VOLUME II, Number 41
UNITED MATIOUS DAY, <XT? 24
22 October 1962
The 17th birthday of the United Nations is to bo observed on October 24th.
By Presidential Proclamation this day has been designated as United Nations
Day in the United States.
The word from Moscow is that Premier Nikita Khrushchev may do a repeat
performance at the United Nations General Assembly J.n November. If so, that
body is assured another session of electrifying drama with the whole world
looking on. Cuba*s President Osvaldo Dcrticos Torrado has already set the tense
mood with his attack on the U»S. condemnation of the Castro regime.
What does the passionate oratory and the histrionics of this momentous Assem
bly session prove? Foremost, certainly, that in the United Nations lies the only
hope for a peaceful solution of differences bptween the great powers* To doubt
this is to face a bleak future* Heads of state present diverse proposals for
peace, but the heartening fact is that they are talking peace, not shunning
discussion of it.
In the eyes of the free world, the eloquence and sincerity with which the
President of the United States set fcrth his program is a reaffirmation of
American leadership* Against it, any volume of ranting and reckless distortion
of historical facts sounded harsh and hollow. Here was a reaffirmation of the
hopes of men of good will everyv/here; also an underagogic statement of our own
country*s desire to help new and old nations in the development of their economic
and social potentials*
The not effect of gross deceit in the floodlight of the great Assembly chamber,
under the symbolic olive branch of peace, is to discredit its perpetrators and
make them appear meanly Treacherous* Besides it, the message of calm voices
speaking a language of reason, calling for a continued war against want, disease
and ignorance - and threatening no other kind of war—are heard with greater
clarity.