UN General Assembly
1962

53. At the sixteenth session of the General Assembly, we expressed our satisfaction that, despite the conflict of position between the major armed Powers, the General Assembly had been able to endorse a joint statement. That statement outlined ways for achieving a final agreement on controlled disarmament, general and complete. Hope was reborn in the world after the establishment, by unanimous agreement, of the Committed of Eighteen [see resolution 1722II (XVI)] whose composition included, in addition to the representatives of the two conflicting standpoints, those of eight non-aligned States. 54. In my delegation's view, that hope was strengthened during the first meetings of the Conference of the Committee of Eighteen. Both sides submitted clear-cut and specific drafts which, despite their general character, dealt with the different stages of disarmament and prescribed measures for implementation and control; but it is deeply to be regretted that no agreement was reached, despite the praiseworthy efforts of the uncommitted nations to reconcile the different stands or to suggest compromise solutions.