U.N.O. COUNCIL’S-DEBATE

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1948, Page 5

U.N.O. COUNCIL’S-DEBATE

PARIS, Oct. G The United Nations' beceniy council on Wednesday continued its discussion on the question of whether Soviet action at Berlin constitutes a threat to peace. The United States delegate, Dr Jessup said America would enter a conference of the Fuur foreign Ministers on Berlin as soon as the Soviet lifts its blockade. Dr Jessup had accused the Soviet authorities ot inconsistency in having adopted first one view and then another with regard to air traffic to Berlin. “The directive to the Military Governors was quite explicit on this question,” he said. ‘‘lt called for the removal of the restrictions and nothing more.” M. Vyshinsky (Soviet) came back for the afternoon debate, at which Sir Alexander Cadogan (Britain) was the first speaker. , Sir Alexander Cadogan endorsed Dr Jessup’s statements. He denounced Pmssia’s action in Berlin, describing it in various parts of his speech as unilateral .illegal, forcible, and arbitrary. He deplored Russia’s decision not to take part in the Security Council’s discussion on Berlin. ‘‘Have they no arguments, or is it that their minds are already made up to refuse acquiesence in anything that the Council may recommend?” he asked. “Is that the way by which the Soviet delegation seeks peace | and understanding?” Sir Alexander said Britain would carry out in pood faith any resolution the Council . adopted. He tiescribe'd as inconsistent Russia’s attempt to blame the. blockade on technicalities or credit it to defence against currency reform. “The action taken by the Soviet Government.” he said, “amounted to nothing less than the exercise of illegal pressure upon the British Government in furtherance, of its political and economic objectives.” He said the Russians entered the recent direct negotiations without good faith. “The documents show conclusively that the Russian intention in entering the discussions was not to reach any settlement but to secure the same political advantages in Berlin which they had in the first place planned to secure by the blockade The British Governments. position is clear. They are. in Berlin as of right. They are willing to accent any genuine agreement consistent with this right, but cannot aband°"My delegation denies emphatically that there can be any bar to the Security Council trying to find an amicable settlement where other means have failed.” M. Vyshinsky sat through the fust part of Sir Alexander speech with the earphones off, taking notes rapidly. . , Following Sir Alexander Cadogan’s speech. M. Alexandie 1 ar °P permanent French delegate to the United Nations. recapituated the points of the dispute between the Western Powers and the Soviet. The Security Council then adjourned on the understanding that after what the chairman called, an “intermediary waiting neriod ,‘ meeting would be called by the Pr The e ßritish United Press says a meeting will probably be called again next week. VYSHINSKY ANGRY M. Vyshinsky (Soviet) was in a towering rage with the reporters as he left the Security Council meeting when it adjourned until the afternoon. This was in contrast to ,nis mood when he arrived. He pusned correspondents aside, saying: T am not going to explain anything. I am not going to say anything. I do not wish to listen to anything. There is not a single correspondent who speaks in good faith."