CHINESE INTERVENTION IN KOREA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27568, 9 December 1950, Page 9

CHINESE INTERVENTION IN KOREA

“ Volunteer Army ” Claim Is Dismissed By America

New Zealand Press Association—Copyright Rec. 9 p.m. NEW YORK, Dec. 7. Opening the debate in the United Nations Political Committee on the Six-Power resolution dealing witfa Chinese Communist intervention in Korea, Mr Warren Austin, the chief United States delegate, declared that facts had demolished the fiction that the Chinese Communists in Korea were “ volunteers.” He said that the size, complexity, and force of the operations made it clear that the Chinese Communists were fighting as centrally-directed armed forces organised, equipped, and supplied for modern war. Only a great national effort could have produced action on such a scale.

Referring to the statement of the Soviet Foreign Minister, Mr Andrei Vyshingsky, that the Chinese had " gone to succour their brethren” and therefore there was no reason for protesting, Mr Austin said: “This doctrine could be invoked to justify similar ‘volunteer’ actions elsewhere in the world. The doctrine of ‘volunteers’ is revealed to this assembly as a new and dangerous weapon in the arsenal of Soviet Imperialism.” Mr Austin said United Nations policies must be to achieve these objectives:— 1. To assure the security of the United Nations forces in Korea. 2. To cause the withdrawal of armed forces assisting the North Korean aggressors. 3. To localise the Korean conflict. 4. To bring about the speedy conclusion of the fighting on a satisfactory United Nations basis. 5. To make assurances that the United Nations has no purposes hostile to the security or threatening to the interests of Korea’s neighbours. Mr Austin continued: “Only when this question has been disposed of can other pressing questions concerning the peace and security of Asia be settled. Let us show the Chinese Communist leaders that the use of force is not a suitable basis for negotiations. Let us act quickly together to show them that the United Nations is determined to settle this threat to peace.” Mr Austin declared that the United States would not give up its “settled purpose to make Korea free and independent.” He gave detailed information on Chinese Communist troop units

in Korea to refute the Soviet claims that only Chinese volunteers were involved. General Carlos Romulo (Philippines), after terming the Korean situation the closest thing to a total war since the 1948 Berlin blockade, said: “Even at this late hour we must try to persuade the Chinese that their best interests would be served by considering negotiations that might lead to a settlement Of the conflict in Korea.” The committee adjourned until tomorrow. The Political Committee earlier rejected Soviet objections and decided by a vote of 42 to 5, with four abstentions, to give priority to the debate on Chinese Communist intervention in Korea. The Soviet Union and its four supporters were alone in .opposition. The four abstentions were India, SaudiArabia, Indonesia, and Burma. Immediately after the vote was taken the Soviet Foreign Minster, Mr Andrei Vyshinsky, lodged a determined protest declaring that the committee should continue its debate on Soviet charges of American aggression against China. The French delegate, M. Jean Chauvel, touched off a procedural clash by demanding top priority for the Six-Power resolution. Mr Vyshinsky argued that the committee must continue with the debate on Russia’s charges of. American aggression against Korea.

Mr Kenneth Younger, the British Minister of State, replied that the United Nations.had already heard Mr Vyshinsky’s charges of United States aggression against China and “we know most of the delegates consider his charges as moonshine.”