PROTECTING ART WORKS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29878, 19 July 1962, Page 9

PROTECTING ART WORKS

U.N. Meeting Open To China

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON, July 17

China will be able to attend U.N.E.S.C.O. discussions on the protection of art dur- : ing war. This unprecedented move in the history of the United Nations, resulted from a successful Czechoslo-| vakian motion to admit delegates of countries which are not members of UNE.SCO, “The Times" reported today The newspaper said the incident was not expected to have much impact on the meetings, as China was unlikely to attend. Czechoslovakia made its move in “an adroit procedural manoeuvre" when the talks opened yesterday. It put forward an amendment to the agenda which was carried by eight votes to five with 13 abstentions.

The amendment deleted an agenda paragraph confining the discussions to members, so consequently any other State might attend if it wished, “The Times” said.

The delegate of the United States, who was attending as an observer, protested that the chairman had ignored his request to speak and demand a fresh vote. After a long wrangle a second vote was held and the Czech amendment was again carried, with one extra vote. The conference seeks to provide for works of art and historic buildings guarantees similar to those accorded to hospitals and medical staffs during war.