CONFERENCE ON KOREA

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27125, 22 August 1953, Page 7

CONFERENCE ON KOREA

Allies Still In Conflict (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 21. Britain and the Soviet Union, supported by the Commonwealth and many European and Asian countries, are in favour of India taking part in the Korean peace negotiations.

Mr Henry Cabot Lodge, the chief American delegate, said today that the United States will vote “no” on the resolution recommending India’s participation in the Political Conference.

This put at rest all doubt that the United States might change its mind in view of the widespread backing for India.

Decisions in the Political Committee of the United Nations are by simple majority, but in the General Assembly, which must ratify all committee decisions, any important question must have a two-thirds majority to pass. If India obtained 30 affirmative votes in the Assembly, the United States would need 16 negative votes to defeat the proposals. Abstentions do not count.

Explaining the American stand, the chief United States delegate. Mr Henry Cabot Lodge, said: “We are not against India as such. On the contrary we admire her and regard her as a leading democratic nation, but we feel it is not right to put any one nonbelligerent on a higher footing than many others. “We think the Soviet Union should be present but on the Communist side, because she actively aided aggression and should be responsible and accountable for peace.” India’s Resolution India today introduced a resolution proposing that a copy of all the proposals and decisions taken by the United Nations regarding the forthcoming Korean Political Conference be sent to the Chinese Communists and the North Koreans. This was the first direct move made by India since the General Assembly began earlier this week the business of setting up the Political Conference. Dr. Tingfu Tsiang (Nationalist China) said that China wanted a seat at the Political Conference.. He opposed the seating of India. f The session opened with the Czech delegate. Dr. Gertruda SekaninovaCakrtova, renewing the Communist bloc’s attack on Dr. Syngman Rhee who, she said, was not speaking for South Korea but “for a powerful faction in the United States Congress.” Referring to the Mutual Defence Treaty between the United States and South Korea, concluded after the armistice, she said the United States “has in no way contributed to the lessening of tension.” She opposed a conference of two sides. Turkish View Turkey’s delegate. Mr Selim Sarper, said his country was desirous of participating in the Political Conference, and he directed attention to the fighting record of Turkish troops in Korea. The Turkish brigade of nearly 30,000 officers and men lost 3035 dead and wounded. “If the other side wants to designate one or other of the countries designated on the Soviet resolution, that is up to them. It is not a matter for the United Nations. My delegation Is prepared to vote for the New Zealand resolution that the Soviet Union participate if the other side wants it. “Much depends upon the spirit in which the participants will tackle the problem. An across-the-table conference could be converted into a roundtable conference if the participants wish. On the other hand, the round-

table conference could be converted into a most deplorable across-the-table conference.”

Mr Seiwyn. Lloyd (Britain) said the important thing was to get the right people to the table, not the shape of the table. “I hope the issue of peace or war is not going to depend on the composition of the conference,” he said.

After hearing Mr Vyshinsky yesterday, Mr Lloyd said: “We are not at all depressed by the progress of this discussion so far.

“I do not see any reason why we should not get an acceptable solution,” he said. Britain felt delegates should not get too worked up about the shape of the table.

“What is important is to get the conference going with the right people there. It does not matter much on what basis they should come.” Verdict of History If they failed to secure peace because they could not agree on the composition of the peace conference, history would have “a very adverse verdict indeed.”

Mr Lloyd said that after examining the Soviet proposals he thought there was a measure of common ground. He said that Mr Vyshinsky agreed that some among those with combatant forces in Korea should attend the conference. Britain agreed. Mr Vyshinsky said that both the Chinese Communists and the North Koreans should be there. Britain agreed.

From the United Nations side of the conflict, added Mr Lloyd, Britain said that those who wanted to be represented should be there, although it was hoped that there would not be too many.

Mr yyshinsky had said that only the United States. Britain, France and South Korea should be present from the United Nations side of the conflict. “We cannot agree to that proposition.” said Mr Lloyd. “We cannot accept the elimination of certain of our friends.”

But just as the Allied side did not dictate whether one or both of Communist China or ’North Korea should come, so it was not for Mr Vyshinsky to lay down who should attend from the United Nations Command. The committee adjourned until tomorrow.

Cowshed as Church.—A sixteenth century cowshed on a farm at Lower Bevendean. Brighton, will be used fo** church services for the occupants of 700 dwellings on a new housing estate nearby. The Rev. Cyril Bess, who helped in the search for a suitable building, said: "Christ was born in such surroundings, and we shall be able to worship in a real Christmas story atmosphere.”—London, August