S/PV.1731 Security Council

I thank the representative of the Soviet Union for his remarks. In fact it is not a precedent, but we will talk about that outside the Council. Adoption of the agenda Expression of thanks to the retiring President The agenda wag adopted.

Before we proceed to the business of this meeting of the Council, it falls to my lot to exercise the traditional privilege of congratulating the outgoing President of the Security Council. Equally in accordance with tradition-British tradition this time-1 shall be brief, especially since my Permanent Representative, who will be returning later this week to occupy his rightful place in this chair, may wish to say more. In the meantime, however, on behalf of ,the Council I should like, through our friend Ambassador Issraelyan,, to thank the representative of the USSR for his conduct of our business last month. I think that we can all agree that we had a very busy month in June and that Ambassador Malik played a full and skilful part in our proceedings, both as President and as representative of the Soviet Union, and both in our formal meetings and in our informal consultations. I hope that those thanks will be passed on to Ambassador Malik. Admission of new Members Application of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for admission to membership in the United Nations : Telegram dated 10 July 1973 from the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Baha. maa to the Secretary=General (S/10966)

The application for membership in the United Nations submitted on 10 July 1973 by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is before the Council iu document S/10966. 6. Rule 59 of the provisional rules of procedure of the Security Council provides that, unless the Council decides otherwise, the President shall refer applications for membership to the Committee on the Admission of New Members. Accordingly, I propose to ask the Committee to study the apphcation for the admission of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and to report thereon to the Security Council as soon as possible. Since no member of the Security Council has asked to speak at this stage, I consider that the Council is in agreement with this intention.

I may perhaps be breaking with tradition by taking the floor just before you move on to the discussion of the second item on the agenda, but I should like, on behalf of the Soviet delegation, to thank you for your kind words addressed to Ambassador Malik, the Permaneqt Members haS been arranged to begin immediately. tomorrow, 18 July, to consider the report of be Committee on the Admission of New Members. 8. Before we adjourn, I think it would be useful The meeting rose at 11.05 a.m. i Printed in U.S.A. Price: $U.S. 0.50 (or equivalent in other currencies) 82236-Auyst 1973-2,050