§ 41. Mr. Brockwayasked the Prime Minister what representations he made to President Eisenhower concerning the resolution on colonialism sponsored by forty-three Afro-Asian nations at the General Assembly of the United Nations.
§ The Prime MinisterThere are many subjects on which I exchange views with the President of the United States. These consultations are confidential.
§ Mr. BrockwayDoes the Prime Minister appreciate how fatal it is from the point of view of the influence of this country and the West that any pressure should be brought to bear upon America on these colonial issues before the United Nations? Is it not just playing into the hands of the Communist countries throughout the world?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. What each country has to do is to vote according to what it believes to be right. I believe, and I think that the House as a whole believes, that the record of this country in the development of the territories for which it is responsible is one of which we have a right to be proud.
§ Mr. HealeyI agree very strongly with the earlier part of that reply, but is not the Prime Minister aware that it has been widely reported in the United States that he persuaded the United 334 States delegation to vote against its opinions on this issue in December? Does he realise that there is no more certain way of destroying the Western Alliance than to insist that all its members vote the same way on every issue in the United Nations, irrespective of their real views? Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is no more reason to expect the Americans to support us, or the French position on colonialism, than there is for us to support their position on China?
§ The Prime MinisterI am asked to say what consultations I have had with the American President. If I were to say what they were, they would cease to have their value as private consultations.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe Prime Minister cannot be allowed to get away with that. Is he aware that there is a widespread impression that he persuaded President Eisenhower to instruct the United States delegation to abstain on the anti-colonial resolution? Further, does he realise that it is precisely because of our admirable record in converting a former colonial empire into a free Commonwealth that we ought to welcome and support anti-colonial resolutions in the United Nations, and that to fail to do so inevitably gives the impression that we still support colonialist régimes?
§ The Prime MinisterIt depends upon how the resolutions are drawn. I honestly believe that, if the right hon. Gentleman had studied the terms of the resolution, he would not and could not have brought himself in honour to vote for it.
§ Mr. GaitskellI have indeed studied the terms of the resolution. In my opinion, it would have been much wiser, while saying, perhaps, that there were certain phrases with which we would not wholly agree, to have said that we were in general agreement with the spirit of the resolution and to have supported it rather than abstain and give the 'impression that we were taking the side of Portugal, South Africa and the Dominican Republic.
§ The Prime MinisterThe House and the country must judge. I shall arrange for the text of the resolution to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT, and hon. Members will judge for themselves.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanWill the Prime Minister tell the House when he first became converted to the idea that it would be a good thing for each nation in the United Nations to vote according to what it independently believed to be right? Is it not the fact that the proceedings of the United Nations for fifteen years have been bedevilled by opposition to that idea and by the adoption of the contrary practice, that each of the mutually hostile blocs should arrive with agreed opinions and support those at meetings of the Security Council and the General Assembly?
§ The Prime MinisterThat does not do justice to the work of the United Nations. There is very often a very great effort made by the various delegations to see whether they can reach agreement upon the terms of proposed resolutions, and that work of conciliation is one of the purposes for which the United Nations was set up.
§ Following is the text of the resolution:
§ Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples
§ The General Assembly,
§ Mindful of the determination proclaimed by the peoples of the world in the Charter of the United Nations to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
§ Conscious of the need for the creation of conditions of stability and well-being and peaceful and friendly relations based on respect for the principles of equal rights and self-determination of all peoples, and of universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,
§ Recognising the passionate yearning for freedom in all dependent peoples and the decisive role of such peoples in the attainment of their independence,
§ Aware of the increasing conflicts resulting from the denial of or impediments in the way of the freedom of such peoples, which constitute a serious threat to world peace,
§ Considering the important role of the United Nations in assisting the movement for independence in Trust and Non-Self-Governing Territories,
§ Recognising that the peoples of the world ardently desire the end of colonialism in all its manifestations,
§ Convinced that the continued existence of colonialism prevents the development of international economic co-operation, impedes the social, cultural and economic development of 336 dependent peoples and militates against the United Nations ideal of universal peace,
§ Affirming that peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law,
§ Believing that the process of liberation is irresistible and irreversible and that, in order to avoid serious crises, an end must be put to colonialism and all practices of segregation and discrimination associated therewith,
§ Welcoming the emergence in recent years of a large number of dependent territories into freedom and independence, and recognising the increasingly powerful trends towards freedom in such territories which have not yet attained independence,
§ Convinced that all peoples have an inalienable right to complete freedom, the exercise of their sovereignty and the integrity of their national territory,
§ Solemnly proclaims the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations;
§ And to this end
§ Declares that:
- 1. The subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights. is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and co-operation.
- 2. All peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
- 3. Inadequacy of political, economic, social or educational preparedness should never serve as a pretext for delaying independence.
- 4. All armed action or repressive measures of all kinds directed against dependent peoples shall cease in order to enable them to exercise peacefully and freely their right to complete independence, and the integrity of their national territory shall be respected.
- 5. Immediate steps shall be taken, in Trust and Non-Self-Governing Territories or all other territories which have not yet attained independence, to transfer all powers to the peoples of those territories, without any conditions or reservations, in accordance with their freely expressed will and desire, without any distinction as to race, creed or colour, in order to enable them to enjoy complete independence and freedom.
- 6. Any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and the territorial integrity of a country is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
- 7. All States shall observe faithfully and strictly the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the present Declaration on the basis of equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of all States, and respect for the sovereign rights of all peoples and their territorial integrity.