UN General Assembly
1969

1. Madam President, let me begin by congratulating you on your election to the high position of President of the General Assembly. Africa, your own country and you yourself are being rightly honoured by this election. We wish you well in your important assignment and we look forward with great expectation to working under your inspiring leadership. 2. When the General Assembly meets this year for its twenty-fourth session we have to recognize that no solution has yet been reached of the many acute problems which pit nation against nation and national group against national group in armed conflict. Violence is a terrifying reality. Justice does not prevail. Individuals and whole peoples are denied liberty and human rights. The ideals of peaceful co-operation which we have all pledged ourselves to follow in accordance with the Charter are violated or ignored in the practical policy of States. 3. If we want to be realistic, we can hardly expect our debates here in the Assembly, or the efforts which are deployed by the Security Council and the Secretary-General,