June 22, 1990
I call to order the 641st Meeting of the Special Committee Against Apartheid.
This meeting is of great historic significance to the Special Committee and to the United Nations as a whole.
Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary-General,
Fellow Delegates,
Distinguished Guests,
In a short while, we shall have standing before us to address this assembly of nations, a man who is a legend in his own time. A man who truly needs no introduction. A man who, for many years, has been identified with the struggle against racism and racial oppression. A man who has become the moral conscience of the world and an embodiment of the finest in human spirit in the universal struggle for peace, justice and freedom. He is Mr. Nelson Mandela.
Legend has it that greatness can be achieved in three ways - either by birth, achievement or when it is thrust upon a person. In the case of Nelson Mandela, greatness has come to him from every direction. More importantly, however, he has combined greatness with humility. This is a rare and remarkable attribute coming from a man whose name-recognition world-wide is equalled by that of a few.
It is, therefore, a great pleasure and honour for the Special Committee against Apartheid and for me personally, that we are able to convene this special meeting today to honour you, Mr. Mandela. In welcoming our honoured guest, I wish to recall that when this Committee was established by General Assembly resolution 1761 of November 6, 1962, it was entrusted to keep the racial policies of the Government of South Africa under constant review and to report, from time to time, either to the General Assembly or to the Security Council or to both as may be appropriate. In the following year when the infamous Rivonia trial was in progress in South Africa, the General Assembly, at the recommendation of the Special Committee against Apartheid, adopted resolution 1881 on October 11, 1963, which called for the abandonment of the arbitrary trials, unconditional release of all political prisoners and all other persons imprisoned, interned or subjected to other restrictions for having opposed the policy of apartheid. The Rivonia trial is now part of South Africa's history and its famous defendant, Mr. Nelson Mandela, is in our midst today - a free man.
Those who are familiar with the work of the General Assembly of the United Nations will, therefore, appreciate what a unique occasion this meeting is for us all. In this hall, countless speeches have been made - all ending with the familiar refrain calling for the release of Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners in South Africa as well as an end to the apartheid system. Today, we must depart a little from that refrain and say "Welcome, Nelson Mandela."
Mr. Mandela, the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid, this unique family of nations and indeed the international community as a whole, welcomes you to freedom. Your stature as a symbol of resistance, determination and dedication to eradicate racial discrimination and apartheid will continue to inspire even larger segments of world opinion until South Africa achieves the noble principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and in the Declaration of Human Rights.
Our world is currently going through momentous changes. Mr. Mandela, your release and indeed, your presence here today are all parts of this on-going global change. But perhaps, the greatest lesson for us all is that like you, we must learn the virtue of fortitude; the virtue of commitment and the virtue of perseverance. From you and from the independence of Namibia, we must learn that an individual and nation alike, could make a difference to the course of history. That one man, two people, a whole nation, or indeed our civilization could, with the show of courage and perseverance, peacefully orchestrate progress, development, trust and understanding. In welcoming Mr. Mandela today, we salute his courage, his magnanimity and his resilience - attributes fit for universal emulation. We strongly believe that history will in its enduring characteristics accord him the accolades which are rightly his. We also welcome Mr. Mandela's dear wife, Winnie, and his entire entourage to the United States.
Finally, I wish to reiterate the undeterred and unshaken commitment of this world body to the eradication of apartheid. Our call and support for sanctions remain abiding until apartheid is completely eradicated. Once again, Mr. Mandela, the Special Committee salutes and welcomes you to this special meeting. We look forward very much to your address.