BALKAN DEBATE IN U.N.

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25310, 9 October 1947, Page 7

BALKAN DEBATE IN U.N.

Jugoslav Delegate

Called To Order ANGRY EXCHANGE IN COMMITTEE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 7. In spit,e of an appeal by the chairman, Mr Joseph Bech (Luxembourg), in the United Nations Assembly’s Political Committee to-day. there was an angry exchange while the Balkan question was under discussion. Dr. Ales Bebler (Jugoslavia)- accused Britain of flouting the Caserta agreement in Greece. (The Caserta agreement, signed on September 24, 1944, by Generals Sarafis and Zervas, pledged the guerrilla forces under their command to place themselves under the orders of the Greek Government of National Unity and to form a national union in order to coordinate their activities against the Germans.)

Dr. Bebler added: “How can one judge the moral quality of people who appeal for an agreement which they themselves have cynically violated. Shamelessness is too mild a term.” The chairman: I cannot permit you to use such language. Dr. Bebler: Then I will use such language without your permission. Later, Dr. Bebler ’ accused the Belgian member of the Balkans Commission of having been forced by his Government to support conclusions his own conscience did not believe right.

Mr Paul Spaak (Belgium) interrupted Dr. Bebler to produce documents which he said refuted that allegation. He added: “If the force of oratory can be judged by the number of insults in a speech, then the Jugoslav delegate td-day has reached the summit of eloquence.” Mr Hector McNeil (Britain) also-in-tervened to say: “I am sure that when Dr. Bebler overcomes his hysteria he will apologise. He will probably realise on reflection that he has done more harm to his own case than I could have done.”

Dr. Bebler, who was frequently called to order by the chairman, said that the report of the United Nations Balkans Commission was “slanderous and infamous.”

Sweden, supported by Norway, moved an amendment greatly modifying the American motion branding Bulgaria. Jugoslavia, and Albania as aggressors against Greece, and providing. for the appointment bv the Assembly of a Balkans commission. ’

The Scandinavian amendment places no blame on anv country. It merely asks Greece and her neighoburs to restore normal relations and settle their frontier problems. It also proposes the appointment of a neutral committee to examine the situation and to recommend measures to elim,inafe friction.

r T T hn Greek delegate concluded the general debate bv expressing astonishment at the Soviet accusations. “Is it

reasonable to suppose that Greece, lying nroStrate and without resources, is seriously preparing for war?” he asked.

The committee will discus's the various resolutions in detail to-morrow.