Soviet Atom Test Shocks Delegates

Press, Volume C, Issue 29609, 4 September 1961, Page 13

Soviet Atom Test Shocks Delegates

(N.ZJ’.A.-Reuter — Copyright)

BELGRADE, September 2.

President Kwame Nkrumah today expressed shock at Russia’s latest atom test, and invited Mr Khrushchev and President Kennedy to meet in Ghana. The Ghanaian leader, who had talks with Mr Khrushchev earlier this week, told the conference of non-aligned countries that the Soviet test brought home the urgent need for complete and general disarmament.

President Nkrumah said: “West Germany must withdraw from N.A.T.0., and East Germany from the Warsaw Pact. It is only then that the Germans themselves would be able to face the critical issues (of unity) whether by referendum or otherwise.” West Berlin ought to present no difficulties at all—“access to it has been guaranteed over and over again by those who have authority to give such a guarantee. Other Western rights regarding West Berlin have also been emphatically guaranteed.” The Belgrade conference should pass a resolution that if the German and Berlin issues continued to linger as a threat to peace, they must be brought before the United Nations “in the interest of mankind.” Nkrumah's Proposals In his speech, Dr. Nkrumah made these proposals. 1. The Belgrade conference must s*and for general and complete disarmament. 2. The existence of two German states must be accepted and recognised 3. “We must call upon the major Powers to ensure that a peace treaty is signed with Germany without further delay.” 4. The Belgrade conference must work for the complete liquidation of colonialism “in all its forms and manifestations by December 31, 1962.” 5 The conference should resolve that three deputies should be appointed for the United Nations Sec-retary-General—one to represent the East, one to represent the West and one to be chosen from the non-aligned countries. 6. The conference must support the admission of Communist China at the forthcomng session of the United Nations General Assembly (which opens in New York on September 19). 7. Africa must be declared a “nuclear-free zone.” Blunt Demand The Indian Prime Minister (Mr Nehru) shook the conference with a blunt demand

that they forget colonialism for a while and concentrate on saving the world from “drifting into disaster," the Associated Press reported. He told the meeting that “fear creeps into my mind that we might not be able to get out of the rut of talking, of making resolutions, going home, and allowing the world to drift into disas'er."

Mr Nehru, appealing for moral pressure to break the United States-Soviet crisis over Berlin, said he considered the situation today worse than at any time in the last 15 years, the Associated Press said. "I would have suggested a United Nations General Assembly meeting on the question of war and peace if the assembly were not to meet later this month.” he said.

Mr Nehru warned his fellow uncommitted statesmen that “the danger of war comes nearer and nearer. “By the recent decision of the Soviet Government to start nuclear tests, our situation today is the most dangerous since World War II ended, and we must do something, everything we can ,to help it.” The conference must “take first things first,” Mr Nehru said.

“Nothing is more important than this situation of war and peace today. Everything else, no matter how vital, is secondary.” “Situation Worse”

Yesterday, President Tito, of Jugoslavia, said the international situation was much worse than a year ago. He added: “The fact that this danger has reached its climax is clearly shown by all the preparations which are now being undertaken. “Overt preparations for war are being made, mobilisation is taking place, the manufacture of the most up-to-date weapons is being intensified, hydrogen and atomic weapon tests are again being contemplated

“The purpose of this meeting is to make the great Powers realise that the fate of the world cannot rest in their hands alone," President Tito said. President Nasser of the United Arab Republic supported President Tito. President Nasser told the conference it was essential that sabre-rattling be silenced and the opportunity be afforded for calm negotiations at the highest levels. The world now found itself facing a situation of utmost gravity bringing it nearer to the brink of war.

“We almost hear today the drums of war beating in Berlin, to quote the expression used by our friend, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru,” he said.

President Nasser added: “It is indeed strange to find that the problem of the partition of Germany, which is a direct result of World War 11. is about to set the fires of World War 111. “That means that the liqui-

dation of effects of a past war threatens us with the ravages of a new war.” President Sukarno of Indonesia said that common sense demanded the recognition of the “temporary de facto sovereignty of two Germanys as a big reality." Common sense, also demanded that West Berlin should not become the playground of big Power conficts or ideological conflict, he said.

President Sukarno Urged that the delegates should submit to the forthcoming General Assembly of the United Nations a “charter of statements” embracing all conference decisions.

This idea has been under private discussion for some time among conference officials.

In a message to the conference, the Soviet Prime Minister (Mr Khrushchev) said the thoughts of al) people were aimed at avoiding war and ensuring peace, the British United Press said “Many events and facts today instill great alarm in the hearts of people, and make them ponder where the world is going,” he said. The situation had been created by the forces of aggression and revenge, “whose actions now differ little from what happened 20 years ago, on the eve of the terrible war visited upon mankind.”

“The Government and peoples of the Soviet Union, setting themselves great tasks of peaceful construction, continue to regard the ideas of peaceful co-operation and coexistence of states as the very foundation of their foreign policy. “This is why they warmly approve and support all steps aimed at cramping the forces of war,” said Mr Khrushchev. The Associated Press said the conference also heard a message from President Kennedy, who expressed hope that the conference deliberations would bring nearer freedom and peace.