UN General Assembly
1958

55. Although faced with grave political problems, the country I represent has embarked on a programme of immediate modernization. Thus Laos is pleased to see that the resolution on the financing of economic development which was adopted by the General Assembly at its twelfth session [resolution 1219 (XII)l has made such rapid progress and that the Special Fund is about to become a reality. It has frequently been said that freedom cannot survive by the side of extreme poverty. We realize that this financial body cannot on its own solve all our problems of development. Taking its place beside the programmes of assistance provided by friendly Powers, especially the United States and France, and supplementing the Colombo Plan and the various forms of assistance we are receiving, it will help to finance some of the work which will bring about the development of the Lower Mekong River Basin, the broad lines of which were planned by the mission under General Wheeler. It is fortunate that here, as elsewhere, the United Nations is giving support to the Powers which decided to provide direct assistance and to help the four countries concerned in the immense task of subduing these waters and turning their energy to useful account.