Russia Again Vetoes Italy

Chronicle (Levin), 12 April 1948, Page 5

Russia Again Vetoes Italy

Reeeived Sundav, 7.0 p.m. NEW Yuii Iv, April 10.' , Russia, in the Securily GouneiJ, today vetoed Italy 's applieation for membership of Lnited N'ation.s. Ukraine voted with Russia. Nine other members supported Italy. It was Russia 's tliird veto of Italy. iUr. Warren Austin (United States) deelared after the vote ivas taken that, Russia again frustrated the- will 6f the' majority of the ' Gouneil. The Soviet was misusing- tlie ItaJian applieation in trying' to furee the Gouneil to admit non-peaceloving nations. It was most uniair to put Italy on the same status as other ex-eneniy States. Air. Gromyko said the United States was trying to re])resent itself as Italv's friend whereas, in fact, it was trying to interfere in 1 talian intei'nal affairs. Mr. (Iroiuyko said he was eouhdent the Italians would Ymderstaild that the adniission of their eountry had beeu made into a "politieal game Britain and the United States were deliberately violating the Potsdam agreement whieh stipulated that all ex-enemy States sliould be considered toget her, "after tlie conclusion of the peaee treaties "on an equal footing". Tlie GoUneil adjourned after recoinm.ending that Burnia be admitted to United Xations. Mr. Austin then explained to eorrespondents that the United States expected, possibly at a special session of the General Assembly opening on April. to pbipit a formula whereby the right to speak un the GenWal Assembly .oit a" non-voting .ba,sip, on any matters affecting her in terests. The proposed formula would also be extended to inelude Portugal, Eire, Austria, Transjordan and Pinland. Another Russian veto of the Italian applieation to join United Nations eould be interpreted only " as an expression by the Soviet Union of a laek of friendshii) for the people of Italy," said ilr. A.ustin. Declaring that" a grave injustiee had been done tlie Italian people by the Russian vetoes, Mr. Austin said: "We ask that thev be immediately granted their rightful positfcn among the nations." Mr. Austin assailed the Russian position that Italy sliould be admitted onls with Rumania, Bulgaria and Hungary, adding that the United States opposes J4ie entry of those countries "which, by their own aetions, have shown thev are clearly disqualified. This attempt at bargaining is surely beneath the dignity of this council. " Czechoslovakia today sent a letter to the Security Gouneil rejecting its invitation to the hearing 'of the Ohilean complaint that the Soviet interfered in Czech political affairs. The letter' deelared that the Ghilean charges were unfounded and said a discussion by United t Nations was contrary. to .thV charter.