UN General Assembly
1948

That was a circumstance which not only applied to the field of atomic energy, but was evident in practically all the political activities of the United Nations. It was evident, for example, in the field of disarmament where, although certain progress had been made, work had reached a point where further progress did not seem likely. It was evident with regard to the Military Staff Committee, where the disagreement revealed, both as regards general principles and other matters, showed how remote the prospects of an early agreement were. Mr. Bevin wished to say, with all the solemnity at his disposal, that if the black fury, the incalculable disaster, of atomic war should fall upon the world, one Power alone, by refusing its co-operation in the control and development of those great new forces for the good of humanity, would be responsible for the evils which might be visited upon mankind. That lack of co-operation, so obvious on those grave subjects to which he had referred, had almost never been absent at any level of international political activity.