UN General Assembly
1966

However, we do wish to say in all seriousness that the years of debate, the volumes of research, the undoubted sincerity of many, will have been in vain if a sixth nuclear Power comes upon the scene. It may well make impossible the achievement of agreement on a treaty of non-proliferation. The situation which we face is very serious. There is on the one hand, the virtual certainty that if concrete action is not taken promptly, the nuclear arms race will get out of control. On the other hand, the existing nuclear Powers continue to extend and perfect their arsenals of these terrible weapons. At the same time, it cannot be denied that nuclear energy has a vital role to play in the development of the under-developed world. My delegation is convinced that the apparent conflict between the economic advantages and the military dangers of the application of nuclear science can be reconciled by the provision of appropriate international safeguards.