UN General Assembly
1947

I need say no more to emphasize the importance of this second session of the General Assembly. Our discussions and the decisions we take must be of a nature to lead us to an ample conciliation of existing antagonisms, or, at least, to the preparation of the ground for such conciliation. The Brazilian delegation, whose membership represents a true cross-section of the democratic forces of our country, is determined to use all its efforts to bring to the work of this second session of the General Assembly the contribution of the liberal and democratic ideas on which our national life is based. Conciliation is the essential trait of the Brazilian people; it can be explained by the geographic and historic development of the country. The record of our participation in international life is precisely one of conciliating opposing influences and ideas with the purpose of promoting progress in international, relations through persuasion. That is why Brazil, throughout its history, has always been one of the most ardent advocates of arbitration and other means for the pacific settlement of disputes.