U.N. President Praises Satellite Achievement

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28421, 30 October 1957, Page 15

U.N. President Praises Satellite Achievement

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 8 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 28.

Sir Leslie Munro (New Zealand), President of the United Nations General Assembly, said tonight that Russia’s sputnik was a very great achievement that should be used for the benefit of us all.

Sir Leslie Munro said he hoped the peaceful use of satellites could be brought within the realm of international control as part of some comprehensive programme.

He made the statements in a national radio interview, “Reporters’ Round-up.” The ultimate solution of the disarmament problem was in the hands of the great Powers, he said, but the small Powers should be heard on the problem. Terming the Turkish-Syrian conflict "serious,” he said: "Our duty should be to reduce anxieties and to believe that there is no country which would take any action which could produce either

a local or a more than local conflagration.”

Sir Leslie Munro said there was no question that the Soviet Union was interested in the Middle East and had taken part in certain movements there.

Therefore, he said, in any solutions to problems there “we will certainly have discussions with her.”

The General Assembly President said he disagreed with a recent charge by the Soviet Foreign Minister, Mr Gromyko, that the Western Powers had a sort of pre-Munich complacency about worM affairs today.

“I see evidence of considerable concern by everybody.” Sir Leslie Munro said.

It was tod early for any "Summit Conferences” on the Middle East. The subject should first be fully discussed in the Unit?d Nations where the representatives of the small Powers could participate.

The result in Cyprus depended upon agreement among Great