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 orga nization 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 inter est 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. 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 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 15 and Algeria.1 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. 17 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 of all, we may rejoice that there was available to us a diplomat of such character, such ability and experience, that he could command the unanimous esteem and confidence of the world Organization. That augurs well for the future. The esteem in which he is held has been earned by a lifetime of public service both at home and abroad. We at the United Nations know at first hand the many contributions that he has made to this institution. We have worked with him in his capacity as Permanent Representative of Burma. We know of his notable contribution to the work of the United Nations Conciliation Commission in the Congo. We know of the great regard in which he was held by the late Secretary-General, Mr. Hammarskjold, and we are also aware of his stature as educator, scholar and author. Some of you may not know that almost thirty years ago, when our colleague was a young man of twenty-three, he wrote a book about the League of Nations.22 Even then he understood this century's profound need for a world organization to keep the peace, and this understanding has grown in him with the years. I must confess that I have sometimes been discouraged during the long weeks of discussion that have preceded today's election. But as we say, all is well that ends well. And this prolonged ordeal has ended brilliantly. Moreover, during these weeks we have often been impressed anew by Ambassador U Thant's independence of mind and spirit, his high intelligence, his energy and idealism, and that becoming modesty which is characteristic of his countrymen and of his coreligionists. We have much to be thankful for today, not only because of the individual who has just been appointed, but equally because of the propitious circumstances in which the General Assembly has appointed him. The sole objective of the United States delegation, which has carried much of the burden of negotiation, has been to protect the integrity of the Charter and the office of the Secretary-General. That has been the purpose of many others who want to see this Organization grow in strength and influence, and that has been accomplished. There will be no veto in the Secretariat and no weakening of the office. The principles contained in Articles 100 and 101 of the Charter have been fully preserved. He will have the full powers and responsibilities of that exalted office. He will appoint his own staff and consult with them as he decides, as he has told us, and in a manner consistent with the Charter. When I say, in passing, that I think there is a valuable lesson in the events that led up to today's action, I have in mind that the quiet path of diplomacy often requires endless patience and perseverance, especially when it encounters the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. As I say, there have been many discouraging moments in our long negotiations. There have been other such moments in the history of the United Nations, and they too have been overcome. My own conviction is that we should always act in the belief that for those who are truly faithful to their ideals, the darkest hour is Published in 1932. |