The Reminiscences of Zafrulla Khan — Page 240
224 REMINISCENCES OF SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN Where only ability and intelligence were concerned, of course, there was no lack; but where the kind of experience that Andrew had was needed, having an instinctive feeling of what was going to happen, how things might pan out, what might boil up, that naturally C. V. Narasimhao could not claim, and I too had not any means of knowing. That was something that nothing could be done about and I was very sorry that Andrew was not there to help. Barring that, the whole staff of the Secretariat, everybody, from the top to the lowest level, has had throughout my complete admiration and my gratitude for the way they worked. I believe they work like that with every President. In that way every facility is provided for the President of the Assembly, every assistance is given, everything is done to make his work as easy as possible and to make things run smoothly. In this connection, I must mention the very valuable help that Mr. Malania gave me - he is the principal assistant to the President in Assembly affairs, and he has to keep in touch with delegations continuously - and I knew that his work hours extended from before 9 O'clock in the morning till after midnight. If he did get any rest he must have got it on Sundays but whether he got it on Sundays, I don't know. He was absolutely indispensable! His temperament was so calm; he never got into any flurry, was never excited, and was a tower of strength. The Secretary-General himself does not participate in any way in the proceedings of the Assembly, though he considers it his duty to be present as much as he can. Thant and I were very good friends even before he was elected Secretary-General - first temporarily and then for a full term - and there has been complete understanding between us throughout. Thant knew I was being very sincere when I told him fairly early in the Session that I knew how much he had to get through in a day and that I on my side would have no feeling that he was deserting me if he could not be by my side all through the proceedings; that whenever he felt he should withdraw and carry on his own work, he was welcome to do so. I think, in that way at least; I was being of some help to him, which he appreciated. Question : Relationships with the professional staff of the United Nations must be quite different from those with either national figures or large blocs within the General Assembly on particular issues. And another interesting part of this relationship is your relationship as the