British Pathe

New York, United States of America (USA).

LS. Britain's Foreign Secretary Mr Ernest Bevin walking to rostrum to address United Nations meeting. Various shots of Mr Bevin speaking - natural sound: "Now sir, I'd like at this stage to have the opportunity of dealing with some of the reflections...

New York, United States of America (USA).

LS. Britain's Foreign Secretary Mr Ernest Bevin walking to rostrum to address United Nations meeting. Various shots of Mr Bevin speaking - natural sound: "Now sir, I'd like at this stage to have the opportunity of dealing with some of the reflections which Mr Vyshinsky made upon my Government, and other Governments in relation to the parts we have played in their foreign policy and in the promotion and conclusion of the Brussels Treaty and the signature and organisation of the Atlantic Pact. The Atlantic Pact is one of the great events of history. The threatening language used by Mr Vyshinsky in his speech of last Friday is the same that has been fed to us year after year. It is a constant repetition of untruths in the hope that if you keep repeating them often enough someone will believe them. I made it quite clear in my contribution to the debate in the assembly last year that if it was found we could not proceed on a universal basis, as we had hoped, we must try to get on with those with whom we could. We came to this conclusion because there was so much to do as a result of the war, and if one or two countries won't work with you, then you must go on working with all those who will work with you if you are going to achieve any results. The result has been that the prediction has now come true, for after all, the Atlantic powers are a community. They have a similar civilisation. They all adhere the basic principles of liberty and democracy. They do not rely on secret police. They believe in Government by the people, for the people, uncontrolled by any dictatorship. It's a natural development that these powers should come together but we've taken care to come together within the framework of this United Nations. But we continually hear the plea of prohibition of the atomic weapons and then attempt to place blame upon us and others for failing to make prohibition a reality. This is really a stupid charge. We are as anxious as anyone for prohibition. The original declaration by President Truman, Mr Attlee and Mr MacKenzie King, issued in Washington in 1945, called for the elimination of the atomic weapons. The resolution of the General Assembly of January 24th 1946, repeated this call. Since then a series of resolutions adopted by overwhelming majorities it the Atomic Energy Commission itself, emphasis this essential aim of the elimination of the atomic weapon. We and others have recognised that effective prohibition depends on effective control of atomic energy. In common with others we support the plan approved by the General Assembly because it would provide for effective control. Nevertheless, the Soviet have clung obstinately to the proposals for the control they put forward in 1947, which has been rejected over and over again as inadequate. They have continued to decry the plan approved by this Assembly. I listened to the speech last Friday with very great care, and I would like to ask, because it is foolish to go on arguing if there is no disagreement, are we now to understand that the Soviet Government will now accept the decision of the United Nations. LV. We have approached all these problems on the basis of collective security first, disarmament with inspection second and enforceable control. And so finally not withstanding all our disappointments in these great problems, yet the United Nations has performed a great task. We shall not build a world organisation in a day, or a year, but it will grow. One of its great advantages is its debate, exchange of views, open discussion of different approaches to world problems. All these annual events and agencies which it has created, I feel confidently is gradually helping to develop in the minds and hearts of the people a greater importance of international law, of the rule of law, of the moral acceptance of law and its necessity for the adoption of a high standard of moral values in the enforcement of law. The necessity, I would emphasise this, for the universal adoption of the optional clauses, for the willing acceptance of decisions even if they be not to our liking. Of course, this ought to be carefully studied, therefore, in spite of frustration, it is the peoples' will I'm convinced we should go forward and not lose sight of the great objective man has always had before him - universal peace, universal brotherhood, and the means to settle all disputes without resort to force." LS. Bevin steps down from rostrum, pan to cheering assembly.

(Comb.Dupe.Neg.)

Information found in the old record - Cuts 49/80.