U.N. COUNCIL VOTES TO DISCUSS BERLIN CRISIS

Grey River Argus, 7 October 1948, Page 5

U.N. COUNCIL VOTES TO DISCUSS BERLIN CRISIS

Soviet Will Not Take Part

PARIS, October 5

On Tuesday at the United Njitions Security Council, the French delegate, M. Alexander Parodi, opened the second day of the debate on the Berlin dispute. He developed his argument on the lines set out previously by Dr Philip Jessup (United States) and Sir Alexander Cadogan (Britain). He said the Soviet blockade of Berlin was directed at Britain, France and the United States, and that Germany was only involved in a secondary role. Faris el Khoury (Syria) supported the Belgian contention that the Council could put the item on the agenda and then decide its competence. He said that Russia would have the full right to contest the competence at a later stage. The Council chairman, Dr Juan Bramuglia (Argentina) then called on the delegates to vote for or against the adoption of the agenda containing the Western Powers dispute with Russia over Berlin. Before he put the question to the vote, M. Vyshinsky asked for leave to speak. M. Vyshinsky said he was instructed by the Russian Government to raise a “formal objection” to the inclusion of the Berlin question on the agenda. He repeated his statement. that no blockade of Berlin existed, and referred to the “ridiculous allegations of the United States representative”. M. Vyshinsky went over the Soviet arguments and recalled that the Russian Government was proposing to submit the Berlin question to the Council of Foreign Ministers. "This is the organ to which this matter belongs”, he said. “There is no peace treaty yet with Germany—a treaty on whose rapid conclusion the Soviet Government has been insisting, while the Western Powers, instead of a peace treaty, wish to impose some kind of occupation which would last for ever”. M. Vyshinsky described the Western Powers’ currency reform in Berlin as an attempt to blow up the economy of the city, as obviously it was impossible to have four currencies 9-2 VOTE TO DISCUSS BERLIN The Council voted by nine to two to place on the agenda the Berlin dispute, as asked by the three Western Powers. x , The negative votes were those oi the Soviet and Ukraine delegates. Immediately after the Council voted to place the Western Powers complaint on the agenda, the president proposed that the Council should adjourn until Wednesday. M. Vyshinsky again jumped up and asked for the floor. He said the Soviet Union considered that the Council decision was r. violation of the United Nations Charter. The Ukrainian delegate also _ aeclared that he would not participate in the discussion. The Council then adjourned until Wednesday morning. M. Vyshinsky, followed by his delegation, stalked out. As he was leaving the meeting, he told reporters. “We have not left the United Nations. My statement is quite clear. We will not take part in the discussion on the Berlin case in the Security Council . Asked if he intended attending the Security Council meeting to-morrow, he said: “That depends on my mood . Sir Alexander Cadogan and most ot „ the members of the Security Council refused to comment on the Soviet action immediately. . ~ Mr Lewis Douglas (America) said he did not think the boycott could have much effect. The United States delegate, Mr Jessup, said it was a great mistake on the Russians’ part, but “I think they will attend without discussing the issue”.

The British United Press correspondent points out that under the United Nations Charter, the Security Council cannot approve of any decision without the concurring votes of the Big Five Powers.

U.N. Delegate Fell Asleep PARIS, October 5. The Syrian delegate, Mr Faris el Khouri, fell sound asleep during M. Vyshinsky’s speech in the Security Council to-day. M. Vyshinsky, noticing him, said: “I wish him excellent health and long life, and I hope he hears me” —but Mr Khouri slept on. Germans to Have Jurisdiction In French Zone (Rec. 10.0) LONDON, Oct. 6 The French Occupation Commander, General Koenig, announced the transference of judicial powers in the French zone .to the German authorities in all cases except for war crimes and crimes committed bv members .of the French Occupation Forces.