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'Harch, 1949, received overwhelming evidence that the Greek guerilla movement had compelled children down to fourteen years of age, both boys and girls, to return to Greece and fight in their ranks. The discussion revealed a general desire to remove this question as much as possible from the area of controversy and to emphasize the welfare of the children. A draft resolution submitted jointly by Australia, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States was noncondemnatory in tone and met with unanimous acceptance in Committee and later in the Assembly. The resolution instructed the SecretaryGeneral to request international Red Cross organizations to continue their efforts towards repatriation of the children, urged the States concerned to make all necessary arrangements for the early return of the children to their homes, and invited the Red Cross to report progress ■to the Secretary-General. 2. Disposal of the Former Italian Colonies Since the Great Powers had bound themselves in advance by the Italian Peace Treaty to accept the recommendation of the United Nations on the final disposal of the former Italian colonies, the General Assembly's function in relation to this item of its agenda was a decisive one. No -delegate was unaware of the unique and historic nature of the task entrusted to the Assembly in this instance, and few did not profess their concern that the Assembly should enhance the prestige of the United Nations by reaching, at this session, a definite and just solution. By an overwhelming majority the Assembly decided that Libya, comprising the three regions of Cyrenaica, Tripolitania, and the Fezzan, should be constituted by 1 January, 1952, as an independent and sovereign State. A United Nations Commissioner appointed by the Assembly should assist the people of Libya in drawing up a constitution and establishing an independent Government. The Commissioner, in turn, should be advised by a Council, whose ten members would consist ■of nominees of the Governments of Egypt, France, India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, plus a representative of •each of the three provinces of Libya, and a representative of the Libyan minorities. Somaliland, under the resolution, is to become an independent sovereign State "as soon as possible " and in any case not later than ten years from the day the Assembly approves a Trusteeship Agreement for the territory. Meantime Italy (aided and advised by an Advisory Council insisting of the representatives of Colombia, Egypt, and the Philippines) is to be the Administering Authority. A ■commission of investigation (consisting of the representatives of Burma, •Guatemala, Norway, Pakistan, and the Union of South Africa) is to be •despatched to Eritrea as soon as possible to ascertain more fully the wishes of the people and the best means of promoting their welfare.
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