RUSSIA AGAIN VETOES ITALY'S ADMISSION TO U.N.O.

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 April 1948, Page 5

RUSSIA AGAIN VETOES ITALY'S ADMISSION TO U.N.O.

U.S.A. To Propose That Italy Has A Voice But No Vote (N.Z.P.A.—Copyright.) Received 6.30 p.m. NEW YORK, April 10 Russia, in the Security Council. today, vetoed Italy’s application for membership of the United Nations. Ukraine voted with Russia. Nine other members supported Italy, it was Russia’s third veto of Italy.

Mr. Warren Austin (Uniled States) , declared, after the vote was taken, ■ that. Russia again frustrated I he will: of the majority of the Council. The Soviet, was misusing the Italian application in trying to force the Council to admit non-peace-loving nations. It was most, unfair to put Italy on the same status as other ex-enemy States. Mr. Gromyko (Russia) said the United States was trying to represent itself as Italy’s friend, wneras, in fact, it was trying to interfere in Italian, internal affairs. Mr. Gromyko said 1 he was confident the Italians would j understand that the admission of their country had been made into a "poliical game.” Britain and the United :ates were deliberately violating the otsdam Agreement, which stipuated I hat all ex-enemy States should ie considered together, after the conclusion of the peace treaties, "on an equal footing." The Council adjourned after recommending that Burma be admitted to the United Nations. Mr. Austin then explained to correspondents that the United States expected, possibly at a special session of the General Assembly opening on Friday to submit a formula whereby Italy be given a right to speak in the General Assembly, on a non-voting basis, on any matters affecting her interests. The proposed formula would also he extended to include Portugal, Eire, Austria, Transjordan and r inland. Another Russian veto of the Italian application to join the United Nations could he interpreted only "as an expression by the Soviet Union of a lack of friendship for the people of Italy," said Mr. Warren Austin, United States delegate to the Security Council today. Declaring that a grave injustice had been done the Italian people by Russian vetoes, Mr. Austin said: “We ask that they bo immediately .granted their rightful position among nations.” Mr. Austin assailed Hie Russian position that Italy should be admitted

: only with Rumania, Bulgaria, and . Hungary, adding that the United States opposes the entry of those countries, "which, by their own actions, have shown they are clearly disqualified." “This attempt at bargaining is surely beneath the dignity of this council,” he said.