UN General Assembly
1974

298. A few weeks ago, the World Population Conference concluded its work in Bucharest. Several tendencies were revealed during the debates, particularly concerning the delicate problem of the birth rate. It is the view of my country that priority should be given to economic development and to the fairest redistribution of wealth rather than to the reduction of the birth rate. 299. Although we recognize the relevance of a realistic and responsible policy on population, Zaire cannot support the Malthusian theses which make the limitation of the birth rate a goal and an end in itself. That seems to us a policy of expediency designed to divert attention from the real problem, that of the inequality and injustice of the present international situation. The problem of poverty cannot be solved by killing off the poor.