UN General Assembly
1959

62. As one of the founding fathers of our Organization, Mr. Belaúnde hardly stands in need of an introduction. His grasp of international affairs is masterly. To our Charter, Mr. Belaúnde has appended a noble rule of conduct. In gracious words, he has often urged that we think as philosophers, act as statesmen, and speak as diplomats. It is with all these qualities that our President presides. Yet in Mr. Belaúnde dwells the experience of another man. Our President was a political exile for a whole decade. He was a refugee, away from his beloved homeland, and a refugee has a burning understanding of the Charter and a fiery urge to apply its principles. To our President we extend our sincere congratulations. To his country, Peru, and to the whole continent of Latin America, we convey our greetings. This Organization should rejoice in having elected a President with the wisdom of a philosopher, the talent of a statesman, the gifts of a diplomat and, finally, with the human experience of the agony of exile.