Mr. President,

    It is an honor and a pleasure for me to stand today in this great Assembly, which represents the conscience and aspirations of mankind, in order to present the thanks of the Government and people of Kuwait for this overwhelming and unanimous response to Kuwait's request to be admitted to membership of the United Nations.

    My country, which is small in population but staunch in faith in the eternal human values, is happy to join the world organization at a time when many areas in Asia and Africa have achieved their dream of freedom and participation in building a world where peace with justice, friendship and prosperity will triumph.

    The State of Kuwait achieved the fully independent status it now enjoys on 19 June 1961. It was with deep gratification that, in the short interval preceding its admission to the United Nations, Kuwait was able to win the confidence of, and to be recognized by, practically all the Members of the world Organization. It has joined several international bodies and acceded to approximately twenty treaties and regional organizations.

    Kuwait's participation in these international activities clearly indicates that it does not look on independence and membership of the United Nations as ends in themselves. It considers them rather as a means of sharing in the responsibility of securing a better life for its people and for the people of other nations.

    Kuwait's constructive efforts in the national as well as the international fields of activity have become an accomplished fact well known to all of you. Kuwait's achievement in free education, health and social welfare to all its inhabitants is the object of universal appreciation.

    While Kuwait was exerting all its activities in its own territory, it was also mindful of its duties towards its less favoured neighbours. It was natural, however, that Kuwait should first turn to its sister Arab countries. It instituted the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development with a capital of approximately $280 million. That Fund shares in meeting the needs of Arab countries. But Kuwait's participation in that effort is not restricted to the activities which the Fund is undertaking. It also extends direct material aid in funds and in kind to help in the progressive evolution of that area.

    Furthermore, my Government, in co-operation with the Kuwait Investment Corporation, is studying ways and means of broadening the bases of its economic co-operation with other newly emerging States.

    In the field of international endeavour, Kuwait has been anxious to participate in the world effort of economic development. It has contributed more than $120 million to international economic and financial institutions. Over and above this, it has subscribed to 1 million dollars of United Nations bonds.

    Kuwait has hitherto depended to a large extent on one single source of income, namely, oil. This course is fraught with danger. In view of this, Kuwait has instituted a board of economic and social planning to devise projects which aim at the diversification and development of other sources of national income.

    The foreign policy of my country springs from one historic fact which was clearly emphasized in its Constitution. This fact is that Kuwait is an individual part of the Arab homeland, that its people are part of the Arab nation. For this reason it is anxious to develop and strengthen its political, economic and cultural relations with its sister Arab nations within the framework of the League of Arab States.

    Kuwait realizes the close ties which bind it to the rest of the Arab world. It confirms its full support of Arab unity. Kuwait is deeply convinced that its destiny is intimately connected with the destiny of the Arab nation.

    The Arab homeland, in its turn, is a large and important segment of the Asian and African world, that world which has only recently achieved its independence. Developing countries realize that their progressive evolution can only be achieved under conditions of peace and international co-operation. Consequently, Kuwait's policy is based on the principle of non-alignment with either camp against the other. This does not mean, however, that Kuwait shall not have it own view on world events. Kuwait believes that the voice of truth and justice should prevail over all other voices. For this reason, Kuwait's neutrality is not negative but positive. Its aim is to seek what is true and fair.

    Pursuant to this policy, my country is greatly concerned about the destiny of nations which are still struggling for their freedom and independence. Kuwait, therefore, declares that it upholds the resolution (1514 (XV)) of the General Assembly of the United Nations of 14 December 1960 to the effect that nations still groaning under the yoke of colonialism should be granted their freedom.

    Kuwait, which wants to go on record as giving its full support to the legitimate demands of countries and nations which are still suffering under colonialism, equally feels deep anxiety and profound regret for the tragic sufferings of the Palestinian Arabs. Passage of time cannot deprive the people of Palestine of their legitimate right to return to their homeland. From this rostrum, Kuwaiti appeals to the conscience of the world in the name of humanity and the rights of man to view this problem in the light of the lofty principles embodies in the Charter of the United Nations.

    Kuwait is proud to join the United Nations. It will always respond to the aspirations of the peoples of the world. It has faith in the final and inevitable triumph of truth and justice among men.

    In conclusion, may I express, on behalf of the Government and people of Kuwait to you, Mr. President, and to the Members of the United Nations, my warmest thanks and deep appreciation for the kind and generous sentiments which have been expressed in this august Assembly toward my country.



* The Flag of Kuwait raised at United Nations Headquarters .