BIG FIVE

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1945, Page 5

BIG FIVE

INQUEST ON COUNCIL

Ministers Leaving

(Rec. 11.30) LONDON, Oct. 4 Mr. J. F. Byrnes (U.S.A.), Mr. Bidault (France) have left for home, after the Foreign Ministers Conferonce * Mr. Bevin at present is giving careful consideration to the situation which has ariscen following the Council of Foreign Ministers, says the Press Association. He will report fullv to Parliament, ' The French Foreign Minister, M. ■Bidault has issued a statement. He said: The fact that no final communique summarising the decisions of the Foreign Ministers’ Council was issued, does not mean that no results were obtained. On the contrary, the study of questions on the agenda particularly that regarding peace treaties with Italy, Finland, Bulgaria, Roumania and Hungary, has been carried out in detail and an agreement reached on several important points, while at the same time directives were given for further study of ui settled points. The experience gained from conference, shows without doubt, a common study and frank discussion between the interested powers are capable of promoting solutions for the establishment of a just peace. Finally, the conference ad journed without reaching the decisions the world expected of it, for other reasons than the difficulties which arose over the problems on the agenda.” Addressing a press conference, M. Bidault said he was convinced the postponement of the work council does not mean failure. “I am confident that satisfactory conclusions will be readied avoiding the delays in final settlement of peace. He added that France firmly believed she should participate in all international peace settlements and that it was not possible to exclude any interested powers.

Mr. Byrnes (U.S.A. Foreign Minister), stated that the termination of the first session of the Foreign Ministers’ Council was decided upon to enable Mr. Molotov to place before his Government a compromise proposal designed to end the present deadlock.

Mr. Molotov (Soviet Foreign Minister) at a press conference, said: PtUssia will insist that the terms of the Potsdam agreement regarding signatories to the European peace treaties must be carried out. If it be demanded I break or violate the Berlin decision made by the three Powers, and one says that unless I do he cannot agree with me on other questions, then I reply that it is not the habit of the Soviet Union to violate its obligations, and I do not recommend others to do so. Foreign Ministers must now reflect on what is the next step to be taken. If those countries agreed at Potsdam conclude peace treaties with Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Roumania and. Finland, Russia will be ready to discuss at an international conference with the other countries concerned any changes and improvements in the drafts, and might be ready to agree to modifications. Tim thirty-three Council meetings were not held for nothing. Britain, America, 1 Russia and France reached an agreement on certain questions relating to peace treaties with Bulgaria, Roumania and Hungary and Britain and America without, difficulty reached an agreement concerning the peace treaty for Finland. However, we had to spend a lot of time arguing whether the decision of the Berlin conference should be carried out. Soviet people believe that once a decision is reached it must be carried out and that Foreign Ministers are unable to change an agreement adopted by heads of Government. The Russians in Council yesterday, desiring to create more favourable conditions for the termination of the work of the conference, submitted the following proposals. The Council of Foreign Ministers did not accept the proposals and were unwilling to postpone the outstanding questions until to-day.”