Stevenson Told U.S. Lost Much Prestige At U.N.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29421, 25 January 1961, Page 13

Stevenson Told U.S. Lost Much Prestige At U.N.

(A’.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

NEW YORK, January 24.

The new United States permanent representative to the United Nations, Mr Adlai Stevenson, has received a report which says that the United States had suffered a disastrous political and ideological defeat at the last session of the United Nations General Assembly. The report said that America’s vote on crucial issues relating to Africa and colonialism was the primary cause of the defeat.

The report, entitled .“African Issues, American Prestige and the 15th Session of the United Nations General Assembly,” was drawn up by the executive director of .the American Committee on Africa. Mr George Houser. The committee lists among its national committee a number of public figures .including Congressmen. churchmen and writers.

The report said that the first portion of the 15th session of the United Nations General Assembly was dominated by issues relating to Africa and colonialism. “There was no one reason why the United States suffered such a loss of prestige and the respect of so many countries,” it said. “It was the cumulative effect of the position taken by the United States on a series of questions which led to the final result. “Of most importance how-

ever, were the positions taken on a number of key questions relating to Africa and colonialism.”

The report said that first and perhaps most important was the abstention of the United States on the resolution of the “declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples.”

It also cited the abstention of the United States on the Algerian resolution. “In our view it is most unfortunate that in this critical year the United States found it impossible to take a positive position backing up the right of self-determination of the Algerian people and supporting a referendum under United Nations supervision,” it said. The report criticised the United States position in the United Nations over Portugal’s African territories, and over nomination of Portugal as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. The report said: “The United States can and should give dynamic leadership on the question of preparing the people in Portuguese territory in Africa for independence, if not to earn the respect of the African States, then simply to prevent more and worse Congo-type situations. "Moreover, the United States should be prepared to take

a very strong position against apartheid in the Union of South Africa and to suggest ways to implement its opposition. “Unless vigorous leadership is given to some of these questions it will be impossible for the United States to regain what has been lost and in

. the years ahead African coun- ! tries will look less and less to . the United States for friend- • ship and support," the report said. i Mr Stevenson presented his letters of credence to the Sec-retary-General <Mr Hammarskjold) at a private formal i ceremony yesterday.