COUNCIL ADJOURNS TO STUDY EGYPTIAN PROPOSAL

Evening Star, Issue 25716, 13 February 1946, Page 5

COUNCIL ADJOURNS TO STUDY EGYPTIAN PROPOSAL

THE INDONESIAN WRANGLE

(Reo; 12.45 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 12. When the Security Council met today the Ukrainian delegate, M. Maniulsky, said lie had been instructed to demand an immediate on his proposal that a commission of in- . quiry be sent to Indonesia to investigate the activities of British troops. Just as a vote was to be taken, however, M. Riaz (Egypt) moved an amendment • that the Council defer action, reserving the right to act as it thought proper at a later date, The chairman, Mr Makin (Australia), then suggested an adjournment to enable a proper study of the Egyptian proposal, *and the, Council adjourned until to-mor-row. Britain, Australia, France, the United States, Holland, and Brazil during previous discussions •on the Ukraine’s complaint had voiced , their opposition to M, Maniulsky’s demand for a commission. Russia, Roland, China, and Mexico had voiced their support, Egypt was the only country represented which had not indicated its attitude. f , M, Maniulsky, although allowed to speak, would not have been able to vote, as the Ukraine is not a member of the Security Council. A majority of seven, including four permanent members, is necessary in the Security Council's decisions, ' . When M. Riaz indicated that he wished to move an amendment, Mr Makin sought the council’s opinion as to whether, having spoken before, M. Riaz could now intervene with a new . proposal. The Council gave M. Riaz. permission to move what he described as an amendment. This urged that • British troops in Indonesia should under no circumstances be used against the Indonesian national movement and should be withdrawn as soon as their task was completed. It expressed the hope that the present negotiations would be successful and that the Council should be informed of the progress of the negotiations, FRANCE OPPOSES COMMISSION. When the discussion was resumed to-day, Senor Diaz (Mexico) regretted the absence of a permanent organ to provide the Council with information on suoh problems. The immediate establishment of suoh machinery was impossible, therefore ‘ the Security Council should be willing to establish a temporary commissidn to have the facts brought to notice. _ Such a commission should be impartial, M. Bidault (France), opposing a commission, argued that it would not fulfil any useful purpose. The proper method of finding a peaceful solution would be by direct negotiation. M. Bidault expressed the opinion that the presence of British troops in Indonesia uhis not a danger to international peace and security. He suggested that from a practical viewpoint it was better not to put the matter'to the vote, for there was no doubt that the Ukrainian proposal would not receive sufficient votes for its adoption, He thought it best to seek a solution, by the chariman making a declaration, taking note of all the statements made. M. Defreitas (Brazil) supported Mr Stettinius’s opinion that any commission should be composed of competent individuals, not State members. POLAND’S VIEWS. M. Modzelewski (Poland) said In- , donesia was linked by , principle with Poland, which was so long deprived of national independence. It seemed clear that the Indonesian Nationalist movement had become so strong that the Council was face to face with a great struggle._ The difficulties of obtaining information would be overcome, if the Counoil sent a commission to inquire and establish facts on the spot. The purpose of the commission would not he to call into question the presence of British troops, whom they did not ask' should he withdrawn. The commission would be interested in the political question. ,

Dr Van JJleffens (Holland) said he believed a case had not been made out. He opposed the commission of inquiry. He said he would not that he would approve™-to a commission, if both the British and Ukrainian Governments wanted it. " I cannot admit that if a commission is sent it should deal with or mediate in what is a domestic question-—namely, the talks now taking place between the Netherlands Government and the Nationalist leaders."