Editorial Note
George C. Marshall, Secretary of State and Chairman of the United States Delegation, addressed the 139th Meeting of the General Assembly on September 23, 1948, during the general debate phase of proceedings. Among the objectives of the United Nations which he cited were the following:
“The early adoption of an international system for the control of atomic energy, providing for the elimination of atomic weapons from national armaments, for the development of atomic energy for peaceful purposes only, and for safeguards to ensure compliance by all nations with the necessary international measures of control.
“Under an adequate and dependable guarantee against violation, a progressive reduction in armaments as rapidly as the restoration of political confidence permitted.”
For the record of Marshall’s statement, see United Nations, Official Records of the General Assembly, Third Session, Part 1, Plenary Meetings, pages 36–44, (hereafter cited as GA (III/1), Plenary); for full text, see Department of State Bulletin, October 3, 1948, pages 432–435.