RIGHT .OF VETO DEBATED

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25275, 29 August 1947, Page 7

RIGHT .OF VETO DEBATED

Security Council Session COMMITTEE ASKED TO REPORT (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 12.40 a.m.) • NEW YORK, August Zi. Syria suggested to-day tnat tne Big Five give up their veto power in the Unitea Nations Security Council except in issues involving threats to the peace and acts of aggression. The President of the Council, Mr Faris el Khouri (Syria), opening the debate, said that such a move was perhaps the only answer to criticism of the Big Five voting privilege, and the only solution to tne bitter deadlocks which had paralysed the Security Council on almost ,all major issues. Mr el Khouri suggested that the article of the Charter be amended "to ensure against its use to biocK Council action.” Mr Gromyko (Russia): "Some hotheaas have tried to arrive at a modification or liquidation of the veto. These attempts will continue, but they snali not prevail if we want to preserve the united Nations organisation and worn lor the continuance and strengthening of the organisation within its existing iramework.” Mr Herschel Johnston (United States), while opposing any alteration oi tne veto, accused xtusoia of dashing hopes that tne Big rowers wouia refrain from using uic to impede the work Gt the* Councu. Mr Johnston introduced 15 united States proposals tor clarifying Security Council procedures ana eliminating various operations from the range of veto power. One proposed rule would prohibit the use of the veto when the Council is voting to decide whether a given country is a party to a dispute. The proposal is important, qecause if a nation is iound to be a party to a dispute and sits on the Council it automatically loses its vote. Another proposed rule would stipulate that Security Council requests for advisory opinions from the World Court would not be subject to the veto.. Most other proposal? are comparatively unimportant. After a three hours’ debate the Council decided to refer the question to a closed session of a special committee.