Political Quotes

“Today the U.N. General Assembly will convene its 51st session. This occasion has particular meaning for me because 51 years ago I had the honor of serving on the International Secretariat of the San Francisco Conference that drew up the United Nations' charter. In 1970, I was privileged to serve as a Representative of the United States to the 25th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. This year I have been honored again with my nomination by President Clinton and confirmation by my Senate colleagues to be a representative of the United States to the 51st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Having been present at the United Nations' creation and observed its work over the last 50 years, I strongly believe in the need for such a body and in the principles upon which it was founded. While I have applauded and participated in efforts to amend and improve the organization, I would argue that these last 51 years have witnessed an impressive record of achievement. Though it has not always lived up to all the expectations of its founders, the United Nations has irrevocably changed the world in which we live. Despite the obstacles posed by the politics of the cold war, I can think of numerous examples where the United Nations succeeded in promoting international peace and security--in Namibia, El Salvador, Cambodia, and countless other countries.”