U.N. DEBATE ON SYRIA Gromyko Clashes With Munro

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28413, 21 October 1957, Page 13

U.N. DEBATE ON SYRIA Gromyko Clashes With Munro

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) NEW YORK, October 19.

The Soviet Foreign Minister (Mr Gromyko) yesterday clashed sharply with the president of the , United Nations General Assembly | (Sir Leslie Munro) when he hinted that consideration of Syrian charges had been delayed because ; the Assembly president was absent lin Washington to meet the Queen. I The clash occurred shortly after the opening of the Assem- | bly’s debate on a Syrian item ; alleging threats to international j peace. The steering committee at an earlier meeting had recomI mended inscription of the item. The 17-member steering committee was told by Mr Seyfullah Esin, the Turkish Ambassador, that the real dangers to peace in the Middle East were being hidden by a smoke screen and that Turkey would welcome a full discussion of the fictitious situation that had been invented.

The Syrian Foreign Minister (Mr Salah Eddine Bitar), had told the steering committee that Turkish activities and her policy towards Syria threatened “a world conflict.” He pressed for urgent consideration by the General Assembly. He was supported by Mr Gromyko, ho said action already had been delayed two days.

“We were told that the president of the Assembly was absent. Let us not go into details,” the Soviet statesman said.

Sir Leslie Munro, who was presiding, at once cut Mr Gromyko short, saying that Turkey—the subject of Soviet and Syrian allegations—had not been ready for a meeting on Wednesday. Sir Leslie Munro said he had been ready to call a session on the previous day, but other relegations were unprepared. So he had gone to Washington. Mr Gromyko replied: “You may convince yourself, but you certainly have not convinced us.” He said the Soviet Union thought the Assembly president should “act objectively.” A request from one State, supported by another, should have “serious and urgent consideration.” The General Assembly met 20 minutes after the steering committee’s recommendation to include the item, called “Complaint of threats to the security of Syria and to international peace.” The vote was 66 to none, with one abstention.