S/PV.673 Security Council

In acco1"dance with the deci-. sion of the Security Council taken at the 672nd meeting, l ask the representative of Thailand to take his seat at the Council table. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Sarasin, representative of Thailand, took a place at the Council table. . 2. The PRESIDENT: The representative of Thailand has asked for the opportunity to make a statement, and l caIl upon him now. 3. Mr. SARASIN (Thailand): On 3 June the Security Coundl placed on its agenda my country's request ta the Council to consider the situation which represents a threat to the security of Thailand, and the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security. 4. This decision, in the view of my delegation, is noteworthy, because, in the words of the representative of Lebanon, it reveals the Council's willingness to aet expeditiously "whenever a Member of the United Nations, in good orœr, brings its own complaints or matters" to its attention; it o.lso shows its keen sense of responsibility as weIl as its deep interest in the problems of peace and security. 1. mément à sa Thaïlande Sur sentane Conseil. 2. senta,:lt ration; 3. Le demande jour Thaïlande menacer 4.. que, le Conseil Membre en d'une le Conseil lui incombe liés 5. du moins est 5. These problems, at least with regard to the area in which Thailand is situated, are now before the Council and n~ one with an impartial mind and a genuine "A peace observation commission has no authority to take any subst::mv.'re decisions. It is a reporting body. It is the eyes and ears 0_ the world commnnity. 1 cannot see why the negotiations at Geneva would be impeded by the fad that representatives of the United Nations were in the area reporting what was going un." And he added: "Knowledge has never yet been an impediment to honest negotiation." 7. This, Ibelieve, ~1as thrown sufficient light on the efforts ta adduce that the discussion of this matter in the Security Couneil would interfere. with the negotiations at Geneva. In any case, an interval of nearly two weeks between the previous meeting of the Conneil and this .one should have been ample to permit members of the Council to study and ponder the matter and also to allow developments in Geneva and elsewheré to take place. It is a matter of regret for us aIl that no hopeful signs have yet begun to show themselves, and while has been contended here that a number of "encouraging factors" have emerged at the scene of the Conference, they seem so far to have taken the farm of increased military adivities undertaken by the forces of subversion and invasion. 8. It is with this background of events that my Government has again decided to ask the Security Council to meet in order that it may study the measure 1 have proposed to the Council for adoption, name1y the provision of observation under the Peace Observation Commission. 9. It will not be necessary for me to reiterate the reasons which prompt my Government to ask for such a measure, or to enumerate aIl its advantages. AIl these are weIl known to Council mcmbers. 1 wish, however, to stress that my country is asking nothing unusual or impossible; it is asking only the normal benefit of an existing machinery which can help prevent outbreaks of violence, thereby serving the cause of international peace and security. As a loyal Member which has faithfully carried out its obligations towards the world Organization, Thailand feels that it is entitled to receive "Taking into c01lsideration the legitimate apprehensions entertained by the Govemment of Thailand in regard to its own security, caused by a condition of international tension in the general region in which Thailand is located, the continua:nce of which is likely to e~danger international peace and security, "Reqttests the Peace Observation Commission to establish a sub-commission composed of not less than three nor more than five members, with authority: "(a) To dispatch as saon as possible, in accordance with the invitation of the Thai Government, such observe::s as it may deem necessary to Thailand; "(b) To visit Thailand if it deems it necessary; "(c) To consider such data as maybe submitted to it by its members or observers and to make such reports and recommendations as it deems necessary to the Peace Observation Commission and to the Security Council. If the sub-commission is of the opinion that it cannot adequately accomplish its mis'- sion without observation or visit also in States contiguous to Thaila:nd, it shall report to the J?eace Observation Commission or to the Security Council for the necessary instructions." ma d'une pour de trouve voit 11. l 3hould like now to draw the attention of the members of the Coundl to the fact that, while in my previous statement l suggested that a sub-commission of the Peace Observation Commission should he esta:blished with the authority to despatch abservers to any part of the general area of Thailand on the request of any State or States concerned, the present drait resolution stipê11ates that such a sub-commission would he despatched only to Thailand, with the possibility, however, of visiting or sending observers to other parts of the region if the Peace Observation Commission or the Security Council should so decide in view of the circumstances and upon the invitation or with the consent of the State or States concerned. This important cha:nge is not our choice. Rather it is the result of a compromise in deference to the desire that the scope of activity of the Peace Observation Commission should be limited, at least for the time being. This compromise in no way alters my Government's view that, in order, to observe and report on the situation in any area where there 1 This draft resolution was distrib.utçg Iv.t'iir as document 5(3229. 3 12. These are a few observations l wish to make on behalf of my Government. Tt is my sincere hope that the Council will give my Government's request the attention it deserves and will promptly approve the simple measure which is so basic to the system of our Organization and which is designed not only to protect its Members but tQ advance the cause of international peace and security.

The representative of Thailand has submitted a draft resolution, the text of which is now being distributed to members of the Council. 14. There are a number of names inscribed on my list of representatives wishing to speak, and l shaH call first upon the representative of New Zealand. 15. Mr. MUNRO (New Zealand): The subjed matter of the agenda is a situation brou~ht to the attention of this Council by the Government of Thailand in conformity with Article 34 and Article 35, paragraph 1, of the Charter. In his statement at our 672nd meeting - wherein his moderation served to emphasize his proper and deep concern - the representative of Thailand told us that, although his c<.lUntry had not been directly attacked, and l quote his words: ct••• the situation in territories bordering on Thailand has become so explosive and tension is so high that a very real danger exists that fighting may sprea:d to Thailand and the other countries of the area and that foreign troops may effeçt direct incursions into Thai territory." Nobody in this Council can or should view this statement lightly. His Government, the Ambassador of Thailand informed us, had taken steps to provide for the Sect1rity of his country. Nevertheless, it has reached the conclusion that it was 'also its duty as a Member of the United Nations to caU to the attention of the Organization the existence of a situation which could affect international peace and security. Today, he has placed befoTe us the text of a draft resolution which his Government considers appropriate to meet this situation. 16. There can be no doubt about the right of a Member of this Organization to bring to the attention of the Security Council a situation which, in its opinion, constitutes a. threat to its territorial integrity. In such cÏrcumstances, an appeal by a Member of the United Nations for precautionary measures is not something which can be ignored or put aside. My delegation, therefore, fully supported the inclusion of the present item on the agenda of the Security Council. , conc~rn. 19. The representative of Thailand has asked ~hat the Couneil request the Peace Observation Commission to establish a sub-commission authorized, with the aid of observers, to submit reports and recommendations to the Commission and to the Security Couneil. 20. 1 shall not at this stage attempt to comment in any detail on the terms of the draft resolution. No doubt, other members of the Council will also want a little time to examine the text. My delegation, however, is of the opinion that the situation disc10sed by the representative of Thailand amply warrants United Nations observation and fully supports é1.ction along the lines proposed to this Couneil. 21. The preventive value of United Nations observation is not in doubt. It has been .demonstrated in previons cases - for example, in Greece. United Nations observers have performed useful functions in other troubled areas, such as Palestine 'ànd Kashmir. 1 think it is true to say that in every area of tension to which observers have been sent, this intimation of international concern and watchfulness has brought about some amelioration of the situation. In thisfield, we believe, the United Nations can take pride in its record. 22. It is true, of course, that observation in itself cannat prevent aggression. If the aggressor is bent on crime, as he was in Korea, observers can only report the situation to the United Nations organs responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. But if - a:s we hope will not again accuraggression is committed, it is obvious that a prompt finding ~rom impartial and r;sponsible o~servers on ~he spot 18 'of the utmost lmportance lU detennimng the measures to be ,taken. In this respect, too, the value 25. If the' sub-eommission comes to the conclusion that it cannot adequately accomplish its mission without observation or visit also in States contiguous to Thailand, it 'shall report to the Peace Observation Commission or to the Secv.rity Council for further guidance in this matter. 26. As the whole world knows now - and let us hope it still believes - the Security Coundl is entrusted with the primary resp.:msibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The events of past months justify fully the apprehension felt by Thailand. In the light of these events my delegation feels that the dispatch of observers or the sub-commission itself to Thailand, cau a.ssure the United Nations of continuous first-hand information as to the real nature of the existing threat in the area and the potentialities that may transform this threat into still greater dimensions. 27. Besides, in the words of General Assembly resolution 377 (V), part A, section B, the Peace Observation Commission has been established with a view to "obs·erve and report on the situation in any area where there exists international tension the çontinuance of which is likely to endanger ... international peace and security". 28. Taking into account the c1ear provisions of General Assembly resolution 377 (V) on the one hand, and the events that have cansed the legitimate concern of Thailand on the other, the best course open at this stage to the Security Council, in our opinion in the ful- 31. My delegation would, at this point, express a very sincere hope that the seriousness of the events which have led Thailand ta make its present request may soon recede, thus preventing the probabiliJ:lj of the spread of the tension. 32. The draft resolution before us is a most uncontroversial one. That is why l have been brief. ft is the above considerations that will determine the vote of my delegation when the draft resolution and the amendments - should there be any - come to the vote.

The Brazilian delegation, in approaching the problem under consideration, bears in mind the fundamental prineiples of the Charter, according to which any 'situation that could threaten the international peace and security of the world is a matter of great concern to every Member of the United Nations. 34. The Government of Thailand has called' the attention of the Security Conneil to a problem that has become a real threat to the peace of the world. The conflict in Indo-China has lasted now for several years, 10ss of life has been heavy and the political progress and the economic development of that very important area of the wor1d have been impaired. 35. My delegation favours every move of the United Nations intended to prevent the continuance of conflict and, in this particular case, will support any m~asure which might curb the spread of war tu countries neighbouring the are:ts where military action and armed conflict are now taking place. The serious concern of Thailand is well founded, and a single glance at the map will reveal that its apprehensions deserve due consiJeration. In the present juncture, the measure requested by the Government of Thailand is of a moderate nature. 36. General Assembly resolution 377 (V), in establishing the Peace Observation Commission, c1early defines its aims and purposes. It is within the scope of this Commission to observe and report on the situation in any area where there exists international tension the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security. The draft resolution under discussion requests the Security Council to instruct m.embers of the Peace Observation Commission to go to Thailand at the invitation of its 38. It was said, during the last meeting of the Council, that we should be exceedingly careful in our action here in arder not to interfere with the course of the Geneva Conference. My de1egation shares the view just expressed by the representative of New Zealand that the action requested by Thailand in no way conflicts with the general purpose of that Conference, whatever the results may he-and, unfortunately, they are not very heartening. The Government of T'hailand is not asking for any measure which might be construed as antagonistic to any country. We strongly believe that nothing should prevent the Security Council, at this stage, from showing the free world that we view the situation now confronting Thailand with concern and apprehension. 39. l, therefore, support the draft resolution presented by the representative of Thailand as it now stands. 40. Mr. TSIANG (China): When the Security Council, on 3 June, considered the request of the Government of Thailand to put on the agenda of the Council the question of sending a peace observation group to the region of Thailand, my delegation gave to that request its wholehearted support. Since my brief intervention on 3 June l have had the benefit of hearing two statcments from the representative of Thailand and of reading the draft resolution presented by him. l am glad to feel assured that my initi~l support of the request of the Government of Thalland ha.s been fully justified. 4L Of all the countries represented in this Council, my country, China, is c10sest to Thailand, not only geographically, but also historically, culturally, and even racially. l think that l can legitimately say that speak with an intimate knowledge of the spirit of the Thai people and their Government. 42. l wish to say that l fil1d the statements and the draft resolution of the representative of Thailand to he in line with the tra:dition of moderation and reasonableness of bis country. l would also say - and l am sure that other representatives would agree with me - that the spirit and substance of the statements of the representative of Thailand are in complete harmony with the purposes and spirit of the United Nations. 43. The representative of Thailand has pointed out that his draft resolution contains a compromise. It was th.e intention of his Government to ask the Security Council for a peace observation group for the general region of Thailand. Now, t~~ draft resoidion limits that observation in the first instance, for the time being, to Thailand itself. The compromise contained in that draft resolution in itself demonstrates the reasonableness and moderation of the Thai Government. That 45. This draft resolution was circulated only this morning. 1 find the general tenor and provisions ta be moderate and in line with our "Uniting for peace" resolution and the spirit of the United Nations. 1 naturally reserve the right to study its provisions carefully. But as to its general purport, 1 wish to say that that draft resolution has the hearty supp"i of my delegation.

The apprehensions of the Govermnent of Thailand are perfectly natural and understandable in the present circumstances. Bearing in mind its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, it is not only proper but commendable that the Government of Thailand should see fit ta bring its anxieties ta the attention of the Security Couneil. My Government views that apprcéich from Thailand with sympathy. As a srnall country with limited facilities for its own defence, Thailand is naturally conœrned for its own security in view of the condition of international tension which exists in its immediate neighbourhood. 47. The proposal.which the representative of Thailand has made strikes me as reasonable and moderate. The Government of Thailand has brought this matter to the attention of the Council by invoking that part of the General Assembly's "'Uniting for peace" resolution which establishes the Peace Observation Commission of the United Nations. Under this resolution, the Peace Observation Commission can be utilized to "observe and report on the situation in any area where there exists international tension the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security". Aftel" hearing the statement of the representative of Thailand and in the light of the information available, there can be no doubt that, in the words of the draft resolution presented by the representative of Thailand, there does exist "a condition of international tension in the general region in which Thailand is located, the continuance of which is likely to endanger international peace and security". 49. 1 also note that the draft resolution makes provision for the sub-commission to seek instructions if it is of the opinion that it cannot adequately accomplish its mission without observation or visit also in States contiguous to Thailand. This seems to me a wise provision. It allows for the possibility that reports may be receiveci From the observers or from the members of the subcommission who, having visitcd Thailand, Ilnd that they cannat fullil their mission of observing the degree of international tension thrcatening the seCl1.rity of Thailand without aIsa visiting States contiguous to Thailand. 50. For aIl these l'casons, 1 Ilnd myself favourably disposed towards the proposais outlined in the draft l'l'SOlution presented bl' the representative of Thailand.

Since no other member of the Council wishes to speak, 1 shall now speak in my capacity as represcntative of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. In that capacity, let me present the views of the United States Government with regard ta the request of the Government of Thailand that a subcommission of the Peace Observation Commission be sent ta its territory. It is the view of the United States Government that it would be prudent and highly desirable to authorize the Peace Observation Comm:ission to observe developments in the area of Thailand in order to provide the United Nations with independent reports on the danger to international peace and security caused by the conflict in Indo-China. 52. In his lucid statement at our last meeting, the representative of Thailand established beyond any doubt or argument that the tension in the area of Thailand presents a serious th1'eat ta the pence and security of his country. The fierce struggle in the jungles and deltas of Indo-China may seem remote and distant, but the danger it presents to Thailand and the rest of South-East Asia is dose and immediate; in a11 truth. the world has grown so sma11 that no place is an.! longer far away from any other. 53. In the interest of speed and in order to avoid making unnecessary statements, 1 shall not take the time to review the origin and present status of the conf1ict in Indo-China. The facts are so clear that no amount of propaganda cau conceal this latest attempt of communist imperialism to subjugate peace-loving peoples whose only "crime" is their desire to live in freedom and to establish their own destiny-. As the representative of Thailand has shawn, there has been a distinct possibility df incursions by foreign military forces into Thai territory in connexion with engagements which have taken place near the Thai border. This danger continues; it may, in fad, have increased now that the Viet-Minh forces have been equipped with foreign arms of the most modern kin<l. They now have 55. Accordingly, we have under consideration precisely the kin<1 'of situation for which the Peace Observation was created. It cannot be disputed that, ta quote the words of the "Uniting for peace" resolution, there exists in the area "international tension the <:ontinuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance: of international peace and security". The United States Government, accordingly, strongly supports the request of the Government ')f Thailand, and urges this Council to aet with all possible speed to authorizt: the Peace Observation Commission to send observers to Thailand. 56. The draft resolution which the representative of Thailand has just presented to this Council appears to have been drafted with the greatest care. It addresses itself to the condition of international tension which exists in the general region in which Thailand is located. The draft resolution appears to '~ci to be utterly devoid of controversial matter. Its objt:ctive is simply to enable a sub-commission of the Peace Observation Commission to despatch observers to Thailand and itself to visit that nation in order to determine the facts and to report on them. ' 57. Since the threat to Thailand originates beyond its borc1ers, the c1raft resolution authorizes the subcommission, if it consklers it necessary for the accomplishment of its mission ta observe in other States in the area, ta sa report to the Peace Observation Commission or ta the Security Council with a view to obtaining further instructions. On this basis the Peace Observation Commission or the Security Council would be in a position to authorize the sub-commission to extend the area of observation to other parts of the region. This is a proper and essential component of the draft resolution. Without this provision the subcommission might be prevented from ascertaining the very information necessary ta any appraisal of a situation which we may he called upon to make. In s'hort, it is impossible for us to see how any member of this Council can find any basis for objection or reservation with regard to the proposaI suggested by the representative of Thailand. 1 therefore request, under rule 38 of our mIes of procedure, that at the appropriate time this ch'aft resolution be put ta the vote. 58. 1 urge the members of this Council not ta permit themselves ta be diverted from the simple, but urgent issue which is before us. 'Are are not asked, nor are we required, ta make any findings on the situation in 1ndo- China. We are not asked, and we should not attempt, ta do anything which could even remotely adversely 59. AlI we are asked ta do here is ta authorize a factfinding body ta proceed ta the area where this tension exists in arder that th~ United Nations may receive impartial first-hand reports on the situation. If its reports do not bear out Thailandls estimate of the danger ta international peace, we shaH have discharged our responsibility fully. !fIon the other handl its reports do bear out this estimatel we shaH then he in a position to consider the danger in the light of all available facts and ta do what we can ta avert it. 60. A loyal Member of the United Nations has appealed ta this body to take a simple action in the interest of its own peace and security. The action requested lies within the competence of this Council. !ts urgency is manifest. 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