S/PV.162 Security Council

I understand that some of the representatives have amendments to the United States resolution2 which the Council started to discuss at its hundred and sixty-first meeting.s I should like to invite these representatives to present their amendments and to say whatever they wish in support of them. CONSEIL DE SECURITE PROCES-VERBAUX OFfiCIELS DEUXIEME ANNEE No 61 CENT-SOIXANTE-DEUXGEME SEANCE Tenue aLake Success, N6w-York, le mardi 22 juiliet 1947, a10 h. 30. President: M. O. LANGE (Pologne). Presents: Les representants des pays suivants: Australie, Belgique, Bresil, Chine, Colombie, Etats-Unis d'Amerique, :France, Pologne, Royaume-Uni, Syrie, Union des Republiques socialistes sovietiques. 232. Or.dre du Dour provisoire (document S/424) 1. Adoption de l'ordre du jour. 2. La question grecque: rapport presente au Conseil de securite par la Commission d'enquete sur les inCidents survenus le long de la frontiere grecque (document S/360)1. 233. Adoption de I'ordre du jour 234. Suite de la discussion sur la question grecque Le PRESn)ENT (traduit de l'ang~[l.is): Je crois que certains representants ont l'intention de proposer des amendements a la resolution presentee par les Etats-Unis2, resolution que le Conseil a commence a discuter ala cent-soixante et unieme seances. Je voudrais inviter ces repre- sentants a presenter leurs amendements et a prendre la parole pour les defendre. 1 Voir les Proces-verbaux officiels du Conseil de securite, Deuxieme Annee, Supplement special No 2. Mr. ~6PEZ (Colombia): Before we begin a discussion of these amendments, I should like to know whether the Security Council has received any information concerning recent developments in connexion with the Greek question. If the Council has not received any word on that mat- ter, perhaps the Greek representative can give ns any information which he has to substantiate the reports which have been appearing in the Press dun .g the last eight or ten days. I believe that would have some bearing on the discussion. That is why I should like to know whether the Council has received any information from the Subsidiary Group.

The Commission held a meeting yesterday, and the Chairman of the Commission then requested the Secretariat to ask the Subsidiary GrouJ? to send in its report. Mr. LAWFORD (United Kingdom): I have submitted certain amendmentsl to the United States resolution, but I do not wish to make a long statement with regard to them. As Sir Alexander Cadogan has indicated, the United Kingdom Government is in full sympathy with the United States draft resolution, and, in principle, we agree with its terms. At the last meeting of the Security Council it was suggested, I think by the representative of Syria, that, for reasons of clarity, it might be preferable for the substance of paragraphs A, B, D and E of the Commission's proposals to be spelled out in the terms of the resolution, rather than to be referred to as proposals contained,in paragraphs, A, B, D and E.2 M. L6PEZ (Colombie) (traduit de l'anglais) : Avant de commencer la discussion de ces amendements, je voudrais savoir si le Conseil de securite a re~u des informations au sujet de recents developpements qui concernent la question grecque. Si le Conseil n'a re~u aucune communication en l'espece, peut-etre le representant de la Grece pourrait-il nous donner les renseignements qu'il possede; cela nous permettrait de mieux comprendre les communiques publies dans les journaux ces derniers huit ou dix jours. Je crois que cela aura une certaine influence sur la suite ce la discussion. C'est pourquoi je voudrais savoir si le Conseil a re~u des informations du Groupe subsidiaire. Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): La Commission d'enquete a tenu hier une seance a la suite de laquelle le President de la Commission a demande au Secretariat d'inviter le Graupe subsidiaire a envQyer son rapport. M. LAWFORD (Royaume-Uni) (traduit de l'anglais): ]'ai presente certains amendementsl a la resolution des Etats-Unis, mais je ne desire pas faire une longue declaration a leur sujet. Comme Sir Alexander Cadogan l'a deja declare, le Gouvernement du Royaume-Uni approuve pleinement le projet de resolution des Etats-Unis et est d'accord, en principe, avec tous ses termes. A'la derniere seance du Conseil, il a ete dit, pat le representant de la Syrie je crais, qu'il serait preferable p,our la clarte du texte de rappeler en substance les paragraphes A, B, D et E de la recommandation de la Commission plutot que de s'y referer comme a des propositions contenues aux paragraphes A, B, D et E~. 1 Voir les Proces-verbaux officiels du Conseil de securitl, Deuxieme Annee, Supplement No 15, .(\nnexe 38. • Ibid., Deuxieme Annee, No 60, 161eme seance. Mr. L6PEZ (Colombia): I do not wish to waste the time of the Security Council by unnecessary discussion ~hich will retard our decisions on this matter, but I believe it is important to make it clear that apparently we have no in-. formation to substantiate the alarming reports that we have been getting day by day since we began to discuss the report of the Commission of Investigation. I believe it would be an advantage, and certainly it would be adv1sable, for the Security Council to make it clearly understood that we are not acting on the strength of unsubstantiated reports, but, clearly and definitely, on the report of the Commission of Investigation, which, to my mind, furnishes all the grounds necessary for our decisions. M. L6PEZ (Colombie) (traduit de l'anglais): Je ne desire pas, par des Cliscussions inutiles, faire perdre son temps au Conse~, ce qui retarderait nos decisions sur cette question, mais je crois tres important de preciser qu'apparemment nous n'avons aucun renseignement etablissant le bien-fonde des rapports alarmants qui nous parviennent tous les·jours depuis que nous avons commence la discussion du rapport de la Commission d'enquete. Je crois que ce sera un avantage et qu'il est certainement desirable que le Conseil de securite fasse clairement comprendre que nous n'agissons pas S!IT la foi de rapports non controIes, mais que, d'une fa~on claire et formelle, nous nous fondons sur le rapport de la Commission d'enquete, rapport qui, d'apres moi, donne tous les elements qui nous sont necessaires pour prendre une decision.

It may be useful if I ask the Assistant Secretary-General to read to the Council the letter I have received from the Chairman of the Commission of Investigation. Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l~anglais): Je crois utile de demander au Secretaire general adjoint de donner lecture au Conseil de la lettre ,.que j'ai re~ue du President de la Commission d'enquete. Mr. KERNO (Assistant Secretary-General in charge of Legal Affairs) : The Subsidiary Group, which is now in Yannina, has sent the Commis- M. KERNO (Secretaire general adjoint charge des questions juridiques) (traduit de l~anglais) : Le Groupe subsidiaire, qui se trouve pour le moment a Janina, a envoye a la Commission d'enquete un telegramme qui a ete publie en tant que document de la Commission (document SIAC.4/286).' La Commission, apl'Cs sa seance d'hier, a adresse a M. Oscar Lange, President du Conseil de'securite, la lettre suivante: ~1C>71 of Investigation a teltgram which has been repruduced as one of the Commission's documents (document SiAC.4/286). Mter its meeting yesterday, the Commission addressed the following letter to Mr. Oscar Lange, President of the Security Council: [Original text: English] "Sir, "In accordance with the decision of the majority of the Commission taken at its 91st meeting, held on 21 July 1947, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of the members of the Security Council, a telegram received from the Subsidiary Group on 20 July 1947, concerning the investigation of the alleged frontier incidents on the Greca-Albanian border, and. to communicate that the text of that telegram has been handed to the liaison representative of Albania for transmission to his Government in Tirana. "I wish to add that the penultimate sentence in the "text of the telegram has been amended to read as follows: 'Subsidiary Group invites comments of Albanian Government and requests that proposals regarding itinerary time table and - [Texte original en anglais] "Monsieur, "Conformement a la decision prise par la majorite de la Commission a la 91eme seance, tenue le 21 juillet 1947, j'ai l'honneur de transmettre, pour l'information des membres du Conseil de securite, un teIegramme du Groupe subsidiaire, re~u le 20 juillet 1947, au sujet de l'enquete sur les pretendus incidents de frontiere a la frontiere greco-albanaise, et de faire savoir que le texte de ce telegramme a ete transmis a l'agent de liaison albanais, pour etre transnlis a son Gouvernement a Tirana. "Je desire ajouter que l'avant-derniere phrase du texte de ce teIegramme a ete modifiee et se lit comme suit: "Le Groupe subsidiaire invite le Gouvernement albanais a pre-senter ses observations et lui demande de lui faire

The telegram which w~ sent by the Subsidiary Group, and which the Assistant Secretary-General has mentioned, will be distributed.to the members of the Security Council. I should think that would be sufficient, unless the representative of Colombia wishes it to be read now. Mr. JOHNSON (United States of America): It might be just as well to note, as an example of the extreme practical difficulties under which the Subsidiary Group has been compelled to work, that on 5 July the Subsidiary Group sent a telegram to the Government of Albania, to which it has never received a reply. Because of that lack of ordinary courtesy, not to speak of co-operation, I understand that the Subsidiary Group was compelled to address itself to the Commission here, with the request that a further conimunication sh:mld be sent to the Government of Albania. Mr. EL-KROURI (Syria): I understood from the letter just read from the Chairman of the Commission of Investigation that the Subsidiary Group sent a telegram, which will be distributed here, concerning these incidents. In view of the fact that the matter is being discussed now, I think it would be proper to have that telegram read, as it was communicated to the President of the Security Council, along with the letter. If it is read in the Security Council, we shall understand what it contains, and we shall be able to formulate some idea about the situation.

I shall certainly submit to the wish of the representative of Syria and ask the Assistant Secretary-General in charge of Legal Affairs to read the telegram. Mr. KERNO (Assistant Secretary-General in charge of Legal Affairs):. The text, including the amendment, of the telegram which was handed to the liaison representative of Albania for transmission to his Government in Tirana is as follows: "Subsidiary Group of Commission of Investi- "Le Groupe subsidiaire de la Commission gation of Greek incidents has begun investigation d'enquete sur les incidents survenus ala frontiere of an incident brought to its attention by Greek grecque a commence son enquete sur un incident Government and alleged to have occurred on qui lui a ete signale par le Gouvernement grec Greco-Albanian frontier. Greek Government has comme s'etantproduit a la frontiere greco- charged that firstly Albanian Government has albanaise. Le Gouvernement grec declare que: allowed and encouraged the concentration in its premierement, le Gouvernement albanais a territory of armed bands of every kind, these permis a des bandes armees de toutes sortes consisting of about 3,000 men on 12 and 13 July de se rassembler sur son territoire et les a violated the Greek border along a front of 10 encouragees a le faire. Les 12 et 13 juillet, ces kilometres between Mertzani Bridge and village bandes, qui comprennent environ 3.000 hommes, of Prossilion; secondly, Albanian. Government ont viole la frontiere grecque sur une longueur Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l~anglais): Le texte du teIegl'amme envoye par le Groupe subsidiaire et mentionne par le Se.cretaire general adjoint sera distribue aux membres du Conseil de securite. Je crois que cela sera suffisant, a moins que le representant de la Colombie ne desire que ce texte soit lu maintenant. M. JOHNSON (Etats-Unis d'Amerique) (tra- duit de l~anglais): n peut etre bo~ de faire rcmarquer, comme exemple des difficultes pratiques extremes que le Groupe subsidiaire rencontre dans son travail, que le 5 jtiillet le Groupe subsidiaire a envoye au Gouvernement de l'Albanie un telegramme auquel il n'a jamais re~u de reponse. Si je comprends bien, c'est par suite de ce manque de courtoisie, pour ne pas dire d'esprit de cooperation, que le Groupe subsidiaire a ete oblige de s'adresser a la Com- mission, ici, dc:mandant qu'une seconde note soit envoyee au Gouvernement de l'Albanie. M. EL-KHOURI (Syrie) (traduit de l'anglais): De la lettre du President de la Commission d'enquete, qui vient de nous etre lue, il semble ressortir que le Groupe subsidiaire a envoye, a propos des incidents survenus, un teIegramme dont copie nous sera distribuee. Etant donne que cette question va etre discutee maintenant, je pense qu'il serait utile que ce tt~legrarr.me soit lu en meme temps que la lettre, sous la forme ou il a ete communique au President du Conseil de securite. S'il est lu au Conseil, nous verrous ce qu'il dit et pourrons nous faire une idee de la situation. Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): Je m'incline volontiers devant le desir du repre- sentant de la Syrie et je demanderai au Secretaire general adjoint charge des questions juridiques de lire le telegramme. M. KERNO (Secretaire general adjoint charge des questions juridiques) (traduit de l'anglais): Le texte amende du telegramme remis a I'agent de liaison albanais pour etre transmis a son Gouvernement a Tirana, se lit comme suit: "Therefore, in order to assure both complete- ness and impartiality of investigation, Subsidiary Group requests fullest co-operation of Albanian Government and believes that co-operation be- tween itself and Albanian Government in con- nexion this incident would be greatly facilitated and administrative arrangements would be sim- plified if Albanian Government could sf'~d quali- fied representative for consultation at earliest possible date. Subsidiary Group invites Albanian Government to present such evidence and pro- uuce such witnesseg as it may consider desirable in connexion with alleged incident. Copies of- all documentation submitted as well as list of delegations memb,ers of Secretariat, Press, Greek witnesses and other persons who will accompany Subsidiary Group will be ready for delivery to Albanian authorities at the frontier post of Kakavia on 23 July. As soon as your reply reaches Subsidiary Group the latter will be posi- tion to precise date on which it could be at Greco-Albanian frontier. Pending definite deci- sion as to exact date and place of Subsidiary Group's arrival at Albanian frontier and as to full itinerary to be followed (which could best be agreed on consultation with r~presentative of Albanian Government), Subsidiary Group re- quests Albanian Government take necessary steps to ensure that on arrival at Albanian frontier it will find that pr~parations have been made to facilitate firstly its crossing of frontier, secondly its interrogation in Albania of such witnesses as Subsidiary Group may request Albanian Govern- ment to produce and who are to be found in Albania, thirdly hearing in Albania of such Greek witnesses as Subsidiary Group may desire to bring with it into Albania and whose names will have been communicated in advance to Albanian GlJvernment pl~ces of hearing to be designated by Subsidiary Group. Fourthly an examination of terrain in Albanian territory in frontier areas between and including Mert- zani and Radat and in such other places or localities as Subsidiary Group may in course of hearing evidence decide necessary for complete investigation. ' "En consequence, pour que l'enquete soit vraiment complete et impartiale, le Groupe subsidiaire demande au Gouvernement albanais sa collaboration la plus entiere et estime qu'en l'occurrence, la collaboration du Groupe subsidiaire et du Gouvernement albanais serait 'grandeme:at facilitee et que les mesures administratives seraient simplifiees si le Gouvernement albanais pouvait envoyer, aussit6t que possible, un representant qualifie pour s'entretenir avec le Groupe. Le Groupe subsidiaire invite le Gouvernement albanais a presenter tous temoignages, pieces et temoins qu'il jugera uCe de produire en c\:'tte affaire. ; Des copies de toute la documentation pre.sentee, I ~e meme que la liste des delegations, membres du Secretariat, representants de la presse, temoins grecs et autres personnes qui accompagneront le Groupe subsidiaire, seront pretes a etre remises aux autorites albanaises, au poste frontiere de Kakavia, 'le 23 juillet. Des que le Groupe subsidiaire aura re~u votre reponse il sera a meme de preciser la date a laquelle ilpourra se presenter a la frontiere greco-albanaise. En attendant qu'une decision definitive soit intervenue en ce qui concerne la date et le lieu d'arrivee du Groupe a la frontiere albanaise et l'itineraire complet qu'il devra suivre (la meille,ure solution serait que cct itineraire soit arrete de concert avec le representant du Gouvernf:ment albanais), le Groupe subsidiaire demande au Gouvernement albanais de faire le nel;essaire pour qu'a son arrlvee a la frontiere albanaise le Groupe constate qu'~n a pris des dispositions pour lui faciliter, prerpierement, le passage de la frontiere; deuxiemement,l'audition en Albanie des temoins se trouvant en .Albanie que le Groupe subsidiaire pourrait demander au Gouvernement albanais de produire; troisiemement, l'audition en Albanie des temoins grecs que le Groupe' subsidiaire pourrait desirer amener' avec lui, en Albanie et dont les noms seront communiques a l'avance au GouvernemeIit albanais, le Groupe subsidiaire choisissant les lieux ou les temoins seront entendus; quatriemement, l'examen de Heux sitnes en territoire albanais dans les regions frontieres s'etendant ~ntre Mertzani et Radat (ces deux localites comprises) et de tous autres .lieux ou, au cours de l'audition des temoins, le Groupe subsidiaire jugera necessaire de se rendre pour enquete complete. Mr. L6PEZ (Colombia): I am afraid that I have not mafie my point clear enough, although it is very simple. The Security Council appointed a CotIlIlliesion of Investigation. We have a re- port from" the Commission of Investigation. A majority of the :tp.embers of the Security Council, at least, finds in that report all the evidence necessary to take action. The majority has de- cided to take that action, and I believe it has sufficient justification. \ My'point is that these alarming relJorts with. regard to the Greek invasion have not been sub- stantiated to the satisfaction of the Council. On the contrary, according to the Press reports, far from being substantiated, they remain unproved. It 1<S not easy to understand how 20,000 men, 3,000 men, or 2,500 men have got into Greece. Mter several days the nearest approach that we have to any substantiating evidence is a state- ment from General Zervas, Minister of Public Order, saying, accor~g to one.of the Press re- ports from Athens, that his facts were based on ". the testimony of a soldier who w~s captured by the guerrillas and escaped. I just wanted to make it clear that we are not taking any action based on these Press reports w4ich have been systematically sent out from Greece during the last eight or ten days, but that we are going to take action for a very good reason, bas4tg our action on the report of the Commission of Investigation. That is my point.

Thus far ~endments have been submitted by the representative of France1 and by" the representative of the United Kingdom.2 The French amendments are now being reproduced by the Secretariat. I understand they are rather lengthy and it will take a little more time before they are reproduced. Colonel KERENXHI (Albania) (translated from French): Since the Council has now resumed the discussion begun a few days ago on M. -L6PEZ (Colombie) (traduit de l'anglais): Je crains de ne pas m'etre exprime assez clairement; pourtant mon point de vue est tres simple. Le' Conseil de securite a cree une Commission d'enquete. Nous avons un rapport de cette Commission d'enquete. La majorite au moins des membJ.;es du Conseil trouve dans ce rapport toutes les donnees necessaires pour entreprendre une action. La majorite a decide d'entreprend~e cette action, et je crois qu'il ya des raisons suffisantes pour cela. . Ce que je voulais dire, c'est que les informations alarmantes qui nous parviennent au-sujet de l'invasion en Grece n'ont pas paru au Conseil suffisarnment etablies. Au contraire, d'apres les journaux, ces informations, loin d'etre etablies, restent douteuses. 11 est difficile de comprendre comment 20.000 hommes, 3.000 hommes ou 2.500 hommes ont penetre en Grece. Apres plusieurs jours, la 'seule information ayant quelque caractere d'authenticite que nous ayons est une declaration du general Zervas, Ministre de la surete publique qui, d'apres un communique de presse d'Athenes, a dit que sa connaissance des faits etait basee sur le temoignage d'un soldat qui avait ete pris par les partis~'I1S et qui s'etait echappe. Je desirerais qu'il soit clair que les mesures que nous prendrons ne sont pas fondees sur les communiques de presse envoyes d'une ~a~on systeniatique de Grece depuis hilit ou dix jours, mais que notre action serafondee sur le rapport de la.Commission d'enquete et sera parfaitement justifiee. Voila ce que j~ voulais dire. Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): Jusqu'a present, des amendements ont ete presentes par le representant de la Fxance1 et par le representant du Royaume-Unr. Le Secretariat est en train de reproduire le texte des amende~ ments fran~ais. Je crois que ce texte est assez long et qu'il ne pourra etre distribue avant quelques instants. Le colonel KERENXHI (Albanie).: Puisque le Conseil a maintenant repris la discussion, cornmencee il y a quelques jours, sur la question de 1 Voir les Proces-verbaux of/iciels du Conseil de securiee, Deuxieme Annee, Supplement No 15, Annexe 39. Several times the Greek authorities have organized armed acts of provocation against our frontier; they even waylay our soldiers, take them prisoner, and carry them off to Greece, in order to be able to say afterwards that our soldiers invaded Greece and were captured on Greek territory. That is why our soldiers do not reply, and according to my information, it is possible that' they will refuse to accept the communication in question, fearing it may be yet another provocation, or a trap set by the Greek military frontier authorities. ' Conseq!!ently, the method adopted by the Subsidiar}' Group to inform the Government of Albania is not the correct one. As it did in the case of the other Governments concerned. ~he Subsidiary Group should have addressed 'itself b the Albanian Government by telegram or by some other means; but the method it chose, that of establishing contact with the Albanian authorities at the frontier, is a poor one; In these circumstances, it is a mistake to speak of a lack of courtesy on tile part of the Albanian Govern- JP.ent. when the communication in question has not yet been received. Mr. DENDRAMIS (Greece) (translated from French): lam in complete accord with the representative of Colombia when he says that the b Je ne comprends pas pourquoi le representant des Etats-Unis parle d'un manque de courtoisie de la part du Gouvernement de l'Albanie,sous pretexte que ce Gouvernement ne repond· pas a une dernande qu'il n'a pas encore re~ue. D'autre part, c'est le 23 juillet que. cette demande sera communiquee aux autorites albanaises, mais, je le repete, a la frontiere. Je dois mre que, si le Gouvernement de l'Albanie ne re~oit pas communication de cette demande, il ne pourra pas, yous devez le comprendre, en etre tenu pour responsable; car, je vpus le dis, il est impossible, a la fruntiere, d'avoir des contacts avec le Gouvernement de l'Albanie. Les autorites grecques ont organise plusieurs fois des provocations armees contre notre fiontiere; eUes tendent meme des pieges pour s'emparer de nos soldats, les fan'e prisonniers, les emmener en Grece, afin de pouvoir dire ensuite que nos soldats sont. entres en Grece et ont ete faits prisonniers en territoire grec. C'est la raison pour laquelle nos soldats ne repondent pas, et, d'apres ce que je puis savoir, il est possible qu'ils n'acceptent pas de recevoir la communication en question, craignant qu'il ne s'agisse d'une provocation, ou d'un piege tendu par les autorites militaires de frontiere grecques. I Par consequent, la voie adoptee par le Groupe ~ubsidiaire pour informer le Gouvernement albanais n'est pas la bonne. Comme ill'a deja fait pOur les autres Gouvernements, le Groupe subsidiaire aurait dfr s'adresser au Gouvernement albanais par teIegramme, ou de quelque autre maniere, mais la methode qu'il a choisb pour prendre contact avec les autorites albanaises ala Jrontiere est mauvaise. Dans ces conditions, parler d'un manque de conrtoisie de la part du Gouvernement albanais, alors qu'il n'a pas encore re~u la demande dont il s'agit, est u.ne err.eur. M. DENDRAMIS (Grece): Je suis absolument d'accord avec le representant de la Colombie lorsqu'il dit que le Conseil, apres avoir examine [Original text: English] "Sir: "Upon urgent instructions from my Government, I have the honour to communicate the following and to request you to bring the same to the attention of the members of the Council as soon as possible: "Strong and well-armed hostile forces invaded Greek territory from Albania yesterday morning, 13 July, occupied the Mertzani (Bourisani) Bridge on the River Aoos (Voioussa) and besieged the town of Konitsa, which is situated at a distance of about six miles from the Greek- Albanian border. Furthermore, it is known that, to the north-west of Konitsa in the vicinity of the border on Albanian soil, supplies and medical services are concentrated as well as substantial forces inciuding units of an international brigade of irregulars and communists. Leading persons of the Communist Party of Greece are also in Albania as well as in Yugoslavia for the purpose of forIning a rebel "government", and eventually transferring its seat to the district against which the offensive is being launched. "It is apparent that, while the Council has been discussing the recommendations of its Commission of Investigation, the conditions reported by that Commission have become drastically more serious. It is respectfully requested of the members of the Security Council that they do everything possible to hasten action on the resolution now before the Security Council to give effect to the recommendations of this Commission. "After action has been taken on that, the Council can consider whether further decisions may be necessary in the light of the present serious development." The Subsidiary Group is now on the spot, and I am absolutely certain that it will verify all the accusations which have been brought before thf' Security Council.

I think the discussion has clarified the subject, and I consider it desirable that we should return to the amendments which are before us. I understand that it will take about five minutes to have the French amendments distributed. The United K;ngdom amendments are before the Council, and I wonder whether the represent~J;ve of the United Kingdom would wish to say a few words about them. Mr. LAWFORD (United Kingdom): I have already made a very brief covering statement. I do not know whether the :::otlncil wishes to proceed in the numerical order of the paragraphs of the resolution. I am perfectly happy to begin [Texte original en anglais] "Monsieur le President, "COIiformement aux instructions urgentes que j'ai re~ues de man Gouvernement, j'ai l'honneur de porter avotre connaissance les faits ci-dessous et de vous prier de bien vouloir les soumettre le plus tot possible a l'attention des membres du Conseil de securite. "Des detachements ennemis, nombreux et bien armes, venant d'Albanie, ant envahi le territoire grec, l'J.er 13 juillet, ont occupe le pont de Mertzani (Bourisani) sur la riviere Aoos (Voioussa), et assiege la ville de· Konitza situee a environ six mllies de la frontiere greco-albanaise. On sait, en outre, qu'au nord-ouest de Konitza, aproximite de la frontiere, en territoire albanais, on a concentre des approvision..llements et des services medicaux ainsi que des forces iinportantes comprenant des unites d'une brigade internationale d'irreguliers et de communistes. Des personnalites dirigeantes du parti communiste grec se trouvent egalement en Albanie ainsi qu'en Yougoslavie en vue de former un "gouvernement" rebelle et d'en transferer finalement le siege dans le district contre lequel l'offensive vient d'etre declenchee. "Il est clair que pendant l'examen par le Conseil de securite des recommandations que lui a adressees sa Commission d'enquete, la situation signalee par cette Commission s'est tres fortement aggravee. Nous prions respectueusement les membres du Conseil de securite de faire tout ce qui est en leur pouvoir pour prendre au plus vite une decision au sujet de la resolution actuellement soumise au Conseil, afin de donner efIet aux recommandations de la Commission. "Une fois sa decision prise sur ce point, le Conseil pourra exaIniner l'eventualite, s'il y a lieu, etant donne les graves evenements actuels, de prendre de nouvelles decisions." Le Groupe subsidiaire est maintenant sur place et je suis absolument certain qu'il verifiera toutes les accusations qui ant ete portees devant le Conseil. Le PRESIDENT (traduit de ranglais): Je pense que la discussion a rendu cette question claire et je crois que nous devrions· revenir a la discussion des amendements qui nous sont soumis. Je crois qu'il faudra environ cinq Ininutes pour que le texte des amendements fran~ais soit distribue. Les amendements du Royaume-Uni sont devant naus et je demanderai au representant du Royaume-Uni s'il. ne desire pas dire quelques mats a ce sujet. M. LAWFORD (Royaume-Uni) (traduit de ['anglais): l'ai deja f,ait une breve declaration generale. Je ne sais si le Conseil desire proceder a la discussion dans l'ordre dans lequel les paragraphes de la resolution sont numerates. Je ~ Mr. EL-KHOURI (Syria): The first numbered paragraph of the United States draft resolution, which reads: "The Security Council adopts the proposals made by the majority of the members of the Commission", should be considered after the other amendments. To adopt that paragraph first would be to prejudge the issue. How can we adopt a paragraph sta~ing that the Security Council adopp3 the proposals of the Commission, before we actually adopt them? No proposals have been adopted as yet. Perhaps they will be adopted later; in that event, we ,shall be able to state at the end of the resolution that we have adopted them. I believe that paragraph 1 should be placed at the end, and that we should now proceed to discuss paragraph 2.

I suggest that each of the representatives submitting amendments should speak on all of his amendments at one time; otherwise, we shall not obtain a clear picture of the over-all meaning of the various points. I think that the observations made by the representative of Syria lead to the same conclusion. I shall therefore ask the representaive of the United Kingdom to proceed. Mr. LAWFORD (United Kingdom): As I have already indicated, I should be very happy to begin a discussion of the United Kingdom amendments. I must say first, however, that I do not agree with the representative of Syria. Paragraph 2 gives effect to paragraph 1; therefore, if we do not adopt paragraph 1, paragraph 2 does not necessarily follow. Since the President seems to desire it, I am quite ready to begin an account of the reasons for the United Kingdom amendments. However, I understand that the amendments submitted by the French representative have now been distributed to the members of the Council, and I think we might begin with them. Mr. PARODI (France) (translated from French): The amendments which I have the honour to present to the Security Council have now been circulated. The first of these deals with the preamble to the draft resolution presented by the United States delegation, and the second refers to paragraph 1. ........ M. EL-KHOURI (Syrie) (traduit de l'anglois): Le premier paragraphe du projet de resolution presente par les Etats-Unis, et disant: "Le Conseil de securite adopte les propositions faites par la majorite des membres de la Commission", devrait etre examine apres les autres amendements. Adopter ce parazraphe en premier lieu serait prejuger le res:Iltat de notre discussion. Comment pouvons-nous adopter un paragraphe disant que le Conseil de securite adopte les propositions de la Commission, avant d'avoir reellement adopte ces propositions? Aucuneproposition n'a encore ete adoptee. Peut-etre le seront-elles plus tard et, dans ce cas, nous pourrons declarer a la fin de la resolution que nous les avons adoptees. Mais j'estime que le paragraphe 1 devrait etre place a la fin de la resolution et que nous devrions commencer a discuter maintenant le paragraphe 2. Le PRE'SIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): Je propose que chaque representant qui presente des amendements pade au sujet de tous ses amendements a la fois, sinon nous n'aurons pas une idee claire du sens general des differents points de vue. Je pense que les observations presentees par le representant de la Syrie menent a la meme conclusion. C'est pourquoi je demanderai au representant du Royaume-Uni de commencer. M. LAWFORD (Royaume-Uni) (traduit de l'anglais): Comme je l'ai deja dit, je suis dispose a ouvrir la discussion des amendements presentes par le Royaume-Uni. Toutefois, je dois dire d'abord que je ne suis pas d'accord avec le representant de la Syrie. Le paragraphe 2 .est une application du paragraphe 1; c'est pourquoi, si nous n'adoptons pas le paragraphe 1, le paragraphe 2 perd sa justification. Puisque le President semble le desirer, je suis ' pret ,a commencer l'expose des motifs des amendements du Royaume-Uni. Cependant, je crois que le texte des amendements presentes par le representant de la France est maintenant distribue aux membres du Conseil et je pense que nous pourrions discuter d'abord ces amendements. M. PARODI (France): Les amendements que j'ai l'honneur de presenter au Conseil de securite sont maintenant distribues. Le premier de ces amendements se rapporte au preambule du projet de resolution presente par la delegation des Etats-Unis, et le deuxieme au paragraphe 1.

That procedure will be adopted. I now ask th.e representative of France to proceed. Mr. PAROD! (France) (translated from French): The first amendment presented by the French delegation concerns the preamble, which would read as follows: "The Security Council, having primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security pursuant to Article 24 of the Charter, and having considered the report of the Commission of Investigation established by resolution dated 19 December 1946/ f.nds that a dispute exists, the continuation of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security." The second amendment applies to paragraph 1. It is worded as follows: "The Security Council adopts the substance of the proposals made by the majority of the members of the Commission." As you see, the proposed change in the preamble is quite small; its purpose is to make the resolution as a whole a little broader and to include a reference to the Charter. The proposed amendment to paragraph 1 perhaps answers to some extent the observation made by the representative of Syria. It constitutes an approval. The Council would begin by indicating its adoption, not in detail but in substance, of the proposals of the report, which can . be gone into more closely later. That is not quite the same thing. Such are the first two amendments presented by the French delegation.

I shall now ask the representative of the United Kingdom to speak on his amendments. Mr. LAwFoRD(United Kingdom): It will be seen that our first amendment, which proposes a new paragraph 2, relates to proposal A of the Commission's report. It does not quote the profran~aise et qui s'appliquent a la suite du projet de resolution de la delegation des Etats-Unis. Le Pd:SID::,NT (traduit de l'anglais): Nous adnpterons cette fa~on de proceder. Je demande maintenant au representant de la France de prendre la parole. M. PARODI (France) : Le premier amendement presente par la delegation fran~aise concerne le preambule, q1.!i se lirait ainsi: "Le Conseil de securite, detenant, en vertu de l'Article 24 de la Charte, la responsabilite principale du maintien de la paix et de la securite internationales, apres avoir etudie le rapport presente par la Commission d'enquete creee par la resolution du Conseil en date du 19 decembre 19461, constate qu'il se trouve en presence d'un differend dont la prolongation est susceptible de menacer le maintien de la paix et de la securite internationales." Le deuxieme amendement s'applique au paragraphe 1. Il est ainsi con~u: I "Le Conseil de securite adopte dans leur substance les propositions presentees par la majorite des membres de la Commission d'enquete." Ainsi que vous pouvez le constater, la modification propasee au preamlule est assez limitee; elle a pour objet une presentation un peu plus large de l'ensemble de la resolution et une reference a la Charte. L'amendement propose en ce qui concerne le paragraphe 1 repond peut-etre, dans une certaine mesure, a l'observation presentee par le representant de la Syrie. C'est \me approbation. Le Conseil commencerait par indiquer qu'il adopte, non pas strictement, mais en substance, les propositions du rapport, qui seraient reprises ensuite. Ce n'est pas absolument la meme chose. Tels sont les deux premiers amendements presentes par la delegation fran~aise. Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): .Te demanderai maintenant au representant du Royaume-Uni de prendre la parole pour defendre ses amendements. M. LAWFORD (Royaume-Uni) (traduit de f anglais) : On s'apercevra que notre premier amendement, qui propose un nouveau texte pour le paragraphe 2, vise la proposition A du rappor.. ..~... Our third and fourth amendments follow closely the text of proposals D and E respectively of the Commission's report.

I shall ask the representative of France to present to us his amendments to paragraphs 3, 4, and 5. Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): Je demanderai au representant de la France de nous presenter ses amendements aux paragraphes 3, 4 et 5. Colonel HOnGSON (Australia): I suggest that we should deal with this point by point, begitining with the preamble; we shall become confused if the amendments to paragraphs 3, 4, and 5 are explained, and then we go back to the preamble. Le Colonel HOnGSON (Australie) (traduit de l'anglais):: Je propose que nous examinions cela paragraphe par paragraphe, en commen~ant par le preambule; il y aurait confusion dans notre esprit si les amendements aux paragraphes 3, 4 et 5 etaient presentes maintenant et si nous revenions au preambule ensuite. Certains membres peuvent desirer prendre la parole au sujet des premiers paragraphes. Ma delegation desire discuter l'amendement fran~ais au preambule tandis que les remarques faites a ce sujet par le representant de la France et par d'autres membres sont encore presentes dans notre esprit. Some members may wish to speak on the first paragraphs. My delegation wishes to speak on the French amendment to the preamble while we have the observations of the representative of France and other members still in our minds. There may be observations that members would like to make on each one of these amendments, but it may not be practicable to do that until we get the English translation of the French amendments. That is what is holding up the progress of this debate. I should like to know whether this discussion we are now having is a preliminary one, and whether, when the English text of the French amendments is received,' we shall then go back to the beginning of the resolution and deal with it paragraph by paragraph, voting or deciding to defer the vote as we finish the discussion on each paragraph. We shall then know precisely where we stand.

It is indeed better that we should discuss the amendments one after the other, but I had a different procedure in mind, because we have not yet received the English translation of the French amendments. The Secretariat informs me they received the French amendments only at 10.30 this morning. As they are lengthy, it will be some time before we have the translation. However, if the representatives of Australia and the United States do not object, and are ready to discuss the French amendments on the basis of the text we have before us, we can start the discussion straight away. Colonel HODGSON (Australia),: I do not propose to make another prepared speech or a general speech, but I desire to speak on the United States resolution as a whole, and then make specific reference to the French amendments. I do this for the reason that certain action proposed in the United States resolution has been challenged on the ground that it is invalid. In the opinion of my delegation, no effective reply has been made to the argument that was advanced. We think that argument has to be met; otherwise there is going to be doubt as regards the whole of the authority and power and duties of the Security Council under Chapter VI. The argument-which was submitted first by the representative of Bulgaria and supported by the representatives of Albania and Yugoslavia, and by a speech of the representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics-indicated that we can adopt only recommendations under Chapter VI; we cannot take action such as is contemplated in the setting up of a commission. It is argued that such action can be taken only under Chapter VII, when the Security Council finds that there is a breach of the peace. "In this case", they say, "as we have not found that Le PRESIDENT (traduit de ranglais): Il est en effet preferable de discuter les amendements 1'un apres l'autre, mais j'envisageais une methode differente, p'uisque nous n'avons pas encore re~u la traduction en anglais des amendements fran9ais. Le Secretariat m'informe qu'il n'a re9u les amendements fran9ais qu'a 10 h. 30 ce matin; etant donne qu'ils sont longs, il faudra un certain delai avant que nous les ayons. Neanmoins, si les representants de l'Australie et des Etats-Unis n'yfont pas d'objections, et sont prets a discuter les amendements fran9ais, sur la base du texte que nous avons actuellement sous les yeux, nous pouvons entamer la discussion irnmediatement. Le colonel HODGSON (Australie) (traduit de ranglais): Je ne me propose pas de vous lire un second discours prepare ou un discours d'ordre general, mais je veux parler de la resolution des Etats-Unis dans son ensemble, et ensuite me reporter plus specialement aux amendements fran9ais. Ceci, parce que l'une des mesures proposees dans la resolution des Etats-Unis a ete attaquee sous pretexte qu'elle n'est pas conforme aux stipulations de la Charte. Selon l'avis de ma delegation, aucune replique pertinente n'a ete faite a 1'argument qui a ete avan,ce. Nous pensons qu'il y a lieu de repondre a cet argument; autrement, il 'y aura des doutes en ce qui concerne l'ensemble de l'autorite, du pouvoir et des fonctions conferes au Conseil de securite par le Chapitre VI. La these soutenue en premier lieu par le representant de la Bulgarie et appuyee par les representants de l'Albanie et de la Yougoslavie, puis par un discours du representant de l'URSS, tendait a demontrer qu'aux termes du Chapitre VI, nous ne pouvons que formuler des recommandations; nous ne pouvons pas prendre de mesures comme celle que constituerait la' creation d'une commission. On pretend' qu'une telle mesure ne peut etre prise qu'en vertu'du Chapitre VII, lorsque le Cons~il de securite juge qu'il y a rupture de la paix. "Dans le cas present, One representative has endeavoured to answer that case. The representative of the United States says that, on the basis of a letter from the Secretary-General giving the opinion of the Legal Department in connexion with the consideration by the Council of the three instruments relating to the Free Territory of Trieste, this Council has, under Article 24, wide reserve powers for its duty for the maintenance of international peace and security.1 My delegation has very grave doubts about the validity of that argument because, it will be recalled, we have always expressed the view that we are very doubtful that the Security Council could guarantee the independence of Trieste. We also have grave reservations about these socalled wide reserve powers. But in Chapter VI itself and in other places in the Charter, we find ample justification for all the action proposed in the United States resolution. That has never been denied; even the first time the question arose, this Council decided to investigate. Indeed, we are bound to investigate because, before we decide that the continuation of a situation does endanger international peace and security, we must make a finding to that effect; otherwise we cannot do anything. That is why we support the French text. A \ decision to investigate-and that has never been challenged-is surely more than a recommenda,. tion. Under Chapter VI we can take many decisions. This resolution on the setting up of a commission has two purposes, confers two main powers: the power of investigation and the power of conciliation and mediation. If you give a body a certain power, that connotes that you give it authority to carry out that power. Authority is inherent in that power. Otherwise, what point would there be in this Council having the right to investigate, if the investigating body Were not clothed with authority to act, authority, for example, to move about the frontiers; authority to examine witnesses; authority to examine officials of the country concerned; the very authority given in this resolution? Further, the right to' investigate also connotes a right to continue investigation, and that was -- ~ais. La decision de faire une' enquete - et· ceci n'a jamais ete conteste - est certainement plus qu'une recommandation. Nous pouvons prendre beaucoup de decisions aux termes du Chapitre VI. La presente resolution visant a l'etablissement d'une commission a deux buts et tend a confere~ a la commission deux pouvoirs principaux: le pouvoir de mener l'enquete, et le pouvoir de conciliation et de mediation. Donner aun organisine un certain pouvoir, c'est lui donner implicitement qualite pourexercer ce pouvoir. L'exercice d'un tel pouvoir suppose r cutorite. Autrement, a quo; servirait le droit Lt, - possede ce' Conseil de menerune enquete si les organismes charges d'enqueter n'etaient pas dotes du pouvoir d'agir - par exemple, du pouvoir d'aller et de venir de part et d'autre des frontieres, du pouvoir d'entendre des temoins, du pouvoir d'entendre des fonctionnaires des pays'en question: en un mot, du pouvoir dont il s'agit dans cette resolution. Bien plus, le droit de mener une enquete comporte egalement le droit de poursuivre cette This Council could even take a decision to set up a conciliation commission. It could even take a decision to set up an arbitration commission in this case, if it wished. Those are all d~cisions, they are not recommendations; the Council has such pow~r. Under Article 28, we know that even the Security Council could go to Greece and hold meetings. Under Article 29 of the Charter, the Security Council has the right to establish subsidiary organs to carry out its function of maintaining international peace and security. For all those reasons, there is ample justification for setting up the proposed body. Moreover, it is our right and duty to set up this body and to clothe it with the necessary powers; otherwise, the will of this Council would be completely stultified in any action it contemplated under Chapter VI. But we say that, whether it is a decision or a recommendation that is involved-and we have indicated that we can make both under Chapter VI-we cannot make either until we have determined that the continuation of the situation does endanger international peace and security. That is the opinion of my delegation. That determination must be made under Article 34, in order to take any of the steps which the resolution contemplates under Article 33. The United States resolution indicates that we adopt the proposals of the Commission, but if one looks carefully through the Commission's proposals, one can find no statement to the effect that the continuation of the situation does endanger international peace and security. Thus, the adoption of the proposals would not carry us any further, whereas the French amendment to the preamble does. That is why we support it fully. Mr. L6PEz (Colombia): I am in full agreement with the position taken by the Australian delegation with regard to the preamble to this resolution. It also seems to the Colombian delegation that the first thing to do is to include provisions on the basis of having established that a dispute exists, the continuance of which is in fact likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, as is very clearly provided, to our mind, in Article 37 of the Charter. Article 37, paragraph 2, reads as follows: "If the Security Council deems that the continuance of the dispute is in fact likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, it ~hall decide whether to take action M. L6PEz (Colombie) (traduit de l'ang1ais) : Je me rallie entierement a la position prise par la delegation de l'Australie en ce qui conceme le preambule a cette resolution. Il semble egalement a la delegation de la Colombie que la premiere. chose a faire est d'inserer dans le texte de la resolution des dispositions specifiant que le Conseil reconnalt l'existence d'un differend dont la prolongation est susceptible de menacer la paix et la securite internationales; ce que, a notre avis, represente tres nettement le cas prevu par l'Article 37 de la Charte. L'Article 37, p~ragraphe 2, est redige comme suit: "Si le Conseil de secIJrite estime que la prolongation du differend semble, en fait, "~ But if we want to elaborate the point a little further, Article 39 further provides that: "The Security Council shall determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression. . ." We are acting on a declaration that we believe that the continuance of the threat to the peace may endanger international security. We have three situations: a threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or an act of aggression; and Article 39 reads that in that eventuality the Council "shall . . . decide what measures shall be taken in accordance with Articles 41 and 42, to maintain or restore international peace and security". . Article 41 very specifically provides: "The Security Council may decide what measures not involving the use of armed force are to be employed to give effect to its decisions ..." This resolution, to our mind, is a decision of the Security Council not involving the use of armed force. The Colombian delegation has had the opportunity to discuss this preamble with the French delegation, and it is substantially in agreement with the amendment presented by the French delegation, although, to our mind, it might be preferable to add something to that preamble. As we have worded it in our suggestion: "The Security Council, having considered the report of the Commission of Investigation established by resolution dated 19 December 1946, finds that a dispute exists, the continuance of which is in fact likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security." That is in accordance with Article 37. We suggest going on to say: "The Security Council also finds that further action is required for the purpose of restoring normal conditions along the frontiers between Greece on the one hand and Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia on the other. Therefore, the Security Council, following the proposals made by the majority of the members of the Commission of Investigation, resolves . . .", and then go on to the next paragraph. By this means we could act upon the recommendations without appearing to say that we have adopted them before we have done so. As I said two or three days ago, we are refraining from submitting any formal proposals; we are just making our suggestions. In the event that any delegations' which are presenting amendments find that our suggestions are useful, ~~ Maissi nous voulons approfondir la question, l'Article 39 prevoit en outre: "Le ConseiI de securite constate 1'existence d'une menace contre la paix, d'une rupture de la paix ou d'un acte d'agression ... " Nous agissons actuellement en vertu d'une declaration suivant laquelle nous pensons que la prolongation de la menace contre la paix peut mettre en danger la securite internationale. Trois cas peuvent etre envisages: une menace contre la paix, une rupture de la paix, et un acte d'agression; et 1'ArticIe 39 dit que dans cette eventualite le Conseil " ... decide quelles mesures seront prises conformement aux Articles 41 et 42 pour maintenir ou retabIir la paix et la securite internationales". L'Article 41 stipule d'une maniere tres precise: "Le Conseil de securite peut decider quelles mesures n'impliquant pas 1'emploi de la force armee dojvent etre prises pour donner effet ases decisions ... " La presente resolution, a notre avis, est une decision du Conseil de securite n'impliquant pas l'emploi de la force armee. La delegation de la Colombie a eu l'occasion de discuter ce preambule avec la delegation franc;aise, et elle est effectivement d'accord sur l'amendement presente par la delegation franc;;aise, bien que, anotre sens, iI eut ete preferable de completer ce preambule par une legere adjonction. Comme nous l'avons dit dans notre suggestion, "le Conseil de securite, apres avoir etudie le rapport presente par la Commission d'enquete creee par la resolution en date du 19 decembre 1946, constate qu'il se trouve en presence d'un differend dont la prolongation est susceptible de menacer le maintien de la paix et de la securite internationales". Ceci est conforme aux termes de I'Article 37. Nous proposons de poursuivre en disant: "Le Conseil de securite juge egalement que d'autres mesures sont necessaires pour retablir des conditions normales le long de la frontiere entre la Grece d'une part, et l'Albanie, la Bulgarie et la Youg-osIavie d'autre part. En consequence, le Conseil de securite, suivant les propositions formuJ.ees par la majorite des membres de la Commission d'enquete, decide ..• ", et 1'0n passerait ensuite au paragraphe suivant. De cette maniere nous pourrions prendre des decisions sur les recommandations sans avoir l'air de les avoir adoptees avant de l'avoir effectivement fait. Comme .le l'ai dit iI y a deux ou trois .lours, nous nous abstenons de presenter aucune propositi.on officielle; nous formulons simplement nos suggestions. NOils serions tres heureux si l'une des delegations qui a propose des amendements It is therefore my feeling that the preamble to the resolution should contain these main P9ints: the supreme role of the Council with regard to security; the investigation of a situation which might lead to internationfll friction and give rise to a dispute; the finding, in the light of this investigation, that the continuance of the , situation is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, and the necessity for further action with regard to investigation in this matter. That is why I agree with'the preamble proposed by the French representative, inasmuch as it sets forth very clearly those three or four elements of the situation. Mr. JOHNSON (United States of America): The U:nited States delegation is glad to indicate its acceptance of the amendment to the preamble proposed by the representative of France. I should like to state very briefly my appreciation for the clarifying remarks made by the representative of Brazil and for certain of the remarks made by the representative'of Australia. The United States delegation feels strongly that the establishment of a commission with the purposes outlined in our resolution is entirely within the powers of the Security Council, under the Charter. Not only is it within the powers of the Security Council, but it is within its duties. M. JOHNSON (Etats-Unis d'Amerique) (traduit de l'anglais) : La delegation des Etats- Unis est heureuse d'annoncer qu'elle accepte' 1'amendement au preambule propose par le representant de la France. .le voudrais exprimer tres brievement mes remerciements au representant du Bresil pour ses eclaircissements, et au representant de l'Australie pour certaines de ses observations. La delegation des Etats-Unis 'est persuadee que la creation d'une commission dont les buts ont ete soulignes dans notre resolution rentre entierement, aux termes de la Charte, dans le cadre des pouvoirs du Conseil de securite. Non seulement cet acte n'excede pas les pou~oirs du Conseil de securite, mais encore il entre dans le cadre de ses devoirs. Such a refusal of any Member of the United Nations or of any country which, for the purposes of a. particular question, had accepted the stipulations of the Charter, would lay it open, as the representative of Brazil has very forcefully pointed out, to much graver charges and action under another Chapter of the Charter. Mr. EL-KHOURI (Syria): As the representative of Australia said, in the report of the Commission there is no mention of whether the continuance of that. situation would be likely to endanger international peace and security. The representative of Australia considers that the French draft would guarantee that point in the preamble, but I find that it is stated in the text of the French proposal: ". . . constate qu'il se trouve en presence d'un differend dont la prolongation est susceptible de menacer le maintien de la paix et de la securite internationales": The French text would therefore seem to imply that it has already been determined that the continuance of the situation is likely to endanger peace and security, whereas Article 34 of the Charter, which entitles the Security Council to make investigations, says: "The Secu'ity Council may investigate any dispute, or any situation which might lead to international friction or give rise to a dispute, in order to determine whether the continuance of the dispute or situation is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security." As long as the United States proposal and the proposals of the Commission of Investigation state that a commission should be established now, or that the existing Commission should continue, the purpose, the object and the justification for these proposals lie in the necessity for determining whether or not the situation is likely to endanger international peace and se- Itn cUri:~,~~~~e~ore, I think we would be pre- M. EL-KHOURI (Syrie) (traduit de l'anglais): Comme le representant de l'Australie 1'a signale, le rapport de la Commission ne fait aucune mention permettant de dire si la prolongation de cette situation est susceptible ou non de menacer la paix et la securite internationales. Le representant de l'Australie considere que 1'amendement frans;ais repond a cette preoccupation dans le preambule, et je constate qU'il est dit d~ns le texte de la proposition frans;aise: " ... constate qu'il se trouve en presence d'un differend dont la prolongation est susceptible de menacer le maintien de la paix et de la securite intemationales". En consequence, le texte frans;ais semblerait impliquer qu'il a deja ete etabli que la prolongation de la situation est susceptible de menacer la paix et la securite, alors que si nous nous reportons a l'Article 34 de la Charte, attribuant au Conseil de securite le droit d'enqueter, nous lisons: "Le Conseil de securite peut enqueter sur tout differend ou toute situation qui pourrait entramer un desaccord entre nations ou engendrer un differend, afin de determiner si la prolongation de ce differend ou de cette situation semble devoir menacer le maintien de la paix et de la securite internationales." Du moment que la proposition des Etats-Unis et les propositions de la Commission d'enquetc:: declarent qu'une commission doit etre creee maintenant, ou que la Commission existante doit poursuivre ses travaux, le but, l'objet et la justification de ces propositions ressortent de la necessite de determiner si la situation est susceptible ou non de menacer la paix et la securite internationales. En consequence, si nous I do not know the view of the French representative on this point-that is, "that further action must 'be taken by the Security Council under ArtiCle 34 of the Charter in order to determine ..." This wording makes it clear that we have not yet made a determination; the further action of setting up a commission would therefore be justified on the grounds that we are attempting to determine whether the continuance of the situation ~ question is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security. The continuance of the action which was begun by the Commission of Investigation would also be in conformity with Article 34 of the Charter, as well as with the other Articles of the Charter.

I should like t'o explain the present status of the preamble. The representative of the United States has accepted the version of the preamble suggested by the representative of France. I therefore now consider that version an integral part of the United Statefl resolution. Mr. JOHNSON (United States of America): The United States delegation is not able to accept in its entirety the interpretation just given by the representa,tive of Syria. We thfuk that the power of the Security Council to conduct an investigation, or to order an investigation conducted under Article 34, is not necessarily stopped because, at one stage in the development of a dangerous situation, an investigating group'has found that a situation exists the prolongation of which might threaten the maintenance of international peace and security. If the Council can order and carry out an investigation leading to such a conclusion, it seems to my delegation that it is inherent in the powers conferred by Article 34, and conferred by other provisions of the Charter relating to the duties and functions of the Security C:::ouncil, that it may continue to make such investigations as long as it thinks that that situation exists. In the opinion -Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): Je desire preciser l'etat actue1 du preambule. Le representant des Etats-Unis a accepte le texte du preambule soumis par le representant de la France. En consequence, je considere ce texte comme partie integrante de la resolution des Etats-Unis. M. JOHNSON (Etats-Unis d'Amerique) (traduit de l'anglais): La delegation des Etats-Unis ne saurait accepter dans son integralite l'interpretation qui vient d'etre donnee par le representant de la Syrie. Nous pensons que le pouvoir du Conseil de securite de mener une enquete, ou de la faire mener en application de l'Article 34, ne prend pas necessairement fin du fait qu'a une etape du developpement d'une situation dangereuse, un groupe d'enquete a juge qu'il existe effectivement une situation dont la prolongation peut menacer le maintien de la paix et de la securite internationales. Nous estimons que si le Conseil a le pouvoir d'ordonner et de mener une enquete qui le conduise a une telle conclusion, il lui appaxtient, au titre des fonctions conferees par l'Article 34 et par d'autres dispositions de la Charte relatives aux devoirs' et fonctions du Conseil de securite, de pouvoir poursuivre de telles enquetes aussi longtemps The United States delegation reiterates its acceptance of the French a~endment. Having indicated our acceptance of that amendment, I should nevertheless like to make a reference to the very clear exposition by the representative of Colombia and to the suggestions he made to the Council. He stated that he was not proposing amendments on the part of his delegation, buthe invited the Council's consideration of certain substantive suggestions. If a proposal had been made to combine the first paragraph of the United States resolution and the preamble along the lines suggested by the representative of Colombia, the United States delegation would have been glad to accept that proposal. However, we are entirely satisfied with the amendme.nt offered by the representative of France. I merely wished to make this statement as' an indication of our reaction to the proposal mad~ by the representative of Colombia. Mr. PARODI (France) (translated from French): The observations I should like to make deal principally with what has been said by the representatives of Australia and Syria. In the cqurse of our previous deliberations, an objection of a legal nature was raised to that part of the United States delegation's proposal which concerned the establishment of a commission. We were told that it was not possible to set up a commission having the powers indicated in the proposal, because this would be exceeding the tenns of Chapter VI of the Charter on which our action was based. Personally, I am inclined-and I believe I indicated this in the speech in which I gave a general outline of the point of view of the French delegation1-to agree in this respect with the representative of Australia. I, toe, have some doubts concerning the argument presented by the United States 'representative, based on the precedent of Trieste.2 In the case of Trieste, we were not specifically on the ground of any Chapter of the Charter. But when we actually are on the grQund of one of the Chapters of the Charter-Chapter VI in the present instance-the Security Council is bound by the provisions of that Chapter. In my opinion-and I believe I have already made it clear-the right to establish a commission such as the one proposed stems from two sources. In the first place, I consider it quite natural that the Security Council should establish a commission to help in the work of conciliation which it is the Security Council's duty to recommend. Under the various provisions of M. PARODI (France): Les observations que je voudrais presenter se rapportent a ce qu'ont dit principalement les representants de l'Australie et de la Syrie. Au cours de nos precedentes deliberations, une objection de droit avait ete somevee contre la partie de la proposition de la delegation des Etats-Unis qui consistait a etablir une commission. On nous a dit qu'il n'etait pas possible d'e~ablir une ct,mmission ayant les pouvoirs indiques dans le projet, parce que ce serait deborder les termes du Chapitre VI de la Charte sur le terrl:!:in duquel nous sommes places. J'incline, pour ma part - et je crois que je . I'avais indique lorsque j'ai pris la parole precedemment pour donner, cl'une mailiere generale, le point de vue de la delegation fran~aisel - a me dire d'accord, a cet egard, avec le representant de I'Australie. J'ai des doutes, moi aussi, sur l'argument dont s'etait servi le representant des Etats-Unis et qu'il tirait du precedent de Trieste2• En effet, dans le cas de Trieste, now) n'etions pas sur le terrain precis d'un des Chapitres de la Charte. Mais lorsque nous nous trouvons sur le terrain d'un des Chapitres de la Charte - du Chapitre VI ,dans le cas qui nous occupe -- le Conseil de securite est limite par les dispositions de ce Chapitre. A mon avis - et je crois I'avoir deja fait valoir - l'institution d'une commission telle que ceIle qui a ete proposee a un double fondement. D'une part, je trouve tout a fait normal que le Conseil de securite etablisse une comrtlission qui aide au travail de conciliation qu'il appartient au Conseil de securite de recommander. En vertu des differentes dispositions du Chapitre VI, It deT'~nds, therefore, on how far we are undertaIallg a task of conciliation and rapprochement, or a mission of investigation as provided . under Article 34 of the Charter, whether we are entitled to entrust to a commission the powers embodied in the text of the draft resolution. It is here that we encounter the Syrian representative's objection. It is & somewhat subtle one, but I must admit that, legally, it is rather embarrassing. The representative of Syria, who is an excellent jurist, draws his argument from Article 34 of the Charter, and tells us that, since Article 34 of the Charter provides powers of investigation in order to determine whether a situation endangering the maintenance of peace exists, if we begin by stating that such a situation exists, there can no longer be any reason for undertaking an investigation, and consequently we can no longer invoke Article 34. I believe that I have correctly analysed the objection of the representative of Syria. The objection thu::; stated certainly finds rather strong support in the terms of Article 34. I must say, however, that I do not believe it to be strictly valid. In my opinion that is too literal, too narrow an interpretation of Article 34.. It is, of course, a continually recurring problem in legal matters to decide how far texts should be applied literally and how far they should be applied in accordance with their spirit, by interpretation. I feel that if the Security Council has had the power to initiate an investigation for the purpose of obtaining information, and of ascertaining whether a situation endangering peace exists, it is reasonable to suppose that it can continue this investigation when the situation itself seems likely to continue. For such a situation can become aggravated, can become more threatening to peace; it can disappear, or on the contrary it can become more serious. It would be rather paradoxical, I think, that an investigation could be continued if it did net find there was a threat to the peace, if it left the matter in don't, but could not be continued in the most serioU& situation, that is, one in which a threat to the peace was found to exist. . In other words, I feel that the most reasonable interpretation of the text of Article 34 is to go beyond its simple and literal interpretation. Since . C'est donc dans la mesure ou nous pouvons nous rattacher, soit a une tache de con-ciliation ou de rapprochement, soit a une mission d'enquete, telle qu'elle est prevue dans I'Article 34 de la Charte, que nous pouvons en droit donner a une commission les pouvoirs dont il s'agit dans le. texte dll projet de resolution. C'est ici qu'on rencontre l'objection du representant de la Syrie. Elle est un peu subtile; mais, juridiquement, je dois reconnaltre qu'elle est a~sez genante. Le representant dl'..:' Syrie, qui est un excellent juriste, tire un arguIr.'ent de l'Article 34 de la Charte et nous dit que, comme l'Article 34 de la Charte prevoit des pouvoirs d'enquete en vue de determiner s'il y ~, une situation mena~ante pour le maintien de la paix, si nous commen~ons par dire que cette situation existe, il n'y a plus aucune raison de proceder a une enquete et, par consequent, on ne peut plus se fonder sur I'Article 34. Je crois que j'ai bien analyse l'objection du representant de la Syrie. L'objection ainsi formulee trouve, certainement, un assez fort argument dans les termes de l'Article 34. Je dois dire cependant que, en definitive, je ne la crois pas exacte. C'est la, selon moi, une interpretation trap litterale, trop . etroite, de l'Article 34. C'est evidemment une question qui se pose toujours en droit de savoir dans quelle mesure on doit appliquer les textes d'une maniere litterale, et dans quelle mesure on doit les appliquer dans leur esprit, en les pro- IO!lgeant. Je pense que si le Conseil de securite a pu faire proceder a une enquete en vue de se renseigner. en vue de savoir si une situation mena~ante pour la paix ey.iste, il est raisonnable de penser qu'il peut prolonger cette enquete lorsque· la situation elle-meme est susceptible de se prolonger. Car une telle situation peut s'aggraver, devenir plus mena~ante pour la paix; elle peut disparaitre; elle peut, au contraire, . devenir plus urgente. Il y aurait quelque chose d'assez paradoxal, me semble-t-il, a ce qu'une enquete puisse etre continuee si elle n'aboutit pas a la constatation de l'existence d'une menace contre la paix, si dIe laisse subsister le doute, mais qu'elle ne puisse pas l'etre dans le cas le plus grave, celui ou l'on constate qu'une menace pour la paix existe. Autrement dit, je crois que l'interpretation la plus raisonnable du texte de l'Article 34 est d'aller au dela de la simple interpretation As to the extremely helpful remarks of the representative of Colombia, I find that the wording I proposed is on the whole very similar to that which he suggested. If I had not already proposed a text, I should support the one he presents. But, having been the first to propose a text which has already been supported, I hesitate to amend it. However, I should like to make a few observations on this point. I should not in the least object if, in place of drafting a first article in these words: "The Security Council adopts the substance of the proposals made by the majority of the members of the Commission of Investigation," the following sentence were introduced in the preamble: "Therefore, the Security Council, adopting in substance" (I feel that the word "substance" must be retained) "the proposals made by the majority of the members of the Commission of Investigation ..." The articles would follow the preamble thus supplemented. If the other members of the Security C~)Uncil agree on a modification of this kind, I shall not insist on the original wording of my amendment. Mr. JOHNSON (United States of America): I should like to draw the attention of the Council to the English translation of the French amendment to the preamble, which has just been given to us. This translation is not an accurate translation of the French text, and the difference is . so important that I feel that it is necessary to point it out. The word constate does not mean. "notes" in English, but means "find<s". The difference there is material.

The remark of the representative of the United States is correct. Since he has accepted this French amendment as part of the resolution, I take it for granted that it will be in the text as he now states it. The three remaining speakers on my list, who wish to make comments concerning the preamble, will be heard this afternoon at the three o'clock meeting. The meeting rose at 1.5 p.m. qu~. PArticle 34, c~est-a-dire de demander que de nouveaux renseignements nous soient fournis. En ce qui conceme les observations extremement utiles presentees par le representant de la Colombie, je constate que la redaction que j'ai proposee est, en somme, tre3 voisine de celle qu'il envisageait lui-meme. Si je n'avais pas propose un texte, je me rallierais a celui qu'il suggere. Mais, ayant propose le premier un texte qui a deja ete app).lye, j'hesite a y apporter une modification. Je desire cependant presenter quelques observations a ce sujet. Je ne verrais aucun inconvenient a ce qu'au lieu de rediger un premier article ainsi con~u: "Le Conseil de securite adopte dans leur substance les propositions presentees par la majorite des membres de la Commission d'enquete", on introduise cette phrase dans le preambule sous la forme suivante: "En consequence, le Conseil de securite, adoptant dans leur substance" (je crois qu'il faut maintenir "dans leur substance") "les propositions presentees par la majorite des membres de la Commission d'enquete ... " On ne commencerait les articles qu'apres le preambule ainsi complete. Si les autres membres du Conseil de securite sont d'accord sur une modification de cet ordre, je n'insisterai pas pour le maintien de ma redaction primitive. M. JOHNSON (Etats-Unis d'Amerique) (traduit de l'anglais): Je voudrais attirer l'attention du Conseil sur la traduction en anglais de l'amendement fran~ais au preambule, qui vient de nous etre donnee. Cette traduction n'est pas une traduction precise. du texte fran~ais, et l'erreur est si importante que je pense qu'il est necessaire de la faire remarquer. Le mot "constate" ne peut pas dire notes en anglais, mais signifie finds. La difference est ici d'importance. Le PRESIDENT (traduit de l'anglais): L'observation formulee par le representant des Etats-Unis est juste. Puisqu'il a accepte'l'amendement fran~ais comme partie integrante de la resolution, j'admets que la traduction du texte sera telle qu'il vient de ladonner. Les trois orateurs restant sur ma liste, qui desirent faire des observations concernant le preambule, seront entendus cet apres-midi a la seance de 15 heures. La seance est levee a13 h. 05. Australia-AustraUe H. A. Goddard Pty. Ltd. 255a George Street SYDNEY, N. S. W. Belgium-Belgique Agence et Messageries de la Presse, S. A 14-22 rue du Persil BRUXELLES France Editions A Pedone 13, rue Souffiot PARIS, Ve Bolivia-BoUvie Libreria Cientifica y Literaria Avenida 16 de Julio, 216 Casilla 972 LA PAZ Greece-Grece "Eleftheroudakis" Librairie internationale Place de la Constitution ATHENES Canada' The R yerson Press 299 Queen Street West TORONTO Guatemala Jose Goubaud Goubaud & Cia Ltda. Sucesor Sa Av. Sur No. 6 y 9a C. P. GUATEMALA Haiti-Haiti Max Bouchereau Librairie "A la Caravelle" Bolte postale III-B PORT-AU-PRINCE Chile-ChiU Edmundo Pizarro Merced 846 SANTIAGO China-Chine The Commercial Press Ltd. 211 Honan Road SHANGHAI Costa Rica-Costa-Rica Trejos Hermanos Apartado 1313 SAN JOSE India-Inde Oxford Book & Stationery Co. Scindia .House NEW DELHI Cuba La Casa Belga 'Rene de Smedt O'Reilly 455 LA HABANA Iran Bongahe Piaderow 731 Shah Avenue TEHERAN Iraq-lrak Mackenzie & Mackenzie The Bookshop BAGHDAD Lebanon-Liban Librairie universelle BEYROUTH Czechoslovakia T checoslovaquie F. Topic Narodni Trida 9 PRAHA 1 Denmark-Danemark Einar Munskgaard Norregade 6 KJOBENHAVN L'uXembourg Librairie J. Schumn:,c' Place Guillauine LUXEMBOURG Dominican Republic Republique Dominicaine Libreria Dominicana Calle Mercedes No. 49 Apartado 656 CIUDAD TRUJILLO Netherlands--Pays-Bas N. V. Martinus Nijhoff Lange Voorhout 9 s'GRAVENHAGE Philippines D. P. Perez Co. 132 Riverside SAN JUAN Sweden-Suede A-B. C. B. Fritzes Kungl. Hofbokhandel Fredsgatan 2 STOCKHOLM Switzerland-Suisse Librairie Payot S. A LAUSANNE,GENEv~,VEVEY, MONTREUX, NEUCHATEL, BERNE, BASEL Hans Raunhardt Kirchgasse 17 ZURICH I Syria-Syrie Librairie universelle DAMAS Turkey--Turquie Librairie Hachette 469 Istiklal Caddesi BEYOGLU-IsTANBUL Union of South Mrica Union Sud-Africaine Central News Agency Ltd. Commissioner & Rissik Sts. JOHANNESBURG, CAPETOWN, DURBAN United Kingdom Royaume-Uni H.M. Stationery Office p.a. Box 569 LONDON, S.B. 1 and at H.M.S.O. Shops at LONDON, EDINBURGH, MANCHESTER, CARDIFF, BELFAST and BRISTOL United States of America Etats-Unis d'Amerique International Documents Service Columbia University Press 2960 Broadway NEW YORK 27, N. Y. Yugoslavia-Yougoslavie Drzavno Preduzece Jugoslovenska Knjiga Moskovska Ul. 36 BEOGRAD