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The New York Times of 19 December 1961 reporting the Western response to the invasion of Goa stated: "Adlai E. Stevenson warned the Security Council early today that the United Nations was in danger of dying as the result of a Soviet veto killing a Western resolution to tend the Indian invasion of Goa. The resolution would have urged India to accept an immediate cease-fire and recall her invasion troops from Goa and two other Portuguese enclaves on the Indian coast. Moscow, however, hailed the invasion as a liberation drive and accused the United States of hypocrisy in its criticism of India's military moves. Observers believed the Russians were trying to fan resentment against NATO, to which both Portugal and the United States belong."

United Nations Attempts at Ceasefire
On December 18, A Portuguese request was made to the UN Security Council for a debate on the conflict in Goa. The request was approved when the bare minimum of seven members supported the request (the U.S.A., Great Britain, France, Turkey, Chile, Ecuador, and Nationalist China), two opposed (the Soviet Union and Ceylon), and two abstained (the U.A.R. and Liberia).

Opening the debate, Portugal's delegate, Dr. Vasco Vieira Garin said that Portugal had consistently shown her peaceful intentions by refraining from any counter-action to India's numerous “provocations” on the Goan border. Dr. Garin also stated that Portuguese forces, though “vastly outnumbered by the invading forces,” were putting up “stiff resistance” and “fighting a delaying action and destroying communications in order to halt the advance of the enemy.” In response, India's delegate, Mr. Jha said that the “elimination of the last vestiges of colonialism in India” was an “article of faith” for the Indian people, "Security Council or no Security Council." He went on to describe Goa, Daman, and Diu as “an inalienable part of India unlawfully occupied by Portugal,”

In the ensuing debate, the US delegate, Mr. Adlai Stevenson, strongly criticized India's use of force to resolve her dispute with Portugal, stressing that such resort to violent means was against the charter of the UN. He stated that condoning such acts of armed forces would encourage other nations to resort to similar solutions to their own disputes, and would lead to the death of the United Nations. In response, the Soviet delegate, Valerian Zorin, argued that the Goan question was wholly within India's domestic jurisdiction and could not be considered by the Security Council. He also drew attention to Portugal's disregard for UN resolutions calling for the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples.

Following the debate, the delegates of Liberia, Ceylon, and the U.A.R. presented a resolution which: (1) stated that “the enclaves claimed by Portugal in India constitute a threat to international peace and security and stand in the way of the unity of the Republic of India; (2) asked the security Council to reject the Portuguese charge of aggression against India; and (3) called upon Portugal “to terminate hostile action and co-operate with India in the liquidation of her colonial possessions in India.” This resolution was supported only by the Soviet Union, the other seven members opposing.

After the defeat of the Afro-Asian resolution, a resolution was presented by the United States, Great Britain, France, and Turkey which: (1) Called for the immediate cessation of hostilities; (2) Called upon India to withdraw her forces immediately to “the positions prevailing before Dec. 17, 1961.” (3) Urged India and Portugal “to work out a permanent solution of their differences by peaceful means in accordance with the principles embodied in the Charter”; and (4) Requested the U.N. Secretary-General “to provided such assistance as may be appropriate.”

This resolution received seven votes in favour (the four sponsors and Chile, Ecuador, and Nationalist China) and four against (the Soviet Union, Ceylon, Liberia, and the United Arab Republic). It was thus defeated by the Soviet veto.

In a statement after the vote, Mr. Stevenson said that the “fateful” Goa debate might be “the first act of a drama” which could end in the death of the United Nations.

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