UN General Assembly
1982

May I join the representatives who have preceded me in this debate in offering to the President their congratulations on his unanimous election to the high office of President and to you, Sir, to that of Vice-President of the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly. My delegation trusts that the President will guide this session with fairness and wisdom. I have noted with great interest the contents of his thoughtful statement at the opening of this session, and especially his cogent reference to: the inclusion in the agenda of items on so-called crisis situations that produced nothing but sterile debate and diverted attention from the real crises threatening the world with an escalation of the conflict . 58. The annual general debates at the General Assembly provide an occasion for surveying the state of the world, the working of the international system during the preceding year and for a public airing of the hopes and concerns, the expectations and anxieties of our nations. Such a survey will show that the prospects for a better life and for peace for