UN General Assembly
1947

But whatever the voting procedures and practices that we may adopt to ensure the prompt and effective functioning of the Security Council and the General Assembly, we must bear constantly in mind that, veto or no veto, all major decisions in international security and policy call for unanimity among the great Powers. It would perhaps be more exact to say that they require it. And whether we like it or not, we must face, with a good deal of understanding, the fact that these. Powers generally follow the line of action that best conforms to their national interests, rather than to the principles of the Charter or to the prestige of the United Nations.