Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger declared here today that the United States recognized its “specific obligations as a permanent member of the Security Council to assist in the search for just solutions in those parts of the world now torn by strife, such as the Middle East.”
He added, “While we cannot substitute for the efforts of those most directly involved, we are prepared to use our influence to generate a spirit of accommodation and to encourage the parties toward practical progress.”
Dr. Kissinger, in his first speech to the UN General Assembly since taking office as Secretary of State, also pledged that “We will never abandon our allies and our friends” and that the U.S. will work for peace “through the United Nations as well as through bilateral relationships.”
Dr. Kissinger’s maiden UN speech which opened the UN’s annual debate on world affairs, was couched largely in generalities about the state of the world, the spirit of U.S. foreign policy and its attitude toward the UN, He reaffirmed the importance that the U.S. attaches “to the values and ideals of the UN” but observed that, nonetheless, the American people sometimes were disappointed because the UN “has not been more successful in translating the hope for universal peace into concrete accomplishments.”
At another point, he said, with regard to solutions of major world problems that “we start from a bedrock of solid progress.” In that connection he mentioned among other accomplishments that “There is a cease-fire in the Middle East.”
Dr. Kissinger told the Assembly, “My country seeks true peace, not simply an armistice. We strive for a world in which the rule of law governs and fundamental human rights are the birthright of all.” Continuing, he stated: “We strive for peace whose stability rests not merely on a balance of forces but on shared aspirations. We are convinced that the structure which ignores human values will prove cold and empty and unfulfilling to most of mankind.”
TEKOAH TERMS SPEECH IMPRESSIVE
Israel’s Ambassador Yosef Tekoah called Kissinger’s speech “the most impressive address heard in the General Assembly for many years.” A spokesman for the Egyptian delegation declined to comment on the speech. “We’ll judge by his actions,” he said.
Tekoah, replying to reporters’ questions, said that Israel welcomed Dr. Kissinger’s restatement of U.S. interest in progress toward a Middle East settlement. He pointed out that Dr. Kissinger said that neither the U.S. nor the UN can substitute for the parties involved and it is the parties which have to approach the problem themselves.
LUNCHEON WITH ARAB, AFRICAN DELEGATIONS
Greater than usual security precautions surrounded Dr. Kissinger’s appearance at the UN today. The new U.S. Secretary of State who was sworn into office Saturday, is expected to spend three days here in a continuous round of private and public meetings with UN leaders, delegates and visiting foreign ministers. He was scheduled to meet this afternoon with British Foreign Secretary Sir Alec Douglas-Home, French Foreign Minister Michel Jobert and Japanese Foreign Minister Masyoshi Ohia. In the evening he will have dinner with the Soviet Foreign Minister, Andrei Gromyko.
Dr. Kissinger has reportedly invited all the Arab delegation heads to a private luncheon tomorrow and will also host a luncheon for African delegation leaders. He is expected to meet with the Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban on the latter’s arrival here later this week.
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency learned that 15 Arab states will attend the Kissinger luncheon. It will be boycotted, however, by Libya and South Yemen and possibly by Iraq. Before delivering his General Assembly address. Dr. Kissinger conferred with UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim. The JTA learned that among other things, they discussed the Middle East. Sir Aleo Douglas-Home also discussed the Middle East situation with Waldheim this morning.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
