GERM WARFARE CHARGES

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27011, 10 April 1953, Page 9

GERM WARFARE CHARGES

U.N. Commission To Investigate (Rec. 8 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 8. The Political Committee of the United Nations today voted to set up a five-member commission to investigate the Soviet charges of germ warfare against the United States. The resolution, which was sponsored by 16 countries, directed the commission “to enlist the aid of such scientists of international reputation, especially epidemiologists and such other experts” as it might select. The vote on the resolution was 52 in favour and five against, with three abstentions. The investigation by an impartial commission had been asked for by the United States when the charge was first brought by the Soviet bloc. The committee resolved that the investigating commission should be composed of Brazil, Egypt, Pakistan. Sweden, and Uruguay.! It called upon governments and authorities concerned “to enable the commission to travel freely throughout such areas of North and South Korea, the Chinese mainland, and Japan as the commission may deem necessary.” The Soviet group of five opposed the resolution while India, Burma and Indonesia abstained. .

In view’ of the Soviet opposition there seems little likelihood that the commission will be allowed to go into China and North Korea to gather evidence and to interview the American officers whose alleged confessions have been used by the Communists to back up their germ warfare charges, said the correspondent.