ATROCITIES IN KOREA

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27213, 3 December 1953, Page 11

ATROCITIES IN KOREA

Charges Denied By Mr Vyshinsky

NEW YORK, December 1. United States charges of Communist atrocities in Korea were described today by Mr Andrei Vyshinsky, the Soviet delegate as “flagrantly concocted falsifications.” Mr Vyshinsky, speaking in the resumed debate by the General Assembly, declared that the charge that 38,000 persons were killed in cold blood or tortured to death was regarded as "dynamite to blow up the peace negotiations in Korea, and a cynical, cowardly manoeuvre designed to cover up most grievous crimes against peace and humanity.” Sir Percy Spender, of Australia, described Mr Vyshinsky’s speech as irresponsible, and said it was as evil as any speech ever made in the Assembly. Sir Percy Spender told the plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly today that the details of some of the Communist atrocities in Korea passed belief. He was speaking in the debate on the demand sponsored by the United States, Britain, Australia, France, and Turkey that the United Nations voice grave concern over evidence of Communist atrocities. N.Z. Delegate’s Speech Mr L. K. Munro, of New Zealand, declared that the United Nations could not stand aside in the face of the charges brought by the United States. “Evidence of a particularly vicious and cruel series of war crimes has been uncovered, evidence which suggests not merely random and irresponsible acts, but a definite policy directed by a higher authority as a matter of expediency during a particular phase of the Korean, war. No-one can have read the evidence presented to us without revulsion and anger,” he said. “Thus we are at present unable to punish, and may never be able to punish, those responsible for crimes against our forces engaged in the fight against aggression,” said Mr Munro. "This may be part of the price we nave to pay for collective security in the particular circumstances of this casi, but those who have suffered cannot be expected to do so in silence. We have the right to a verdict of world opinion and it is that verdict which the Assembly is now asked to render.” Mr Munro said that representatives of the International Red Cross were never allowed near a single Communist prisoner of war camp. "This flouting of international law and practice is another reason—if ahy were needed—why the Assembly cannot afford to ignore the state of affairs revealed by reports before us, for every disregarded breach weakens the law. Noone can prevent inhumanity in war, for war itself is inhumane, . but at least we must do what we can to uphold such legal sanctions as exist to curb its worst excesses. “The terms of the resolution before us recognise the realities of the situation- It. expresses our deep concern at the information which has been brought to our attention. It condemns in plain terms the perpetrators of war crimes, whoever, and wherever they may be. We can do no more than this. We can surely do no less,” said Mr Munro.