UN General Assembly
1948

As a member of the Security Council, Colombia had taken part in the discussions of the Atomic Energy Commission, and had been deeply disappointed to have to admit that its deliberations had ended in complete failure. Where such a serious matter was concerned, the world could not be left in a state of uncertainty and anxiety. The Assembly should take steps to settle the disagreement. The Colombian representative feared, however, that it would be impossible for the General Assembly to take any effective measures, since it was only the great Powers who could settle the problems separating them. From the very beginning Colombia had stated in the Commission and would reiterate again that it was not possible to begin by taking steps to prohibit atomic weapons and destroy those already in existence and after that to establish an organ of control. The reverse procedure would appear to be the logical one to follow. If that were not done, it was difficult to see who should decide which weapons were to be prohibited, which were to be destroyed, and where they were to be found.