Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

It is a pleasure and a privilege for me to address the American Arbitration Association here today. Part of that pleasure derives from the knowledge that we share certain common commitments—a commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes through arbitration, a commitment to mediation, and a commitment to conciliation. But an equally large part of the pleasure I feel in being here derives from the knowledge that we share certain other common understandings as well. We both understand that if the international community does not develop effective organs of arbitration, the prospects for human survival on this planet are rather dim. And we also understand that the creation of really effective, genuinely impartial organs of arbitration is a task as difficult as it is vital. The United Nations, of course, was initially conceived of as an instrument for the arbitration and resolution of international disputes. According to its Charter, the purposes of the United Nations are, among other things, to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace; to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other measures to strengthen universal peace; to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems . . .and to be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.