AIR TREATY DRAFT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21579, 5 December 1944, Page 3

AIR TREATY DRAFT

WORLD CHARTER CiVIL OPERATIONS pf.rmanent~authority I 10 a.m.) NEW YORK. Dec. 4. The joint drafting committee of the Chicago aviation conference has submitted the virtually completed International Civil Aviation Convention, the final form of which will be acted upon at the plenary session, says the New York Times' Chicago correspondent.

The convention says that the Governments signing it agree on the development of international civil aviation, operated soundly and economically. in a safe and orderly manner, and on a basis of equality of opportunity without discriminatory or exclusive arrangements against any signatory. Every nation’s complete sovereignty over its air space is recognised. Military aircraft are excluded from the agreement, arid ail nations agree not to use civii aviation for any inconsistent purpose. Freedom of flight over territory of the contracting nations is granted to private planes not engaged _ in scheduled international air services, and subject to every country’s right to require landings, prescribe routes, and specify prohibited areas for security reasons. Freedom of flight for planes on scheduled services is left open for co-ordination, with separate documents on “freedoms of the air” still being drafted.

Internal Traffic Protected

All countries reserve the right to carry traffic from one point to another within their own territory. Pilotless aircraft are barred.

All the nations agree to adhere to the rules of the air, and agree to a uniform standard of communications, weather reports and quarantine regulations, and confirm the laws of the countries in which they operate. Uniform conditions and fees are also provided to prevent discrimination against foreign aircraft. The international organisation will consist of an assembly in which every member has one vote, a council, and such other bodies as may be necessary. The permanent headquarters location is left undecided. The assembly will meet annually, and can be summoned at any time by the council, or at the request of 10 mem-, her States. The council will be a permanent body, responsible to the assembly, and will comprise 21 members elected at the assembly's first meeting and triertnially thereafter. The assembly, in electing council members, shall give adequate representation to the States of chief importance in air transport, to the States which make the largest contribution to navigation facilities, and to other States on the -basis of representation of all major geographic areas.

Disciplinary Provisions of Treaty

No council member can be interested in an international air line, or vote on a dispute to which his country is a party. If a disagreement cannot be settled by negotiations between the countries concerned, either can refer it to the council. Any member can appeal from the council’s decision to an arbitral tribunal agreed upon by the parties to the dispute, or a permanent Court of International Justice. Arbitration decisions will be final, and the assembly shall suspend the voting power of any defaulting nation and other members agree to prohibit its planes from operating over their territory. ' After the convention comes into force it is open for adherence to all the United Nations and to associated nations and neutrals during the present war. Any member can denounce the convention three years after it comes into force, and withdrawal takes effect the year after such notification.