RUSSIA USES VETO TO BLOCK RE-ELECTION OF SECRETARY OF U.N.O.

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 October 1950, Page 5

RUSSIA USES VETO TO BLOCK RE-ELECTION OF SECRETARY OF U.N.O.

NEW YORK, Oct. 12—Russia today used the veto to block the re-election of Mr Trygve Lie as Secretary-Gen-eral of the United Nations. Russia proposed the appointment of M. Zgymunt Modzelewski, the Polish Foreign Minister. Mr, Lie’s five-year term expires next February. The Soviet action was taken in a closed meeting of the Security Council. Nine countries recommended that Mr Lie be given another full term. In view of the Soviet veto ana the resulting deadlock in the Council the question is expected to be passed to the General Assembly, which could constitutionally extend Mr. Lie’s term of office for two or three years. Since the outbreak of the Korean fighting the Soviet press has been extremely critical of Mr. Lie. Pravda, in July, assailed Mr. Lie as “a servant of the American aggressors.” Mr. Warren Austin, United States delegate, said after the meeting of the Security’ Council: “There was never a moment of doubt in our position. We have' been for Mr. Lie from the beginning.

“We consider him exceptionally gifted, with extraordinary characteristics fitting him for this job, for which there is no precedent. “Although he has taken stands on some questions with which we could not agree, that makes no difference. We have the greatest respect for his courage.' ’