Talks On Atomic Energy— UNO Sub-Committee Again “Bogged Down"

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 October 1948, Page 5

Talks On Atomic Energy— UNO Sub-Committee Again “Bogged Down"

I (Rec. 9.45 a.m.) PARIS, Oct. 8. i When the United Nations Sub-j committee on Atomic Energy Con-| trol adjourned, it was still bogged j down on the first paragraph of the, Canadian resolution. I The sub-committee, composed of, India (chairman), Britain, Russia, the United States, Canada, France, j Sweden, Brazil, China the Ukraine and Ecuador had a discussion on whether Nev/ Zealand would be allowed to incorporate her resolution In Canada’s during which the Soviet and the Ukraine objected. Mr Jacob Malik (Russia) said: “There is only one resolution which, nowhere has aroused controversy—the Soviet proposal. Let' us discuss it first.” ' I To this, Mr Frederic Osborne; (United States) retorted: “We all know that the Soviet proposal was made purely for propaganda.” Loud Burst of Laughter A loud burst of laughter from Mr Malik and Mr Manuilsky (Ukraine) greeted this remark. A sub-committee in the afternoon agreed on its agenda. The chairman, Sir Bengal Narsinga Rau, ruled that the sub-committee should consider the resolutions in their order of submission. General McNaughton (Canada) said any resolution agreed on should endorse the views of the Western majority on the Atomic Energy Commission, but Mr Manuilsky said that this would divide'the sub-committee from the start. He appealed to the sub-committee to consider immediately the Soviet proposal, “which had ’ introduced a new atmosphere.” ' A

The Western Powers have decided to resume direct negotiations with Russia on atomic energy. Mr James Thorn (New Zealand) in introducing the proposal said he opposed shutting the door to discussions. United Nations members would assume very, serious responsibilities if they rejected any means of keeping the discussions open. New Zealand Proposal The New Zealand proposal requests:— (1) The six permanent members of the Atomic Energy Commission to consult after this Assembly to determine whether there exists a basis for agreement on international control of atomic energy. (2) Suggests that if'such a basis is found a six-member sub-commit-tee should reconvene • the Atomic Energy Commission. (3) In any event, order the six permanent members of the Atomic Energy Commission to report on their consultations to the 1949 Assembly session. - Will Keep Negotiations Going The New Zealand resolution, which was carried by 47 votes to nil, will keep negotiations with the Russians going for another year. When some delegates said that the New Zealand proposal would mean the same thing all over again, the Russian delegate (M(r Malik) .said: ‘‘Well, what’s wrong with that? Why should the Atomic Energy Commission consider that it is so tired from two years of work that it should shrink from considering the atomic problem from the beginning? It must start all over again. This will bring a breath of fresh air to the world.”