UN General Assembly
1968

76. In this connexion, my delegation wishes to take this opportunity to pay a deserved tribute to your predecessor, who with unquestionable competence and wisdom presided over the discussions of the twenty-second session. 77. My delegation would also be seriously remiss in its duty of gratitude and fairness if it were to neglect to make special mention here of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. His abilities and his total devotion to the cause of peace are patent to all, and if the world has not so far been involved in further disaster, we owe it in great measure to U Thant. We should like to express to him and to his staff our deep gratitude and our sincere esteem. 78. When we examine our Organization’s activities designed to attain its purposes, we find that it is encountering difficulties and obstacles calculated to lead to pessimism.