U.N. CHARTER REVISION

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27148, 18 September 1953, Page 9

U.N. CHARTER REVISION

Objection Made By Russia

(Rec. 8 pjn.) NEW YORK, Sept. 16. The Soviet Union today objected to • proposed study group to be set up preparatory to revising the Charter of the United Nations.

Mr Jacob Malik, the Soviet delegate, made the objection in the steering committee of the General Assembly, which considered today various items proposed for inclusion in the agenda Of the present session of the Assembly. The Netherlands has proposed that the Assembly discuss the question of the preparatory work with regard to the possibe holding of a general conference of members of the United Nations in 1955, to revise the Charter.

Egypt has proposed the election of a technical committee to study and report on the amendment of the Charter,

on the basis of proposals to be submitted by member States.

Mr Malik said that improvement of the international situation had become apparent. One of the major conditions for the fulfilment of this improvement was strict adherence to the principles of the Charter, and enhancement of the authority of the United Nations for the solution of major issues.

He described proposals to revise the Charter as "attempts to weaken and subvert the United Natiohs.”

British Delegate’s View Sir Gladwyn Jebb (Britain) said he could not see the reason for the “extreme nervousness” of the Soviet group concerning the revision of the Charter. It was evident that any amendment of the Charter could only come into force if accepted by the Soviet Union.

“I do not consider it the most perfect document produced by man,” said Sir Gladwyn Jebb. “It is not out of the question that it might be suitably revised. There is no question of tearing up the existing Charter and we will all abide by it until there is consent of all that it should be revised.” Mr Henry Cabot Lodge, said that the United States supported the Netherlands proposal. “We will warmly endorse the holding of a Charter review conference when it comes before the General Assembly,” he said. “It is timely to consider now what preparatory measures may be undertaken before the conference is held.” The steering committee over-rode the Soviet objections, and voted 12 to 2 to recommend the inclusion of a

study of possible Charter revision on the agenda. Hie Soviet Union was also defeated in its attempts to have deleted from the agenda the proposed debate on the Italian, German and Japanese prisoners of war allegedly held by the Soviet Union. The vote was again 12 to 2. Protesting against the item Mr Malik said that the question did not fall within the competence of the United Nations and that consideration of it would be contrary to Article 107 of the Charter.

He said that the repatriation by the Soviet Union of German, Japanese and other prisoners of war had been completed long ago. Thus the inclusion of the item would only unleash new enmity. Apart from his protests against the revision of the Charter and any consideration of the prisoner of war issue, Mr Malik remained quiet at the meeting, making no mention of Korea, and of the representation of Communist China.