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171 2243rd meeting-25 September 1974

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mental structure and processes into line with the political, economic and social realities in a nation that had been groping for the true balance between them for more than a quarter-century. 133. We in the United Nations, I dare to suggest, have also been trying to strike that true balance for almost the same measure of time. To find it now, when it is so needed, if not for survival, at least for significance and effectiveness, we must, I suggest, be equally bold after long patience; we must be persistent with long deliberation and unafraid of radical departures when confident of our ultimate destination. For that reason my delegation will support, and indeed sponsor, any initiative to establish a continuing or permanent group to study the revision of the Charter and submit recommendations thereon.

134. Two years ago, at this same forum, I made the observation that radical changes had overtaken the world. How profound these changes were we now fully realize. The detente begun in Asia and subsequently followed in Europe has, for all practical purposes, revised the structure of international relations. The beginning of concord and harmony in the political field, despite temporary set-backs, has become visible, and our hopes are buoyed by the rich possibilities of peace and security for all mankind. We fully expect it to create the environment in which we can pursue with greater vigour the progress and development of nations. 135. Today, we are at the painful beginning of that search for progress. Because we view the problems at such close range, we tend to be traumatized by their immense difficulties. The danger is that this should lead to a fatal paralysis of will, leaving the problems unsolved and worse than they were before. I venture to say that in the midst of difficulties we have learned the lesson that today, more than ever, we must shed parochialism, discard selfishness, and dismiss the narrower demands of sheer self-interest. Never before has this thought emerged with greater clarity and force: if our society is to survive, we must accept collective responsibility for its well-being. Interdependence has ceased to be a mere pious wish. Inevitable, indeed inescapable, it is the very basis for the continuation of the society of man in the twentieth century. 136. Mr. FISCHER (German Democratic Republic):' Mr. President, permit me to reiterate before this forum my congratulations to the Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria on his election to the high office of President of the twenty-ninth session of the General Assembly and to state in the name of the German Democratic Republic that this is a tribute to the high prestige of the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria in the world. We wish him much success in his responsible function. 137. Complex are the events which bear on the international situation and. the destinies of entire peoples. But the essential thing is that it has been possible, despite powerful counter-efforts, to advance international detente, This has not happened of its

of his statement was supplied by the delegation.
 * Mr. Fischer spoke in German, The English

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own accord. The efforts for the elimination and prevention of international conflicts, the cessation of the arms race, the liquidation of all forms of oppression of peoples, and the development of relations of peaceful coexistence need to be resolutely promoted. 138. The German Democratic Republic joined the United Nations one year ago. As a Member of the United Nations and as a State of the socialist community, it has been making every effort, in its bilateral relations, at the regional level and also in multilateral organizations, to help carry out the peace programme of the socialist States, which also is in harmony with the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and takes account of the interests of all peoples. 139. The foreign policy of the German Democratic Republic is aimed at safeguarding international peace and security, practising solidarity with the peoples fighting for their national and social liberation, and making peaceful coexistence prevail between States with different social orders. 140. In conjunction with its allies, the German Democratic Republic works for the fruits of detente to be shared by all peoples. Therefore we support all efforts channelling conflicts towards a political settlement. The peoples desire the attainment of durable settlements of those problems which are poisoning the international climate and threatening peace and security. Hence one should not be content with what has been achieved. On the contrary, detente must be consolidated and extended to all regions of the world. This is, in the view of the Government of the German Democratic Republic, an extremely important and equally pressing task for the United Nations and one which the German Democratic Republic will help to carry out. 141. In May 1975 it will be 30 years since the victory of the anti-Hitler coalition, and primarily of the Soviet Union, liberated the peoples from the cruel terrorist rule of German fascism. In those days of 1945 began the longest period of European peace in the history of this century. This fact corroborates the reality of a policy aimed at maintaining peace. To enable future generations also to live in peace, it will be necessary to further the detente initiated with the Quadripartite Agreement on West Berlin and with the treaties concluded by the U"ion of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Polish People's Republic, the German Democratic Republic and the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic with the Federal Republic of Germany. Inviolability of the territorial status quo and of existing borders, respect for the sovereignty of States, renunciation of the use of force and prohibition of interference in the internal affairs of other States should be normal and self-evident standards of conduct among States with different social systems in Europe. In this context it is imperative to implement this set of treaties and to defend it against those forces which tried to prevent the conclusion of the treaties and are now obstructing their implementation in letter and spirit. With the expansion-of bilateral relations between States, the foundations-that have been laid for detente can be broadened and reinforced. I need not emphasize