UN General Assembly
1953

117. To sum up, I feel that it would be foolish to expect sensational results from this Assembly. No series of speeches, however profound, no batch of resolutions, however comprehensive, can cure the sicknesses afflicting the world today. But we have a decisive role to play. A great step forward was taken when the fighting stopped in Korea. A new hope was born and we are now at a critical phase in the development of relations between the free world and the communist countries. The future hangs in the balance. Much may depend upon the turn given to events during the next few weeks or months. 118. It has been proved that a limited agreement is possible and I feel that we must do nothing by our debates to forfeit that gain, to prejudice the possibility of further agreements. Let us, by the atmosphere we seek to create at this Assembly, help rather than hinder, and contribute to the maintenance of the momentum of the improvement — the relaxation in tension of which I have spoken.