Security Council Given N.Z. Attitude

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30976, 4 February 1966, Page 17

Security Council Given N.Z. Attitude

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON. February 3.

The decision by the United States to discuss the Vietnamese issue in the United Nations Security Council must be seen as pail of a continuing effort in which every avenue which might possibly lead to a conference table must be explored, New Zealand’s delegate to the council, Mr F. H. Corner, said in New York, today.

Mr Corner was taking part in the council debate on Vietnam. The text of his statement was released in Wel-

lington by the Department of External Affairs. “Discussions in this council, if approached in a constructive spirit and with a willingness to invite the participation of all Governments directly concerned, could open up new possibilities for an approach to this desperately difficult problem,” said Mr Corner.

“To join in the search for such possibilities is a responsibility which no member of this council will assume lightly, but it is a responsibility which, in our view, no member of this council should wish to abdicate.” Mr Corner said his delegation was well aware of the difficulties in the way of the council as a United Nations ■ forum playing a role virtu- > ally equivalent to that of a i negotiating body. He added i that New Zealand did not ; necessarily regard the council as the appropriate body for this task.

“But are we gomg to adopt the attitude that we have nothing to say, or that it is

improper, whatever political and well-known difficulties At may be in its way, for the so council to discuss the ques- st tion and to see where there la may be avenues showing ci promise of assisting its solution?” asked Mr Corner. Ci “To deny even this seems U to my delegation to be an cl abnegation of the council’s m place in this organisation and p< indeed in the international a i community.” I ti In the council today, Mr i Corner quoted Mr Holyoake’s b< statement made yesterday on ci | the resumption of bombing ipl ; over North Vietnam. ISi

Mr Holyoake said the tmeircan President Mr Johnon. had the “full undertanding” of the New Zeaand Government in the deision to resume bombing. “But at the same time,” Mr 'orner told the council, “the Jnited States has made it :lear that its objective renains the achievement of a lolitical solution preceded by i reciprocal cessation of hosilities. “This determination has >een expressed most concretely by its decision to >lace the question before the security Council.”