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session. I would wish that this office had been filled by my colleague, Dr. Evatt, the Australian Minister for External Affairs, who at San Francisco and elsewhere made such a well-recognized contribution to the establishment of the United Nations. I hope that at some later stage, when Australian domestic problems requiring his personal attention are less pressing, Dr. Evatt may find it possible to associate himself with the work of this Council.
May I be permitted to remind you that, during the meetings of the Preparatory Commission, Australia strongly advocated the election of a President of the Security Council for a twelve-month term, instead of a system of automatic rotation of office in alphabetical order, which was eventually adopted? In the circumstances, I suggest that this is a clear demonstration of the desirability of submitting gracefully to the majority decision.
The Australian Government is fully sensible of the great responsibility which has been placed upon it, and of the importance and high dignity of the office which Australia has been called upon to occupy. In discharging my duties as the first President of the Security Council, I shall endeavour to act in accordance with the best traditions of such a responsible office. It will be my utmost endeavour to exercise such impartiality and consideration as will merit your individual confidence and goodwill.
Together we must establish the high standards which should obtain in the work of this Council if it is to proceed with its business smoothly and expeditiously, and if it is to justify the very great hopes which the peoples of the world centre on us.
Our work must be based on the Charter. We are not permitted to go beyond it, but we shall not fail to exercise to the full the very great powers which have been given to this Council.
The guiding principles for the members individually, and for the Council, are already laid down and have already been accepted by each one of us. I would call to mind five of the principles that are found in Article 2 of the Charter:
- The principle of the sovereign equality of all Members.
- The undertaking to fulfil in good faith the obligations which members assume in order to assure to all Members of the United Nations the rights and benefits resulting from membership.
- The undertaking to settle international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered.
- The undertaking to refrain in international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, and from the use of force in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.
