I Know Of No Blockade'

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1948, Page 5

I Know Of No Blockade'

SYDNEY, Wed, (1 p.m.)— “What blockade? I know of no blockade,” said M. Kirill Novikov, leader of the Russian delegation to the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, when asked on his arrival in Sydney about the Russian blockade of Berlin. He refused to comment further, on the grounds that he had no authority to discuss military affairs.

Several Russians refused even to give their names to the Press. Speaking with obvious reluctance, M. Novikov said he believed there was little chance of United States military aid to China.

He added that Russia was not opposed to the United States granting China economic aid. He said that Russia would ask at the conference for immediate admission of Indonesia to the commission.

NEPAL ADMITTED

The commission admitted Nepal, land of the Gurkhas, to associate membership, but adjourned the applications of Indonesia and Indo-China.*

Inclusion of Nepal was approved with little discussion and the Nepalese delegate (Major-General Msigendra S Rana) took his seat at the commission table.

“We are proud of the fact that the sons of Nepal have fought and died for freedom in two world wars,” he said. “For that we have never claimed compensation, but now we hope that the economic development of Nepal will be assisted.”