DEADLOCK CONTINUES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22416, 25 August 1947, Page 5

DEADLOCK CONTINUES

U.N. COUNCIL DEBATE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURE (10 a.m.) NEW YORK, Aug. 24. After another day of inconclusive debate, which was accompanied by a bewildering series of resolutions modifving the previous proposals, the United Nations’ Security Council was faced last night with what the New York Times described as a complete breakdown in its efforts to achieve a settlement of the Indonesian dispute. Colonel Hodgson, Australia, submitted a joint Australian-Chinese resolution providing for a commission of observers, comprising consular representatives of the Governments which are council members, to report to the council on the situation in Indonesia. He also submitted an Australian resolution requesting the Indonesian and Dutch Governments to submit all matters in dispute to arbitration by a commission consisting of one arbitrator selected by the Indonesians, one by the Netherlands, and one by the council. The United States submitted a third resolution suggesting that the council tender its good offices to the parties and express its readiness, if the parties so requested, to assist in a settlement through a committee consisting of three council members-

M. Gromyko, Russia, last night made a speech which amounted to a flat rejection of the three proposals which, he contended, would all result in bypassing the United Nations. He said that three of the consuls, those of Britain, France and the United States, represented countries favourable to the Netherlands, which he described as the guilty party. M. Gromyko said the proposed commission of observers should be representative either of all the council members or members chosen by the council on an equitable basis. The commission of observers should be constituted similarly and not be partly designated by the parties to the dispute. The debate was adjourned until Monday. The Australian move followed another fruitless debate on the Indonesian conflict. It is now three weeks since the council issued the “cease fire” order, and it is still debating whether to appoint observers to report how its wishes are being carried out. Efforts to draft one acceptable compromise resolution out of the motions moved by Australia, China and Poland have failed.

It was reported today that the United States, having withdrawn its offer of “good offices,” will now support direct United Nations intervention in Indonesia, possibly along the lines proposed by Australia. M. Van Kleffens today told the council that its efforts to end the conflict had been a dismal failure. Bloodshed had actually increased since the “cease fire" order was issued, because of the Republicans’ actions.