U.N. Assembly Condemns Nuclear Weapons

Press, Volume C, Issue 29681, 27 November 1961, Page 21

U.N. Assembly Condemns Nuclear Weapons

(AT .Z.P. A.- Reuter—Copyright/ NEW YORK, November 25. The United Nations General Assembly has condemned '7 ea P° n s, in spite of strong Western objections. It labelled the use of nuclear weapons “a direct violation of the Nations Charter,” and called for a conference to prohibit their use.

In a separate decision, the Assembly called upon all member States to consider and respect the Continent of Africa as a de-nuclearised zone. The Soviet bloc voted for both drafts. Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Britain and F-ance voted against the ban the bomb” resolution. Tney cast abstentions on the ' eolaration “De-nuclearising” Africa. Views Rejected I- was one of the sternest rejections of Western views e.er voiced by the Assembly. A great burst of applause E-ected the announcement of •he result of both votes which came after the United States and Britain had strongly urged the Assembly to spurn tie motions, which originated

• with the Afro-Asian group. I The vote to outlaw the . bomb was 55 to 20 with 26 , abstentions—Ave more than ■ the required two-thirds 1 majority. Abstentions do not count in assessing this. The vote on de-nuelearising ! Africa was 55 to 0, with 44 abstentions. The resolution condemning nucliear weapon* was made up at several para- : graphs. Each was carried on a show of hands. One paragraph said that the use of nuclear and thermoi nuclear weapons “is contrary . to the spirit, letter and aims of the United Nations, and as ' such a direct violation of the United Nations charter.” Another paragraph referred to the "indiscriminate suffering and destruction to mankind and its civilisation”

which the use of »uch e weapons wouki cauae. B “Uoe of them would be n contrary to the rules of inter, s national law and to the laws of humanity,” the paragraph n said. Another paragraph said the g use of nuclear and thermo--4 nuclear weapons would be a n war directed against mania kind in general and not i- against an enemy or enemies alone. v ,