required by newly independent countries in this respect can in no way justify a discrimination in their favour against other countries with similar difficulties. This year the General Assembly will have before it proposals initiated by the Scientific Advisory Committee and endorsed by the Economic and Social Council, for a conference under United Nations aegis, intended to provide possibilities for a break-through in the application of the technical achievements of present times to the problems of the economically less developed countries. It is sincerely to be hoped that, in the interest of international co-operation and the acceleration of the economic progress of those countries, this proposal will meet with the approval of the General Assembly.'

So far, the economic and technical activities of the United Nations have been less influenced by the conflict between different concepts of the role of the Organization than its activities in other fields. However, it is impossible to isolate the economic and technical problems from the general question discussed in this Introduction. While receiving countries should have full freedom to take assistance from whatever source they find appropriate, they should not be barred, if they so wish, from getting all the assistance they need through United Nations channels or under United Nations aegis. The Organization is far from being able to meet all such demands, as donor nations continue to show a strong preference for bilateral approaches on a national or a group basis. Again, the problem arises of the basic concept of the United Nations. With the conference approach to the work of the Organization a choice is made also in favour of bilateral assistance, while the alternative approach opens the door to a development under which international assistance, in implementation of the principle of equal economic opportunities for all, would be channelled through the Organization or its related agencies to all the extent that this is desired by the recipient countries and is within the capacity of the Organization.

Basic to the United Nations approach to economic and technical assistance is the principle, under all circumstances, that, although the Organization has to follow its own rules and maintain its own independence, its services are exclusively designed to meet the wishes of the recipient Government, without the possibility of any ulterior motives and free from the risk of any possible influence on the national or international policies of that Government. Whatever development the executive activities of the Organization may show in the field, there should never be any suspicion that the world community would wish or, indeed, could ever wish to maintain for itself, through the United Nations, a position of power or control in a Member country. Were political groups in a country really to believe in such a risk, the explanation would seem to be that, as has indeed happened in the case of Governments of Member countries with long established independence, they may find it difficult to accept the judgement of the majority of the nations of the world as to what in a specific situation is necessary in order to safeguard international peace and security, when such a judgement appears to be in conflict with the immediate aims of the group. With growing respect for the decisions of the Organization and growing understanding of its principles, the risks for such misinterpretations should be eliminated.

15. THE UNITED STATES POSITION ON THE QUESTION OF REVIEW OF THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER: Statement Made by the U.S. Representative (Plimpton) in the Committee on Arrangements for a Conference for the Purpose of Reviewing the Charter, September 14, 1961 9

8

When the question of Charter Review first appeared on the agenda of the Tenth General Assembly pursuant to the provisions of Article

* See the unnumbered title, post, p. 146.

U.S.-U.N. press release 3767.

Doc. 15

9

109 of the Charter, the Member States recognized that review of the Charter in the light of experience and development since 1945 would be desirable. They also recognized, however, that the question of possible changes in the agreed powers and structure of the Organization was one requiring serious and extensive study. The United States cosponsored resolution 992 (X) which decided in principle that a review conference should be held. However, at the time of the Tenth General Assembly, many members were of the view that the international climate was not conducive to a constructive review of the Charter. The United States agreed with this estimate of the situation and it was convinced that a study of the Charter which would result in a strengthening of the United Nations could be conducted only with the support of the great majority of the members. Accordingly, the United States supported the establishment of this Committee to keep the question of setting an actual date for the conference under review.

This Committee met in 1957 and again in 1959, each time reaching the conclusion that the international situation was not yet auspicious for the holding of a Charter Review Conference or even for the determination of a date when the Conference might be held.10 Most members shared the belief that a review conference held in a period of international tensions of suspicion and distrust among nations, might easily produce such sharp controversies that the international organization instead of being strengthened, might be seriously weakened or even destroyed with no agreement on a substitute possible.

The United States position today remains substantially the same as it has been in the past, that is, we are willing to support the convening of a Review Conference whenever a substantial majority of United Nations Members believes the time to be propitious. However, for its part, the United States does not consider the present international atmosphere conducive to a dispassionate review of the Charter. Such a review must necessarily have as its base general agreement on the objectives of the conference. Such general agreement, does not now appear to exist, nor does there appear to be that sense of common interest among all the members which is a prerequisite to constructive review.

Experience has shown that the United Nations has not been limited so much by its Charter as by the policies and attitudes of its Members. Indeed the history of this Organization shows that the Charter has been a flexible instrument susceptible of growth and development to the extent United Nations members have been prepared to see it grow and develop. Taking all these factors into account, it is the United States view that we should for the present concentrate our efforts to strengthen the United Nations on developing to the fullest its existing mechanisms and procedures and on evolving new instrumentalities within the framework of the present Charter if and as the need arises. In taking this position, the United States by no means precludes

'Of Nov. 21, 1955; text in American Foreign Policy, 1950-1955: Basic Documents, pp. 333-334.

10

See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1957, p. 69, and ibid., 1959, pp. 69-75.

amendment of the Charter in specific respects under Article 108 when a clear and generally recognized need for amendment exists. For example, the United States continues to support a reasonable enlargement of the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council in order that these Councils may more accurately reflect the present membership of the United Nations and also to provide greater opportunity for all Members to participate in the work of these important bodies. Such changes do not, however, require overall review of the Charter but only general agreement on specific amendments.

16. “WE FAVOUR A PROMPT SOLUTION OF THE QUESTION CONCERNING THE LEADERSHIP OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT, ON A BASIS REFLECTING THE REAL SITUATION THAT OBTAINS IN THE WORLD TODAY": Address by the Soviet Foreign Minister (Gromyko) Before the U.N. General Assembly, September 26, 1961 (Excerpt) 11

11

As is well known, three main groups of States have now taken shape in the international arena-the socialist countries, the countries belonging to the Western military blocs, and the neutral States. The problem is to work out agreed solutions which take into account the legitimate interests of these different groups of States; unless this is done, the United Nations cannot become an effective centre for harmonizing the States' activities. Nevertheless, some Powers want to control the situation by using the United Nations as their own apparatus. So far, all States have not had equality of representation in the organs of the United Nations; the Organization's structure has not yet been adjusted to reflect the real pattern of power in the international arena.

At the fifteenth session, the Head of the Soviet Government put forward a proposal for reorganizing the structure of the United Nations." The events of the past year have shown how the completely abnormal, lop-sided structure of the United Nations and the one-sided composition of its main organs have seriously impaired international collaboration.

It is sometimes asserted that implementation of the Soviet Union's proposals would paralyse the Organization's activities. But such a contention is absurd. The United Nations will not be paralysed by the reorganization that we propose. What will be rendered ineffective or, if you will, paralysed is the mainspring for the policy of some Powers which is designed to subordinate the United Nations to the narrow, selfish interests of certain military blocs. But is that a matter for regret?

On the contrary, the activities of the United Nations will then rest on a more durable foundation. Certain people seek to depict the situation which has now arisen in the United Nations Secretariat as in some sort a "crisis" of the entire Organization. To this we reply: an organization that fell into a critical situation whenever the post of its administrative head became vacant would not be worth twopence. Crises in the United Nations, as well as greater effectiveness in its work, can be brought about only by States Members of the Organization acting through the principal organs on which they are represented-primarily, that is, the Security Council and the General Assembly.

"U.N. doc. A/PV. 1016, pp. 102-103. For additional excerpts from the Soviet Foreign Minister's address, see post, doc. 42.

12

See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1960, pp. 35-40.

We favour a prompt solution of the question concerning the leadership of the United Nations Secretariat, on a basis reflecting the real situation that obtains in the world today. The Security Council should deal with this problem, since the Council must be the principal body to express an opinion on the matter. But we should like to warn those who consider that the Secretariat should continue to work at the beck and call of a particular group of States that they will meet with determined opposition from our side. We urge the States Members of the United Nations to decide this question by agreement; the decision may be a temporary one to start with, but it should be such as will not widen the existing gulf between States but will create a firmer basis for collaboration within the framework of the United Nations. Precisely because there is no such collaboration at present, the United Nations has been powerless to stop the tragic course of events in the Congo, Angola," Bizerta and Algeria.16

13

17. APPOINTMENT OF AN ACTING SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS: Resolution 1640 (XVI), Adopted by the U.N. General Assembly, November 3, 1961 17

The General Assembly,

Acting in accordance with the recommendation of the Security Council of 3 November 1961,18

Appoints His Excellency U Thant as Acting Secretary-General of the United Nations for a term of office ending on 10 April 1963.

18. "I AM NOT UNAWARE OF THE HEAVY RESPONSIBILITIES I AM UNDERTAKING TODAY": Remarks Made by the U.N. Acting Secretary-General (Thant) Before the U.N. General Assembly, November 3, 1961 19

Speaking for the first time in this hall, not in my familiar role as the representative of Burma but in the new role of Acting Secretary-General of the United Nations, my first throught is to thank my fellow representatives for the honour they have done me and the confidence that they have placed in me in electing me to this high office. May I at the same time thank the President for his very gracious words of welcome, and also the President and members of the Security Council for unanimously recommending my name to the General Assembly for election as Acting Secretary-General.

Most of my colleagues present in this hall know me personally. They know that I come from a relatively small country in Asia. They know also that my country has steadfastly pursued over the years a policy of non-alignment and friendship for all other nations, whatever their ideologies. In my new role I shall continue to maintain this attitude of objectivity and to pursue the ideal of universal friendship.

13 See post, docs. 340-421.

14 See post, docs. 422–426.

15 See post, docs. 320–322 and 324–339.

16 See post, docs. 311-319.

U.N. General Assembly Official Records, Sixteenth Session, Supplement No. 17 (A/5100), p. 64. This resolution, sponsored by the Representatives of Ceylon, Liberia, and the United Arab Republic, was adopted unanimously.

18 U.N. doc. A/4953.

19 U.N. doc. A/PV.1046, p. 551.

Having been the Permanent Representative of my country to the United Nations for the last four years and more, I am not unaware of the heavy responsibilities I am undertaking today. The debates in the General Assembly have already shown that the international climate can hardly be described as sunny. The Organization is also facing a serious financial problem. In the Congo operation, which is one of the major undertakings in the history of the Organization, we continue to encounter serious difficulties which clamour for an urgent solution.

If I am to discharge these responsibilities, surmount these difficulties and resolve these problems I shall need, in the first instance, the whole-hearted support, friendly understanding and unstinting co-operation of all my colleagues. I have enjoyed such friendly co-operation from you all for so long as a representative that I would fain hope that in my new role I shall receive it in even greater measure. For my part I shall endeavour to co-operate with you all in every possible way. In addition to your co-operation I shall need also the loyal support of my colleagues in the Secretariat.

I know how hard the Secretariat has had to work during the last sixteen months, especially in connexion with the Congo operation. The Secretariat has shown itself capable of meeting all demands made on it so far, and I count on the continued assistance and team spirit of my colleagues in the Secretariat, especially in the difficult days ahead that we shall face together.

In particular it is my intention to invite a limited number of persons who are at present Under-Secretaries, or to be appointed as Under-Secretaries, to act as my principal advisers on important questions pertaining to the performance of functions entrusted to the Secretary-General by the United Nations Charter. In extending this invitation I am fully conscious of the paramount consideration of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, and with due regard to the importance of as wide a geographical basis as possible, as laid down in Article 101 of the Charter. I intend to include among these advisers Mr. Ralph J. Bunche and Mr. Gregory Petrovich Arkadev. It is also my intention to work together with these colleagues in close collaboration and consultation in a spirit of mutual understanding. I am sure that they will seek to work with me in the same manner. Of course, this whole arrangement is without prejudice to such future organizational changes as experience may reveal to be necessary.

Once again I thank the President, my fellow representatives in this hall, and the President and members of the Security Council for entrusting me with these heavy responsibilities. In discharging these responsibilities I shall count on the support of all men and women of good will all over the world, whose overriding interest in the peace, security and progress of the world it will be my task to reflect and serve.

19. UNITED STATES SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS ACTING SECRETARY-GENERAL: Statement Made by the U.S. Representative (Stevenson) Before the U.N. General Assembly, November 3, 1961 20

First, let me thank the Secretary-General for the important and comprehensive statement which we have just heard.21 Only last week we celebrated the sixteenth anniversary of the United Nations. It is fitting that we should begin the seventeenth year by putting our house in order with the election of our distinguished colleague, His Excellency U Thant, to the high office of Secretary-General.

There is much, it seems to us, to be thankful for here today. First

2 Ibid., pp. 551-552.

21 Supra.