UN General Assembly
1948

In areas where it was clear that the veto had not been applied to further the special interests of one or more Member States rather than the general interest, procedures of negotiation had been undertaken, and had proved helpful and constructive. However, in every area and on every subject where it was obvious that the veto had been applied to further some particular interest, rather than the general interest, the process of compromise and adjustment had been ignored and little or no progress had been made. The stalemate which had resulted from that state of affairs affected many situations which were of direct and imperative concern in the life of all free nations. Its continuance could not fail to lead to threats to freedom, arising not only from aggressive aims at territorial expansion, but also from sinister plans to undermine the structure of free government within the borders of individual nations.