UN General Assembly
1958

139. As in previous sessions, the question of disarmament will this year be the main problem in our deliberations. Since the beginning of the United Nations activities in 1946, the United Nations has always been greatly concerned about the question of disarmament, or — more correctly expressed — the question of reduction of armaments. This matter has been on the agenda of each of the twelve previous sessions of the General Assembly. It has been discussed here for months. A total period of more than a year must have been devoted to its handling in the General Assembly alone during these twelve years, not counting all the months in the various disarmament committees. A whole bunch of resolutions expressing pious and well- meaning desires for reduction of armaments, for the lessening of world tension and for peaceful coexistence and friendly, neighbourly relations, have been passed year after year — a whole bible of good intentions. But no result has yet been seen. The armaments race has continued and has been intensified and accelerated. New and constantly more effective means of destruction have been invented. We are told that during 1948 to 1956 the nations of the world spent about $420,000 million on armaments, and in 1957 alone the military expenditure amounted to well over $100,000 million. Now all the world wonders where we are being led, where we are going, what comes next.