933Rd GENERAL PLENARY MEETING

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

933Rd GENERAL PLENARY MEETING United Nations 933rd GENERAL PLENARY MEETING ASSEMBLY Friday, 2 December 1960, rÿENT. SESStON. at 3 p.m. Oÿcial Records NEW YORK ,,...- CONTENTS self-determination, equal rights, freedom, inde- Page pendence and well-being that the United Nations was established? Agenda item 87: Declaration on the granting of independence to 5. The problem of the colonial enslavement of peoples colonlal countries and peoples (continued).. 1085 .is nothing new. It has existed for centuries, 'and even goes as far back as the first aggressive wars waged _President: Mr. Frederick H. BOLAND (Ireland). by the strong to enslave the weak and strip them of their wealth. It is the very essence of the history of all the wars which the imperialists have waged to AGENDA ITEM 87 subjugate the peoples of different continents by force, fire and the sword in order to secure for themselves the profits to be obtained by exploiting those peoples Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial and their wealth. In the final analysis all the wars countries and peoples (continued) of the past century hadthe same causes: the inordinate BUDO (Albania) (translated from French): desire of the imperialist Powers to seize control of On the initiative of the Government of the Union of world markets, the sources of raw materials and Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Nations has areas of investment opportunity and, to that end, to before it a grave problem with vast international secure colonies and spheres of influence and to divide ramifications: the problem of the final and complete up and redistribute the world's wealth. The two world eradication of that shameful survival of another era wars which have taken place in this century had their known as colonialism. At a time when human society origin in the greed of these same Powers for a has taken enormous strides on the road to progress further division of the world and its wealth, for an and well-being and when man's genius knows no inlperialist world hegemony and for the selfish and bounds in harnessing the forces of nature to ensure exclusive exploitation of the wealth of this terrestrial :to all mankind a happy life in prosperity and dignity, globe. The same causes have been at the root of the the existence on our planet of millions of human wars and armed conflicts which have taken place who still endure the colonialist yoke, in since the end of the Second World War. The cause whatever form, not only is an intolerable anachronism of these Wars has been the imperialists' determination of our society but is at the same time the to prevent people from achieving their national liber- gravest possible crime against humanity and human ation and the young States from developing in freedom ilcivflizatien and one which directly affects the question and independence. This was true of the wars in Indo- of world peace. It is high time to put an end to it China and Indonesia and of the armed aggression once and for all. against Egypt; it was also true of the aggression and of the armed threats of the imperialist Powers, The attainment of national independence and and primarily of the United States' of America, in by the still subject peoples is inevitable, the countries of the Near and Middle East. The co- is the natural evolution of human history and lonialist-imperialist wars are continuing at the presenb is no force in the world powerful enough to time and are everywhere causing the loss of countless tremendous tide of this movement of national lives and material goods. A case in point is Algeria, which over the last few years has gathered Where the valiant Algerian people havewonthe admir- at an unprecedentedly rapid rate. ation and sympathy of the world in their heroic / Now, however, the world turns to the United struggle for national liberation and their six-year to ask it, in accordance with the fundamental resistance to the most brutal kind of armed re- i and principles of the Charter, to make its pressiom This is also the case of the Congo, where contribution to the immediate abolition of we are witnessing the armed intervention of the colonial slavery which has become intolerable Western Powers which are members of NATO, and in to do this before the peoples, relying only on particular the United States and Belgium. Again, this achieve their liberation solely through is the case of Oman, where the valiant people of own efforts. Upon the response which the that country, despite the enemy's military superi- Nations will be able to give to this categorical ority, are waging a selfless and unremitting struggle of our century--which is not only the urgent to free themselves of the British imperialist yoke. of the subjugated peoples but also the ardent Lastly, this is the case of Cuba, where the United of mankind as a whole--will depend in large States imperialists shrink from nothing--neither the very future of our Organization. bombings, nor murder, nor subversion nor demon- strations of force by the United States Navy--in their is it not the human being who is the efforts to undermine the rÿgime set up by the people end of our Organization7 Was it not in order to and to protect, once again, the interests of the United i peoples and to nations, whether great Or States monopolies. In this connexion, it is pertinent full enjoyment of their fundamental rights, to note that the United States Navy, which at one time 1085 A/PV.933 i \ 1086 General Assembly- Fifteenth Session- Plenary Meetings appeai:s off the Mediterranean ports of the Middle liberation movement has gained inc reasiÿ-- I *ÿ ÿuornentu]ÿl t East, at another in the Straits of Taiwan and at and this year has seen the emergence of sixtee1 another in the Caribbean Sea, in accordance with new independent States in Africa, sotÿ=ÿ-* -ÿu .... a the requirements of the Pentagon's aggressive plans, been aptly called "the Year of Africa, ÿ-ÿ has rÿ • ÿae new 0: has become the symbol of provocation, the threat of States, which are now Members of the United Nations. ii force and the aggravation of international tension. are taking an active part in international life TheJ have thus greatly enlarged the area of ÿe " 6. The problem of the liberation of the peoples en- v ace. The colonial system is consequently disintegrating, andits slaved by colonialism thus touches upon the very h, very foundations are cracking; a new era is opening essence of the question of peace and war, with which up for mankind. The face of Africa and Asia has been it is intimatelylinked. The eradication from our society completely transformed, and th6 movement of national i of the last vestiges of this shameful rottenness, the liberation and independence is growing in Latin )f colonial system, and the ending of exploitation by 3 America. Each day the struggle of the peoples still foreign monopolies would not only constitute the most subject to the colonial yoke in Africa, Asia and Latin pÿ Lÿ elementary recognition of the inalienable right of America is assuming larger dimensions. These the colonial peoples to the alleviation of their age- s i peoples, numbering some 100 million human beings, :i ! : old sufferings, but would also create the necessary will, withoutÿ the slightest doubt, attain their inde- c conditions for the full social, economic and cultural pendence, but in the meantime they continue to suffer development of these peoples. Without the slightest under colonialist-imperialist domination. The United i( ! ( doubt, this would serve to reduce international tension Nations owes it to itself therefore, in accordance !iI1ÿ and to create propitious conditions for the solution i:: I¸ with the principles of its Charter, to take effective of other international problems, chief among which measures to put an end totally and for all time to is the unquestionably urgent problem of general and i this shameful blemish on our civilization• complete disarmament. L 10"ÿ The liberation of the colonial countries has never ,I 7. We feel called upon at this point to refer to been attributable to the colonial Powers, despite what disarmament because we think it essential always to their best spokesmen try to make us believe. It has remember that as long as the imperialist Powers resulted from the sustained efforts of the enslaved have in their hands the means of oppressing other peoples and of the support which they have always peoples, they will not give up the possibility of using received from other peaceful States and peoples. them each time their selfish interests are affected, The imperialists never of their own volition forfeit and thus it will be impossible to ensure a lasting the fabulous profits whidh_they derive from the most world peace. There can be no doubt that the eradication savage exploitation of other people. The world is of the colonial system will very substantially enhance well informed on that score. There is no need to the unremitting efforts of the peace-loving peoples seek very far afield for conclusive evidence of 1 and the peaceful countries to establish co-operative this. It is enough to recall here the recent events and good-neighbourly relations between all nations, in the Congo, which show how the imperialists, even large and small, on the basis of the sovereign equality at the moment when a country attains independence, of States, respect for the right of peoples to self- conspire to take back what they had been forced to determination, and non-interference in the internal yield.
Recommended publications
  • The EU and Africa: Coming Together at Last?
    Policy Brief July 2007 The King Baudouin Foundation and Compagnia di San Paolo are strategic partners of the European Policy Centre The EU and Africa: coming together at last? By John Kotsopoulos Background It is only two short years since Tony countries. Is it doing enough to increasingly being placed on Blair declared that 2005 would be make the most of the opportunities the relationship? the “Year of Africa”. It was the Africa has to offer and successfully culmination of a process that saw confront the challenges it poses? What is needed is a genuine the continent return to the top of the Or is it in danger of missing the partnership, based on shared international agenda after years of boat, leaving a vacuum which goals, clarity and transparency. relative neglect – a victim of the others – starting with China – are The EU-Africa Summit planned risk-aversion and general apathy already rushing to fill? for December (only the second-ever of a Western world first basking in and the first in seven years) could the post-Cold War ‘peace dividend’, The EU is indeed well-placed to go a long way towards achieving then hit by the terrorist threat. capitalise on the opportunities now that goal by launching the proposed opening up. Africa presents it with a EU-Africa Joint Strategy – the The scale of the economic, unique chance to further improve its culmination of a year of consultation governance and security challenges own external relations’ capacity and in both continents. in Africa has prompted Western coherence, and play a constructive governments and organisations to role as a power in the region.
    [Show full text]
  • ASC Infosheet Gabon
    ASCL Infosheet 46 Gabon at 60 Political history of French Congo as a colony in 1888. In 1904 it became a 1960 was the ‘Year of Africa’: many former colonies in separate French colony. In 1910 it became part of French Africa became politically independent. Of the seventeen Equatorial Africa. During the Second World War it was part colonies gaining independence in that year, Gabon was of the area of the Free French under General De Gaulle the fourteenth one: on August 17. Gabon had been a (see Figure 1 for a post-independence political timeline). French protectorate from 1862 onwards, and became part Figure 1: Political timeline of Gabon since independence Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Politically, one of the most salient facts of Gabon’s in power continuously since then. Under Ali Ben Bongo, postcolonial history is the Bongo family dynasty that has Gabon has received international recognition for ruled it. After the death of the country’s first post- infrastructural investments as well as environmental independence president Léon M’ba in 1967, then Vice conservation and wildlife protection. Domestically, President Omar Bongo took power – only to relinquish it however, President Bongo has faced pressures and at his death 42 years later, in 2009. His political party, the protests, including a failed coup in January 2019. Parti Democratique Gabonais, ruled the resource-rich Moreover, since 2018 he has been plagued by the country as a single-party regime from 1968 until 1990, aftereffects of a stroke and rumours about his fitness for after which constitutional reforms introduced multi-party office.
    [Show full text]
  • Somalia: Turkey’S Pivot to Africa in the Context of Growing Inter-Imperialist Rivalries
    JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE POLITICS 4 SOMALIA: TURKEY’S PIVOT TO AFRICA IN THE CONTEXT OF GROWING INTER-IMPERIALIST RIVALRIES Paul ANTONOPOULOS, Oliver VILLAR, Drew COTTLE and Aweis AHMED1 ……………………………………………………………….…………………………………………… With Somalia in the Midst of the worse faMine in decades, where the international coMMunity failed to delivery to the country, Turkey effectively responded to the crisis. This was in conjunction with significant developMent into the impoverished state. Although a sentiMent of brotherly relations dominates the rhetoric, the Turkish investment into Somalia represents a Turkish push into Africa. This can represent Turkey attempting to expand its sphere of influence and demonstrate its growing capabilities as a Middle power. With China Making significant inroads into the continent, particularly in neighbouring Djibouti and Ethiopia, is Turkey as a NATO Member attempting to block the Chinese pivot into Africa, or is it acting in its own self-interests? As resource security becoMes iMperative, the Horn of Africa only becoMes increasingly strategic, however, only Turkey has recognized the importance of Somalia in a changing world. Key words: Somalia; Turkey; Ethiopia; Djibouti; China. 1 INTRODUCTION With the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War One and after the signing of the Sykes–Picot Agreement, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk became the founding father of the Turkish Republic. Atatürk magnified Turkey’s turn to secularization and Westernization, drawing it into the Anglo-American orbit. Turkey was a bulwark for the Western containment of the Soviet Union on behalf of American interests in the Middle East. The United States enlisted Turkey to militarily contain the Soviets in the first years of the Cold War and in 1952, along with French Algeria, Turkey became the only non-Western member of NATO (Phillips 2010, 40).
    [Show full text]
  • PDF Report for Africa: Drivers of Change
    Africa – Drivers of Change Roger Williamson 1 Wilton Park serves as a British contribution to international understanding. Although it is partially financed by the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Wilton Park enjoys academic freedom in determining the subjects of its conferences and in choosing speakers and participants. Its independence is guaranteed by a British Academic Council and by an International Advisory Council of Ambassadors and High Commissioners in London. Wilton Park conferences bring together people in positions of influence from many countries and from diverse professional backgrounds to examine major issues in international relations, including: European integration and security, US foreign and security policy, and transatlantic relations; Internal problems and foreign policies of the former Soviet Union and Central Europe, and prospects for the eastward enlargement of the European Union and NATO; Japan's economic and security relations with the US and Europe; Regional developments and problems in East, South-East and South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, sub-Saharan and Southern Africa and Latin America; North-South relations and policies to deal with global issues such as arms proliferation, terrorism, trade, debt, economic development, the environment, migration, drugs and AIDS. Wilton Park Papers are substantive reports on the conferences. They draw on presentations made at the conference. All papers reflect the views of the authors and their personal interpretation of conference proceedings.
    [Show full text]
  • ASC Infosheet 35
    ASCL Infosheet 35 Somalia at 60 Political history British Somaliland became independent, followed by 1960 was the ‘Year of Africa’: many former colonies in Italian Somaliland on 1 July, immediately forming the Africa became politically independent. Of the Republic of Somalia (see Figure 1 for a political seventeen colonies gaining independence in that year, timeline). Somalia was the fourth one: on June 26th former Figure 1: Political timeline of Somalia since independence Somalia’s post-independence political landscape has governmental institutions. It has several strongly been fragile from its inception. The first decade autonomous regions, including Puntland and (1960s) was characterised by attempts to incorporate Somaliland in the north of the country, some of which Somali-dominated areas across its borders, in have declared independent statehood (although none particular in Ethiopia and Kenya. These efforts, are internationally recognised). however, proved infeasible, and sowed some of the seeds for subsequent instability by stimulating rebel Conflict, state fragility, and travel risks movements outside the country’s borders. Siad Barre Since the start of the civil war in Somalia around 1990, held the presidency of the country for 21 years, from Somalia has always been regarded as a ‘no-go area’ by 1969 to his violent overtrow in 1991 – which also the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and also marked the escalation of the Somali civil war that has currently, it is a ‘red zone’, meaning: “don’t travel”. characterised the country for close to 30 years. Barre This is also true for the northern area, the de-facto oversaw Somalia joining the Arab League in 1974 and independent Somaliland, a travel advice that is the brief but significant Ogaden war with Ethiopia in disputed in some circles.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction: 1960 – a Year of Destiny
    The South African liberation movements in exile, c. 1945-1970. Arianna Lissoni This thesis is submitted in part fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Ph.D at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, January 2008. ABSTRACT This thesis focuses on the reorganisation in exile of the African National Congress (ANC) and Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) of South Africa during the 1960s. The 1960s are generally regarded as a period of quiescence in the historiography of the South African liberation struggle. This study partially challenges such a view. It argues that although the 1960s witnessed the progressive silencing of all forms of opposition by the apartheid government in South Africa, this was also a difficult time of experimentation and change, during which the exiled liberation movements had to adjust to the dramatically altered conditions of struggle emerging in the post-Sharpeville context. The thesis traces the roots and early history of the international networks of solidarity between South Africa and Britain from the time of the 1945 Pan African Congress to the founding of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement in 1960. It proceeds to examine the first attempts by the South African liberation movements to set up an external presence through the South African United Front, the causes of its demise and its legacy in terms of future unity. The establishment of the external mission of the ANC, its activities, and its relationship with host African countries vis-à-vis that of the PAC are analysed in detail. The research then focuses on problems of representation emerging from the gradual take-over of the ANC external mission as the sole representative of the whole of the Congress Alliance as a result of the Rivonia raid and trial.
    [Show full text]
  • Decolonization and Revolution by Fabian Klose
    Decolonization and Revolution by Fabian Klose Decolonization is a central historical trend. Occurring in four broad phases from 1776 up to 1991, it has shaped the present-day global system of states through the release of revolutionary forces. The term "decolonization" refers to the process through which colonial rule dissolved, and it encompasses the various political, economic, cultural and social dimensions of this process both in the periphery and in the metropole. For more than 200 years, decolonization has linked the history of Europe with that of the other four continents in significant ways, and it continues to influence the relationship between the European continent and the rest of the world right up to the present. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction: Definition, Periodization and Models of Interpretation 2. The Atlantic Revolutions and American Independence (1776–1826) 3. The "White" Dominions and the Establishment of "Neo-Europes" (1839–1931) 4. The Anticolonial Revolution and the Dissolution of the European Colonial Empires (1914–1975) 5. The Collapse of the Soviet Empire as a Fourth Phase of Decolonization (1985–1991) 6. Summary 7. Appendix 1. Literature 2. Notes Indices Citation The future historian may regard as the greatest "revolution" of the twentieth century not Lenin's overthrow of the short-lived free regime in Russia in November 1917, but the less conspicuous […] and, yet, more far- reaching process which brought Europe's four hundred years old dominion of the globe to an end (Hans Kohn, October 1958).1 Introduction: Definition, Periodization and Models of Interpretation The term "decolonization" refers to the process whereby colonial rule dissolved in the periphery and in the metropole, with its various political, economic, cultural and social dimensions.2 The transfer of national sovereignty rights led to the emergence of new independent states, thereby permanently changing international relations and the global system of states.
    [Show full text]
  • Turkey and Africa: a Rising Military Partnership?
    Turkey and Africa: A Rising Military Partnership? Karen Kaya and Jason Warner Synopsis: Like many other aspirant emerging countries such as China, Brazil, and India, since 2002, Turkey has unleashed a charm offensive in Africa, deepening bilateral ties with African states in the realms of economics, politics, and more notably, defense and security affairs. What implications does this ever-growing relationship between Turkey and Africa have for the U.S.? Where do Turkey’s interests in Africa converge with those of the U.S. and where do they diverge? Given that Turkey’s military and security interests and goals in Africa largely parallel those of the United States, the U.S. stands to benefit from the unique chance to partner with a Muslim ally whose presence in parts of Africa appears to be more welcome than those of other Western countries due to its a shared religion, cultural ties, and lack of imperial history. October 2012 The views expressed in FMSO publications and reports are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. 1 Turkey and Africa: A Rising Military Partnership? Introduction Like many other aspirant emerging economies like China, Brazil, and Iran, since 2002 Turkey has unleashed a charm offensive in Africa. The 2011 African Economic Outlook Report, produced by the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the African Development Bank, recently named Turkey
    [Show full text]
  • HSTR 291.01: Modern African History Gillian Beth Glaes University of Montana - Missoula, [email protected]
    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Syllabi Course Syllabi 9-2014 HSTR 291.01: Modern African History Gillian Beth Glaes University of Montana - Missoula, [email protected] Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy . Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi Recommended Citation Glaes, Gillian Beth, "HSTR 291.01: Modern African History" (2014). Syllabi. 1382. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/1382 This Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 1 HSTR 291 Modern African History Fall 2014 Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:40-2:00 p.m. Forestry 301 This course meets the ASCRC General Education requirement: X: Indigenous & Global Instructor's contact information: Professor Gillian Glaes History Department University of Montana-Missoula Office: Liberals Arts building 259 Email: [email protected] Mailbox : history department office (2nd floor/Liberal Arts building) Office hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2:30-4:30 p.m. in Liberal Arts 259 (history department wing) I f you cannot meet with me during my office hours, please let me know and we can schedule an appointment. Methods of communication with students: • Moodle, email, in-class time, and individual conversations and meetings (although not necessarily in that order) • In your email messages, please include the course number and topic in the subject line. • Per official UM policy, please use your UM email account for email communications.
    [Show full text]
  • Decolonization Reconsidered: Rebirths, Continuities and Erasures
    Decolonization reconsidered: Rebirths, continuities and erasures RUTH GINIO and LYNN SCHLER The year 2010 marks the fiftieth anniversary of what was widely proclaimed the “Year of Africa,” when seventeen former colonies in Africa received their independence from European colonial rule. This benchmark has presented scholars with an important opportunity to reflect upon and reexamine the processes that led up to decolonization, and to reassess their long-term significance for both former colonies and former colonial powers. The recent engagement with the history and significance of decolonization stands in stark contrast to studies conducted shortly following the establishment of independent nation-states in former colonies, and it reveals the major paradigm shifts that have taken place in postcolonial studies over the last thirty years. Just as our conceptualization of colonialism has been broadened and deepened, so too has our current approach to decolonization reflected a reconsideration of the nature, timing and significance of what decolonization was and is, as well as a new appreciation for the limits and failures of decolonization as a process across time and place. This special issue of Hagar is devoted to recent innovations and trends in the study of decolonization from a broad range of geographical, historical and theoretical perspectives. Perhaps ironically, the passage of time since the end of colonial rule has seen the development of new perspectives that have in fact complicated rather than clarified our understanding of decolonization. Until the 1970s, the notion of decolonization signified a rather straightforward process for most scholars and researchers, a progression characterized by the formal end of colonial rule and the establishment of an independent state in a territory previously ruled by a European colonial power.
    [Show full text]
  • Vol. 32 - Gabon
    Marubeni Research Institute 2017/05/12 Sub -Saharan Report These re ports are by Mr. Ryota Kikkawa, an expatriate employee working in Johannesburg with a view across the region. Vol. 32 - Gabon May 11, 2017 I am Ryota Kikkawa and I will be writing the Sub-Saharan (Africa) Report from this point on (having exchanged places with Mr. Tsunemine in the Sub-Saharan Africa Desk). It is the first time for me to be involved with the sub-Saharan Africa region and its people, so I hope I can at least give you a view from a fresh perspective. The country to be introduced this time is Gabon, or the Gabonese Republic. Gabon is a central African country found directly under or on the equator, with the yellow stripe in the middle of their flag signifying the equator (note 1) (illustration 1) (table 1). Table 1: Country Information Illustration 1: The Gabonese Republic’s (Gabon) flag Gabon’s climate is hot and humid. It has a long rainy season running from September to May with the average temperature exceeding 30°C. Its capital is Libreville, a harbor city located on the Gulf of Guinea facing the Atlantic Ocean. Gabon has a population of around 1.8 million, however, due to infectious and other diseases life expectancy is short and as such has a very young population with the majority being under the age of 20. French is the official language of Gabon, while the main staple food is cassava which is said to have been brought to the country by the Portuguese.
    [Show full text]
  • ARTICLES 15. the CURRENT STATE of AFRICAN STUDIES in the SOVIET UNION* by V. Abramov LENIN'1 S THEORY of the NATIONAL-LIBERATION
    ARTICLES 15. THE CURRENT STATE OF AFRICAN STUDIES IN THE SOVIET UNION* by V. Abramov LENIN'1 S THEORY OF THE NATIONAL-LIBERATION REVOLUTIONS AND AFRICAN STUDIES IN THE USSR Ten years ago the African continent came into the limelight, i960 has become known as "the year of Africa”. The family of 10 Independent African states was joined by I? new members. Africa began firmly to march along the road of political independence. And now its voice is distinctly heard in the international arena. All over the world a keen interest has arisen in the events in Africa and in the causes of those events. In many countries numerous African research centres have been established which deal with the history, culture and economy of the African peoples. The Soviet Union is not an exception in this respect. But before telling you about the particular work of Soviet scholars in the field of African Studies, I would like to make some preliminary remarks about the character of research work in social studies in general. It is believed by certain circles of western research workers and intellectuals that social studies have nothing to do with politics. They consider the main and only task of any scholar to be that of gathering facts about certain events or phenomena and making them known to a wider public. Of course, there is some truth in this view, but it is not the whole truth. It is only one aspect of the problem. Another aspect is the need to examine and evaluate the causes and effects of the * Seminar Paper read at the Institute of African Studies.
    [Show full text]