SOVIET AIM-PREVENTING PEACE

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1948, Page 7

SOVIET AIM-PREVENTING PEACE

“The United States,” Mr Truman said, “is deeply concerned with the survival of freedom in these nations. It is of vital importance that we act now in order to preserve the conditions under which we can achieve lasting peace, based on freedom and justice. “The achievement of such a peace has been the great goal *of this nation. Almost three years have elapsed since the end of the greatest of all wars, but peace and stability have not returned to the world. “We were well aware that the end of the fighting would not automatically settle the problems arising from the war, but the situation in the world today is not primarily the result of the natural difficulties which follow a great war. It is chiefly due to the fact that one nation has not only refused to co-operate in the establishment of a just and honourable peace but —even worse —has actively sought to prevent it.”

Conference After conference

MrTruman continued: “Congress is familiar with the course of events. You Know of the sincere and patient attempts of the democratic countries to find a secure basis for peace through negotiation and agreement. Conference after conference has been held in different parts of the world. We have tried to settle questions arising from the war on a basis which would permit the establishment of a just peace.

“You know the ‘obstacles we have encountered. But the record stands as a monument to the good ftfith and integrity of the democratic nations. The agreements we did obtain, imperfect though they were, could have furnished the basis for a just peace—if they had been kept. But they were not kept. They have been persistently ignored and violated by one nation.

“Congress is also familiar with the developments concerning the United Nations. Most of the world countries have joined together in the United Nations in an attempt to build a world order based on law and not .on force. Most of the members support the United Nations earnestly and honestly and seek to make it stronger* and more effective.

Russia’s Clear Design

“One nation, however, has persistently obstructed the work of the United Nations by constant abuse of the veto. That nation has vetoed 21 proposals for action in a little over two years. “But that is not all. Since the close of the hostilities the Soviet Union and its agents have destroyed the independence and democratic character of a whole series of nations in Eeastern and Central Europe. “It is this ruthless course of action 'and the clear design to extend it to the remaining free nations of Europe that have brought about the critical situation in Europe today.”