As a representative here of an Asian country, I wish to underline in particular a fact to which this conference should turn its attention for a while, as long as it has time, to look at this problem.

During ten centuries the countries of Asia lived, most of them, under direct or indirect domination of certain Western countries. Certain other countries desperately striving against this domination have succeeded in defending their political freedom, but not entirely their economy.

Those countries come from a long civilization with an ancient culture. After two centuries contact with European countries, those were naturally initiated to the modern civilization and industrial civilization, but they also have participated in the spiritual evolution which was proffered to them. This proves that the European countries have pursued in Asia extremely egotistical aims.

Their relations with Asia were not based, as they should have been on equality of rights and mutual respect. This relationship during two centuries has developed in the people of Asia a general distrust and feeling of discontent with the European countries.

Asia, although wakening after the first World War, has awakened completely after the second one. Asia now aspires to an independent life. It wishes to exploit itself its natural riches and resources. All this is nothing else than putting in words the recommendations of the United Nations Charter.

These are entirely legitimate aspirations and wishes. If the Occident gives up its old policy and if it avails itself of the spirit of the Charter, then the best type of collaboration between nations will see its day in Asia. But the West must respect in its relationship with the East the principle of equality of rights. Then the East will collaborate in all developments.

It is on this basis, and only this basis, that we can have durable peace. The countries of the West must realize that as long as more than half of humanity lives in poverty, the world will never know peace and rest, and the East, naturally, must also make an effort to participate in its own development. That is the only way in which humanity will reach peace and prosperity.