Signatories To Peace Treaties

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23323, 5 October 1945, Page 5

Signatories To Peace Treaties

Potsdam Decisions Binding Molotov Declares Russian Stand (Received 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 3. FOLLOWING the statement by Mr James F. Byrnes * (U.S. Secretary of State) that the termination of the first session of the Foreign Ministers’ Council was decided upon to enable M. Molotov to place before his Government a compromise proposal designed to end the present deadlock, M. Molotov told a Press conference that Russia would insist that the terms of the Potsdam Agreement regarding the signatories to the European peace treaties must be carried out. M. Molotov declared that the Potsdam clauses setting out which countries would sign the peace treaties with Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria and Rumania must be observed. Emphasising that the decisions reached at Potsdam were binding on the Foreign Ministers, M. Molotov said: "If it is demanded that 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.” , M. Molotov parried questions regarding a report that the Council on September 11 had reached agreement whereby China and France were invited to participate in all discussions. “If you can find such a decision of the Council of Foreign Ministers then show it to me. Tell me' by whom it was signed.”

M Molotov declared that the Foreign Ministers must now reflect what was the next step to be taken. He added that if the countries as agreed at Potsdam concluded peace treaties with Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Rumania and Finland, Russia would 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. . Some Agreement Reached M Molotov said that 33 meetings of the Council were not held for nothing. There was intense work and questions were agreed on such as expediting the work of the Reparations Commission in Germany, and questions relating to Austria and other points. The conference, unfortunately, did not discuss the question of an Allied Control Council for Japan. However, Britain. America, Russia and France had reached agreement on certain questions relating to peace treaties with Bulgaria, Rumania and Hungary, and Britain and America, without difficulty, had reached agreement concerning the peace treaty for Finland. “However, we had spent a lot of time arguing whether the decision of the Berlin conference should be carried out,” he continued. “The Soviet people believe that once a decision is reached it must be carried out, and the Foreign Ministers are unable to change the agreement adopted by the heads of the Government.” Russia in the Council yesterday, desiring to create more favourable conditions for the termination of the work of the conference, submitted the proposals which had later been broadcast from Moscow. , • If. Molotov concluded: “The Council of Foreign Ministers did not accept the proposals, and were unwilling to postpone the outstanding questions until to-day."

M. Georges Bidault (France) issued a statement saying that 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 the

peace treaties with Italy, Finland, Bulgaria, Rumania and Hungary, has been carried out in detail, and agreement reached on several important points. while at the same time directives were given for further study of unsettled points. The experience gained from the conference shows without doubt common study and frank discussion, between the interested Powers, are capable of promoting solutions for the establishment of a just peace. Finally, if the conference adjourned without reaching the decisions the world expected of it, it was for other reasons that difficulties arose over problems on the agenda.” Addressing a Press conference, M. Bidault said he was convinced that postponement of the work of the Council does not mean failure. “I am confident that satisfactory conclusions will be reached avoiding delays in the final settlement of peace.” M. Bidault added that France firmly believed that she should participate in all international peace settlements, and that it was not possible to exclude any interested Power. Mr Bevin at present is giving careful consideration» to the situation which has arisen in the Council of Foreign Ministers, says the Press Association. He will report fully to Parliament