UN General Assembly
1960

32. Nervous appeals for conciliation strengthen the aggressor countries and, by placing them on the same moral plane as others, add to their stature and influence. As people who do not belong to that exalted brotherhood, we find — and I say this with due respect for contrary opinions — this idea of relinquishing our duties and going as defenceless suppliants to the powerful countries, asking them to be good and condescending in return, somewhat humiliating. I am well aware that some of the most war-hardened and indomitable peoples on earth, whose heroism we have always respected, are following that path. But we think they are mistaken; we are not prepared to relinquish our rights and duties, to efface ourselves and to hand over life itself and its problems to gatherings of powerful countries. Nor do we think we can appeal to these overbearing conquerors with cries and lamentations. It would not seem fitting to us that Members of the United Nations, which have obligations with respect to all problems, should wash their hands of these problems or delegate them. Here no one can be neutral with respect to any problem; we must think, act and decide on all problems according to well-considered standards.