ARMED GUARD FOR’ U.N.

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25609, 25 September 1948, Page 7

ARMED GUARD FOR’ U.N.

PROPOSAL INCLUDED ON AGENDA

RUSSIAN OBJECTION OVERRULED (N.Z.P.A.—Reuter—Copyright)

(Rec. 7 p.m.) PARIS, September 24. Russia formally objected to having the question of a special United Nations armed guard discussed in the General Assembly, but the objection was overruled. The proposal will be thoroughly debated this session. The Soviet objection surprised the steering committee, coming when it was discussing the last few supplementary items for this year’s agenda. Twenty minutes after the committee had unanimously recommended the inclusion of the item on the agenda, Mr Jacob Malik (Russia) asked for reconsideration of it. He said the Soviet did not want the item on the agenda. Mr Malik was about to explain* his Government’s reasons when the chairman (Dr. Evatt, Australia) ruled him out of order because the item had already been passed without objection. It is understood that the armed guard which the Secretary-General (Mr Trygve Lie) has in mind would start with 800 men, of whom 300 would be active and the remainder reserves. Mr Trygve Lie is believed to want the guard later increased to 2000 trained men. Recruiting would be on a volunteer basis, without regard to country of origin.

The steering committee completed its work by placing 70 items on the Assembly’s agenda The British delegation withdrew its proposal for the creation of a committee to consider the Palestine problem, but recommended that this question, which has been allotted to the political committee, should be given priority .over the other items on that committee’s agenda. The steering committee unanimously recommended that Count Bernadotte’s Palestine report, as well as the questions of a United Nations guard and compensation for casualties amongst United Nations personnel, and the future of the Italian colonies, should be placed on the agenda.