AID FOR GREECE AND TURKEY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25147, 31 March 1947, Page 7

AID FOR GREECE AND TURKEY

Security Council Informed REASONS GIVEN FOR U.S. MOVE

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 28. Addressing the Security Council today the United States delegate (Mr Warren Austin) said that the United States Government had a special pressing interest in effective action by the Security Council in the Greek case. “I do not need to recall to the Security Council the desperate plight of Greece and of the Greek people, or the great concern of the United States in preventing her collapse,” he said. “The council has thrice heard the story of her tragedy and her danger. One aspect of the tragedy that threatens to destroy her freedom and independence is now under active investigation by the Security Council’s Commission of Investigation in northern Greece.

‘‘The United States believes that the Security Council should assure itself that we are agreed as to the manner in which the commission now investigating disturbances along the northern Greek border can most effectively assist the council in our further consideration of the complaint brought by the Greek Government.

‘‘My principal concern is that the commission continue its work, including its investigation along the border, until thd Security Council itself has disposed of the Greek case.” Recording that both Greece and Turkey had asked the United States for financial aid, Mr Austin said: “President Truman’s proposed programme of assistance has a specific and direct bearing upon the central objectives of the United States’ foreign policy—to strengthen the United Nations and to advance the building of collective security under the United Nations. It would, in fact, be a most essential act in support of this policy of the United States in and toward the United Nations.

“Proposals Complementary” “The proposed programme of assistance by the United States is directly related to the act of the United Nations in creating a commission of investigation,” he said. “The United States believes it is of the highest importance that the United Nations take further action towards meeting the. urgent problems confronting Greece, as it should for any other country that may be in similar circumstances.” Referring to proposals which the United States made to make the work of the commission more effective, Mr Austin said that action along these lines by the Security Council, combined with the proposed emergency programme of assistance, by the United States, would advance the prospects of peace and security in that part of the world. Neither action would be of aS much effect if taken without the other, for these were complementary and not conflicting proposals—one to watch the areas where actual disturbances occurred and the other to strengthen Greece sufficiently to maintain internal order and to restore to her people hope and confidence in their future as a free people. Without such measures, each supplementing the other, there would oe a grave danger that the situation which now was before the Security might deteriorate. Border Regulation It was apparent that the* Security Council might wish to consider, after the receipt of the commission’s report, such further action as recommending that Greece, Jugoslavia, Bulgaria an«jl Albania agree on a system of border control regulations and that a continuing commission consisting of reprepresentatives of members of the Security Council be established. “It is my belief,” said Mr Austin, “that the proposed United States programme of assistance to Greece and Turkey, together with effective action by the Security Council in the case of the northern Greek frontiers, would materially advance the cause of peace. The United States desires to collaborate in peace and equality with all nations. It does not desire to dominate, intimidate or threaten the security of any nation, large or small. The United States will support collective security for all nations. “The programme of economic assistance contemplated by the United States is of an emergency and temporary character. The United States believes that the United Nations and its related agencies should assume the principal responsibility within their capabilities for the long-range tasks of assistance required for the reconstruction of Greece, but these are longrange United Nations programmes and they cannot meet the present emergency. ‘‘The United States is giving momentum to the United Nations by its present policy and it desires and welcomes a corresponding interest and support from other members of the United Nations. We look forward to the time when such burdens may be carried through the United Nations. “It is important that the United Nations take an active interest in everything required for the reestablishment of stability, to discourage and prevent threats of aggression of any kind or threats to the independence of a fellow member.”