UN General Assembly
1968

40. Nevertheless, the events in stricken South-East Asia, in still partly unliberated Africa, and in the ravaged Middle East cannot mask in Europe the vestiges and aftermath of the Second — one would like to say the last - World War. Spheres of influence, opposing blocs, the resurgence now and then of the cold war — in this strange situation the third world States realize their tragic weakness with feelings of anguish. 41. The leaders of these young States feel that the only way to achieve harmony and understanding among peoples is by respecting their right to self-determination, and to the full and free development of their own particular genius. My Government has always considered that the internal régimes of States, their political, cultural, social and economic choices, must be determined by the free play of their institutions, without any external interference. It is convinced that this must be so for the young States of Africa.