20TH ANNIVERSARY OF U.N. CHARTER
The occasion being observed today marks
the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the United Nations
Organization. At the same time also, the current year, 1965, has been
designated as International Co-operation Year and is being observed as such in
accordance with the suggestions made by the late Prime Minister Nehru of India
for “laying more emphasis on the spirit of good co-operation and understanding
existing between governments of countries whose relations are often known in
terms of international problems, conflicts and misunderstandings.”
As a founding member of the United Nations
Organization twenty years ago today, Ethiopia has been carrying out
satisfactorily her obligations for strengthening the constitutional set up of
the world body over the years. As a member of the various agencies of the world
organization, in the discharge of her duties she has been also availing herself
of the services rendered by the international body.
Today, the peoples of the world are about
to succeed in overcoming the barriers of time and space by living as members of
a closely linked family of nations as a result of the advances made by modern
science and technology. It can be said, therefore, that the world has now
reached the stage where matters affecting every individual country concern
members of the entire international community.
How
best then could a world more united, peoples more intimately linked, attain the
noble goal of further strengthening the spirit of international co-operation,
establishing an atmosphere of mutual understanding and comprehension, and of
making an effort for creating a world of supreme peace and happiness? The
answer to this fundamental question must be provided by the United Nations
Organization which is now observing the twentieth anniversary of its founding. On
the occasion of this 20th anniversary observance, it is indeed timely to
contemplate what this organization is, what are its potentialities and on the assessment
of its achievements during the past twenty years to project what it should be –
this organization in which mankind has reposed its faith as a useful instrument
for exploring ways of settling disputes and conflicts between states and
governments and for the maintenance of international peace and security, making
suggestions on how best to improve it still further.
Mankind’s Hopes
The Charter of the United Nations
Organization embodies the fundamental hopes and aspirations of mankind, of
safeguarding human rights, maintaining world peace, raising global standards of
living, and for advancing educational standards without making any distinction
of race, sex, language and religion. And these hopes and aspirations of mankind
can only be of value when we ourselves are dedicated to pursue the goal set by
showing abiding respect for the provisions of the Charter and by working for
their ultimate realization. Unflinching dedication to the Charter is essential
if world peace is to be strengthened and fundamental human rights are to be
adequately safeguarded. In word and in deed, we must exemplify a resolute
spirit to defend international morality when threatened and if necessary to
suffer and die for truth and justice so that this international morality will
be reinforced and strengthened. As Wesaid on various occasions in the past, the
responsibility for safeguarding world peace is not limited to the Great Powers.
Peace and war affect not only the Big Powers but all mankind and are therefore
the concern of all the peoples of the world.
Co-operation and understanding are basic
to the maintenance of world peace; therefore it is the duty of the international
community to endeavour so that this spirit be strengthened and made universal
among all nations who hold the responsibility of safeguarding world peace.
The peoples of the world draw new moral
strength and hope from considering what the United Nations can do in achieving
the objectives referred to above. Because of the existence of the U. N.
disputes arising between two states wherein the interest of one of them is
trampled upon by the other become eventually a matter of international public
opinion which could influence the justice of the cause. The organization also
has the power and influence to give international conflicts the opportunity of
affording a period for the reduction of the temper of such conflicts and to
mitigate the forces of evil before they reach a point of explosion that can
destroy mankind.
To Find Solutions
The
activities of the United Nations Organization can raise the living standards of
people throughout the world. However, how could it be possible for this great
task to be accomplished satisfactorily when some states do not implement the
decisions of the Organization? How could that last hope of mankind achieve its
noble objective when some states are pursuing their own selfish ends of defying
the authority of the international organization? Does it not mean that, if the
solutions to the problems facing the world are not founded by the Organization,
and if these, when found, are not accepted by all member states, the international
body is growing weaker and weaker? We feel that the U. N. in its efforts to
provide a body of international law and to secure its respect has fallen short
of expectation.
What course of action should the small
nations pursue vis a vis the prevailing constitutional framework of the United
Nations Organization and the existing international situation? Small nations
ought to refrain from making themselves tools for igniting friction between the
Great Powers. Receiving development aid and other forms of foreign assistance
should not be conditioned by obligations to take sides. In order to achieve
this goal, they must not only adhere to a policy of political non-alignment but
they should also oppose and proscribe consistently all small conflicts brought
about, and to be brought about, by the prevailing international cold war. At a
time when We are striving hard to halt the armaments race, We are convinced
that a nuclear war would devastate the whole world. However, we must work
together for the ending of the little wars which are consuming the energies of
the small nations and decimating our people.
The untenable doctrine of racial
supremacy, being a threat to the maintenance of international peace and
security as well as a serious set-back for establishing a salubrious atmosphere
of understanding and co-operation in the world, we must work together against
the philosophy of racism.
Has U. N. the Authority?
Has
the United Nations Organization the authority for achieving these ends? Is the Organization
showing a zealous spirit to pursue these ends consistently? If it has not
authority for doing these things, are we ready and willing to vest it with
enough power for the organization to carry out its task satisfactorily? If we
are to survive the Organization has also got to survive. If it has to survive,
it should be strengthened. And, to strengthen its structure, the Organization
must get the requisite authority. The weak must not be mauled or molested by
the strong. All states fulfilling conditions entitling them to membership
should be admitted to the Organization. Because peace cannot reign in an atmosphere
reeking with poverty and hunger, We should explore and strengthen the means of
feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and enlightening the illiterate.
Today the Great Powers should also wake up
to the realization of the fact that the key to their destiny and future
happiness does not lie in their own hands alone. There is no peace without
co-operation. Be it known that the principles enshrined in the Charter and the
resolutions adopted by the Organization are not there only for the small
nations to respect and to implement. In efforts being made to ease the gravity
of world problems, the small nations should have a say. Their voices should be
heard. An atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence cannot be established when
the rights of small nations are not accorded the same respect as those of the
Big Powers. In order to accomplish these tasks, it is essential to rouse the
conscience of mankind. Anyway, strength and mutual trust are two indispensable
qualities for achieving the common goal. Even if there is
strength, the common ground of mutual confidence must be established. To
establish this, we must work diligently. Once we are able to do what is humanly
possible, the rest could be left to the Almighty God. So that man whom He has
created in his own image may not be destroyed, let us repose our faith in God.
June 27, 1965.
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen