WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27708, 12 July 1955, Page 11

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION

Russia Resumes Full Membership (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) GENEVA, July 9. Russia announced today that she will resume her activity in the World Health Organisation from which she withdrew in 1940. Mr Pavd* N. Kumykin, the Soviet delegate, disclosed the decision at a meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Mr Kumykin also said that his government will give aid worth 2,000,000 roubles (about £180,000) to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (U.N.1.C.E.F.). He said the gift will be in the form of food, commercial goods and nursing staff for maternal and child health centres. When the Soviet Government withdrew from W.H.O. in 1949, a telegram was sent announcing that it did not consider the organisation was carrying out its work properly. Under the constitution of the W.H.O. which has 81 member countries, a nation cannot cease to be a member once it has joined. Though Russia has taken no part in the activity for seven years, she has been assessed each year in the organisation budget. Russia is estimated to be about 3,700,000 dollars in arrears. In his speech. Mr Kumykin said that the Soviet Government now considers the organisation is doing valuable work.