious background for

the resurgence of fascism, with its present shock force, the

National Democratic Party.

50. It is an inescapable fact that, a quarter of a century

after the defeat of the fascist Reich, there have been

flagrant violations of the obligations laid down in the

Potsdam Agreements concerning the need for a consistent

struggle against attempts to revive militaristic, revanchist

and nazi activities in any form whatsoever on German soil.

51. The lessons of history cannot and must not be

forgotten. We cannot stand by dispassionately while those

very forces which plunged Europe and the whole world into

the maelstrom of the Second World War grow in strength.

The peoples of Europe know from the experience of their

own history what the result of a policy of appeasing nazism

can be.

52. We note with satisfaction that an awareness of the

dangers of nazi ideology and practice has manifested itself

in the United Nations. On the initiative of the Ukraine and

Poland, the Commission on Human Rights, at its recent

twenty-fifth session, adopted a resolution calling upon all

States to take effective measures for the complete prohibition

of nazi, neo-nazi and racist organizations and groups

and for their prosecution in the courts. I should like to

express the hope that the General Assembly will approve

that decision at its twenty-fourth session.

53. The Ukrainian people supports the policy of the

countries of the socialist community directed towards

securing all-European co-operation and the appeal by the

States members of the Warsaw Treaty to all European

countries for the convening of an all-European conference

on problems of security and peaceful co-operation. Our

delegation is convinced that the adoption by the General

Assembly of the “Appeal to all States of the world” to

approve and support the idea of establishing effective

regional security systems would intensify efforts to this end.

This could only be of benefit to the cause of peace.

54. Disarmament problems are in the foreground at this

session of the General Assembly, as at previous sessions.

Nothing can relegate them to the background, for the

means of mass destruction which have been stockpiled

more than suffice to destroy all life on earth. The urgent

need to put an end to the unbridled arms race is perfectly

obvious. Nearly all the speakers in this hall have made this

point quite convincingly.

55. We attach great importance to the conclusion of

agreements on the limitation of the arms race and on

disarmament, especially on such problems as the prohibition

of the use of nuclear weapons, the cessation of their

production, the limitation and elimination of stockpiles of

such weapons, the prohibition of underground tests, the

establishment of nuclear-free zones, the elimination of

military bases in the territory of other States and the

prohibition of the use of the sea-bed and ocean floor for

military purposes.

56. We note with satisfaction that the United Nations had

adopted the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear

Weapons [General Assembly resolution 2373 (XXII)]. In

advocating its entry into force as soon as possible, we were

guided by the belief that it can become an important link in

a chain of measures leading to nuclear disarmament. But

the fact that a number of potential nuclear States are still

refraining from acceding to the Non-Proliferation Treaty is

creating serious difficulties. We are particularly concerned

by the attitude of the Federal Republic of Germany, where

highly influential circles are trying to obtain access to

nuclear weapons.

57. The Ukrainian delegation considers that this session of

the General Assembly should appeal to all States to sign

and ratify the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear

Weapons as soon as possible.

58. An important aspect of the disarmament problem is

the question of chemical and bacteriological (biological)

weapons. We all know how alarmed world public opinion

was by recent reports on the further intensification by

certain States of the race for chemical and bacteriological

(biological) weapons and on the accumulation of stockpiles

of these weapons in the territories of other States.

59. The delegation of the Ukrainian SSR agrees with the

following main conclusion drawn in the Secretary-General’s

report on chemical and bacteriological (biological) weapons

and the effects of their possible use:

“Were these weapons ever to be used on a large scale in

war, no one could predict how enduring the effects would

be, and how they would affect the structure of society

and the environment in which we live.”

60. The Government of the Ukrainian SSR consistently

and resolutely advocates the prohibition of the use of

chemical and bacteriological methods of warfare, the

accession of all States to the 1925 Geneva Protocol and the

strict application of that Protocol. But this is no longer

enough. The time has come for measures of a different

character.

61. Together with other socialist countries, the Ukrainian

SSR has submitted to the General Assembly a draft

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]. We are deeply convinced that the adoption and

implementation of such a convention will eliminate the

threat of the outbreak of a chemical and bacteriological

war, will promote the strengthening of the peace and

security of nations and will create a favourable political

climate for the solution of other disarmament problems.

62. In seeking to unite the efforts of all States and peoples

to strengthen international security, we cannot overlook

the vitally important problems of the final elimination of

colonialism in all its forms and manifestations. We consider

it essential to take effective international action in support

of the patriots of Angola, Mozambique, Guinea (Bissau),

Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa, and in support of all

oppressed peoples. No effort should be spared to ensure

that 1970, the year when the United Nations will observe

the tenth anniversary of the proclamation of the Declaration

on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries

and Peoples, should become a milestone on the road

towards the full implementation of the Declaration. This

aim would be furthered by the Assembly’s adoption at this

session of the “Appeal to all States of the world”

[A/7654], which stresses the need for the cessation of all

measures for the suppression of the liberation movements

of the peoples still under colonial rule and for the granting

of independence to all such peoples.

63. In the desire to consolidate their sovereignty, many

independent States of Asia, Africa and Latin America are

striving to overcome their economic backwardness and to

create an independent national economy. How should this

problem be solved? What means and forms of social

development should be chosen? What role should be

played by international economic relations? What contribution

should the United Nations make to the preparation

and execution of social and economic development

programmes throughout the world? The immediacy of

these problems is beyond all doubt.

64. The concerns and needs of the developing countries

are familiar and comprehensible to the Ukrainian SSR.

Many of the problems which are now causing anxiety to

these States confronted us in one way or another and were

solved in the not too distant past. A little over 50 years ago,

the economy of the Ukraine was grasped in the tentacles of

foreign capital, which controlled 70 per cent of coal and

ore production, 90 per cent of pig iron production, 70 per

cent of manganese production and so forth. The farmers

suffered from the survivals of feudalism and from merciless

capitalist exploitation. Most of the people were illiterate,

and the necessary capital and skilled personnel were lacking

for the development of industry and transport and for

undertaking scientific research and applying its results in

production.

65. The situation has since undergone radical changes. We

carried out a revolution, but vast material resources were

required and people had to be trained to develop our

economy, science and culture. We boldly embarked on the

road to social and economic transformations. The guiding

principle was reliance on our own sources of development.

As a result, during the years of Soviet rule, the volume of

industrial output has increased 52-fold; Ukrainian products

are now exported to 88 countries and the Ukrainian SSR is

taking part in the construction of 183 industrial and

educational centres in the developing countries. About

3 million experts are now working in the national economy

and the number of scientific workers exceeds 100,000.

Every third person employed is studying to improve his

professional qualifications and general education.

66. For this reason, the delegation of the Ukrainian Soviet

Socialist Republic feels obliged to make a number of

comments on certain economic development problems and

to share its experience, some aspects of which, in its

Opinion, might usefully be taken into account in the

preparation of national and international development

programmes.

67. We consider that international efforts should be

concentrated on the consolidation of developing countries

independence, the rapid elimination of the economic

aftermath of colonialism, the struggle against neo-colonialist

trends, and the economic, social and cultural

advancement of these countries. The United Nations should

promote the establishment of an international atmosphere

in which it would be impossible for neo-colonialist forces to

prevent the peoples of the developing countries from

carrying out fundamental social and economic changes and

democratic land reforms, abolishing feudal and non-feudal

relations, ending the dominance of foreign monopolies, and

reviving and developing their national culture.

68. The main condition for successful economic development

is the exercise by the peoples of full sovereignty over

the natural resources of their countries. We cannot regard as

normal a situation in which the foreign indebtedness of

countries liberated from colonial domination increases year

by year and now amounts to nearly $50,000 million, with

loan repayments already accounting for two thirds of the

new influx of public foreign capital. This complicates the

foreign exchange situation of the developing countries,

increases their financial dependence and deprives them of

vast sources of capital accumulation for the development of

their own economies.

69. The shortage of qualified national personnel is a

serious obstacle to the economic advancement of many

Asian and African countries. The problem of training

personnel to accelerate industrialization in the developing

countries has already been discussed in the United Nations.

As one of the sponsors of the relevant General Assembly

resolutions, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic has

given practical evidence of its desire to give the necessary

aid to the countries of the third world. Nationals of these

countries are being trained in sixty higher educational and

technical institutions of the Republic. Permanent United

Nations courses for training metallurgists are being conducted

in the town of Zapirozhye. During the past eight

years, over 10,000 specialists from the developing countries

have been trained or have improved their qualifications in

the Ukraine.

70. International efforts should be continued in this field.

Our delegation therefore considers it essential to intensify

activities to promote the training of higher- and intermediate-level

specialists for the developing countries, especially

those who can be employed in the production sector,

as well as specialists in the ordinary trades and occupations.

71. These are our views on some of the economic

problems which will play a prominent part in the discussions

at this session.

72. The interests of strengthening peace and international

security call for an increase in the role and significance of

the United Nations as an instrument of international

communication and its responsibility for the solution of

urgent problems. What is needed to enable the United

Nations to fulfil this high mission effectively is not a reform

of the Organization or a review of its Charter, but the

utilization of all the political opportunities and resources

embodied in that Charter, the strict and undeviating

observance of its letter and spirit by all Members of the

United Nations without exception and the transformation

of the Organization into a genuinely universal body.

73. Important steps in this connexion should be an

enhancement of the role and efficacy of the Security

Council as the organ on which primary responsibility for

the maintenance of international peace and security is

conferred by the Charter, the further study of ways and

means of increasing the efficiency of United Nations

peace-keeping operations and the intensification of work on

the definition of aggression and on agreed principles

concerning friendly relations and co-operation among

States.

74. Recognition of the importance of the present stage in

the Organization’s development should be translated into

new collective efforts, new initiatives and new activities.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations should

serve as a further incentive to this end.

75. The proposals of the Soviet Union on the strengthening

of international security, as well as other proposals

which the socialist countries have submitted for consideration

at this session of the General Assembly, serve as

examples of that very approach. Not only are these

proposals not directed against any State or group of States

but, on the contrary, conforming as they do to the basic

and vital interests of all peoples, they are directed towards

the maximum unification of the efforts of all States

without exception with a view to achieving and strengthening

universal peace. We hope that their full discussion will

prove fruitful and will serve the purpose of the United

Nations.

76. The Government of the Soviet Ukraine has consistently

followed the precepts of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, who

declared in the early days of Soviet power that “...we

promise the workers and peasants to do everything for

peace. And we will do it.” Our delegation intends to exert

the maximum effort during this session to promote the

strengthening of universal peace and the security of nations.

This fully corresponds to the aspirations of our people,

which is preparing, together with all progressive men and

women, to celebrate the centenary of Lenin, a man whose

name is linked with the most important events of our era

and a tireless fighter for social progress, for the liberation of

the working masses from oppression and for the triumph of

peace and fraternity among the peoples on this earth.