A/1/PV.66 General Assembly

I should like to consult the Assembly as to its intentions. If we want to finish today we must take steps to do so. There are still ten items o.n the agenda" two. of which will certainly give rIse to some dIScussIon. I refer to the item now under debate and to the refugee question. I have five speakers on the list in connexion with the matter we are now discussing. If each of them speaks for twenty minutes, allowing for interpretations, the discussion will take over three hours. Other speakers may also wish to be heard. If we give three hours to this item and a further three hours to the refugees question we shall not get through Our work. O~ the pres~nt issue,. therefore, I propose that we dIspense With the mterpretations unless the speeches are delivered in Russian or Spanish, , nu~ber of speakers to three in favour and three agaInst. Mr. CHANG (China), Rapporteur: r under- ~ood that we should vote on the general resolution first. If that is not the case, shall I now read the other two resolutions? The President gave a sign of consent. There are, as you know, two parts in document ~/246.1 The first part contains a general resolutIOn on the report of the Economic and Social ~oun.ci1, and the second part contains two resolutIOns ID connexion with consultative arr:mgements with non-governmental organizations. . The Rapporteur then read the two resolutions m the second part of the report.

I call upon Mrs. Douglas, representative of the United States of America. Mrs. DOUGLAS (United States of America) : I hope I shall be able to clarify the United States position in relation to the World Federation of -:J;rade Unions. I a?1 going to speak. in opposition to the resolution now before us-not in opposition to the World Federation of Trade Unions. There is no evidence that the additional privileges sought for the WFTU in this resolution are needed. This proposal also raises difficult organizational and constitutional questions. The resolution now before us is the first part of a resolution introduced by the delegation of the Soviet Union in the Second and Third Joint Committee. The original resolution had two parts, recommending that the Economic and Social Council grant the WFTU: first, the right to submit to the Council questions for insertion in the provisional agenda, in accordance with the procedure now applicable to specialized agencies; and secondly, the right to present written and verbal statements to the Council on all matters of concern to the Federation. The second part of that resolution was rejected. It provided that the Federation be given the right to participate in all the deliberations of the Council. Such a right would have elevated the World Federation of Trade Unions to a status superior to that of a Member of the United Nations not represented on the Council. It would also give to the World Federation of Trade Unions a status higher th~n that accorded to the specialized inter-governmental agenciesagencies composed in each case of most of the Members of the United Nations. The second part of the Soviet Union resolution was so clearly a violation of the letter and spirit lJ M'l 9HANG (Chine), Rapporteur (traduit de ang azs)' Je pen' 'ij ~ .' salS qu etait entendu que nous devI~ns voter d'abord Sur la resolution enerale, S 11 en est autrement dolo' li f? I ' ..,-Je re mamtenant es autres resolutions? Le President fait un signe dJassentiment. Comme vous le savez, le document Aj2461 s~ compose de deux parties. La premiere contIent une :es?lution.generale relative au rapport clu 90nseil economIque et social et la seconde con.tI.ent deux resolutions conc~rnant les disposItIOns a prendre en vue des consultations avec les organisations non gouvernementales. . Le Rapporteur donne lecture des deux resolutzons contenues dans la deuxieme !Jartie du rapport. Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole a. Mme !?ouglas, representant des Etats-Unis d'Ame- ~lque. Mm~ DOUGLAS, (Etats-Unis d'Amerique) (trad~zt de l'anglazs): J'espere pouvoir preciser la pOSItion des Etats-Unis a l'egard de la Federation sy~dicale mondiale. Je vais parler contre la resolution dont nous sommes saisis - et non contre la Federation syndicale mondiale. J'estime que rien ne justifie l'octroi des privileges supplementaires dont la resolution cherche a faire beneficier cette organisation. D'autre part, la proposition dont il s'agit pose des problemes d'organisation et des problemes d'ordre constitutionnel difficiles aresoudre. La resolution que nous avons sous les yeux constitue la premiere partie de la resolution presentee a. la Commission mixte.des Deuxieme et Troisieme Cominissions par la delegation de rUnion sovietique. La resolution primitive etait composee de deux parties, recommandant au Conseil economique et social d'accordcr a. la Federation: le droit de soumettre au Conseil des questions destinees a etre inscrites a. l'ordre du jour provisoire, conformement a. la procedure qui s'applique actuellement aux institutions specialisees; le droit de presenter au Conseil des communications ecrites et orales sur toutes les questions'interessant la Federation. La seconde partie de cette resolution a ete ecartee. Elle prevoyait, pour la Federation, le droit de prendre part a toutes les deliberations du Conseil. Ce droit aurait place la Federation syndicale mondiale sur un plan plus eleve qu'un Etat Membre des Nations Unies non represente au Conseil. 11 aurait egalement donne a la Federation syndicale mondiale un statut supericur a celui qui a etC accorde aux institutions specialisees intergouvernementales, institutions dont chacune compte parmi ses membres la plupart des Etats Membres des Nations Unies. La seconde partie de la resolution presentee par la delegation de rUnion sovietique etait en 1 Voir l'annexe 92. I come now to the first part of the resolution which was passed by the Joint Committee and which is now before the Assembly. I should like to explain why the United States delegation opposed it in the Joint Committee and is opposing it now before the Assembly. The debate on the subject of consultative arrangements between the Economic and Social Council and non-governmental organizations began at San Francisco. As a result of this debate, , the Charter distinguishes clearly, in Articles 69, 70 and 71, between: (1) Members of the United Nations not represented on the Economic and Social Council; (2) specialized intergovernmental agencies; and (3) non-governmental organizations. Article 69 provides that the Economic and Social Council shall invite any Member of the United Nations to participate, without vote, in its deliberations on any matter of particular concern to that Member. Article 70 provides that the Economic and Social Council may make arrangements ~or representatives of the specialized agencies to participate, without vote, in its deliberations and in those of the commissions established by it. The agreements with special- ,ized agencies contain provisions which limit their participation to matters within their respective fields of responsibility. 'Article 71 provides that the Economic and Social Council may make suitable arrangements fo~ consul~ation with non-governmental organizatlOns which are concerned with matters within its competence. In a comprehensive resolution adopted on 21 June of this year, the Council laid the foundation for such arrangements and esta?lis?ed categories of non-governmental orgaruzations. ' One might have thought that the Charter itself .would have settled, once and for all, any questlOnof the Council's giving, to any nongovernmental organization, a status before the Council' equal or superior to that of a Government not represented on the Council or of a specialized inter-governmental agency. But th;t was not .the case. ~t Londo~, at meetings of the Econonuc and SocIal CounClI, and again during the present session of the General Assembly, stre~uous efforts have been made to give one partIcular non,-governmcntal organization, the ':Vorld ~7deratlOn of Trade Unions, a preferentIal pOSItIon, superior not only to that of any other non-gover~mentalorganization in category .(a), but supenor even to that of specialized mter-governmental agencies and superior to that of Governments not represented on the Council. l~:pa.mnent and dIStortIOn of the pertinent pro- ViSIons of the Charter. We have sought to protect the Economic and ~ocial .Cou?cil against repeated efforts to force It, agamst Its best judgment, to elevate a single non~governmenta1 organization above all other non-governmental organizations in the same categ<;U1" We have upheld the principle of equality of treatment of all organizations within a particular c~tegory. Under this principle, clearly stated m the Council's resolution of 21 June, any arrangements worked out for one organization must be extended to all other organiza~ons within the same category. The Joint Comnuttce met the attack on this principle by adopting the resolution put forward by my delegation, which appears in the report now before the Assembly. We should all bea~ in mind that if the Asse~bly shoul? support the action taken by the Jomt Comnuttee on the first half of the Soviet Union resolution, and if the Council should take action accordingly, then all other organizations now in category (a), namely, the International Cooperative Alliance, the American Federation of Labor, and the International Chamber of Commerce, would also have to be given the unrestricted privilege of placing items on the Council's provisional agenda. In that unfortunate event the Council's control over its own agenda - over its own important work - would be seriously jeopardized. The Council's agenda is already heavy laden. r beg you not to overburden the Council with additional questions put forward by at least four non-governmental organizations without prior discussion and appropriate co-ordination through the Council's Standing Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations. Let uS help the Council, not hinder it, in its work toward the goals we all seek. We believe that the Economic and Social Council should be given a reasonable opportunity to discharge its important responsibility, under the Charter, to work out suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations. We believe, and a majority of the Economic and Social Council share our belief, that the Council has begun to discharge this responsibility in a very satisfactory manner. The President of the World Federation of Trade Unions, Mr. Arthur Deakiu, apparently shared this belief as recently as 2 October of this year. verne~ent~ se sont efforces d'empecher qu'on e~ ar~l~e a denaturer et a fausser le sens des dlsp01ntIOns correspondantes de la Charte. Nous avons cherche a proteger le Conseil ec~nomiq~e et, socia1 contre des efforts repetes qUI tend~lent a le pousser, en faisant violence a son s~ntl~ent sur ce point, a placer une des org~msatwns non gouvernementales cl'une categone donnee sur un plan superieur a cclui de tou~es les autres organisations de la meme cate- ~~ne.. ,Nous .avons soutenu le principe de l.egahte de traltem~nt pour toutes les organisatwns appartenant a une categorie determinee. En vertu de ce principe, clairement enonct dans l~ res~l~tion d~ ~o~se~l, en da~e du 21 juin, les dISPOSltlO?S ar:etees ~ 1egard dune organisation ~Olvent s apphq,uer a toutes, les autrcs orRanisatl~ns de l~ meme categone. La Commission ffilxte. a. repondu, aux .critiques dirigees contre ce prmclpe par I adoptIOn de la resolution presentee par ma delegation, qui figure au rapport dont l'AssembIee est actuellement saisie. . Nous de.vr~bns tous nous p~nc:rer de ,cette Idee que SI I AssembIee se ralhe a la solution adoptee par la Commission mixte relativement a la premiere moitie de la resolution presentee par la. del~gation de l'Union sovietique et si le Conseil aglt dans le meme sens, il y aurait lieu de donner a toutes les autres organisations figur~nt actuellement dans la categorie a), c'est-adIre al'Alliance cooperative internationale, il la Federation americaine du travail et a la Chambre de commerce internationale, le privilege d'inscrire sans restrictions des questions al'ordre du jour provisoire du Conseil. Si cette Hicheuse hypothese se realise, le drQit pour le Conseil de fixer lui-meme son propre ordre du jour, c'est-adire de garder la direction de ses importants travaux, serait serieusement compromill. L'ordre du jour du Conseil est deja tres charge. Je vous demande instamment de ne pas surcharger le Conseil de questions nouvelles soumises par au moins quatre organisations non gouvernementales, sans qu'il y ait ni discussion prealable ni coordination appropriee par l'intermediaire du Comite permanent du Conseil pour les organisations non gouvernementales. Aidons le Conseil, et n'entravons pas ses travaux qui tendent vers le but que nous desirons tous atteindre. Nous estimons que, dans la mes111'C du possible, le Conseil economique et social doit etre ameme de s'acquitter de la mission importante qui lui est confiee par la Charte et qui consiste a prendre toutes dispositions utiles pour consulter les organisations non gouvernementales. Nous cstimons, et telIe est aussi la pensee de la majorite du Conseil economique et social, que le Conseil a commence a s'acquitter de cette mission d'une fa~on tres satisfaisante. Il semble que le President de la Federation syndicale mondiale, M. Arthur Deakin, partageait encore cette opi- What I want to call to your attention now is that the President of the World Federation of Trade Unions himself expressed his appreciation of the difficulties involved for the Council's Committee in making any such recommendation. He stated that he would recommend to his Exec~ utive Bureau that the working arrangements as agreed upon should be put into operation in the hope that they· would prove fully satisfactory. This same report says in conclusion: "It was mutually agreed that if the co-operative spirit which had prevailed throughout the first meeting between the World Federation of Trade Unions and the Committee continued throughout the future it should be possible to arrive at a close and fruitful co-operation between the Council and the World Federation of Trade Unions, assuring the World Federation of Trade Unions that it would be able to contribute constructively to the work of the Council." Il y a un point sur lequel je voudrais maintenant attirer votre attention: le President de la Federation syndicale mondiale lui-meme a declare qu'il se rendait compte des difficultes qu'il y avait pour le Comite du Comeil aemettre une recommandation de ce genre. 11 a ajoute qu'il recommandera a son Bureau executif que les arrangements pratiques soient mis en application te1s qu'ils ont ete conclus, dans l'espoir qu'ils se reveleront pleinement satisfaisants. Et ce meme rapport se termine par la conclusion suivante: "Il a ete constate d'un commun accord que si I'esprit de cooperation qui a prevalu tout au long de la premiere reunion conjointe de la Federation syndicale mondiale et du Comite se maintient a I'avenir, il devra etre possible de realiser une cooperation etroite et fructueuse entre le Conseil et la Federation, donnant ainsi ala Federation l'assurance qu'elIe sera en mesure de contribuer a l'activite du Conseil d'une rnaniere constructive." Pour une raison qui ne nous apparalt pas encore clairement, M. ]ouhaux, qui est l'un des Vice-Presidents de la Federation syndicale mondiale et un membre distingue de la delegation fran!;aise a cette AssemblCe, a adresse le 12 novembre une lettre au President de I'AssembIee. A cette lettre en etait jointe une autre, plus longue, signee de lui-meme et de plusieurs autres personnalites - mais ne portant, toutefois, ni la signature de M. Deakin, President, ni celle de M. Saillant, Secretaire general de la Federation - faisant appel a l'AssembICe pour qu'elle recommande au Conseil economique et social d'octroyer a la Federation syndicale mondiale ces droits nouveaux. For some reason not yet dear to us, Mr. Jouhaux, one of the Vice-Presidents of the , World Federation of Trade Unions and a distinguished member of the French delegation to this Assembly, addressed a letter to the President of the Assembly dated 12 November. Attached to this letter was a longer one, signed by himself and a number of others-not, however, including Mr. Deakin, President, or Mr. Saillant, Secretary-General, of the Federation-in which an appeal was made to this Assembly to recommend to the Economic and Social Council that these additional rights be given to the World Federation ,of Trade Unions. Let us all bear in mind that this appeal for additional privileges came less than two months after the apparently happy conclusion of the October discussions between the Council's Committee on non-governmental organizations and the President and Secretary-General of the Federation. It is obvious that there could have been no operating experience whatsoever, in this short Il ne faut pas oublier que cette demande d'octroi de privileges suppIementaires a ete presentee moins de deux mois apres les discussions d'octobre, qui semblaient s'etre terminees d'une fa<;;on satisfaisante, entre le Comite des organisations non gouvernementales du ConseiI, d'une part, et le President et le Secretaire general de la Federation, d'autre part. II va sans clire qu'il , Representatives of my Government and of other Governments made a strong plea, in the Joint Committee, for allowing sufficient time for both the Economic and Social Council and the World Federation of Trade Unions to see whether, in actual practice, the arrangements already worked out so carefully, and in such a co-operative spirit, were completely satisfactory. This plea was unjustifiably misconstrued by representatives of certain delegations as an attack on the whole trade union movement and on the World Federation of Trade Unions in particular. There is no ground whatsoever for such a misunderstanding of our motives in opposing the resolution introduced by the delegation of the Soviet Union. The United States delegation wants the most fruitful co-operation possible between representative labour organizations and the Economic and Social Council. It certainly does not want to place any unnecessary obstacles in the way of such fruitful co-operation. We know that we would not be meeting here today, the free representatives of fifty-four nations, were it not fqr the contribution that organized labour made the world over towards winning the war. We know that we would not today be agreeing upon disarmament, andmaking plans together for the future, if it haq not been for the devotion and the untiring effort of organized labour in the fight for freedom. We do not forget the long hours, the uncomplaining self-sacrifice of millions of men and women during those dark days when the contribution they made was so vital and so effective. We do not forget now that, without the support and devotion of organized labour, we would not fulfil the plans we make here today. Our motives are clear. It seemed to us necessary, however, to state them again, in view of the adoption of the first part of the Soviet Union resolution by the Joint Committee after a rather confused and confusing debate. It seemed neces~ sary also in view of the fact that the delegation of the Soviet Union had introduced in this Assembly that portion of its original resolution which was rejected by the Joint Committee. Our motiv.es are first to allow sufficient time for the very reasonable consultative arrange~ ments already worked out with the World Fed~ eration of Trade Unions to be applied in prac~ Etats~Unis et d'autres Gouvernements ontdemande avec insistance a la Commission mixte de prevoir un d61ai assez long pour que le Conseil economique et social et la Federation syndicale mondiale puissent l'un et l'autre s'assurer que, dans la pratique, les arrangements deja elabores avec tant de soin et dans un si grand esprit de cooperation sont entiereme~t satisfaisants. ' Les mcmbres de certaines delegations ont vu, a tort, dans ce plaidoyer une attaque dirigee contre le mouvement syndicaliste dans son ensemble et contre la Federation syndicale mondiale ,en particulier. Cctte interpretation erronee des motifs pour lesque1s nous nous sommes opposes a la resolution presentee par la delegation de l'Union sovietique ne repose sur rien. La delegation des Etats-Unis a la volonte de voir s'etablir la cooperation la plus fructueuse possible entre les organisations ouvrieres representatives et le Conseil economique et social; iI est bien certain que notre delegation n'est nullement desireuse d'elever des obstacles inutiles dans la voie d'une teIle cooperatin. Nons savons que nollS ne serions pas n~unis dans cette salle aujourd'hui, nous, les representants libres de cinquante-quatre nations, si les organisations ouvrieres n'avaient apporte, dans le monde entier, leus contribution a l'effort fait pour gagner la guerre. Nous savons que nous ne serions pas a l'heure actueUe en mesure de conclure des accords sur le desarmement, cJ'elaborer en commun des projets d'avenir, si les organisations ouvrieres n'ovaient consacres a la defense de la liberte dans le monde entier leurs efforts devones et inbassables. Nous , n'oublions pas que des millions d'hommes et de femmes ont travaiIIe pendant de longues heures et ont montre, sans se plaindre, tant d'abnegation en ces jours sombres ou leur concours etait si precieux et si efficace. Nous n'oublions pas non plus a cette heure que, sans le soutien et le devouement des organisations ouvrieres, iI nous sera impossible de mettre a execution les plans que nous elaborons aujollrd'hui a l'As~ semblee. Les motifs qui nous inspirent sont tres clairs. Toutefois, il nous a pam necessaire de les exposer de nouveau, maintenant que la Commission mixte a adopte la premiere partie de la resolution presentee par la delegation de l'Union sovietique, a ]a suite de debats assez confus et assez deroutants. Nous avons juge utile de le faire egalement parce que la delegation de l'Union sovietique a soumis aI'Assemblee la partie de sa resolution primitive que la Commission mixte avait repoussee. Nous desirons: primo, disposcr d'assez de temps pour pouvoir mettre en pratique les dispositions tres raisonnables prevues par les arrangements pris avec la Federation syndicale In conclusion, let me say again that the United States opposes this resolution ,and the amendment proposed by the Soviet delegation in principle, in practice and in the interests of the Economic and Social Council itself. Indeed, we feel that: 1. The arrangements already worked out should afford this organization and the other non-governmental organizations included in category (a) ample access to the agenda. 2. These arrangements have not even been tested by usage and it is therefore unreasonable to assume their inadequacy. 3. These arrangements should be given a reasonable trial before the Assembly intervenes and, in effect, overrules the Council by recommending a change. 4. The Assembly shoul? forbear from interference in the mechanics of the Council's work., For these reasons we have considered it necessary to oppose this resolution and the amendment proposed here in the Assembly, and we hope that the ;Assembly will now reject both the amendment and the resolution. Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole a M. Goussev, representant de l'Union des Republiques socialistes sovietiques.

I call upon Mr. Gusev, representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Mr. GUSEV (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) (translated from Russian): The question of the participation of the World Federation of Trade Unions in the work of the United Nations is of the utmost importance. The head of the Soviet delegation, Mr. Molotov, in his speech to the General Assembly on 29 October 1946, pointed out the necessity of establishing friendly relations with this international organization of trade unions, which includes tens of millions of workers in many lands. This is particularly necessary for the Economic and Social Council, which cannot ensure the success of its work unless it can count on the support of such a vast democratic organization as the World Federation of Trade Unions. M. GOUSSEV (Union des Republiques socialistes sovietiques) (traduit du russe): La question de la participation de la Federation syndicale mondiale aux travaux de 1'0rganisation est une question tres importante. Dans le discotirs qu'il a prononce a l'Assemblee le 29 octobre (946, le chef de la delegation sovietique, M. Molotov, a dej~ souligne la necessite d'etablir des liens amicaux avec cette organisation intemationale des syndicats qui groupe des dizaines de millions de travailleurs appartenant a de nombreux pays. Ces liens sont particulieremellt necessaires au Conseil economique et social, qui ne pourra mener a bonne fin sa tiche que s'il s'appuie sur une organisation democratique dc' masses cotnme, l'est la Federation syndicale mondiale. On sait que cette question a ,ete eXaminee a la Conference de San-Francisco ainsiqu'a la premiere·partie de la premiere session de l'Assemblee generale, aLondres. L'Assemblt~e generale a recommande au Conseil economique et social de prendre des mesures pour permettre it la Federation syndicale mondiale d'apportcr: au As we know, this question was discussed at the San Francisco Conference and at the first part of the first session of the General Assembly held in London. The General Assembly recommended the Economic and Social Council to adopt suit~ able arrangements enabling the World Federation of Trade Unions to collaborate for purposes The Economic and Social Council did not, however, bring this just decision to its conclusion. The Council decided that the representative~ of the World Federation of Trade Unions could be present at meetings of the Economic and Social Council, in the same manner as other mm-governmental organizations, only as obser- ,"ers, and that they might submit their proposals neither at meetings of the Council nor at meetings of its Commissions, but through a special Committee for discussions with non-governmental organizations. It is quite obvious that this decision could not satisfy a vast organization of workers such as the World Federation of Trade Unions. The latter addressed a request to the General Assembly that it examine this question and give the World Federation of Trade Unions: 1. The right to submit to the Economic and Social Council questions for insertion in the provisional agenda, in accordance with the procrdllre now applicable to specialized agencies. 2. The right to present both written and verbal statements to the Economic and Social Council on all matters of concern to the Federation. During the discussion of this ques!ion at a joint meeting of the Second and ThIrd Committees, the Soviet delegation supported the request of the World Federation. of .Trade Unions and submitted a draft resolunon m conformity with this request. The proposal, contained in the draft resolution, to give the Federation the right to insert in the provision~l agenda of the Economic and Social. Counol questions of interest to the FederatIO~, was adopted. However, thy proposal, to gtve the Federation the right to present wntten and v:rbal statements to the Economic and Socral Council on matters of concern to it was not, unfortunately, adopted.. " The Soviet delegation conSIders that,thIS d~Clsion on the second point was wron,g, ~s It !estncts the just rights of such an authontanve mternational organization of workers as, the Wor~d Federation of Trade Unions. The tens ?f m~l­ lions of workers, organized in trade. umons 111 States, Members ~f the Un.ited NatIons, have made an immense contributIOn to the,cause. of victory over Hitlerite Germany.a;nd Impenalistic Japan; and now, unde~ ~o,ndltIOns of pe~ce, the co-operation in the actlVltles of ~he Umted Nations of the millions of worke:s un:ted by the World Federation of Trade Umons IS a yrtally essential condition for the successful solutIOn of La delegation sovietiquc; estim~ 9-ue la decision sur ce deuxieme pomt est m)uste;. ~ette decision meconnait, en effet, les drOlts .legttime; d'une organisation internati?nale ou~nere aUSSI importante que la FederatlO~ ~yndlca~e m?ndiale. Les dizaines de mIllIons d ouvners groupeS dans les syndicats des pays M,em~res d Nations Unies ont apporte une contnbution ~es rme a la victoire sur l'hitlerisme allemand cilO , A' d'h' et sur l'imperialisme japon~I~, .UJour ~l ~ue la paix est revenue, la partlclpa~lOIl; des miJ!ions d'ouvriers groupes dans l~ Fede~atI?n syndicale mondiale a. l'ceuvre de I <?~gaTIlsatron des Nations Unies est une condItion absolument cs· The participation of such an authoritative international organization of workers in the activities of the Economic and Social Council will merely serve to lighten the work of that body and will thus promote the improvement of the activities of our Organization as a whole and fulfilment of the lofty tasks entrusted to it by the Charter. As we know, the World Federation of Trade Unions unites approximately seventy million people of various trades. It is also concerned with those same economic and social questions with which the Economic and Social Council is dealing-human rights, problems of health, education and culture-and it is an international organization co-ordinating the activities of the trade unions of fifty-five countries in these spheres. This has enabled the World Federation of Trade Unions to draw on the accumulated experience of tens of millions of workers in many of the countrie~ of the world. Let us therefore ask ourselves whether it . would not be advisable to make use of the experience of this immense international organization of workers in the interests of all the United Nations. Is it not obvious that the establishment of a close connexion with the World Federation of Trade Unions is primarily of interest to the Economic and Social Council, as the body concerned with economic and social problems? In expressing their objections to giving the World Federation of Trade Unions the right to participate in the meetings of the Economic and Social Council, members of certain delegations alleged that this request from the Trade Unions was not in conformity with the United Nations Charter. However, in actual fact the proposal concerning the World Federation of Trade Unions is in full conformity with Article 71 of the United Nations Charter, which recommends to the Economic and Social Council that it make arrangements for consultation with nongovernmental organizations. The meaning of the word "consultation" not only does not exclude consultation by means of participation in Certains des representants qui ont refuse a la Federation syndicale mondiale le droit de prendre part aux reunions du Conseil economique et social, ont pretendu que cette demaJ;lde 'des syndicats n'etait pas conforme a la Charte de., Nations Unies. Mais, en realite, la proposition concernant la Federation syndicale mondiale est entierement conforme al'Article 71 de la Charte des Nations Unies, lequel recommande au Conseil economique et social de consulter les organisations non gouvernementales. Non seulement le mot "consulter" n'exclut pas la consultation sous forme de participation aux seances, mais il presuppose cette participation si on ne veut pas reduire cette consultation a une procedure vide, d'un formalisme purement bllreaucratique: echange de lettres et cretera: Si nous adoptions cette procedure, nous dresserions entre la Federation et le Conseil economique et social une barriere qui rendrait difficile une collaboration feconde entre ces deux organisations. La Federation syndicale mondiale peut apporter une aide efficace au Conseil economique et social pour la solution de nombreux problemes economiques et sociaux; dIe peut l'aider a renforc~r la collaboration economique entre les peuples et a accomplir les taches confiees aux Nations Unies, si nous savons profiter de son experience et si nous facilitions, au lieu de l'entraver, sa collaboration avec l'Organisation des Nations Unies. Pour toutes ces raisons, la delegation sovietique appuie la requete de la Federation syndicale mondiale et propose que l'Assemblee generale accorde a cette Federation le droit de mee!i~gs, .but, on the cont!'ary, presupposes such partIcIpatlOn, unless we WIsh to reduce consultation to an empty, formal, bureaucratic proced. ure, such as correspondence and so forth. Such procedure would result in the creation of a barrier between the Federation and the Economic and Social Council, which would hinder their fruitful co-operation. The World Federation of Trade Unions can give effective help to the Economic and Social Council in the solution of many economic and social problems, .in strengthening economic collaboration between nations and in the implementation of the tasks entrusted to the United Nations, if we make use of the experience of this organization and if we help and do not hinder co-operation between the World Federation of Trade Unions and the United Nations. Guided by these considerations, the Soviet delegation supports the request of the delega~io.n has different views. We consider that the. opmIOn. of the World Federation of Trade UnIOns, whIch has about seventy million members, cannot be ignored. The Federation can help the Economic and Social Council and the ~c~nomic and Social. Council can tak~ account m Its work of the WIshes of that organization. Our addition to the resolution adopted by the Second and Third Committees has been distributed and is now before the representatives. The Soviet delegation hopes that the Assembly will adopt ~he resolution submitted by the Committee and wIll support the addition proposed by the Soviet delegation. We hope that other delegations will support this addition.

I call upon Mr. Sapru, representative of India. Mr. SAPRU (India): Much heat has been exhibited in this debate, and the Indian delegation would like the problem raised by the recommendation of the Joint Committee in regard to the demand of the World Federation of Trade Unions for closer consultation with the Economic and Social Council to be viewed in its proper perspective. A few simple facts will help to explain the exact import of our decision. The recommendation of the Joint Committee . represents its considered views on a communication which waR addressed to you, Mr. President, by the distinguiRhed Vice-President of the WFTU on 12 November 1946. In that letter, the demand was put forward by the WFTU for closer conRultation with .the Economic and Social Council. The actual proposals which were made hy that organization were that it should be conceded (a) the right to submit to the Council questions for insertion in the provisional agenda, in accordance with the procedure now applicable to specialized agencies; (b) the right to present ,written and verbal statements to the Council on all matters of concern to the Federation. What the Joint Committee has done is to concede the first demand of the WFTU. It has rejected the other. All that it has done is to simplify the procedure for consultation and collaboration. The recommendation of the Joint Committee, if implemented, will no doubt modify to some extent the proposals of ,the Economic and Social Council made, I think, On n?us a dit aujourd'hui que I'Assemblee ne devaIt pas perd t . . re son emps a exammer la r~solutIOn. sur les consultations avec la Federa~ bon syndIcale mondiale. 11 resulte de ces de~ claratIOns que certaines dl.lLgati' t' t '" C cons cs Imen qu ~n peut lalsser de cote, qu'on peut ignorer les Justes demandes de la Federation des syndicats. L~ delegation sovietique est d'un tout a~tre aVIs., ~o~s estimons qu'il est impossible d Ign~rer I opmIOn de la Federation syndicale m,ondIale, avec ses soixante-dix millions d'adherents. La Federation peut aider le Consol ec~nomiq~e et social, et ce dernier peut luimeme temr compte dans ses travaux des desiderata de cette organisation. ' L'additif sovietique a la resolution qui a cte approuvee par la Deuxieme et la Troisieme Commission, a ete distribue et se trouve entre l~s ~ains de.') representants. La delegation sovle~Ique e~pe:e que l'As;semblee adoptera la resolutIOn qll1 IU! est soumlSe par la Commission et qu'elle app.uiera l'additif propose par la delegatI~n sO~Iebque. ~ous esperons que les autres deh~gatIOns appUIeront notre additif. Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole a M. Sapru, representant de l'Inde, M. SAPRU (Inde) (traduit de l'anglais): Ce debat a ete ·assez viI, et la delegation de I'Inde desirerait que le probleme pose par la recommandation de la Commission mixte re1ativement ala requete de la Federation syndicale mondiale qui desire voir s'etablir entre elle et le Conseil economique et social des relations plus etroites sous la forme de consultations, fClt examine sous son vrai jour. Quelques simples faits pennettront a l'Assemblt~e de saisir la portee exacte de notre decision. Par sa recommandation, la Commission mixte exprime son opinion reflechie sur une communi~ cation adressee au President de l'AssembIee le 12 novembre 1946, par le Vice-President de la Federation syndicale mondiale. En cette communication, la Federation demandait que le Conseil economique et social ctablit avec dIe des relations plus etroites aux fins de consulta~ tion. Cette organisation demandait en fait: a) le droit de soumettre au Conseil des questions qu'elles desirait voir inscrites a1'0rdre du jour provisoire, conformement a la procedure qui s'applique actuellement aux institutions specialisees; b) le droit de presenter au Conseil des communications ecrites et orales sur tOlltes les questions interessant la Federation. La Commission mixte a accede ala premiere demande de la FSM; elle a ecartc la seconde. En somme, eile a simplifie les modalitcs de consultation et de collaboration. S'it etait donne suite a la recommandation de la Commission mixte, les propositions que le Conseil economique et social a faites, le 21 juin 1946, je crois se trouveraient indubitablement modifiees dans For our purposes, it is necessary to accept the position that the WFTU is a reasonable organization and that the Council is a body capable of transacting its l;msiness in a busin~ss­ like manner. It is on this assumption that we justify the vote we cast for the first part.of the resolution. We assume that the WFTU is a body of reasonable men who will submit reasonable proposals, and we also assume that the Economic and Social Council is a body which is capable of going ahead with its business in an expeditious manner. The recommendation that the Joint Committee has made will simplify the position and will not interpose any avoidable delay in consideration of the questions in which the WFTU, as a great organization, as an organization which represents the world of labour in many countries of the world and has a membership of seventy million workers, is interested. When a question is submitted by the WFTU, the Council will be bound to apply its mind to this question, for this is in effect what the right of submitting items for the agenda will amount to. The procedure will. have the merit of increasing the efficiency of the procedure for ensuring co-operation between the Council and the WFTU. It will also save it from the dangers to which attention has been invited in the letter of the distinguished Vice-President of the WFTU, Mr. Jouhaux. The concessions which have been made to theWFTU in no way put it on a par with a. specialized agency like the lntemational Labour Organisation. I have not been able to understand the legal arguments which have been advanced against the first part of· the proposal of the Joint Committee. I have read the relevant sections of the Charter, and our attention has not been drawn to any particular section of the Charter which debars the General Assem, bly from making a recommendation of this character to the Economic and Social Council. There is no express provision, as far as I have been able to read, against our making recommendations to the Economic and Social Council of the character we i.ntend to make. propo~ons de formuler. Ind6pendamment de cette question, qu'il me soit permis de faire observer qu'il y a une difference entre le statut dont jouissent les institutions specialisees et celui qui a ete accord6 a la FSM. L'OIT est une institution intergouvernementale specialisee, d'un caractere particulier, qui, a titre de reciprocite, peut participer, sans droit de vote, aux deliberations du Conseil economique et social. La lecture de l'accord conelu entre l'Organisation des Nations Unies et l'OIT permet de se faire une idee tres nette de la situation. Apart from this question, I may point out that there is a difference between the status which has been accorded to the specialized agencies and that accorded to the WFTU. The International Labour Organisation is a special inter-governmental specialized agency which has the reciprocal right of participation without vote in the deliberations of the Economic and Social Council. A perusal of the agreement between the United Nations and the ~LO will make this position perfectly clear. The ~embers of th~ WFTU will not now have to go about canvassmg each 1\1ember State before ~hey ~an l~ave a question, which they submit for msertlon ill the agenda of the Economic and ~ociaI Council, considered by the Council. That IS all the concession that we have made to the ~FTU. Therefore, let us not exaggerate the unportance of the concession that we have made. We have not placed the WFTU on a f~oting of equality in matters of consultation WIth the ILO or any other specialized agency. All dlat we have done--and I should like to emphasize this-is that the WFTU will not have to go through the process of working through ~om~ Member State interested in the questions It raISes. Mter the resolution was passed, the repre- ~ntative of the United States raised the quesnon of other non-governmental organizations in category (a). He wanted these other non-governmental organizations in category (a) to be conceded rights similar to those which have been conceded to the WFTU. The Indian delegation voted against the proposal of the representative of the United States, not because it was necessarily opposed to it in principle, but because that proposal raised, as an answer and a challenge to the resolution on the' WFTlT. issues other than those which the Committee had been called upon to consider. We were dealing, in the Joint Committee, at that time, with a definite application from the WFTU, and we could not commit our Government to any other issue supposed to be arising out of it. The Indian delegation feels that it cannot agree to any regional labour organization being treated on an equal footing with a world organization, and this is by way of answer to the resolution which was promoted by the representative of the Argentine. For the reasons which I have stated, we support the resolution as passed by the Joint Committee. We are opposed to the second part of the Soviet Union amendment, as, if it is accepted, the WFTU will occupy more or less a position of equality with the specialized agencies, and we are not prepared to go to that extent. Wc think that we have provided a procedure which would en~ble smooth co-.ope.ration to develop between thIS world orgamzatIOn and this Assembly of all the countries of the world. We have, we think, provided machinery .which would satisfy the legitimate aspiration of L~ dr,o~t de faire des recommandations verbales n a ete accorde a la FSM que dans 1 li 't de la 'dd' a ml e. proce ure eterminee par 'les arrangements astuels. Tout cc que nous avons fait c'est de conceder a une organisation mandiale ~ui a, ~our le mon~e duo tr~vail, l'importance qu'a la FSM, un ?r?lt qUl lUl garantira que ses avis se- ~ont ex~mmes sans delai par les soins du Conseil e~OnOlTIlque e~ so~ial. Les membl'es de la FSM n auront pas a falre toutes sortes de demarches aUfrcs de ch.aque Etat Membre afin d'obtenir qu un~ que~tlon,qU,e leur organisation propose ~our lI~SertIOn a 1ordre du jour du Conseil cconor:l1qu~ et social soit examinee par cc C~nsc~l. C est la seule ~oncession que nous ayons falte a l~. FSM, et 11 ne convient pas d'cn exagerer 1Importance: Nous n'avons pas place la"FSM, pour ee qUl est des consultations, au meme rang.qu~ l'(~)lT ou, que l'une quelconque ~es autres mstltutIOns specialisees. Nous avons slmplement fait en sorte, je tiens a le souligncl' qu': l~ FSM ,n:a~t pa~ a s~ preoccuper de passe; pal lllltermedIalre dun Etat Membre interesse aux questions qu'elle desire soulever. Apres l'adoptio~ de la ,resolution, le representant d.es ~tats-Ums a pose la question des autres organISatIOns non gouvernementales appartenant a la categorie a). Il souhaitait voir accorder a ces autres organisations non gouvemementales de la categorie a) des droits ~nalogues a ceux qui ont ete accordes a la FSM. La delegation de l'Inde a vote contre la proposition du representant des Etats-Unis, non parce que l'lnde y etait forcement opposee en principe, mais paree que cette proposition allait a l'encontre de la resolution sur la FSM et soulevait des problemes qui ne sont pas parmi eeux que la Commission avait ete appelee a examiner. En efIet, noUS nous occupions alors, au sein de la Commission mixte, d'une demande bien precise emanant de la FSM, et nous ne pouvions engager notre Gouvernement sur une autre question dont on nous disait qu'elle etait lice a cette demande. La delegation de l'Inde estime qu'elle ne peut pas se rallier a l'idee qu'une organisation ouvriere regionale quelconque jouisse d'un traitcment egal a celui que l'on aceordc a une organisation mondiale - et eette observation con~­ titue une reponse ala resolution proposee par le representant de l'Argentine. Pour les raisons que je viens d'exposer, nous appuyons la resolution telle qu'elle a ete votee par la Commission mixte. Nons sommes opposes ala seconde partie de l'amendement de l'Uninn sovietique parce que, si cet amendement ctait accepte, la FSM se trouverait plus nu mains placee au meme rang que les institutions spccialisees, et nous ne sommes pas disposes a aUer aussi loin. Nous estimons avoir prevu une procedure qui permettrait une collaboration harmonieuse entre l'organisation mandiale dont il s'agit et l~ presente Assemblee au tous les pays du monde sont representes. Nous pensons avoir The Economic and Social Council, as we know, has done good work in the year under review, and it is an instrument which is capable of doing an infinite amount of good work in the future. If it is to do the work which has been assigned to it by the Charter, it must have the co-operation of the workers of the world, and it is because we feel that the WFTU represents the workers of the world that we think it but right that,it should be conceded the right of placing items for insertion in the provisional agenda of the Economic and Social Council. If this proposal is accepted by the Economic and Social Council, the way will be prepared for effective co-operation between this Assembly and the world of labour, and we want, in this world of ours, greater co-operation between labour and govemment. I am not a trade unionist, and I have not the experience which my distinguished friend, the representative of the United Kingdom, has of the trade union movement. But I have felt that closer co-operation between the trade unions and the governm'ents of today, Closer cooperation between trade unions and this Organization, will pave the way for a healthy and rational world order. It is because' we stand for a healthy and rational world order, which will do justice to all sections and classes of our population, that we think the recommendation of the Joint Committee is right and proper.' With these words I should like, on behalf of India, to give our support to the first two parts of the resolution of the Joint Committee; that is to say, the part which places on record the position of the work of the Economic and Social Council, and the part which concedes to the WFTU the right of placing items for consideration before the Economic and Social Council.

I call upon Mr. Makin, representative of Australia. Mr. MAKrN (Australia): When the resolution regarding, relations between the World Federation of Trade Unions and the Economic and SO,cial Council was discussed in joint meetings of the Second and Third Committee, the Australian delegation voted against the resolution now before this plenary session. For the same reasons which actuated us then, we feel that we must again vote against the resolution. That the trade union movement is one of the strongest forces in Australian social life is so clear that Members of this Assembly will understand that our attitude towards the resolution cannot in any way be interpreted as directed against the interests of the trade unions generally. The rea- Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parol~ a M. Makin, representant de l'Australie. M. MAlUM (Australie) (traduit de I'anglais): Lors de la discussion, a la Commission mixte des Deuxiemc et Troisieme Commissions, de la resolution concernant les relations entre la Federation syndicale mondiale et le Conseil economique et social, la delegation australienne s'est prononcee contre la resolution dont l'Assemblee generale est actuellement saisie. Ce sont les memes raisons qui, a ce moment-la, nous ont guides, qui nous commandent aujourd'hui de voter de nouveau contre la resolution. Il est tellement evident que le mouvement syndicaliste constitue une des forces les plus puissantes de la vie sociale en Australie que les Membres de cette Assemblee comprendront parfaitement que notre attitude a l'egard de cette resolution ne saurait en aucune maniere etre In our view, the General Assembly should not embarrass the Economic and Social Council with decisions upon matters which, under Articles 60 and 71 of the Charter, are better left to the discretion of the Council itself. The Council has an established procedure for consultation with nongovernmental organizations. Under these arrangements, the World Federation of Trade Unions has the right: 1. To send observers to meetings of the Council; 2. To submit proposals for the Council's agenda to a Special Committee of the Council; 3. To circulate written statements as official papers of the Council; 4. To participate in Council discussions at the Council's request. . These are substantial advantages which we feel have rightly been granted to the World Federation of Trade Unions. The Australian delegation cannot see, however, how greater claims than these can be accorded to the World Federation of Trade Unions without placing ~i(embers of the United Nations, who are not members of the Economic and Social Council, in a position inferior to the WFTU. The Charter distinguishes clearly the types of relationship which shall exist between the Council and (a) non-members of the ~ouncil, (b) specialized inter-governmental agencies, and (c) non-governmental or~anizations. The Council has not settled procedure for approving provisional agendas. At present any item admitted to the provisional agenda is, in fact, admitted to the Council agenda. We for~­ see considerable embarrassment for the CouncIl if the power accorded to the World F~deration of Trade Unions is in fairness and eqUIty to be accorded also to three other organizations; namely, the Intern,ational Chamb<:r of ~om­ merce, the International Co-operative Alliance and the Ameriran Federation of Labor. There may still be more. There is a grave danger that the agenda may become unmanageable. No ;ufficient evidence has been supplied to show that the preSent system of consulta~ion between the World Federation of Trade Umons and the Economic and Social Council has inconvenienced the World Federation of Trade Unions and ~ven it less than its due place. Australia considers, therefore, that the present machinery should be used an~ further tested by time and for the above-mentIOned reasons we will vot~ against the resolution a~d the am~nd­ ment proposed by the Soviet Umon delegatIOn. ...A notre avis, l'AssembIee generale ne doit pal:! gener l'action du Conseil economique et social . par des decisions prises sur des questions qu'il y aurait interet, aux termes des Articles 70 et 71 ue la Charte, a laisser regler par le Conseil luimeme. Le Conseil a une procedure fixe en ce qui concerne les c;onsultations avec les organisations non gouvernementales. Aux termes de ces arrangements, la Federation syndicale mondiale a le droit: 1. D'envoyer des observateurs aux reunions du Conseil; 2. De soumettre a un Comite special du Conseil des propositions relatives a l'ordre uu jour du Conseil; 3. De remettre des declarations ecrites adistribuer comme documents officiels du Conseil; 4. De participer aux discussions du Conseil a la demande de ce dernier. Tels sont les avantages importants qui ont ete, a bon droit, nous semble-toil, accordes a la Federation syndicale mondiale. La delegation australienne ne voit pas, toutefois, comment on pourrait accorder des droits plus etendus a la Federation syndicale mondiale sans que les Membres des Nations Unies qui ne font pas partie du Conseil economique et social se trouvent places dans une situation desavantagee par rapport ala FSM. La Charte etablit une distinction trcs nette entre les divers genres de relations qui devront exister entre le Conseil et: a) les Etats qui ne sont pas membres du Conseil, b) les institutions specialisees intergouvernementales, c) les organisations non gouvernementales. Le Conseil n'a pas de regIe fixe pour la procedure d'approbation des ordres du jour provi. soires. Actuellement, tout point dont l'inscription al'ordre du jour provisoire a ete acccpt~e est, en fait, inscrit a l'ordre du jour du Consel]. On peut prevoir que le Conseil se trouvera dans une grand embarras si la faculte accordee ~ la Federation syndicale mondiale est, en toute JUstice et equite, accordee egalement atrois autres organisations qui sont: la Chambre de ~om­ merce internationale, l'Alliance cooperative internationale et la Federation americaine du travail, 11 se peut mcme qu'il y en,.ait e~core davantage. I1 y a lieu de redouter qu 11 devlenne alors impossible d'etablir l'ordre du jour. Les faits invoques pour prouve~ que !e systcn:e actllel de consultation entre la FederatIOn syndIcale mondiale et le Const;il economique et social a ete prejudiciable ala Federation et a eu pour resultat de la placer sur un plan inferieur a celui auquel dIe avait droit, n'a~portent p~ une preuve suffisant~. La dele~at~on aust~~henne estime done qu'll faut contmuer a utilIser le mecanisme actuel et le soumettre encore a l'epreuvc du temps; e'est pourquoi, pour les raisons indiquees ci-dessus, elle votera contre la resolution et contre l'amendement propose par la delegation de l'Union sovietique.

I call upon Mr. Corominas, representative of Argentina. Mr. COROMINAS (Argentina) (translated from Spanish): Argentina enters the discussion in the most advantageous conditions, perhaps because I am the last speaker, and also perhaps because Argentina is a country which has warmly defended the rights of workers throughout the world whenever the occasion has arisen. If I had the time this afternoon, I could present a case here against those States which profess to be "labour" governments, but I will leave that for next year's Assembly. When that time comes Argentina will bring forward again the proposal which was rejected in the Committee. For the time being, there are a few practical points which need clearing up before the debate is closed. We are representatives of a constitutional, democratic, popular Government; we are also representatives of a Government of the working classes. That is why I stand at this rostrum now to speak in defence of the workers of the world, in an effort to secure for them the right to be heard in all the organs of the United Nations. Argentina voted in support of the World Federation of Trade Unions, that is to say, to further the interests of the workers of the world, in conformity with Article 71 of the Charter. On that occasion, Argentina maintained that workers throughout the world, belonging to trade unions and other organizations, should have the right to be heard in the Economic and Social Council in accordance with the clearly expressed terms of Article 71 of the Charter. Later, as the Indian representative very rightly recalled, we also supported the United States proposal that the American Federation of Labor should be given the requisite rights in relation to the Economic and Social Council, and when Argentina submitted a proposal to the competent Committee that the general labour federations of the American continent should have the right to be represented, to be heard, and to present their desiderata and to express their views in the Committee, the proposal was Ulterieurement, comme l'a tres bien rappeIe le representant de l'lnde, nous avons aussi appuye la proposition des Etats-Unis tendant a donner a la Federation americaine du travail, aupres du Conseil economique et sodal, la situation alaquelle elle a droit; et quand I'Argentine a propose a la commission competente que les confederations generales du travail du 'continent americain puissent se faire representer et se faire enteridre, presenter leurs desiderata et exprimer leurs sentiments au sein de la Commission, cette proposition a ete rejetee au cours d'un memorable scrutin par appel nominal qui me permet de dire que rares sont les nations qui defendent comme nollS, avec vehemence, le sort des travailleurs du monde. A l'occasion de ce scrutin par appel nominal, nous avons vu que les Etats proletaires sont proIetaires et aussi polil'ejec~ed in a memorable vote by roll-call, an occaSIOn which I think justified me in saying that there are few countries which defend more vehemently than my own the interests of the working classes. On the occasion of this 1'011- call it was demonstrated that the proletarian States are politicians as well as proletarians, Le PRESIDENT: Je donne la parole a M. Corominas, representant de 1'Argentine. M. COROMINAS (Argentine) (traduit de l'espagnol): L'Argentine entre dans ce debat dans les meilleures conditions, peut-ctre parce que je suis l'orateur qui clot la discussion, peutctre aussi parce que l'Argentine est l'Etat qui, ason heure, a defendu le plus chaIeureusement les droits des travailleurs du monde. Je pourrais ce soir, si j'en avais le temps, mettre en accusation les Etats qui se disent Etats de travailleurs; mais je remets cela a l'Assemblee de l'annee prochaine; a cette occasion, l'Argentine insistera de nouveau sur le projet qui n'a pas beneficie d'une decision favorable au sein de la Commission. Pour l'instant, avant que s'acheve le debat, il est necessaire de bien marquer certains points concrets. Nous SOlllmes les representants d'un Gouvernement constitutionnel, democratique, populaire et aussi les representants d'un Gouvernement de travailleurs. C'est a ce titre que je suis id, a. cette tribune, pour 'prendre la defense des travailleurs du monde, pour faire qu'ils soient entendus par tous les organismes des Nations Unies. L'Argentine a emis un vote favorable a la Federation syndicale mondiale, c'est-a.-dire un vote favorable aux travailleurs du monde, conformement a l'Article 71 de la Charte. En cette occasion, l'Argentine a soutenu que les travailleurs du monde, syndiques et organises, peuvent se faire entendre du Conseil economique et social, conformement au texte clair de l'Article 71 de la Charte. I quoted Lenin in my speech, and those who call themselves workers voted against Lenin. I quoted the Labour leaders, and they voted against the Labour leaders' ideas. I quoted the working people of my country, and I voted on their side, fOr the wholehearted defence of their principles. Argentina's vote will not be in discord or at variance with the views expr~ed in the Committee. She will vote in favour of the resolution before us, in conformity with the spirit of Article 71 of the Charter, without believing that the World F(~deration of Trade Unions may become a dictator to the Economic and Social Council. She will vote for the resolution to want the same benefits to similar organizations, and as she votes. not without some emotion, her de:;:ir(" will he that the future A..c;;sembly of the United Nations which may deal with this question, may be receptive to the requests of workers from all part.~ of the world. There are al<;o regional problems and these cannot be dealt with by world organizations. These regional problems of the working classes, whether they relate to Argentina or any other (:ountry, should find expression in the deliberative A'>Scmbly of the United Nations. Since when have the United Nations had the right to silence the working classes? It is easy enough to come to this Assembly, the highest tribune of contemporary thought, and make grandiloquent speeches in defence of the workers. The effective way to give the working people the help they need, is to defend them in their everyday life, in their daily struggle for food, for work and for their general welfare. Wc people of America are used to hearing fine words of support of the working classes. 'Ye know how at conferences everywhere the working class has been given false hopes; we know how cruellv and how often its hopes are dashed, because ~e belong to a country in which the people are just recovering their rights of citizenship, a country which is struggling to reaffirm the workers' views and consolidate their gains, nnd above all to fonn a government of workers which will march forward towards a better world. Let us open the doors of the United Nations to the working classes of the world. - trav~illist~ mvoq~ent les syndieats pour defendre les mterets ouvners, mais que lorsque vient I'heure du scrutin, ils votent co~trairement aux interets des travailleurs. Nous sommes Ies travailleurs authentiques no~s venons d.es ateliers et nous desirons que l~ VOIX des travailleurs du monde entier soit entendue par les Nations Unies, organe sensible atollS les besoins de l'humanite. Je ne con~ois pas co~ent !'Organisation des Nations Unies pourralt fonctlonner sans ecouter battre le creur de la classe ouvriere. J'ai cite Lenine dans mon discours, et ceux qui se pretendent des travailleurs ont vote contre Lenine; ils ont vote contre les conceptions des chefs travaillistes - alors que j'avais cite les chefs du travaillisme. J'ai cite les travailleurs de mon pays et j'ai vote en consequence avec eux pour la defense integrale de leurs principes. L'Argentine votera, et son vote ne sera ni en opposition ni en contradiction avec la pensee exprimee en Commission. L'Argentine votera pour la resolution qui nous est presentee, conformement a l'esprit de f'Article 71 de la Charte, et sans penser que la Federation syndicale mondiale puisse se transformer en un organisme susceptible de dieter ses volontes au Conseil eeanomique et social. L'Argentine votera pour la resolution qui accorde aux organisations similaires le meme traitement, et elle votera, peutetre avec un peu d'emotion, parce que dans l'avenir l'AssembIee des Nations Unies qui traitera cette question ne sera pas insensible aux besoins des travailleurs du monde. n y a des problemes regionaux que ne peuvent regler les organismes mondiaux. Ces problemes regionaux de la classe ouvriere, qu'ils se posent en Argentine ou dans un pays quelconque du monde, on doit les discuter au sein de l'Assemblee deliberante des Nations Unies. Depuis quand les Nations Unies ont-elles qualite pour faire taire la classe ouvriere? I1 est tres facile de venir a cette tribune, la plus haute tribune de la pensee cont'emporaine, et de prononcer de grands discours en faveur des classes ouvrieres. Ce dont les classes ouvrieres ont efIeetivement besoin, c'cst qu'on les soutienne dans leur vie quotidicnne, leur lutte de tous les jours, leurs efforts pour gagner le pain quotidien, travailler et aSsurer leur.bien-etre collectif. Nous sommes habitues, nous citoyens de l'Amerique, aces jeuxfloraux de la parole en faveur des classes ouvrieres. Dans tous les congres du monde, nous savons bien comment on cree l'illusion chez les travailleurs, nous savons bien comment et dans quelle mcsure on le~ trompe - car nous appartenons a un pays qUI se trouve actuellement au stade ou le peuple reconquiert ses droits civi9ues et lutte pour afIinner les vceux des travmlleurs, assurer leurs conquetes et, par-dessus tout, pour constituer un gouvernement de travailleurs en marche ver~ un monde meilleur. Ouvrons les portes des NatIOns Unies aux classes laborieuses du monde entier.

I now put to the vote the Soviet Union amendment to add the following words to the resolution "and also the right to present written and verbal statements to the Economic and Social Council on all matters of concern to the Federation". , Mr. OROMYKO (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) (translated from Russian): I ask for a vote by roll-call. A vote was taken by roll-call.

The result of the voting is as follows: Voted for: Argentina, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Chile, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Yugoslavia. Voted against: Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Honduras, Iceland, India, Iraq, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippine Republic, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Union of South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. Abstentions: Bolivia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Greece, Iran, Uruguay, Venezuela. Decision: The Soviet Union amendment was rejected by twenty-eight votes to fifteen with ten abstentions.

We will now proceed to a vote on the resolution concerning the request of the World Federation of Trade Unions. Mr. WELLS (United Kingdom): I would iike the vote to be taken by roll-call. A vote was taken by roll-call.

The result of the voting is as follows: Voted for: Afghanistan, Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Le PRESIDENT: J e mets maintenant aux voix l'amendement sovietique qui consiste a ajouter a la resolution les mots suivants: "... et aussi le droit de faire au Conseil economique et social des communications ecrites et orales sur toutes les questions interessant la Federation". M. GROMYKO (Union des Republiques sodalistes sovietiques) (traduit du russe): Je demande un vote par appel nominal. 11 est procMe au vote par appel nominal. Le PRESIDENT: Le resultat du vote le suivant: Votent pour: Argentine, Republique socialiste sovietique de Bielorussie, Chili, Tchecoslovaquie, Danemark, France, Guatemala, HaIti, Mexique, Norvege, Pologne, Suede, Republique socialiste sovietique d'Ukraine, Union des Republiques socialistes sovietiques, Yougoslavie. Votent contre: Afghanistan, Australie, Bel· .gique, Bresil, Canada, Cuba, Equateur, Egypte, Salvador, HonduraS, lslande, lnde, Irak, Liban, Luxembourg, Pays-Bas, Nouvelle-Zelande, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Perou, Republique des Philippines, Arabie saoudite, Syrie, Turqui~, Union Sud-Africaine, Royaume-Uni, Etats-Ums d'Amerique. S'abstiennent : Bolivie, Chine, Colombie, Costa-Rica, Republique Dominicaine, Ethiopie, Grece, Iran, Uruguay, Venezuela. Decision: L'amendement de l'Union sovietique est rejete par vingt-huit voix ,ontre quinze., et dix abstentions. Le PRESIDENT: Je mets maintenant aux voix la resolution relative a la demande de la Federation syndicale mondiale. M. WELLS (Royaume-Uni) (traduit de ~'an­ glais): Je demande un vote par appe1 nommal. Il est procede au vote par appel nominal. Le PRESIDENT: Voici le resultat du vote. Votent pour: Afghanistan, Argentine, Belgique, Bolivie, Republique socialiste sovietique de V oted against: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Honduras, Iraq, Lebanon, Netherlands, New Zealand N· , lcaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Philippine" Republic, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Union of South AIrica, United Kingdom, United States of America. AbsUntions: China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Greece, Iran, Uruguay. Decision: The resolution was adopted by twenty-five votes to twenty-two with six absten· ,tions.

We proceed to a vote on the resolution concerning the consultative arrangements with non. governmental organizations.

The result of the voting is as follows: Voted for: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Greece, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Lebanon, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippine Republic, Sweden, Turkey, Union of South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela. Voted against: Afghanistan, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, France, Guatemala, Iraq, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Votent pour: Argentine, Bolivie, Bresil, Canada, Chili, Chine, Colombie, Costa-Rica, Cuba, Danemark, Republique Dominicaine, Equateur, Salvador, Ethiopie, Greee, Haiti, Honduras, Islande, Liban, Pays-Bas, Nouvelle· Zelande, Nicaragua, Norvege, Panama, Paraguay, Perou, Republique des Philippines, Suede, Turquie, Union Sud-Africaine, Royaume-Uni, Etats-Unis d'Amerique, Uruguay, Venezuela. Votent contre: Afghanistan, Republique socialiste sovietique de Bie1orussie, Tehecoslovaquie, Egypte, France, Guatemala. Irak, Pologne, Arabie saoudite, Syrie, Republique SOcialiste sovietique d'Ukraine. S'abstiennent: Australie, Be1gique, Inde, Iran, Luxembourg, Mexique, Union des Republiques socialistes sovietiques, Yougoslavie. Abstentions: Australia, Belgium, India, Iran, Luxembourg, Mexico, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Yugoslavia. Decision: La resolution est adoptee par trente-quatre voix contre onze, et huit abstentions. Decision: The resolution was adopted by thirty-four votes to eleven with eight abstentions. 199. Rapport final de ra Commission de veriflcation des pouvoirs 199. Final Report of the Credentials Committee Le PRESIDENT: Nous anons examiner maintenant le rapport final de la Commission de verification des pouvoirs. La parole a M. Kauffman, President et Rapporteur de la Commission. M. KAUFFMANN (Danemark), Rapporteur (traduit de l'anglais): La Commission nommee par l'AssembIee generale pour faire rapport sur les pouvoirs des representants s'est reunic pour la seconde fois le 13 deeembre 1946. La Commission etait composee des representants de la Republique socialiste sovictique de Bielorussie, de la Chine, du Danemark, de la France, d'Haiti, du Paraguay, de la Rcpublique des

The next item on the agenda is the final report of the Credentials Committee. I call upon Mr. Kauffmann, Chairman and Rapporteur of the Committee. Mr. KAUFFMANN (Denmark), Rapporteur: The Committee appointed by the General Assembly to report on the credentials of the representatives met for the second time on 13 December 1946. The Committee consisted of representatives of Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, China, Denmark, France, Haiti, Paraguay, Philippine Republic, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The Committee examined documents Gua~emala, Haiti, lslande, lnde, Luxembourg: MexJq~e, Norvcge, Panama, Pologne, Suede Re~ubhque socialiste sovietique d'Ukraine: Umon des Rcpubliques socialistes sovietiques, Venezuela, Yougoslavie. t Votent contre: Australie, Bresil Canada Cuba, ~quateur, Egypte, Salvador, 'Honduras; Irak, Llban, Pays-Bas, Nouvelle-Zelande, Nica. ra~~a, . Paraguay, Perou, Republique des Phl}lppmes, Ara~ie saoudite, Syrie, Turquie, Umon Sud.Africame, Royaume-Uni Etats-Urus' d'A ,. , menque. S'abstiennent: Chine, Costa-Rica, Ethiopie Greee, Iran, Uruguay. J . Deci~ion: La r~solution est a~optee par vingtcmq VDtX contre vmgt-deux, et SIX abstentions. Le PRESIDENT: Nous passons au vote sur la resolution relative aux dispositions a prendre en vue de consultation avec 1es organisations non gouvernementales. Le PRESIDENT: Void le resultat du vote. The Committee found that the full powers or credentials conferred upon the representatives of the Governments of Mghanistan, Australia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Greece, Iceland, Iraq, Lebanon, Poland, Sweden, Union of South Africa, and the United Kingdom fully satisfy the requirements of rule 20 of the provisional rules of procedure. The Committee takes note that all Govern- ments of Member States represented at the second part of the first session of the General Assembly of the United Nations have submitted full powers or credentials which fully satisfy the requirements of the above-mentioned rule.

If there are no observations, I shall consider the report as adopted unanimously. Decision: The report was adopted unanimously. 200. Provisional scheme for staff retirement, insurance funds and related benefits: report of the Fifth Committee: resolutions (do~ument A/262)

We shall now consider the report of the Fifth Committee concerning the provisional scheme for staff retirement, insurance funds and related benefits (annex 93). I call upon Mr. Aghnides, Rapporteur. Mr. AGHNIDES (Greece), Rapporteur: As this is a long document, and as the representatives have had it in their hands for a number of days, I do not propose to read it. I should draw attention to the point which concerns the appointment of three members to the Committee on staff benefits. You will see there that the Fifth Committee proposes that you should confirm their recommendation in respect of the appointment of the following three members: Members: Mr. R. LEBEAU (Belgium) Mr. P. M. CHERNYSHOV (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) Mr. A. J. ALTMEYER (United States of America) Alternates: Mr. S. K. KIRPALANI (India) Mr. G. PEISSEL (France) Mr. Diego MEJIA (Colombia) Le PRESIDENT: S'il n'y a pas d'observation, je considererai le rapport comme adopte a I'unanimite. Decision: Le rapport est adopee a l'unanimiee. 200. Projet provisoire relatif aux Caisses de retraite et de prevoyance du personnel et aux prestations connexes. Rapport de la Cinquieme Commission. Resolutions (document A/262J Le PRESIDENT: Nous alIons examiner maintenant le rapport de la Cinquieme Commission sur le projet provisoire relatif aux Caisses de retraite et de prevoyance du personnel et aux prestations connexes (annexe 93). . La parole est a M. Aghnides, Rapporteur. M. AGHNIDES (Grece), Rapporteur (traduit de l'anglais): Comme le rapport de la Cin~ quiemc Commission est un long document et qu'iI a ete distribue il y a quelque temps deja, je n'ai pas l'intention d'en donner lecture. Je veux attirer votre attention sur le point qui concerne la nomination de trois membres au Comit6 des pensions du personnel. Vous constaterez que la Cinquieme Commission propose que I'Assemblee confinne la recommandation qu'elIe soumet au sujet des nominations suivantes: Membres M. R. LEBEAU (Belgique) M. P. M. CHERNYSHOV (Union des Rcpubliques socialistes sovietiques) M. A. J. ALTMEYER (Etats-Unis d~Ame­ rique) Suppliants M. S. K. KIRPALANI (Inde) M. G. PEISSEL (France) M. Diego MEJIA (Colombie) The PRF.SIlH'ST (translated from French): If there arc 110 Ohf'Cl'\"atioI1S, I shall consider the rt'S()llltioll~ :ldoptl'cl llnanimollsly. Decision: The resolutions were adopted tlnt.mimous[y. 20L Organization and administration of the Secretariat: report of the Fifth Committee (document A/273l The PRE::>mENT (translated from Frencl!): We shall now tonsidt'l' the Fifth Committee's report concerning tht organization and administration of the S<~crctarjat \ ,1IllH:X ~l.t:'. 1 ('aU upon :Mr. A~hnides, Rapporteur. Mt'. AmmIllES (Gretre) I Rapporteur: The report 1 have to pr·c.~cnt is uu:rt'i}' an account of the action tak(~n by the Fifth Committee on certain reports by tlir. Secretary-General conM cerning the organization and working of the Secretariat, the recruitment and training of staff, the ~lClmil1istrati\'e tribunal and the question of staff retirement. ThL'l document is intended solely for your information and doe., not call for any action on the part of the Assembly. It need therefore only be: placed OIl record. Decision: The Assembly took note of the report. 202. Houslng aHowances and cost of living allowances for the staff of the United Nations: report of the Fifth Committee (document A/276) 'rhe PIU:RmENT (tT(msl(jtt~d from French): 'Ve !{hntl now con~ider the report of the Fifth Committee on homing allowances and cost of living tlllclwances for the staff of the United Nations (annex 95). I eaU upon Mr. Aghnides, Rapporteur. Mr. AGHNU>ES (Greece), Rapporteur: This is again a very simple matter. This question W38 introduced by the representative of Yugoslavia when we discussed housing allowances and cost of living allowances in the Fifth Committee. The proposal of the Yugoslav delegation has been examined with great care, and the Committee decided to refer it to the Advisory Committee and to the Secretary-General for their consideration. I need not tell you that the Advisory Committee, of which I have the honour to be the Chairman, has examined this with the greatest care. Ilecision: The Assembly took note 0/ the report. . Le PRESIDENT: S'il n'y a pas d'observation Je considererai ces resolutions comme adoptee~ a l'unanimite. Decision: Les resolutions sont adoptees a l'unanimite. 201. Organisation et administration du Secretariat. Rapport de la Cinquieme Commission (document A/273) Le PRESIDENT: NOllS allons examiner maintenant le rapport de la Cinquieme Commission relatif a l'organisation et a l'administration du Secretariat (annexe 94). La parole est aM. Aghnides, Rapporteur. M. AGHNIDES (Grece), Rapporteur (traduit de l'anglais): Le rapport que j'ai a presenter rend compte, en quelque sorte, it l'AssembIee, de la suite donnee par la Cinquieme Commis-. sion a certains rapports du 'Secretaire general rdatifs a1'organisation et au fonctionnemcnt du Secretariat, au recruternent et a. la formation du personnel, au tribunal administratif et aux retraites du personnel. Ce rapport n'a qu'une portee d'information et ne requiert aucune action de la part de l'Assemblc~e. Par consequent. il n'y a lieu que d'en prendre actc. Decision: D Assembltfe prend acte du rap- !Jort. 202. Indemnites de logement et indemnites de vie chere pour le personnel de l'Organisation des Nations Unies. Rapport de la Cinquieme Commission {document A/276l Le PRESIDENT: Nous allons examiner le rapport de la Cinquierne Corrunission Sur les indemnites de logement et indemnites de vie chere pour le personnel de l'Organisation des Nations Unies (annexe 95). La parole est a M. Aghnidcs, Rapporteur. M. AGHNIDES (Greee), Rapporteur (traduit de IJanglais): Cette question encore est tres simple. Eile a ete introduite par le representailt de la Yougoslavie au moment ou la Cinquieme Commission a discute la question des indemnites de logement et celle des indemnites de vie chere. La proposition de la delegation yougoslave a ete examinee tres attentivement et la Commission a decide de la renvoyer pour etude au Comite consultatif et au Secretaire general. Je n'ai pas besoin de vous dire que le Comite consultatif, dont j'ai l'honneur d'etre le President, I'a examinee avec la plus grande attention. Decision: LJAssemblee prend acte du rapport.

I propose that we now elect the eighth .member of the committee which is to study the mformation supplied by States administering Non-Selfgoverning Territories. Seven memb.er~ have a~­ ready been elected. The only remammg candIdates are Uruguay and Norway, which obtained twenty-four and twenty votes respectively in the last ballot. Representatives will vote for one candidate only: Uruguay or Norway. Otherwise the ballot-papers will not be valid.

The result of the voting is as follows : Number of Members voting , 53 Number of blank or invalid papers. . .. 1 Number, of abstentions 1 In accordance with yesterday's decision, the majority is to be calculated on the basis of fifty-three votes and therefore amounts to twenty-seven. ' The number of votes obtained is as follows: Number of votes Uruguay ',....... 26 Norway , .....•........... , . , .. 25 Neither country has therefore obtained an absolute majority, and we shall have to take a fresh vote. Mr. Wellington Koo (China): In order to preserve the rule, which was adopted during the first part of this Assembly in London, and permit it to be applied successfully, we shall need to exercise care in voting. Here we have a case where we are limited to a choice between two countries. It is conceivable that some delegations, unwittingly perhaps, may vote in a way that their ballots cannot be counted as valid, but it is also conceivable that there may be a delegation or delegations who do not wish to vote for either of them, If there should be any delegations with the latter idea, then the way to help the Assembly succeed in the election-I offer the suggestionis to deposit a blank ballot and not to write any name which corresponds to either one or the other candidate country. Then, we would avoid invalid ballots because, by depositing a blank ballot, a delegation would thus have, in appearance, gone through the motion of voting, but it really would not have voted. In that way, the blank ballot is not included in the total number. I think that if we adopt this method the Le PRESIDENT: Je propose que nous proce- dions a l'election du huitieme membre du comite charge d'examiner les renseignements foumis par les pays administrant des territoires non auto- names. Sept membres ont ete elus jusqu'a pre- sent. Les deux seuls candidats en presence sont l'Uruguay et la Norvege qui, au dernier tour, ant obtenu respectivement vingt-quatre et vingt voix. Les representants doivent voter pour un seul candidat qui ne peut etre, pour que les bulletins soient valables, que l'Uruguay ou la Norvege.. Il est procMe au scrutin secret par appel nominal. Le PRESIDENT: Le resultat du vote est le suivant: Votants .. , "......... 53 BuUetins nuls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Abstentions 1 La majorite qui, suivant la decision prise hier, doit ~tre calculee sur le nombre de cinquante- trois, est de vingt-sept. Ont obtellu: Nombre de 1I0ix Uruguay., , . . 26 Norvege , ,................ 25 Il n'y a done pas de majoritc absolue et il faut proceder a un nouveau tour de scrutin. M. Wellington Koo (Chine) (traduit de l'an- glais): Afin de maintenir la regIe qui a ete adoptee a Londres durant la premiere partie de cette session, et de l'appliquer avec de bans resultats, il faut etre prudent en proccdant au vote. Nous sommes ici en presence d'un cas ou notre choix est limite a deux pays. n est possi- ble que certaines delegations, sans le savoir peut- etre, votent de telle fac;on que leurs bulletins soient nuls, mais il peut aussi y avail' une o~ plusieurs delegations qui ne desirent voter m pour l'un, ni pour l'autre des pays en question. Si certaines delegations se trouvaient dans ce dernier cas, je suggere un moyen d'aider l'Assem: bUe a proceder a l'election: les delegations qUI ne desirent voter ni pour l'un, ni pour l'autre des deux pays candidats deposeraient un bulletin blanc. On eviterait ainsi l'inconvenient des bul- letins nuls, car, en deposant un bulletin blanc, les delegations auraient fait le geste de voter, alors qu'en realite il n'y aurait pas eu de vote. De cette fac;on, les bulletins blancs pourraient ne pas entrer dans le total des voix. Je crois que si nous adoptons cette maniere

I would ask Mr. Wellmgton Koo to bear with mc for a moment. What he has just said about the interpretation of the rules of procedure is imp~rtant. If I understand him correctly, abstentIons should not be counted amonr, the votes cast, whereas non-valid ballots should be. If the rule is t? be interpreted in this way, the result I have Just announced lUust be altered. In any ca.c;e the outcomc is inconclusive since either way the majority is twenty-six. B;It the . . . , Important questIOn IS whether we are to disregard abstentions and to count non-valid ballots in the next vote. Mr. AGHNIDES (Greece): I wonder if it is too late to correct something which 1 think is not rj~ht. I think that a vote which is blank is a vote which has not taken place. My friend, Mr. Nisot, pointed this out last night, and I am very sorry we did not take any action then. If it is not too late, I do not think we should let this opportunity pass without correcting the mistake. In what manner can one vote? One can vote for; one can vote against; one can abstain. Abstention is as deliberate an act as voting for or voting against. The Charter speaks of "Members present and voting." \Vhen it says "voting," the Charter understands three possibilities: voting for, voting against and abstaining. A vote which is blank is neither a vote for nor a vote against. Therefore it i'l again an abstention. Whichever way you take it, either in a purely juridical way-as my friend Mr. Nisot did yesterday----or in the other manncr, it does not countj therefore it is an abstcntion. I do not know if I have made myself clear. A vote Can be for; it can be against; it can be an abstention. If a vote is null and void, it is neither a vote for nor a vote against. What is it then, I ask you. It is an abstention. That is to say, it is tantamount to an abstention.

You all know that I share the view expressed by Mr. Nisot and Mr. Aghnides. However, when the same point came up in London, in similar circumstances, the majority was in fav~ our of Dr. Wellington Koo's view. Now that we have started to vote in accordance with certain rules of procedure, it is not possible to change them in the middle of the vote in view of the results obtained. I hope that, one day, the Assembly will revise the procedure it has adopted, but this i~ not the right time to do so. Wc must continue to vote as in the past. Otherwise we should have to look through all the previous hallots, in order to verify the manner of counting the votes. Such a procedure would lead to great complications. Le PRESIDENT: Je voudrais demander a M. Wellington Kon un moment d'attention. Ce qu'i] vie,nt de dire sur l'interpretation des regles d~ procedure est i~portant. Si je le comprends bIen, les abstentIons ne devraient pas etre comp!ees parmi le~ vot<; emis tandis que les bulletms nuls devralent l'etre. S'il faut interpre... t~r la regIe de cette fac;on, le resultat que je Vlens d'annoncer doit etre transforme. De toute fac;on, Cc resultat -ne doit pas etre retenu car la majorite est de vingt~six dans tous les cas' mais la question importante est de savoir si, a~ prochain tour de scrutin, nous considererons les abste~tions comme. ne devant pas etre comptees parmr les votes emlS, et les bulletins nuts comme devant l'etre. M. AGHNIDES (Grece) (traduit de l'anglais): Je me demande s'il n'est pas trop tard pour reparer ce que je crois etre une erreur. A mo.n avis, un vote nul est ~n vote qui n'a pas eu heu. Mon ami M. Nisot l'a dit hier soir et je regrette que l'on n'ait pas tenu compte de son observation. S'il n'est pa~ trop tard, il me semble que nous ne devrions pas laisser pac;ser ceUe occasion de reparer l'erreur. Comment peut-on voter? De trois maniereo;, differentes: pour, contre ou par abstention. L'abstention est un acte aussi delibere qu'un vote affirmatif ou un vote negatif. La Charte emploie l'expression "Membre.~ presents et votants." Lorsque. la Charte dit "votant", elle sous-entend trois possibilites: vote affirmatif, vote negatif et abstention. Un vote nul n'est ni affirmatif, ni negatif, il equivaut donc a une abstention. De quelque fac;on que 1'on examine ce probleme, sous son aspect purement juridique, comme fa fait hier M. Nisot, ou comme je viens de le faire, on aboutit au meme rcsultat: le vote nul ne compte pas, i1 equivaut aune abstention. Je ne sais si je me suis fait clairement comprendre. On peut voter pour, voter contre, Oll s'abstenir. Si un bulletin est nul, ce n'est ni un vote pour, ni un vote contre. Qu'est-ce done alors, je vous le demande, ~inon une abstention, ou, plutot, cela equivaut a une abstention. Le PRESIDENT: Vous savez tous que mon opinion est conforme a celle de M. Nisot et de M. Aghnides. Cependant, aLondres, lorsque la meme question s'est posee, de la memc fa~on, la these de M. Wellington Koo a obtenu la majorite. Il n'est pas possible, maintenant que nous avons commence a voter en suivant certaines rcgles de procedure, de les modifier au milieu du vote, devant le resultat obtenu. respert qu'un jour l'Assemblee reviendra sur la proc~~ dure qu'el1e a adoptee, mais le moment n'est pas venu actuellement. Nous devons continuer a voter de la mcme maniere, sans quoi nous de· vrions revoir tous les scrutins anterieufll pour verifier la faGon dont les votes ont ete comptes; une telle procedure engendrerait de grandes complications.

The result of the voting is as follows: Number of Members voting '" . . . . . .. 53 Number of abstentions 1 The absolute majority is twenty-seven. The nurnber of votes obtained ic; as follows: Number of voter Uruguay 29 Norway " 23 Decision: Umgua'Y was elected a member of the Committee. 204. Refugees and displaced persons: report of the Third Committee (document A/26S1. Financial and budgetary questions relating to the International Refugee Organization: report of the Fifth Committee (document A/2751

We shall now begin· the discussion on the reports of the Third and Fifth Committee on the question of refugees (annexes 96 and 97). As both these items may give rise to prolonged discussion, I would ask the Rapporteurs to refrain from introducing their reports unless they have some spedal comments to offer. I call upon Mrs. Roosevelt, representative of the United States of America. Etant donn6 que la discussion sur ces deux . points risque d'etre longue, je demande aux Rapportenrs, s'ils n'ont rien de special a reIever, de ne pas presenter leurs rapports. le donne la parole a Mme Roosevclt, representante des Etats-Unis d'Amerique. Mrs. ROOSEVELT (United States of America) : [ think perhaps that those who are interested in this Organization may have been a little startled, as I was, tllls morning to read in one of our big papers an article which seemed to take it for granted that we had already set up the International Refugee Organization,·and I know that we are going to do so, but if you read that, you must have been as startled as I was. The point of the story, however, was that it mentioned the fact that over a million people would feel much relieved when this Organization was set up, and I want to remind you all that we are dealing, in the work which we are now going to consider, with more than a million people. Some of them wiU be repatriated; some of them are looking forward to having their rights as human beings assured, and if they, for valid 1'easons, wish to b,e resettled, they look to resettlement. They still seek a haven, at home or abroad, a home where they may work in peace and lead useful lives, surrounded by the members of their families. They have suffered cruelly at the hands of the aggressors. As United Nations Members, we owe them a place to live. Mme Roos EVELT (Etats~Unis d'Amerique ) (traduit de l'anglais): Ceux qui s'interessent a. cette Organisation ant pu, comme moi-meme, eprouver que1que surprise ce matin en lisant dans un des grands journaux americains un . article qui donnait pour chose faite la creation.. de l'Organisation internatianale pour les refugies. Certes, je compte bicn que nous allons creer cette Organisation, mais si les membres de l'As- Le PRESIDENT: Voici le resultat du vote: Votants " , 53 Abstention .. , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 La majoritc absoluc est de ,ringt-sept. Ont obtenu: Nombrs de voix Uruguay ,............... 29 Norvege '" . . . 23 Decision: L'Uruguay est llu membre du Comite. 204. Refugies et personnes deplacees. Rapport de la Troisieme Commission (document A/2651. Questions financieres et budgetaires concernant l'Organisation internationale pour les refugies. Rapport de la Cinquieme Commission (documen~ A/275) Le PRESIDENT: Nous allons maintenant aborder la discussion des rapports des Troisieme et Cinquieme Commissions sur la question des refugies (annexes 96 et 97) . semblt~e ant lu l'article dont je parle, ils ant surement du partager ma surprise. Quoi qu'il en soit, ce qui ressortait surtout de cet article, e'est que plus d'un million de personnes al1aient eprouver un grand soulagement du fait de l'institution de l'Organisation pour les refugics; et, en ciIet, je desire rappeler Et l'Assemblce que la. question qui nous occupe aujourd'hui touch.e plus d'un million d'individus. Un certain noIn.- bre d'entre eux seront rapatries; d'autres attendent impatiemment le jour OU ils pourront jouir des droits qui s'attachenf ala personne humaine -si pour des raisons valables ils desirent ne plus vivre la. oil ils vivaient auparavant-ils attendent cette reinstallation. 11s appeIlent toujours de leurs vreux un refuge, soit clans leur pays, sait We have before us the draft constitution for the establishment of the International Refugee Organization with the provisional budget for the first year of operation and the draft interim arrangement for the establishment of a preparatory commission of the International Refugee Organization. It is now for the Assembly to decide whether these proposals are in order and suitable for presentation to Governments for their signatures. We are not now voting as representatives of our respective Governments on the question of joining the International Refugee Organization nor of adopting its budget-but rather, as Members of. the General Assembly, we are passing expert Judgment upon a plan to be submitted to Governments. The Governments will themselves decide at the proper time whether they , will participate in the plan by joining the International Refugee Organization. This plan has been drafted by the Economic and Social Council ana its Sub-Committees at the request of the General Assembly which met in London last February. The draft constitution is the product of continuous labour since that meeting. It is not a casual document. Every word and paragraph has been hammered out through painstaking effort and discussion. No one Government or group of Governments has 'written the text. All Governments have contributed to it. Opposing concepts have been tested in the democratic process of reaching decisions. This document was referred to the Governments for comment before the third session of the Economic and Social Council. Their comments are reflected in the final text before us. Fifty-four Governments have participated in its development. Therefore this is a. document which merits the approval of the General Assembly. Probably no Government is completely satisfied with it, and that is natural and understandable, but it is a document for which no apologies need be made. It constitutes a rule and a guide for the International Refugee .Organization on the basis of which its operatIOns may begin. I have made clear, I hope, the humanitarian task that we are considering, but that is not the whole story. Each Member Government of at~endent encore aujourd'hui leur part de 'vietOlre, ?ne part modeste: un endroit Oll ils puissent Vlvre dans des conditions acceptables. ~ous avons sous les yeux le projet de constit~tIO~, de ~'~rganisation intcmationale pour les refug;cs, amSI que le budget provisoire pour la ~remlcre annee des operations de cctte institutIon et le projct des dispositions provisoircs a arreter en vue de l'institution d'une commission preparatoire de l'Organisation internationale pour les refugics. Il appartient maintcllant a- I'Asscmblee de decider si ces projets ont la forme voulue pour ctre prcsentes ala signature des Gouvernements. I1 ne s'agit pas maintenant pour nous de voter, en notre qualite de representants de nos Gou· vernements respectifs, sur la question de llotrL participation a l'OIR ou sur celle de l'adoptioll du budget de cette organisation, mais de relldre, en notre qualite de Membres de l'Assemblee, un jugement autorise sur un projet asoumettrc aux Gouvernements. Ces Gouvemements decideront eux-memes, le moment venu, s'ils desirent participcr a l'execution de ce projet en se joignan1 a l'Organisation internationale pour les refugies. Ce projet a cte elabore par le Conseil economique et social et ses Sous-Commissions, a la suite de la demande faite par l'Assemblee generale lors de sa session de Londres, au mois de £evrier de cette annee. Le projet de constitution est le fruit de travaux assidus qui se sont poursuivis depuis lors. C'est un document qui ne doit rien a I'improvisation; chacun de ses arti· cles, et chacun de ses mots, a fait I'objet d'une mise au point ardue, qui a exige de patients efforts et de longues discussions. Ce texte n'est I'reuvre d'aucun Gouvernement ou groupe de Gouvernements en particulier; tous les Gouvernements ont participe a la redaction. LelI tendances opposees ont subi l'epreuve de libres discussions, selon les methodes democratiqucs, avant que des decisions ne soient prises. Ce document a ete renvoye aux Gouvemements, en vue de recueillir leurs observations avant la troisieme session du Conseil economique et social. Le tcxte definitif que nouS avons sous les yeux tient compte de ces observations. Cinquante-quatre Gouvernements ont participe a la redaction de ce texte. Il s'agit done d'un document qui merite I'approbation de l'AssembIee generale. Il est possible que le texte ne donne complete satisfaction a aucun Gouvernement; cela est naturel et comprehensible, mais il n'est pas necessaire de presenter des excuses. Ce document constitue, pour I'Organisa.- tion internationale pour les refugies, un reglement et un guide, sur la base desquels e1le peut commencer aagir. J'espere avoir fait nettement apparaitre. la tache humanitaire qui reclame notre attentIOn, mais ce n'est pas tout. Les Gouvemements de This situation cannot be ignored. It calls for heroic treatment. It cannot be resolved by indifference or by leaving it to the resources of a few Governments charged by accident of war with immediate responsibility. There is no Government or people so far removed from the source of infection as to feel any sense of sec.urity from its effects. Some may argue that they are geographically far removed, or that in their countries there are priorities of need. Ml'llY GDvernments face serious problems of rebuilJing llnd reconstruction and of new development to bring about a better sandard of living in their home populations. All these things are so, but every Government requires peace and order and the restoration of confidence in the world. Peace, order and confidence contribute to the rebirth of economic activity. The labour of a million persons is an asset which cannot be permitted to go to waste. Every day during which it is not utilized adds to the waste. The Governments of countries of ongm clamour for the repatriation of their nationals, as many of them as possible, because they need their work. And the world needs the work of all these people, and those, who for valid reasons decide they cannot go home, must be settled somewhere so that the world may profit by their work as well as by the work of those who can go home. The budget for this Organization has been estimated at one hundred and sixty million United States dollars. It represents the cost of staff to do the job, of food and supplies Ior the persons involved, of transport to their home~ from their places of displacement, of emigration to friends' and relatives overseas and of resettlement for those who have to be colonized in the new areas. I do not minimize the cost or the sacrifice it represents, but spread among all the nations this is not a large sum in view of the size and importance of the problem. Each nation has After .the action of the Assembly there will be a .p~nod.of mo~ths during which government admlmstratlOns will consult their Parliaments ~nd appropriating .bodie~ as to their participation ll1 the. I~O. Du~m.g thIS period, a preparatory commission consIStmg of those Governments which initially sign the constitution of the International Refugee OrganizatIOn will be required. The r(,solution before us contains a proposal to the Governme~ts. for the setting up of this preparatory commISSIOn. Its function will be to conslIlt with Govcrnr~ents, control authorities, UNRRA, and other mternational bodies with respect to the ways and means by which there can be an orderly transfer of functions and responsibilities for this problem to the IRO. This preparatory work can be done in the intervening months in full awareness of the resources that will be made available to the IRO ?y.the decisions of Governments to participate I~ Its \~()rk. Naturally, the preparatory commissIOn Will not assume operating functions until it becomes very clear that the International Refugee Organization is to come into being. My Government has always supported the c.oncept of the International Refugee Organization. It supports the proposal now. My Government holds strongly to the view that this problem should be handled by international action. We believe that nothing short of international action can deal effectively with the problem. We subscribe to the principles embodied in the constitution before us, and join in the invitation to all Governments to give immediate and serious consideration to this proposal. In the case of my own Government, full powers have been issued to the Chairman of the delegation to sign the constitution of the International Refugee Organization. This will be done immediately and the Constitution will then be submitted to the Congress for its approval. In making the position of my Government clear as to its intentiolls with respect to the International Refugee Organization, I wish to say agaill that our votes on this constitution now have no connexion with the question of whether our respective Governments will join the Organization later. A vote of "yes" now does not represent a commitment by a Government to join the IRO later. As Members of the General Assembly, we are passing judgment on a draft proposal to be submitted to Governments, That judgment we confidently believe will be that q~e la guerre,nous a imposees et qu'il faut termmer. Les :esultats que 1'on peut attendre de son accomphssement l'emportent de loin en importance sur la depcnse d'argent. Apres l'Assemblee, il s'ecoulera plusieurs mois pendant lesquels les Gouvemements consulteront leur Parlement et leurs Commissions des finances . sur leur p~rticipati~n ~ l'OIR. Pendant ce laps de temps, 11 faudra mstItuer une commission preparatOlre composee des Gouvernements qui auront signe a l'origine la constitution de l'Organisation internationale pour les refugies. La resolution dont nous sommes saisis contient une proposition adressee aux Governements en vue d~ l'inst!tution de cette commission preparatOlre, qUI aura pour fonctions d'entrer en c?nsultation avec les Gouvernements, les auto- ~Ites de ~ontrole, l'UNRRA et autres organismes mternatIonaux, sur la maniere et les moyens de transferer methodiquement a1'0IR les attributio?s et responsabilites afi'erentes au probleme qUI nous occupe. .Ces travaux preparatoires peuvent etre accomplIs p~ndant la periode transitoire, dans la pleine connalssance des ressources dont disposera 1'OIR ~u. fait de la decision de~ Gouvernements de partlclper a son reuvr«,;. Blen entendu, la commission preparatoire n'assumera de fonctions d'execution que lorsqu'il s'averera que l'Organisation internationale pour les reIuiges va reellement prendre corps. Le Gouvemement des Etats-Unis a toujours ete partisan d'une Organisation internationaIe pour les refugies. Aujourd'hui, il appuie la pre>- position presentee dans ce sens. Mon Gouvemement est fermement d'avis que le probleme pose par les refugies doit etre traite par une action internationale et que rien, en dehors d'une telle action, ne saurait en venir a bout. Il souscrit aux principes contenus dans la constitution que nous avons sous les yeux et s'associe a l'invitation adressee a tous les Gouvernements de donner a la proposition une attention approfondie et immediate. En ce qui concerne le Gouvernement des Etats-Unis, le chef de la delegation americaine a rec;u tout pouvoir de signer la constitution de l'Organisation internationale pour les refugies. Cette fonnaIite sera accompIie sa'ns delai, et la constitution sera ensuite soumise al'approbation du Congres. . Cependant, en precisant les intentions du Gouvernement des Etats-Unis aI'egard de 1'0rganisation internationale pour les refugies, je tiens a declarer de nouveau que les votes des representants a l'Assemblee, sur cette constitution, ne prejugent aucunement la question de savoir si leurs Gouvemements respectifs adhereront ulterieurement a l'organisation. Le fait de voter "oui" a present n'entraine, pour aucun Gouvernement, l'engagement de faire ulterieurement partie de l'OIR. En tant que membres de l'Assemblee generale, nous donnons notre avis I urge all nations here represented to sign and support the constitution in their own interests and in the interest of over a million people who have suffered long enough.

r call upon Mr. Gromyko, representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. M. GROMYKO (Union des Republiques socialistes sovietiques) (traduit du russe); La ques- .tion des refugies et des personnes deplacees est l'une des questions les plus importantes qui figurent a l'ordre du jour de I'Assemblce generale. On sait que l'Assemblce a examine cette question precedemment. Lors de la session qu'clle a tenue a Londres au debut de cette annee, l'Assemblee a adopte le 12 fevrier une resolution relative a cette question; il y est precise que le probleme des refugies et des pcrsonnes deplacees est un probleme qu'iJ faut resoudre sans delai. Cette resolution contient egalement certaines dispositions dont l'application devait hater le rapatriement des personnes deplacees qui ont ete arrachees a leur patrie du fait de la guerre et de l'occupation ennemie. La resolution que je viens de citeI' ne constituait qu'une premiere mesure prise par l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour rcsoudre cet important probleme; d'autre part, les'mesures envisagees dans cettc resolution ne tiennent pas toutes compte de la necessite qu'il y a de regler d'urgence toute cette question des refugies et des personnes d6placees. La resolution du 12 fevrier n'a pas permis de resoudre le probleme du rapatriement de ces personnes dans Ieur pays d'origine, le probleme fondamental qui se pose pour l'Organisation des Nations Unies dans ce domaine. Sans doute, certains efforts ont ete faits jusqu'a ce jour pour rapatrier les personnes deplacees dans leur pays d'origine. Neanmoins, il faut reconnaitre que les quelques resultats positifs obtenus dans ce domaine sont dus moins aux efforts de l'Organisation des Nations Dnies qu'aux mesures qu'ont prises les differents Etats par l'intermediaire du Commandement militaire allie. Cette circonstance ne diminue pas 1es obligations qui pesent sur l'Organisation des Nations Unies en ce qui concerne cette tache du rapatriement des personnes deplacees; au contraire, cela souligne la responsabilite de nOtre Organisation en ce qui concerne l'application des mesures a prendre pour resoudre la question du rapatriement. C'est precisement pour cette raison que l'Assemblee generale, a cette presente session egalement, accorde une attention particuliere a cette question. La situation des refugies pose encore aujourd'hui un probleme ardu et complexe. Depuis l'adoption de la resolution du 12 fevrier 1946, la situation ne s'est pas amelioree, elle s'est, au Mr. GROMYKO (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) (translated from Russian); The qUeition of refugees and displaced persons is one of the most important questions on the agenda of the General Assembly. The General Assembly has of course already dealt with thi8 question. At the session of the General Assembly held at the beginning of this year in London, a special resolution OIl' this question was adopted on 12 February, in which it was pointed out that the problem of refugees and displaced persons was one of immediate urgency. The resolution also contains certain provisions the implementatbn of which was intended to accelerate the solution of the task of repatriating displaced per~ons torn away from their countries as a result of war and enemy occupation. The aforementioned resolution was only the first step taken by the United Nations towards the solution of this important problem, and by no means all the measures envisaged in the resolution fulfil the requirements for the urgent settlement of the whole question of displaced persons and refugees. The resolution of t2 February has not ensured the solution of the problem of repatriating these people to their countries of orgin, which is the fundamental problem with which the United Nations is faced in this field. Up to the present, of course, a certain amount of work has been accomplished for returning displaced persons to their countries of origin. But we must admit that the few positive results achieved in this field are not so much the result of the efforts of the United Nations as of measures taken by individual States through the Military Commands of the Allied powers. This circumstance, however, not only does not diminish the obligations of the United Nations in respect of the repatriation of displaced persons, but, on the contrary, emphasizes the responsibility incumbent on our Organization to take such measures as would ensure the solution of the repatriation question. For this very reason the General Assembly is again devoting considerable attention to this problem at the present session. At the present moment the position regarding refugees still presents a ~omplicated and acute problem. From the time of the adoption of the resolution of 12 February 1946 the situa- Le PRESIDENT: le donne la parole a M. Gromyko, representant de l'Dnion des Republiques socialistes sovi6tiques. indi(~(\tes that cv(~n the figure quoted, Le. 1:iO.- 000 persons destined for repatriation during the next seven month.'l, i~ an optimistic estimate of the situation, t1nlc..~ suitable measures are taken with the help of the United Nations. One such measure is the envisaged establish~ ment by the United Nations of a special Refugee Organization, the draft constitution of which is submitted for our approval today. It is weU known to all that any organization can carry out its tasks in the proper manner only if its constitution, or other provisions regulating its work, are drawn up precisely and clearly, in confomlity with the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The constitution of the Refugee Organization can fonn a sound basis for the work of thL.,; organization only if it does not allow any kind olltsiders to use its name and protection for their own selfish and criminal purpose:;, wJlich have nothing in common with the purposes and problems of the United Na~ tions. Can wc say that the constitution of the Refu~ee Organization, submitted today for the approval of the General Assembly, fulfils these requirements? The Soviet Union delegation considers that the constitution does not fulfu these requirements. The existing refugee situa~ tion is such that we have no grounds to expect a correct solution of this problem with the assistance of an organization established on the ha.<;i!l of the proposed constitution. 1bt: Soviet Union delegation has frequently drawn the attention of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council to numerous instances of hostile propaganda conducted amongst refugees, which hinders the work of repatriation. 'Such propaganda is usually conducted by pC'roon.<; who, in the past, bore anns again..~ the Soviet Union and other States Members of the United Nations, and who collaborated with the German aggressors. Hostile L'examen de la situation reelle des camps et des autres centres de rassemblement des refugies montre que ce chiffre de 150.000 personnes a rapatrier au cours des sept mois a venir resulte d'une vue optimiste des choses, amoins qu'oD ne preDne, avec l'aide des Nations Unies, les mesures appropriees. L'une de ces mesures, c'est la creation, envisagee par les Nations Unies d'une Organisation speciale pour les refugies, Organisation dont le projet de constitution est actuellement soumis a notre approbation. Tout le monde sait qu'une organisation, queUe qu'elle soit,· ne peut accomplir les taches qui lui incombent que si sa constitution ou ses statuts sont rediges d'une fa~on claire et precise, conformement aux buts et aux principes des Nations Unies. La constitution de l'Organisation pour les refugies pourra constituer une bonne base de travail lorsqu'elle interdira aux tierces personnes de se servir de son nom et de sa protection pour leurs propres desseins egoi'stes et criminels, qui n'ont rien de commun avec les buts et les taches des Nations Unies. . Peut-on dire que la constitution de l'Otgamsation pour les refugics qui a ete soumise aujour~ d'hui a 1'approbation de l'Assemb,Ie,e g~nerale reponde a ces exigences? La delega~lOn de l'Union sovietique estime qu'il n'en est nen. La situation actuelle des refugics est telle que nous. n'avons aucune raison de croire que ce probleme puisse etre resolu de £at;on .satis,faisante par une otganisation qui serait etabhe sur la base de cette constitution. La delt~gation de l'Union sovietique a maintes fois attire l'attention de l'AssemblCe generale et· du Conseil economique et social.sur les nom: breux faits qui temoignent de l'exlsten~e, parml les refugies, d'une propagande ennemle de na: ture a entraver leur rapatriement. Ceux qUl menent cette propagande sont, en regIe ge~erale, des gens qui dans le passe ont porte les armes contre l'Union sovietique et contre d'a.utres Membres des Nations Unies, des gens qUl ont In their propaganda against repatriation these collaborators with German fascism and other traitors openly appeal for the organization of an armed struggle against the Soviet Union and certain other States Members of the United Nations, and at the same time conduct malicious propaganda against repatriation. The Soviet delegation, desirous of ensuring the establishment of a real International Refugee Organization which would be capable of discharging its functions with regard to the repatriation of refugees, has submitted its amendments to the draft constitution in order to improve it. But the majority of these amendments were rejected and the draft constitution is still completely unsatisfactory, even after having been considered by the relevant Committee of the General Assembly. In order to remove from the draft constitution certain irregular provisions which can only hinder the proper functioning of the Organization and the proper solution of the problem of repatriation with which it will be faced, the Soviet delegation formulated its concrete proposals during the present session. We recommended that these proposals should serve as a basis for the solution of the problem of establishing the International Refugee Organization and the elaboration of a draft constitution for this Organization. What was the substance of the Soviet amendments, and what was the purpose of their submission? The purpose of the Soviet amendments was to insure for this Organization a sound basis for the solution of the repatriation problem. The Soviet delegation, considering that repatriation should indeed be th~ main task of the Refugee Organization, has proposed a number of amendments to the draft constitution, intended to ensure the fulfilment of this fundamental task. In particular, the Soviet delegation proposed that the constitution should state that: t~che principale de l'Organisation pour les refugies devait etre precisement le rapatriement, la delegation sovietique a propose une serie d'amendements au projet de constitution afil1 d'assurer l'accomplissement de cette tache fondamentale. La delegation sovietique a propose en particulier d'inscrire dans cette constitution que: "L'Organisation doit faciliter le rapatriement par tous les moyens et, notamment, interdire dans les camps et les centres de rassemblement des refugies et personnes deplacees toute propagande hostile qui inciterait ces personnes i\. ne pas retourner dans leur pays." "The functions of the Organization . . . shall be e.xe:cised with a ~ew . . . to facilitating repatnatlOn by all pOSSIble means, and in this connexi~n :lOt permitting any hostile propaganda and InCItement t~ refuse repatriation in camps and assembly statlOns of refugees and displaced persons." .This amendment of the Soviet delegation Was reJect:d. One more vote was needed for its adoptlOn. The delegations 'lYhich objected to the adoption of this amendment brought forward all the old, hackneyed arguments of the right of refugees to express their opinion, of freedom of speech and of the press, and so forth. A careful study of the situation of displaced persons, the Cet amendement de la delegation sovi6tiqlle a ete rejete. 11 s'en est fallu d'une voix qu'il ne soit adqpte. Les delegations qui ne sont opposees a l'adoption de cet'amendement ont toutes invoque les arguments uses et ressasses du droit des refugies a exprimer leurs opinions, de la liberte de la parole, de la liberte de la presse, et cretera. Une etude attentive de la situation des. \ Afin d'eliminer du projet de constitution les dispositions mal venues qui ne peuvent qu'entraver le bon fonctionnement de l'Organisation et l'empecher c;I.'accomplir comme i1 convient sa t~che de rapatriement, la delegation sovietique a presente, au caurs de cette session, des propositions concretes qui, ason avis, doivent servir de base a l'etablissement d'un Organisation internationale pour les refugies et a l'elaboration du projet de constitution de cette Organisation. Que1 etait le sens de ces arnendements sovietiques et que1 but se proposait-on en les presentant? 11 s'agissait de donner al'Organisation une base solide pour lui permettre de resoudre le probleme du rapatriement. Estimant que la displac{~d persons to continue their criminal activities in prc'venting people from returning to their countries of origin and turning them into traitors to their countries. Ho."itik propaganda against repatriation, in the form of appeals again!>t return to countries of origin nnd calls to armed combat against thC$C countries, hinders not onlv the work of repatriation, but aL'io the work of increasing international co-ope.ration in the solution of this problem. Instances of such hostile propaganda, which in many cases is conducted openly and ....·ith the full knowledge of the representatives of military authorities of certain Allied States, are u:'lually denied by the delegations of those States, which either declare that such propaganda does Ilot c:xist Of, at be..st, try to present the situation in a mLcilemiing light. In this counexion, I would lik(~ to give you an example of such a "denial" of reported facts of hostile propaganda. General RObertsOll, representative of the High Command in the British zone, in his reply at the be~inning of July thL.. year to Marshal Sokolovsky, who had reported a number of instances of .mti.Soviet propaganda conducted in refugee assembly stations in the British zone, writes as follows, {or in.c;lance, about an organization conc·emccl with such hostile activities: liNo trace of such an organization exists. •Klcirnoviccs' apparently refers to a certain Kleimovices who is the head of a camp. I am checking up on the report that this man fought again.'>t the Germans with the armies of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and was taken a prL..aner. There are reports .that ~t a later time he was welfare officer for Llthuamans who served in the German Air Force, but was a non-combatant. During a recent visit to the camp by Souiel liaison office,!s,. he cove.rtly expressed himself against repatr~atlOn, b.ut zt seems Shot this UlOS only an expresston of Ius own perwnal view." These are the words of General Robertson. I \"'ouId like to draw your attention to these last words and would ask you to bear in mind that this Kleimovices served voluntarily in an S.S. formation of the German army and collaborated La propagande contre le rapatriement, qui incite les personnes deplacees ane pas retourner dans leur pays d'origine, qui les appelle a la lutte armee contre leur patrie, nuit non seulement au rapatriement lui-meme, mais encore au renforcement de la collaboration internationale necessaire pour resoudre ce probleme. Lorsqu'on cite des faits precis temoignant de l'existence de ceUe propagande hostile, qui se fait souvent ouvertement, au vu et au su des representants des autorites militaires de certaines Puissances alliees, les delegations de ces Puissances contestent d'habitude ces faits en affirmant que ceUe propagande n'existe pas, ou en essayant tout au mains de representer la situation sous un jour different. Je voudrais citer, a ce propos, un exemple de ces "dementis" portant sur des faits de propagande hostile qui avaient ete signales. Repondant, au debut de juillet. 19.46. a u~e lettre du marechal Sokolovsky, qUI lw signalait une serie de faits relatifs ala propagande antisovietique menee dans les centres de re£ugies de la zone britannique, le general Robertson, representant du haut commandement de la zone britannique, ecrivait, par exemple, au sujet d'une association qui se livrait a des activites hostiles de ce genre: . "I! n'y a pas trace de ceUe organisation. Le Kleimovices en question est probablement le chef de camp de cc nom. Je fais verifier actuellement les renseignements selon lesquels cet homme aurait combattu contre les Allemands dans les rangs de l'armee sovietique et aur~it et~ f~i~ prisonnier. Selon certains rapports, 11 auralt ete ensuite officier des services sociaux aupres des Lithuaniens qui servaient dans l'armee de l'air allemande mais sans etre du service arme (sans etre comb~ttant). Lors d'une recente visite du camp par des officiers de liaison soviltiques, cet homme lest prononce amots couverts contr~ le rapatriement, mais il semble qu'il n'ait exprtme lii. qu'une opinion personnelle." Voila ce qu'ecrivait le ge!1eral Robertson. J'attire l'atten~ion des r~presentan~s sur ces derniers mots et Je voudralS vous falre remarq~er que ce Kleimovices a servi comme volont~ire dans les unites S.S. de l'armee allemande, qu I1 a Here is another example. General McNarney, representative of the High Command in the American zone of Germany, wrote as follows in his reply to Marshal Sokolovsky, of 18 July this year: "The dissemination of rumours about an inevitable war bet~een the Western Powers and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics worries me very much. Such rumours are obviously harming the friendly relations which exist between our two countries. We shall take all necessary counter-measures. We shall see that the displaced persons in our zone cease such activities, which are contrary and dangerous to the policy of the United States and the existing regulations." Such are the words of General McNarney. It may be seen that the Allied Military authorities on the spot do not deny the facts pointing to the prevalence of hostile propaganda, but confirm them. However, as I have already pointed out, the Soviet amendment which was intended to protect refugees from hostile propaganda was rejected. The persons conducting this propaganda continue their subversive work, making use of the services of their protectors. Under the guise of talk about freedot:U of speech, of the press and so forth, they are continuing their vile work of undermining repatriation and poisoning the atmosphere of international relations. ' The Soviet Union delegation also proposed the amendment of those provisions in the draft constitution which envisage the resettlement of refugees and displaced persons in other countries as one of the fundamental tasks of the organization. The amendment of the Soviet Union delegation also provided for this task of resettlement, but considered it to be of secondary importance, and possible only in exceptional cases and with the knowledge of the government of the native country of the displaced persons destined for resettlement. This amendment of the Soviet Union delegation was also rejected. Certain representatives explained to us that this amendment was not adopted because, allegedly, many of the displaced persons and refugees did not wish to return to their native lands, chiefly for reasons of political dissent from the regime of their countries of origin. Si cet amendement n'a pas ete adopte, nous ont explique certains representants, c'est qu'il y a, parait-il, parmi les refugies et les personnes deplacees, un grand nombre de gens qui ne veulent pas rentrer chez eux, notamment parce qu'ils ne sont pas d'accord, au point de vue politique, avec le regime d.e leur> pays d'origine. . En realite, il ne s'agit pas simplement de ceux qui ne sont pas d'accord avec le regime politique de tel ou tel pays. I1 s'agit d'agents a la solde d'Hitler, te1 que le bourreau hitIerien Omeltchenko, le chef, de bande fasciste Andr6 MeInikov, ou l'ancien bourgmestre de la ville de Kharkov sous 1'0ccupation hitlerienne, Sirntchenko. Pourquoi les representants qui s'oppo- In actual fact we are not speaking only of those who are not in agreement with the political regime in one country or another. We are speaking of the hirelings and agents of Hitler, such as the Hitlerite hangman Omelchenko, Andrei Melnikov, leader of a Fascist band, and Simchenko, the former mayor of the City of Kharkov during the German o'ccupation of th~t town. Why is It appears that those who speak in favour of resettlement and those who express the desire to accept such emigrants wish to take this opportunity of obtaining cheap labour. We have recently read in American newspapers indications of the desirability of bringing 20,000 women refugees to New York to be used for domestic service. ' It is also well known that settlers in Canada from the notorious Anders army are entitled, by agreement between the Canadian authorities and General Anders, to organize various unions and political parties, but these contracting parties "forgot" to grant the settlers, who are being used as agricultural labourers, the elementary rights of social insurance, medical aid and so forth. The Soviet delegation believes that the con~ stitution of the Refugee Organization should envisage repatriation and the return of refugees to their native countries as its main task. The Soviet Union delegation has always held and continues to hold the opinion that the Organization ought not by rights to give help to those who are unwilling to return to their country from hostile motives, those who do not wish to avail themselves of help from the government of their country of origin and do not wish to participate along with their fellow country'tnen in the rehabilitation of their country which has suffered Tout d'abord, les mesures de reinstallation creent des conditions qui permettent aux crimineIs de guerre, aux quislings et autres traitres, d'cchapper aisement au chatiment. En second lieu, on ne saurait approuver, meme d'un point de vue purement humallitaire, ceux qui preconisent cette politique de reinstallation dans d'autres pays, qui trallsfonne 'les retugies en emigrants voucs a une existence sans joie, loin de leur pays d'origine, et qui les reduit a un etat d'infcriorite. On est tentc de croire que ceux qui preconisent cette reinstallation, et ceux qui manifestent le desir d'accueillir ces emigrants, veulent profiter de l'occasion pOUf obtenir de la main-d'ceuvr,e a bon m~rche. Recemment, des joumaux amerieains ont 1aisse entendre qu'il serait souhaitable de faire venir aNew-York, comrne domestiques, 20.000 femmes recrutees panni les refugies. On sait egalement que Ies Iloldats de la fameuse almee Anders qui ont ete reinstalles au Canada ant le droit, en vertu d'un accord concIu entre les autorites canadiennes et le general Anders, de creel' diverses associations et partis politiques; mais les parties contractantes ont "oublie" de reconnaitre aces emigrants, qui sont employes comme ouvriers agricoles, les droits les plus eIementaires dans le domaine des assurances sociales, de l'assistance medicale et c~tera. La delegation sovietique estime que la constitution de I'Organisation pour les refugies doit specifier que le rapatriement des refugies constitue la tache principale de cette Organisation. La delegation sovietique a toujours ete d'avis qu'i! serait juste de priver du secours de I'Organi~ sation, ceux qui par hostilite, refusent de rentrer chez eux, n<;: veulent pas accepter l'aide du Gouvernement de leur pays d'origine et ne desirent pas prendre part aux cotes de leurs compatriotes a la reconstruction de leur pays devaste par l'invasion ennemie. Le sens de l'amendement sovietique etait clair et ne deman- La delegation sovietique a cite de nombreux faits qui etablissent le caractere veritable de ceux qui, sous pretexte de s'opposer a un regime politique, sont, en fait, traitres a leur patrie et a la cause des Nations Unies, ennemis de leur , pays et de notre Organisation. Sous cette etiquette de dissidents politiques se dissimulent nombre de chefs de bande fascistes qui ont servi fideIement leurs maitres allemands en massacrant ' les populations pafsibles de l'Union sovietique, de la Pologne, de la Yougoslavie et d'autres pays soumis a l'occupation ennemie. Je ne parle pas des chefs de l'armee Anders, dont l'activite criminelle est bien connue de tous ceux qui veulent se renseigner. On pourrait allonger cette liste, et cependant, malgre l'evidence des faits cites, certaines delegations se permettent de nier ces faits sans fournir de preuves ou declarent tout au moins que les personnes en question n'ont pu etre retrouvees aux endroits que nous avions indiques. Et cela constitue, on ne sait pourquoi, une raison suffisaute pour ne pas adopter l'amendement sovietique qui tend a empecher ces crimine1s de poursuivre leur activite hostile tout en etant a la charge de l'organisation internationale. The situation in the camps is completely abnormal because of the unsatisfactory quality of the administrative personnel. Pro-Fascist elements are frequently to be found in administrative posts in these camps. Bearing in mind the numerous instances of hostile activities in the camps against certain La constitution actuellement soumise a l'examen de l'Assemblee generale ne contient aucune disposition qui puisse empecher ces crimine1s de poursuivre leur activite sous le couvert de 1'01'- ganisation des Nations Unies et avec l'aide de celle-ci. La delegation sovietique estime enfin que si Pon veut que 1'0rganisation pour les refugies s'acquitte comme il convient de ses fonctions, iJ est indispensable de ne designer le personnel administratif de chaque camp ou centre de rassemblement des rCfugies qu'apres avail' consulte le gouvernement du pays dont les ressortissants y sont en majorite. C'est la une condition necessaire pour assurer aux refugies et aux personnes deplacees des conditions de vie plus normales, pour avoir des administrateurs qui, en raison de leur connaissance de la langue et des habitudes de ces re£ugies et personnes deplacees, puissent subvenir a tous leurs besoins, et surtout pour garantir qu'il n'y aura pas de propagande hostile contre le rapatriement des personnes deplacees. Tel est l'objet de l'un des amendements a la constitution propose par la delegation sovietique. La situation dans les camps est actuellement tout a fait anormale en raison de"la mauvaise qualite du personnel administratif. Souvent ce sont des individus profascistes qui detiennent les postes admini&tratifs des camps. Etant donne les nombreux faits qui attestent l'existence dans les camps d1activites hostiles a Taking into account the urgency of the situation of displaced persons and the obstacles which lie in the path of their repatriation, and bearing in mind the serious shortcomings of the draft constitution of the Refugee Organization, the Soviet delegation voted against the adoption of this constitution and the relevant resolution both in the Third Committee and at the General Assembly, since that constitution does not ensure the solution of the problem of refugees and displaced persons. The meeting rose at 7: 15 p.m. SIXTY-SEVENTH PLENARY MEETING Held on Sunday, 15 December 1946, at 8.30 p.m. CONTENTS Pagl Refugees and displaced persons: report of the Third Committee: resolutions. Financial and budgetary questions re- lating to the International Refugee Or- ganization: report of the Fifth Commit- tee: resolution (continuation of the discussion) 1432 Measures to economize the time of the General Assembly: report of the Gen- eral Committee: resolution 1454 Admission of Siam to membership in the United Nations: report of the Gen- eral Committee: resolution 1458 Question of holding the second regular session of the General Assembly in Europe 1459 Rules governing the admission of new Mcmb('rs to the United Nations. Ap- pointment of members to the Commit- tee on procedure 1466 205. 206. 207. 208. 209. Tenant compte de la situation critique des personnes deplacees, des obstacles que 1'on accumule pour empecher leur rapatriement et des graves imperfections que comporte le projet de constitution de l'Organisation pour les refu- gics, la delegation sovietique s'est prononcee contre l'adoption de cette constitution et de la resolution correspondante lors du vote qui a eu lieu a la Troisicme Commission. Elle s'y oppose egalement a l'Assemblee generale) car ceUe constitution est loin d'assurer la solution du pro- blcme des refugies et des personnes deplacees. La seance est levee a19 h. 15. SOIXANTE-SEPTIEME SEANCE PLENIERE Tenue le dimanche 15 decembre 1946, a 20 h. 30. TABLES DES MA'TIERES 205. Rerugit~s et personnes deplacees. Rap- port de la Troisieme Commission. Reso- lutions. Questions financieres et budge- taires concernant l'Organisation inter- nationale pour les refugies. Rapport de la Cinquieme Commission. Resolution (suite de la discussion) 1432 Mesures destinees a. economiser le temps de ]'Assemblee generale. Rapport du Bureau. Resolution 1454- Admission du Siam al'Organisation des Nations Unies. Rapport du Bureau. Resolution 1458 Question de la convocation en Europe de la seconde session ordinaire de l'As- semblee generale 1459 Regles pour l'admission de nouveaux Membres de I'Organisation des Nations Unies. Nomination desmembrcs de la Commission de procedure 146& 206. 207. 208. 209.