A/1/PV.56 General Assembly

At the request of our President, Mr. Spaak, who was called away by an unavoidable engagement, I have the honour to preside at this meeting, and I count on your cooperation, as you have always co-operated with Mr. Spaak. Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): A la demande de M. Spaak, notre President, retenu ailleurs par un cas de force majeure, j'ai 1'honneur d'assumer la pn~sidence de cette seance. Je compte sur votre collaboration qui n'a jamais fait defaut aM. Spaak. 162. Relief needs after the termination of UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration): report of the Second Committee: resolution (document A/237) 162. Besoins d'assistance apres la cessa· tion de I'UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration). Rapport de la Deuxieme Commission. Resolution (document A/237) Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): Nous alions discuter le rapport de la Deuxieme Commission sur 1es besoins d'assistance apres la cessation de l'activi~'de l'UNRRA (annexe 67). Je donne la parole a M. Sanjines, representant de la Bolivie, Rapporteur.

We shall now discuss the report of the Second Committee concerning relief needs after the termination of UNRRA (annex 67) . I call upon Mr. Sanjincs, representative of Bolivia, Rapporteur. Mr. SANJINES (Bolivia), Rapporteur (translated from French): I shall now read the resolution embodied in the Second Committee's report concerning relief needs after the termination of UNRRA, this report having been unanimously adopted by the Committee. The resolution reads as follows: "The General Assembly, "Taking note of the UNRRA Council resolution (No. 100) of 16 August 1946, and of the ,related resolution adopted by the Economic and Social Council of 3 October 1946; ((Recognizing that certain countries will need financial assistance in 1947 to provide for imports of food and other basic essentials of life; M. SANJINES (Bolivie), Rapporteur: Je vais donner lecture de la resolution contenue dans le rapport de la Deuxierne Commission concernant les besoins d'assistance apres hi cessation de l'UNRRA, rapport qui a ete adopte par la Commission a l'unanimite. Cette resolution est la suivante: "DAssemblle generale) ccPrenant acte de la resolution No 100 du Conseil de l'UNRRA en date du 16 aout 1946, et de la resolution connexe adoptee par le Conseil economique et social le 3 octobre 1946; « Reconnaissant que certains pays auront besoin, en 1947, d'une assistance financiere pour couvrir leUTS importations de denrees alimentaires et mItres principaux produi.ts de premiere necessite; La seance est levee a19 heures. CINQUAN'rE-SIXIEME SEANCE PLENIERE T enue le mercredi 11 decembl'e 1946, a20h.15. «Recognizing that, in some countries, if such assistance is not provided, there will be hunger, privation and suffering during the winter, spring and early summer of next year; "Taking note of the urgent necessity of meeting this residual relief need promptly, and of the expressed willingness of Members of the United Natiops to do their part in attaining this end; «Recognizing the desirability of meeting this need without wasteful duplication of effort; "Considering that one of the purposes of the United Nations is to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of their common ends, including international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic and humanitarian character; aReaffirming the principle that at no time should relief supplies be used as a political weapon, and that no discrimination should be made in the distribution of relief supplies because of race, creed or political belief: "1. Establishes a special technical committee whose functions shall be: (a) To study the minimum import requirements of the basic essentials of life, particularly food and supplies for agricultural production of countries which the Committee believes might require assistance in the prevention of suffering or of economic retrogression which threatens the supply of these basic essentials; (b) To survey the means available to each country concerned to finance such imports; (c) To report concerning the amount of financial assistance which it believes may be required in the light of (a) and (b) above. "2. Decides that the Committee shall consist of ten experts in the field of finance and foreign trade to be designated by the Governments of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Poland, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom, and United States of America, to serve in their individual capacities and not as representatives of the Governments by which they are designated; and urges each government to select a person of outstanding competence to serve on the Committee. "3. Directs the Secretary-General to transmit to the Committee the information called for in ,rReafJirrnant le principe selon lequel les se- COUl'S ne doivent ctre utilises a aucun moment comme arme politique, et selon lequel aucune discrimination du point de vue racial, reIigieux ou politique ne doit ctre exercee dans la distribution des secours: "1. Cree un Comite tcchnique special qui sera charge: a) D'etudier les besoins minima d'importation, en ce qui concerne les produits de premiere necessite, notamment les denrees alimentaires et les fournitures destinees a la production agricole des pays qui, de l'avis du Comite, peuvent avoir besoin d'etre aides afin d'eviter les souffrances ou la regression economique qui compromet leur approvisionnement en produits de premiere necessite; b) D'examiner les moyens dont dispose chaque pays interesse pour financer ces importations; c) D'etablir un rapport sur le montant de l'aide financiere qui, de l'avis du Comite, peut ctre necessaire, d'apres les etudes visees aux alineas a) et b) ci-dcssus. "2. Decide que le Comite se composera de dix experts des questions financieres et de commerce exterieur, qui seront designes par les Gouvernements de l'Argentine, du Bresil, du Canada, de la Chine, du Danemark, de la France, de la Pologne, de l'Union des Republiques socialistes sovietiques, du Royaume-Uni, et des Etats-Unis d'Amerique, et siegeront a titre personnel et non pas en tant que representants des Gouvernements qui les auront designes; et demande instamment a chacun des Gouvernements de choisir, pour sieger a ce Comite, une personne hautement qualifiee par sa competence. "3. Charge le Secretaire general de transmcttre au Comite les renseignements prevus an "5. Calls upon all Members of the United Nations to assist in the furnishing of relief when needed and where needed during the ensuing year, by developing their respective programmes with the greatest possible speed and, in appropriate cases, by extending special credit facilities to the needy countries. "6. Recommends that all Members of the United Nations keep the Secretary-General infornled concerning their plans for assisting in 'meeting relief needs in 1947, and concerning the progress of their relief activities in this respect. "7. Directs the Secretary-General: (a) To make available to all Members of the United Nations the information received pursuant to paragraph 6 above, in order that this information, together with that transmitted pursuant to paragraph 4 above, may be used by the Members of the United Nations to facilitate the co-ordination, without wasteful duplication of effort, of their respective relief programmes and activities; (b) To facilitate informal consultation among governments concerning their relief plans and programmes; and to arrange for such consultation among governments whenever, in his opinion, the purpose of this resolution would be promoted thereby; (c) To furnish, within the limitations of available staff and funds such technical assistance in respect of the 1947 relief programme as governments may request. "8. (a) Directs the Secretary-General to consider the ways and means of collecting and utilizing contributions from persons, organizations and peoples all over thj;: world, equivalent to the earnings of one day's work, for the purpose of helping to meet relief needs during 1947; and to report on the result of such consideration to Member governments and to the Economic and Social Council at the earliest possible date; (b) Requests the Economic and Social Council to study the report made by the Secretary- General and to take whatever action it may deem appropriate in regard to this matter. "9. Directs the Secretary-General to report at each session of the Economic and Social Council on the activities being carried out under· thi~ resolution. I have before me the names of several representatives who have asked to speak on this report. I call upon Mr. Stevenson, representative of the United States of America. Mr. STEVENSON (United States of America) : The resolution before you represents the results of prolonged· discussion in the Second Committee of proposals for handling relief needs after the expiration of UNRRA next year. There is no question that such needs still exist, and that they cannot be met through existing international and national institutions. An international organization will exist for the care and relocation of refugees when the international refugee organization is established. Another international organization, the Emergency Food Council, has been recommending, and will continue to recommend, allocations of foodstuffs in short supply. The world is faced with a grave shortage of basic foods in the ensuing year, and the Assembly has already adopted a resolution calling upon Member governments to renew their efforts to meet the menace .of this shortage. Another international institution, the World Bank, exists to relieve the difficulties of governments embarrassed by want of foreign exchange, which would enable them to meet their needs for food and for rehabilitation supplies. These agencies are the happy products of international collaboration over a broad field. These agencies are instruments of international collaboration to liquidate the terrible legacy that the war has left us. But they are not enough, and we are all agreed that some governments, after exhausting all the means of obtaining such help now available to them, will still require fur- Other free assistance by contributions from the more fortunate countries, in order to avoid widespread human suffering in the spring, when the UNRRA pipelines will have run dry before the next harvest. These devastated countries have made heroic and tireless efforts to restore a nor-' mal and healthy economic, industrial and agriculturallife. The end of UNRRA's mighty and merciful mission will find the receiving countries with agricultural production within sight of pre-war levels, with industrial recovery well und~r way M. STEVENSON (Etats-Unis d'Amerique) (traduit de l'anglais) : La resolution presentee a l'AssembIee a ete adoptee par la Deuxieme Commission a la suite d'une longue discussion sur les propositions concemant les moyens de faire face aux besoins d'assistance, l'annee prochaine, lorsque l'UNRRA sera dissoute. Il ne fait pas de doute que des besoins d'assistance subsistent et que les institutions intemationales ou nationalesexistantes sont dans l'impossibilite de les satisfaire. 11 y aura une organisation internationale pour prendre soin des refugies et les reinstaller lorsque I'Organisation intemationale' des refugies aura ete creee. Une autre organisation internationale, le Conseil pour l'alimentation en temps de crise (Emergency Food Council) a fait et continuera a faire des recommandations relatives aux allocations de denrees alimentaires existant en faibles quantites. Le monde va se trouver, I'annee prochaine, en presence d'une penurie grave en ce qui conceme le ravitaillement en produits aIimentaires de premiere necessite. L'Assemblee a deja adopte une resolution demandant aux Gouvemements Membres de renouveler leurs efforts pour parer a cette menace de disette. n existe une autre organisation intemationale, la Banque internationale, dont le but est de venir en aide aux Gouvemements qui se trouvent genes, faute de posseder les devises etrangeres qui leur permettraient de se procurer les denrees alimentaires et les moyens necessaires pour leur relevement economique. Ces institutions sont I'heureux resultat d'une cooperation intemationale pratiquee dans un vaste domaine. Elles sont I'instrument grace auquel la collaboration entre les nations permettra de liquider les maux que la guerre nous a Iegues. Toutefois, ces institutions ne suffisent pas. Nous sommes tous d'accord pour reconnaitre que certains Gouvernements, apres avoir obtenu toute I'aide que ces institutions peuvent actuellement leur donner, auront encore besoin d'une assistance gratuite provenant des contributions fournies par des pays plus favorises, afin d'epargner a leurs populations de trop grandes souffrances au printemps, au moment de la soudure, lorsque les sources d'approvisonnement de l'UNRRA seront taries. Ces pays ravages par la guerre ont fait des efforts heroiques et inlassables pour retablir un niveau de vie normal et sain, dans le domaine economique, industrie1 et agricole. Au moment ou la grande mission d'assistance de l'UNRRA prendra fin, les pays auxquels cette institution apportait son aide seront pres d'atteindre un niveau de production agricole a But this is the critical period. The end of the struggle back from the shadows is not yet. The spectre of human want, of human misery, of epidemics still faces us. The danger of economic retrogression, which could nullify all the brave efforts of the peoples of the devastated lands, still confronts us. The resolution now before you was unanimously adopted by the Second Committee after weeks of forthright discussion of the method that 'Should be adopted in meeting these residual relief needs in 1947 after the termination of UNRRA. Fortunately, preliminary estimates indicate that these needs will not be overwhelming in amount, but there is no doubt that they will be very critical in some areas and must be met promptly. 'Hence, in our opmlOn, the subject of thi, resolution is one of the most important matters with which the Assembly has to deal at this session. And in the judgment of my Government the method proposed by this resolution is well designed to ensure that the relief needs of 1947 will be met and will be met on time. The plan proposed has the great virtue of combining the essential elements of speed and flexibility, to which we attach the greatest importance, with the maximum degree of international co-operation in dealing with this temporary problem. The resolution embodies an amendment proposed by the Canadian delegation calling for the establishment of a special technical committee to study minimum import requirements and the means available to each country concerned to finance essential imports, and then to report concerning the amount of financial assistance which may be required. Experts designated by the Governments of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Poland, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union, are called upon to complete this task not later than 15 January 1947. My delegation has some misgivings that this committee may not be able to complete its intricate work within the time allotted, but we hope that our misgivings in this regard will not be confirmed. Meanwhile, however, we propose to go forward without delay with our own preparations for doing our part in this programme, subject to any adjustments which may later become. desirable The Second Committee also adopted unanimously a Norwegian amendment calling upon the Secretary-General and the Economic and Social Council to endeavour to work out a practical programme for collecting and utilizing contributions from persons all over the world, contributions equivalent to the earnings of one day's work for the purpose of helping to meet the relief needs of next year. My delegation warmly supports this proposal. According to the resolution, Members of the United Nations are called upon to keep the Secretary-General informed of their plans for assisting in meeting relief needs for 1947, and the Secretary-General is directed to make available to all Members of the United Nations the information ~upplied by them, together with that reported by this special technical committee which I have described, in order that individual governments may be in the best possible position to co-ordinate, without wasteful duplication of effort, their respective relief programmes and activities. The Secretary-General is called upon, furthermore, to facilitate informal consultation among governments, to arrange for such consultation whenever, in his opinion, the purpose of this resolution would be promoted by such consultation, and, within the limitations of available staff and funds, to furnish such technical assistance in respect of the 1947 relief programme as govenunents may require. The resolution also includes a statement on which there can be no disagreement: "that at no time should relief supplies be used as a political weapon, and that no discrimination should be made in the distribution of relief supplies because of race, creed or political belief". We hope that this Assembly, like the Second Committee, will adopt this resolution unanimously. In the judgment of my Government it will be effective-it will serve our common purpose, and relief will be available when needed and where needed. That, after all, is our objective. For aid, prompt aid, must be forthcoming for those countries which cannot meet all their requirements for basic foodstuffs and supplies, however hard they try, however energetic, however sincere their efforts to help themselves before they ask for aid from others. As we see it, this is not charity. This is the assistance, the heIp, that all of us more fortunately situated must give to the less fortunateto those who have bled more freely in our common struggle. It is the help that we owe each other, and, if you please, that we owe ourselves o sultations de ce genre toutes les fois que, a son avis, la realisation des fins de la presente resolution s'en trouvera facilitec; il doit encore fournir, . dans la limite du personnel et des fonds disponibles, toute l'assistance technique que les Gouvernements pourront demander en ce qui concerne le programme de secours pour 1947. La resolution contient egalement une declaration sur laque1le aucun desacco.rd n'est possible: a savoir que "les secours ne doivent etre utilises a aucun moment comme arme politique, et aucune discrimination du point de vue racial, relig-ieux Oll politique, ne cloit ~tre exercee dans la distribution des secours". La delegation des Etats-Unis espere que l'Assen'lblee generale, comme la Deuxieme Commission, adoptera cette resolution a l'unanimite. Le Gouvernement americain estime que cette resolution sera efficace et servira a atteindre notre but commun qui est de foumir des secours dans les temps et Heux ou ils seront necessaires. C'est, du reste, l'objectif que nous visons. 11 faut, en efIet, qu'une aide, et une aide rapide, soit pr~te a parvenir aux pays qui ne pourront pas subvenir a leurs besoins en denrees alimentaires et autres produits essentiels, en depit des efforts les plus tenaces, les plus sinceres et les plus energiques qu'ils pourront faire pour se tirer d'affaire eux-memes avant de solliciter rassistance d'autres pays. Ce n'est pas, a notre sens, de la charite; c'est de l'assistance, c'est l'aide que les plus favorises cl'entre nos pays cloivent tous donner a ceux qui sont moins bien partage~, a ceux qui ant verse le plus de sang -dans la lutte commune. C'est l'aicle que nous nous devons les uns aux autres, Prosperity, like peace, is indivisible. We must not, we dare not, lose the gains that we have already made, thanks to UNRRA and thanks to the efforts ofthe peoples themselves. The United States, its Government and its people, are proud to have supported UNRRA and to have given freely and fully of our substance to this great humanitarian effort. We expect to be proud of our contribution to the residual relief needs of 1947. And we are ~onfident that all countries can and will make available from their own resources, in greater or lesser degree, some of the things, be they money, food, fuel, tools, clothing, which others need to hurdle this obstacle on the road to our common recovery from our common catastrophe.

I call upon Mr. Lange, representative of Poland. Mr. LANGE (Poland): I shall not repeat words of thanks for the work of UNRRA which our delegation has already had the opportunity to express this afternoon. As we all know, the conditions in those countries which suffered from the war and enemy occupation are such that further assistance is needed. The Second Committee has done great work to come to a unanimous conclusion. We started with a considerable difference of opinion, but finally reached a result which was ladopted unanimously, if I remember correctly, even without abstentions. I want to urge this Assembly to accept with the same unanimity the resolution which is before it.

I call upon Mr. LeoIltic, representative of Yugoslavia. Mr. LEONTIC (Yugoslavia): Before the vc;>te was taken on this item of the agenda, the Yugoslav delegation stated, in the Committee, that it was unable to cast a vote at that stage, while reserving the right to explain later the reasons which had prevented it from doing so. In doing so now, I shall endeavor to be clear, ""llll1n the narrow time limits at my disposal, because I do not wish anyone to be left in any kind of doubt through our fault. The problem of relief to the war-devastated countries, in the form of the continuation of UNRRA's activities, provides an extremely serious test case for the United Nations. Le PRESIDENT: le donne la parole a· M. Lange, representant de la Pologne. M. LANGE (Pologne) (traduit de ranglais) : le ne reitererai pas les remerciements que ma delegation a deja eu l'occasion d'adresser cet apres-midi a l'UNRRA pour l'reuvre que cette institution a accomplie. Comme nous le savons tous, les pays qui ont souffert de la guerre et de l'occupation sont encore aujourd'hui dans une situation telle qu'ils ont toujours besoin d'assistance. La Deuxieme Commission de l'Assemblee a donc deploye de grands efforts pour arriver a une decision unanime. Malgre les profondes divergences de vues qui etaient apparues au debut de ses travaux, elle a fjnalement abouti a des conclusions qui ont ete adoptees a l'unanimite et mane, si j'ai bonne memoire, sans aucune abstention. J'invite donc instamment l'AssembIee a adopter, avec la mcme unaninute, la resolution dont dIe est saisie. Le PRESIDENT: le donne la parole a M. Leontic, representant de la Yougoslavie. M. LEONTIC (Yougoslavie) (traduit de l'anglais): LoTS du vote a la Deuxieme Commission sur la question qui nous occupe,la delegation de Yougoslavie a declare qu'elle n'etait pas en mesure, ace stade des debats, de prendre part au vote, et elle s'est reserve le droit d'exposer ulterieurement les raisons de son abstention. En exposant maintenant ces raisons, je m'efforcerai de preciser notre attitude dans le peu de temps dont je dispose, car je ne veux pas que, par la faute de ma delegation, un doute quelconque subsiste dans l'esprit de qui que ce soit. Le probleme de l'assistance aux pays devastes par la guerre, afin de poursuivre l'activite de l'UNRRA apres sa dissolution, va soumettre l'Organisation des Nations Unies a une epreuve extrcmement grave. Bilateral agreements do not, in this case, mean merely an innocent variation in the practice of international co-operation. Bilateral agreements are, in this case, absolutely contrary to international co-operation on a basis of solidarity. They are, moreover, the very negation of the international principle itself. The adoption of a practice which would tend to seek a solution to such extremely delicate questions along the lines of prejudicial compromises of this kind, could take the form, and assume the proportions, of a breach of friendly and harmonious relations, in such a measure that the very foundations on which the United Nations rests might be .shaken. This is all the more serious because this unilateral action is here being described as an inevitable . compromise, which necessity compels us either to accept directly, or tolerate indirectly. The old juridical practice includes, it is true, such bilateral agreements under the general term of international agreements. This, however, is only a customary term which has no spiritual connexions with the international principles underlying the United Nations Charter. The very language of the Charter seeks new tenns, as for instance "regional agreement", so that the terminology itself should make an unequivocal distinction between that which pertains to the policy of certain States and that which is common to all the Members of the United Nations, between that which certain States conclude among themselves for their own interest and for purely egoistic purposes, and that which is in the collective interest, and aims at the welfare of mankind in general. Therefore, in the very concrete cases we have before us, the Yugoslav delegation was not prepared to vote in favour of a resolution which provides for such agreements; the only reason we take the floor is that we wish to voice our criticism of these bilateral agreements, which are in no way international. I might even say, without the slightest desire of making a pun, that what we have here can hardly be considered agreements, let alone international agreements. Still less can there be talk of bilateral agreements between the so-called "contributing party" and the so-called "receiving party". The relationship between two such unequal parties merely consists in the expression of the will of one of the parties, on the one hand, and, on the other, in obedience to necessity, which knows no law. Obedience precludes freedom of will. Obedience does not mean real assent. And where there is not free assent, there can be no legal act. The United Nations cannot approve of such an action, and still less themselves take part in p'a~ti? . ~it~ ::contribuante" et. une partie dite benefICIalre . Entre deux partIes placees sur un tel pied d'inegalite, les rapports consistent uniquement, pour l'une, a exprimer sa volonte et pour l'autre, a se soumettre a la necessite qui n'a pas.de loi. ~a soumission est incompatible avec le hbre exerace de la volonte. La sournission n'equivaut pas a un consentement reel; or il ne saurait y avoir d'instrument juridique sans consentement reel. Les Nations Unies ne peuvent approuver une telle maniere d'agir, et encore moins s'y asBocier; These are the reasons which lead us to consider that the proposed resolution is even now, and to fear that its implementation might be, in flagrant contradiction to the principles which have been so eloquently written into Article 1, paragraph 3, in connexion with Article 13, paragraph 1b and with Article 55b of Our Charter. We wish to emphasize that it is not necessary that actual violations of these principles should occur here. It is sufficient that the proposed resolution should contain the danger, it is sufficient that there should be the possibility, of a violation of Article 2 of the Charter, regardless of the goodwill of those concerned. Why then should we wrap such a unilateral act in an international mantle, why should we thereby condone in advance such activities, or allow certain Members to act on our behalf under conditions under which it" would be undesirable that they should act on their own behalf without possibly jeopardizing the principles embodied in the United Nations Charter? Why in this General Assembly, why in this highest forum of the greatest Organization ever witnessed by men from the time of the Cain legend up to the sanguinary massacres in the recent war, why, at this very moment and from this exalted place, should something be done which would be liable to violate the fundamental principles on the basis of which the new world is to be built? Why should this General Assembly sanction as international an act which, by its very existence, injures precisely those whose wounds it is the task of the United Nations above all to heal? Pourquoi l'Assemblee generale, tribune supreme de la plus grande Organisation que l'humantie ait connue au cours d'une histoire qui va de la legende de Cain jusqu'aux sanglantes tueries de la derniere guerre, pourquoi cette AssembIec devrait-elle, en cet instant en cette position ,emimente, accompIir un acte de nature a porter atteinte aux principes fondamentaux sur lesquels on se propose d'edifier le monde nouveau? Pourquoi l'Assemblee confererait-eUe un caractere international a un acte dont le propre est de porter prejudice a. ceux-Ia memes dont les Nations Unies doivent-c'est leur tache permiere-panser les plaies? Tandis que les bombes detruisaient nos maisons et que nos pants sautaient, les Allies, par leurs emissions radiophoniques, faisaient des promesses qui se sont repandues dans le monde entier. C'est a la suite de ces promesses qu'en Allied broadcasting stations gave promises, which achieved world-wide publicity, at the very time when bombs were devastating our homes and explosions blowing up our bridges. It was in this connexion, in those days of war, that The Yugoslav delegation feels it to be its duty to bring this, quite openly, before you and before the whole world. Respectful only of truth and justice. we do not hesitate to emphasize here and now that we have not the remotest intention of substantiating herewith any particular treaty rights for ourselves. On the contrary, we solemnly state that in our case there was no question of bilateral agreements in any form whatsoever. The peoples of Yugoslavia rose, on' their own initiative, against the fascist invaders, although they did not have, in their bare hands, the weapons they needed for the struggle. They endured in this struggle until the very end, determined rather to suffer total annihilation than to bow to the dictate of an alien Power. They would have pursued this struggle, of course, even if it had not been for the promises of the Allied broadcasts. Inasmuch as the changed conditions in the aftermath of the war compelled us to produce evidence of the terrible devastation our ~ountry had suffered, and inasmuch as we were driven in this connexion to mention the disproportionate sacrifices we had made in the war, we only did so in order to substantiate the just claims we had put forth, in connexion with the signing of the peace treaties, to compensate for the damage we had suffered from the enemy who had inflicted this damage upon us. We consider that we should claim our rights when they are being denied to us by our Allies, or when it is requested that the sums of the real reparations should be reduced at our expense, in order to protect, for whatever political reason, yesterday's enemy. Nevertheless, we shall continue in our free and independent country the struggles against the consequences of the war with an unshakable faith in the ideal of international solidarity as a fundamental condition of a lasting peace, faithful to the United Nations in peace as we were faithful allies in war.

I call upon Mr. Gromyko, representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Mr. GROMYKO (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) (translated from Russian): The Second Committee, dealing with economic questions, gave serious attention to the study of the problem of providing needy countries with assistance in the form of food supplies. In spite of the very useful w.ork of UNRRA in helping a ,..··-.."l-,er of countries which suffered particu- En notre pays libre et independant, nous continuerons quand meme de lutter contre les suites de la guerre, gardant une foi inebranlable clans 1'ideal de la solidarite internationalecondition essentielle d'une paix durable-demeurant fidcles aux Nations Unies, dans la paix, . comme a nos Allies, dans la guerre. Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): Je donne la parole a M. Gromyko, representant de l'Union des Rcpubliques socialistes sovietiques. M. GROMYKO (Union des Republiques sodalistes sovietiques) (traduit du russe): La Deuxieme Commission qui traite des questions economiques, a etudie avec soin le probleme des secours alimentaires a fournir aux pays qui en ant besoin. Malgre le travail fort utile acco:rp.pli par l'UNRRA pour aider un certain nombre de pays qui ont particulierement souf- The Soviet delegation bas already had the opportunity of stating that it considers the con~ tinuance of the work of UNRRA to be essential, because the tasks assigned to UNRRA by the United Nations at the time of its establishment have not yet been fully carried out. It has become clear, however, that a number of countries consider it necessary to put a stop to the work of UNRRA and to find other organizational forms for the continuance of aid to countries in need. In the course of the consideration of this question in the Second Committee, the Director- General of UNRRA submitted a proposal to create an emergency food fund to provide assistance during 1947. This fund, according to Mr. La Guardia's proposal, would have had at its disposal a definite sum of money raised by contributions. The delegation of the Soviet Union supported this proposal, since the plan was based on the principle of interrrational co-operation in this field-that is to say,.the same principle as that underlying the work of UNRRA. ' This proposal, however, gave rise to objections on the part of a number of delegations; in the first place, those of the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Objection was also taken to Mr. La Guardia's second proposal for the creation by the General Assembly of a so-called emergency food board empowered to study the requirements of the needy countries and to make appropriate recommendations to the governments of those countries which were in a position to give help. In spite of the fact that this proposal differed substantially not only from the character of the work of UNRRA, but also from Mr. La Guardia's first proposal, since it has very little to say about international co-operation, the Soviet delegation expressed its .rea~iness to support this proposal also, consldermg that the above-mentioned board might be able to carry out a certain amount of useful work in studying the requirements of the countries in need of help. Au cours de l'examen de cette question a la Dcuxieme Commission, le Directeur general de l'UNRRA a fait la proposition de creer un Fonds de secours allmentaire devant fonctionner en 1947. Aux termes de la proposition de M. La Guardia, ce Fonds devait etre constitue par des contributions. La delegation de l'Union sovietique a appuye cette proposition, etant donne qu'elle reposait Sur le principe de la cooperation internationale, c'est-a.-dire sur le principe meme qui est ala base de l'activitc de l'UNRRA. Un certain nombre de delegations cependant, en premier lieu ceUes des Etats-Unis et c1u Royaume-Uni, ont presente des objections a. cette proposition. On a egalement formule des objections contre une deuxieme proposition de M. La Guardia qui demandait a l'AssembIee generale de creer un Conseil du secours alimentaire charge d'etudier les besoins des pays a. assister, et de presenter des recommandations aux Gouvernements des Etats qui sont en mesure de foumir des secours. CeUe nouvelle proposition n'etait, an fond, conIorrl1C ni a la nature des activites de !'UNRRA, ni ala premiere proposition de M. La Guardia, etant donne qu'elle parIait fort peu de cooperation internationale. Neanmoins, la delegation sovietique s'est declaree prete a appuyer ceUe seconde proposition, estimant que ce nouveau Conseil pourrait accomplir un travail utile en etudiant les besoins des pays auxquels une aide est nccessaire. Cependant, mcme cette seconde proposition a pam inacceptable aux del{~gations de certains pays. Celles-ci ont pris le parti de renier completement les principes ~e la coop~rat~on intern~­ tionalc dans le domame de 1a8Slstance allmentaire aux pays qui ont besoin d'aide. En consequence, la deuxieme Commission a ete saisie de propositions presentees par les de16gations des Etats-Unis, du Royaume~Uni et du Canada, avec l'appui de quelques autres delegations. Ces propositions ne contiennent aucnne disposition prevoyant une cooperation internationale en matiere d'assistance. Des principes internationaux qui etaient a la base de l'activite de l'UNRRA, il ne reste plus rien, De l'avis de la For the delegations of certain countries, however even the second proposal was unacceptable. The~ rejected entirely the principles of i?~er­ national co-operation in the matter of glYmg food relief to countries in need. As a result, proposals were submitted by the United. States, Britain and Canada, supported by certam other delegations, to the Second Committee for .c~n­ sideration. These proposals make no provISIon for international co-operation in providing relief, Of the international principles, upon which the activities of UNRRA were based, nothing remained. In the opinion of the Soviet delegation, the method of providing relief :nvisaged in th.ese delegations' proposals, on whIch the resolutlOn Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): Je n'ai plus d'orateurs inscrits. S'il n'y a pas d'opposition, je considererai la resolution comme adoptee al'unanimite. Decision: T he resolution unanimously. was adopted Decision: l'unanimiM. La resolution est adoptee a

I have no more speakers on my list. If there are no objections, I shall regard the resolution as adopted unanimously. 163. Conditions on which Switzerland may become a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice: report of the Sixth Committee: resolution (document A/239) The PRESIDENT: The next item on the 'agenda is the report of the Sixth Committee on the conditions on which Switzerland may become a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice. I notice that the Rapporteur is not here. I trust you all have a copy of the report which has been distributed (annex 68). I shall now read the operative part of the resolution: ((The General Assembly therefore deter-. mines, in pursuance of Article 93, paragraph 2, of the Charter, and upm,1 the recommendation of the Security Council, the conditions on which Switzerland may become a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice, aB follows: "Switzerland will become a party to the Statute of the Court on the date of the deposit with the Secretary-General of the United Nations of an instrument, signed on behalf of the Government of Switzerland and ratified as may be required by Swiss constitutional law, containing: (a) Acceptance of the provisions of the Statute of the International Court of Justice; (b) Acceptance of all the obligations of a Member of the United Nations under Article 94 of the Charter; (c) An undertaking to contribute to the expenses of the Court such equitable amount as the General Assembly shall assess from time to time after consultation with the Swiss Government." 163. Conditions auxquelles la Suisse peut devenir partie au Statut de la Cour internationale de Justice. Rapport de la Sixieme Commission. Resolution (document A/239) Le PRESIDENT (tradtlit de l'anglais): Le point suivant a 1'0rdre du jour est le rapport de la Sixieme Commission sur les conditions auxquelles la Suisse peut devenir partie au Statut de la Cour internationale de Justice. Je constate que le Rapporteur est absent. Je compte que vous avez tous sous les yeux un exemplaire du rapport qui vient d'etre distribue (annexe 68). Je vais donner lecture de la partie operante de la resolution. ((L'AssembUe generate en consequence, determine, conformement a I'ArticIe 93, paragraphe 2, de la Charte et sur recommandation du Conseil de securite, les conditions auxqueUes la Suisse peut devenir partie au Statut de la Cour internationale de Justice, ainsi qu'il suit: "La Suisse deviendra partie au Statut de la Cour a la date du depat, entre les mains du Secretaire general des Nations Unies,. d'un instrument signe au nom du Gouvemement suisse et eventuellement ratifie conformement ala loi constitutionneUe suisse. Cet instrument portera: a) Acceptation des dispositions du Statut de la Cour; b) Acceptation de toutes les obligations qui decoulent pour un Membre des Nations Unies de l'Article 94 de la Charte; c) Engagement de verser la contribution aux frais de la Cour dont l'AssembIee generale fixera equitablement le montant de temps a autre apres consultation avec le Gouvernement suisse." 164. Establishment of an International Children's Emergency Fund: report of the Third Committee: resolution (document A/230)

The next item on the agenda is the report of the Third Committee concerning the establishment of an international children's emergency fund (annex 69). I call upon Mrs. Lionaes, representative of NOIway, Rapporteur. Mrs. LIONAES (Norway), Rapporteur: In submitting this report, I should like to point out that this fund is designed to meet orie of the most cruel and urgent needs that have arisen from the destruction caused by the war. I am not only proud, but sincerely happy to see that the United Nations are giving their most serious attention to the welfare and protection of our children. None more than they deserve the whole-hearted and unanimous support of our community. The Council of UNRRA, meeting at Geneva on 16 August 1946, adopted resolution No. 103, which stressed the urgent necessity for a continuation of UNRRA activities in the field of child wdfare, and contemplated for this purpose the creation of an international children's emergency fund. The fund is to be financed by any assets made available by UNRRA after its work is completed, together with any contributi~ns or gifts from governments, voluntary agencIes, organizations individuals, or other resources. These funds ~e to be utilized for the benefit of children and adolescents of countries which were the victims of aggression, and for child health purposes generally. The Economic and Social Council at its third session, on 30 September 1946, adopted a resolution which was prepared by a Standing Committee of the UNRRA Council, in consultation with representatives of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. This resolution recommended that the General Assembly arrange for the creation of an international children's emergency fund, subject to the control of ~he Economic and Social Council. The resolutIOn also recommended that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in consultation with the Director-General of UNRRA, the President of the Economic and Social Council, and the Standing Committee of. UNRRA, prepare a draft resolution to establish the necessary international machinery for this purpose. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, in compliance with the recommendations of the 164. Creation d'un Fonds international de secours a I'enfance. Rapport de la Troisieme Commission. Resolution (document A/230) Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): Le point suivant a l'ordre du jour est la discussion du Rapport de la Troisieme Commission sur la creation d'un Fonds international de secours a l'enfance (annexe 69). I Je donne la parole a Mme Lionaes, representant de la Norvege, Rapporteur. Mme. LIONAES (Norvege), Rapporteur (traduit de l'anglais): En presentant ce Rapport, je tiens a faire remarquer que le Fonds international de secours a l'enfance a pour but de repondre a l'un des besoins les plus cruels et les plus pressants que les destructions causees par la guerre aient fait naitre. Je suis non seulement fiere, mais sincerement heureuse de constater que les Nations Unies donnent la plus serieuse attention au bien-etre et a la protection de nos enfants. Nul ne merite plus que les enfants l'appui sans reserve et unanime de la communaute des Nations Unies. Le Conseil de l'UNRRA a adopte, a sa session de Geneve, le 16 aoilt 1946, la resolution No 103 qui fait ressoitir la necessitc urgente de poursuivre les activites de l'UNRRA dans le domaine de 'la protection de l'enfance et qui prevoit, a cette fin, la creation d'un Fonds international de seeours'al'enfance. Ce Fonds doit etre constitue a l'aide de tous les avoirs disponibles provenant de l'UNRRA apres la cessation de ses activites, ainsi que de toutes contributions ou dons provenant de Gouvernements, d'institutions ou d'organisations benevoles, de particuliers ou d'autres sources. Ces fonds doivent etre utilises en vue de porter secours aux enfants et aux adolescents des pays victimes d'agressioll, et pour la sante des enfants en general. Le ConseiI economique et social a adopte, lors de sa troisieme session, le 30 septembre 1946, la resolution qui avait ete preparee par le Comite permanent du Conseil de l'UNRRA en consultation avec des representants du Secretaire general des Nations Unies. Cette resolution recommande a l'Assemblee generale de prendre les mesures necessaires en vue de la creation d,un Fonds international de secours a l'enfance, soumis au eontrole du Conseil economique et social. En outre, cette resolution invite le Secretaire general des Nations Unies a prepareI', de concert avec le Directeur de l'UNRRA, le President du Conseil economique et social et le Comite permanent del'UNRRA, un projet de resolution en vue d'instituer le mecanisme international necessaire acet efIet.. Le Secretaire general des Nations Unies, se eonformant aux recommandations du Conseil forty~third plenary meeting on 7 December 1946, the Third Committee adopted, unanimously, the report and recommendations of the sub-committee. The General Assembly is now to give consideration to the report submitted by the Third Committee, together with the proposed resolution which will create the international children's emergency fund. I strongly recommend the adoption of this resolution.

I call upon Mr. Quo Tai-chi, representative of China. Mr. Quo Tai-chi (China) : The Chinese delegation wholeheartedly supports the resolution for the establishment of an international children's emergency fund. Of an that is precious in any nation, the most precious is undoubtedly its children. In the hands of the rising generation lies the future of any nation and, indeed, of the United Nations. They are, therefore, to be most carefully cared for. Of all the sufferers in the war, the ones who have suffered most and most innocently are also the children. If anybody needs and deserves help, they do. Our effort here to give the unfortunate children a better chance in life is certainly a good starting point for the United Nations to practise the· observance and the promotion of basic human rights. We Chinese have always attached great importance to the care of unfortunate, desolate and destitute children. Many of you doubtless have heard of the war orphanages established by Mme Chiang Kai-shek during the war. In fact, for the support of these institutions, many good people and organizations in friendly nations have made generous contributions which we deeply appreciate. In this connexion, I am happy to acknowledge particularly the help and support so generously and constantly given by the United China Relief, now known as the United Service to China, in the United States, and as the United Aid to China Fund, in the United Kingdom. Our experience in dealing with the children who are victims of war has made us fully aware of the necessity and importance of such undertakings as that for which this resolution provides. Our own situation reminds us of similar situations and needs in many lands. All these children have been the victims of international strife. Shall we not try to let them grow up in the Le PRESIDENT (traduit de fanglais): Je donne la parole a M. Quo Tai-chi, representant de la Chine. M. Quo Tai-chi (Chine) (traduit de l'anglais): La delegation chinoise appuie chaleureusement la resolution tendant acreer un Fonds international de secours a. l'enfance. De tous les biens precieux que possede une nation, les plus precieux, certes, ce sont les enfants. L'avenir de toute nation, et a la verite celui des Nations Unies, est entre les mains de la generation montante. Il convient donc d'entourer cette generation de tous les soins possiblcs. De toutes les victimes de la guerre, celles qui ont souffert le plus - et les plus innocentessont aussi les enfants. S'il est des ~tres qui ont besoin et qui meritent qu'on les aide, ce sont bien eux. Le secours aux enfants malheureux, auxquels nous voulons nous efforcer de donner un meilleur depart dans la vie est, pour les Nations Unies, un excellent debut dans la pratique du respect effectif des droits fondamentaux de l'homme. Nous avons toujours, en Chine, attache une grande importance a l'aide a l'enfance mal. heureuse, abandonnee, miserable. Beaucoup d'entre vous ont certainement entendu parler des orphelinats de guerre que Mme Chiang-Kai:- chek a crees pendant les hostilites. En fait, de nombreuses personnes et organisations genereuses, dans les pays amis, ont contribue, dans une tres grande mesure, a l'entretiende ces institutions, et nous leur en sommes profondement reconnaissants. Je suis heureux, a ce propos, de rendre particulierement hommage aux createurs du United China Relief (devenu United Service to China) institue aux Etats- Unis, et a ceux du United Aid to China Fund institue dans le Royaume-Uni, pour l'assistance et l'appui constants qu'ils nous ont si genereusement donnes. L'experience que nous avons acquise en prenant soin des enfants victimes de la guerre nons rend pleinement conscients de la necessite et de l'importance d'entreprises cornme celles que prevoit la resolution. Notre propre situation est pour nous un rappel de la situation et des besoins analogues de nombreux pays. Tous les enfants dont il s'agit sont des victimes de conflits inter- To take care of the unfortunate and helpless children is an ideal and a principle which have for centuries existed in the Chinese political and social philosophy. In the Li Chi, or Book of Rites, one of our cherished Confucian classics, in the chapter of Li Yun, it was said that, in the ideal commonwealth, people love not only their own parents and their own children, but also love the parents and children of others. Mencius later said that we should take care of the aged and the young of others as we take care of our own. Therefore, in supporting the children's fund we are giving a new application to an old ideal. We of the Chinese delegation will therefore support this resolution and hope that it will be adopted unanimously by this Assembly.

If no one else wishes to speak, I shall regard the resolution as adopted unanimously. Decision: The resolution was adopted unanimously.

The next plenary meeting will be held tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.; the first item on the agenda will be the election of the sixth member of the Economic and Social Council. FIFTY-SEVENTH PLENARY MEETING Held on Thursday, 12 December 1946, at 11 a.m. CONTENTS Page 165. Determination of the agenda 1159 166. Relations of Members of the United Nations with Spain (question of ad- journing the discussion) 1161 167. Relations of Members of the United Nations with Spain: report of the First Committee 1166 Acting President: Mr. V. K. Wellington Koo (China) . 165. Determination of the agenda

Before adjouming last night, I announced that we would take up as the first item for this morning's meeting the election of the sixth member of the Economic and Social Council. Since it appears desirable to have a fuller attendance for the election, I propose to leave this item until later, and we will take up the question of Spain first. Mr. MAKIN (Australia): Mr. President, last evening, not only was it suggested that the election, as you have already indicated, would be the first item of business, but it was also Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais) : Si personne ne demande la parole, je considererai la resolution comme adoptee a l'unanimite. Decision: La resolution est adoptee a l'unanimite. Le PRESIDENT (traduit de fanglais): La prochaine seance pIeniere aura lieu demain matin a. 11 heures; le premier point a l'ordre l:lu jour sera l'election du sixieme membre du Conseil economique et social. La seance est levee cl 22 h. 15. CINQUANTE·SEPTIEME SEANCE PLENIERE T enue le jeudi 12 decembre 1946 a ~ I heures. TABLE DES MATzERES Pages 165. Fixation de l'ordre du jour 1159 166. Relations entre les Membres des Nations Unies et l'Espagne (question de l'ajournement du debat) 1161 167. Relations entre les Membres des Nations Unies et l'Espagne. Rapport de la Premiere Commission 1166 President par interim: M. V. K. Wellington Koo (Chine) .. 165. Fixation de I'ordre du jour Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): Hier soir, avant de lever 'la seance, j'ai annonce que nous comrnencerions, ce matin, par elire le sixieme membre du Conseil economique et social. Etant donne qu'il serait preferable, pour elire ce membre, qu'il y ait plus de representants presents, je propose de remettre l'election a plus tard, et d'examiner d'abord le question de l'Espagne. . M. MAKlN (Australie) (traduit de l'ang'lais) : A la seance d'hier soir, on a propose, non seulement de commencer par l'election dont vous venez de parler, Monsieur le President, mais