DR. EVATT PRESENTS UNO REPORT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24896, 8 June 1946, Page 7

DR. EVATT PRESENTS UNO REPORT

Presenting the report of the subcommittee on Spain to the Security Council, Dr. H. V. Evatt said that all the members of the sub-committee felt real concern for the people of Spain. He said that it was tragic that, while Mussolini’s Italy was being democratised, Spain remained under a Fascist dictatorship which had been introduced by force and was maintained by force. The sub-committee firmly believed that the measures proposed would prove effective in encouraging the peaceful withdrawal of General Franco’s regime, the abolition of the Falange, and an opportunity for the Spanish people for freedom of association apd to determine the type of government they desired. Dr. Evatt said that if the committee's recommendations were adopted fee Security Council would be further fecund to take appropriate steps to adjust and improve the situation disdosed in Spain. Replying to the argument that the United Nations could not intervene in a matter essentially within a State’s jurisdiction, Dr. Evatt said that the fact was that there was a situation in

Snain the continuance of which was likely to endanger international peace and security. That situation had already led to strong expressions of concern and disapproval by various Governments and to the closing of the frontier.

In addition, there was General Franco’s record of participation in the World War and his recent action IE hindering the victorious Allies in amoving the vestiges of Nazism. That Tas the complete antithesis of a domestic situation. Dr. Evatt explained that the action

the sub-committee, namely, to break off diplomatic relations, was completely within the control and discretion of the» various nations. He said it was a normal action taken by nations to express disapproval. Furthermore inasmuch as the United Nations had already denied membership to Franco Spain, it was completely logical to cease to maintain diplomatic relationships with his Government. The sub-committee’s objective was to remove a danger to peace and also to eliminate a cause of international friction. How the change of Government should be brought about was entirely a matter for the Spanish Government and people. Britain, America, and France had expressed the hope last March that General Franco would himself peacefully withdraw. Dr. Evatt declared: ‘‘As long as General Franco remains there is likely to be an international situation of concern to the United Nations. Therefore I submit that the nature of the situation, the action proposed, and the objective of it, are all international in character and in no way domestic.” Mr Herschel Johnson (United States) said he had not yet received definite instructions from the United States Government. He considered that insufficient time had been given his Government to examine the subcommittee’s report fully. Therefore he proposed that the debate be postponed. Sir Alexander Cadogan (Britain) supported a postponement because his Government had not yet received the actual text of the sub-committee’s report. The discussion was adjourned until June 11.