Observer from R.I. gives impressions on U.N. general assembly / Luther H. Hodges

By: Description: page 32-33, 35, 37, 39, 41, and 43 In: Rotary Club of Manila. The Rotary Balita No. 724 to 748Summary: One is honored and humbled by being asked to act for Rotary International as an observer at the United Nations. It was my good fortune to "observe" a few days at San Francisco when the United Nations dream was becoming a reality. Later I spent some time in New York City when the Security Council was meeting at Hunter College. During those dramatic days when the United Nations debate and its courageous stand saved Iran from occupation by Russian troops, we heard Mr. Bernard Baruch present for the United States of America a thrilling challenge to the world. In this challenge he asked all nations, especially the Soviet, to agree to an international inspection of atomic bomb manufacturing so that all the nations, including the United States of America could discontinue making atomic bombs. The offer was rejected by Russia and the atomic race toward the destruction of the world as we know it was on. I had the privilege on December 8, of hearing President Eisenhower make to the world from the forum of the United Nations General Assembly a dramatic, humanitarian proposal that all nations set aside certain amounts of fissionable material in a common pool to be administered by the United Nations. Thus atomic energy could be directed into peaceful uses in all parts of the world. I have been constantly impressed by the importance of individual character and personal friendship among the delegates at the United Nations. Personal acquaintance, as we are taught in Rotary, provides great opportunities for service in international affairs. Nations are made up of individuals and the individual delegates mirror their countries. We are making progress in the world and will continue to make progress if each individual does his part. I am hopeful that the revision of the United Nations Chapter will be studied by each of us and that we will not hesitate to make suggestions to the governments of our own countries as to how the United Nations might be improved. The General Debate This year, 46 member states took part in 15 plenary meetings devoted to the overall view of the world situation. From many arresting remarks, those of Charles Malik, the philosophy professor who represents Lebanon, may be quoted from in this space: "The world faces three ultimate problems: how the strong can live together in peace in a world shrunk to a neighborhood; how the weak can live in dignity and equality with the strong in a world in which security can come about only through collective security; and how the few fundamental cultures of the world can develop freely interacting and mutually enriching and respectful relations among themselves. The history of our epoch will be written by those three problems." Background Information The Assembly met in an atmosphere of lessened tension resulting from the armistice in Korea and hopes of a new direction in Russian policy. Unfortunately, these hopes did not remove from the debate the self-righteous and vituperative expressions that have marred U.N. proceedings. Spokesmen in many instances were foreign ministers of their countries. At the first meeting, a Russian resolution to seat Communist China was defeated. A motion to postpone consideration for the remainder of the year was adopted 44-10 with 2 abstentions. Madame Pandit, sister of India's prime minister Nebru, became the first woman to be elected president of the Assembly. She defeated Prince Wan Waithayakon of Thailand in a secret vote 37-22. Charter Review In the course of the General Debate, there were many references to the need for revising the United Nations Charter, particularly in respect to the "veto" of permanent members in the Security Council. By a vote of 54-5, the Secretary General was instructed to prepare and circulate an index of documentation and practices to be considered at a review conference that the Assembly will consider at its 1955 session. Background Information The Charter itself (Article 109) provides for this review conference, and requires that the Assembly consider holding one ten years after the Charter came into force, if not before. Amendments to the Charter require ratification by 2/3 of member states including the permanent members of the Security Council before they become effective. The five Soviet states were the minority opposed t preparation. Stalemates New items are rare. Almost every world issue has been submitted to the General Assembly. Often the result is recognition that the world has to go on living with the problem. At this session, the Assembly repeated previous recommendations on the treatment of Indians in South Africa, the segregation laws there and the transfer of South-West Africa to United Nations trusteeship. Vote was 46-1 with 12 abstentions. South Africa once more rejected these decisions as interference with domestic jurisdiction. (Article 2) Repeat resolutions on self-government for Morocco and Tunisia just failed to win a two-thirds majority. The Korean problem was postponed pending the outcome of the negotiations at Panmunjon for a peace conference. But the Assembly voted 47-0 to refer the Russian complaint of U.S. bacteriological warfare in Korea to the Disarmament Commission. A U.S. complaint about communist atrocities to 38,000 U.N. prisoners and civilians in Korea was "noted with grave concern." (42-5) Background Information Perhaps the only value that could be expected from these fruitless discussions is their effect on the public conscience and desire to agree. For example, Russia's charges of bacteriological warfare had been built at the last session of the Assembly on the alleged confessions of six captured American fliers. At this session, Rotarian Dr. Charles W. Mayo of Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.A. was able to refute this testimony. The same fliers — now freed — repudiated those confessions. In the words of Dr. Mayo: "All of them state categorically that they have never waged bacteriological warfare and that their so-called confessions were false and were extracted from them by coercive Communist methods. In the case of two officers, physical and mental torture in solitary confinement lasted more than three months in one case, and nearly five months in the other before they finally broke down." United In Agreement All member states voted to appoint Peru, Netherlands and Egypt as a committee on membership in the United Nations. Task is to elude the deadlock that prevents some 20 nations that have applied for membership from receiving the recommendation of the Security Council. Another unanimous decision made the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund a permanent agency. The word "emergency" is removed from the title but the symbol "UNICEF" will be retained. Founded in 1947, UNICEF has fed millions of mothers and children and has protected many more millions from malaria, tuberculosis and yaws. Background Information A similar committee was appointed at the last session without result. A Russian proposal for a "package deal" to admit 14 nations was rejected. Funds for UNICEF come from governments and private sources. The U.S.A has contributed $97,- 250,000; other governments about $43,000,000. Private contributions have been collected by Rotary and other groups in many countries. All UNICEF expenditures are matched by governments in the receiving countries to the extent of 61¢ for every 39e spent by UNICEF. Disarmament A "pious" resolution calling for "intensified disarmament negotiations" won 54-0 with 5 abstentions. Russia's perennial package proposal for a declaration prohibiting atomic weapons, across-the-board cut of one-third in convention armaments, abolition of overseas bases and a denunciation of war propaganda lost 5-32 with 14 abstentions. On the day before adjournment, President Eisenhower made his speech about an atomic pool for peaceful purposes. No action was taken at this session. Background Information The proposal of President Eisenhower was anticipated four years ago by Rotarian Carlos P. Romulo, then President of the General Assembly. For a description of the rival plans for controlling atomic energy for peace, and the degree of agreement reached in the United Nations on this crucial issue, please request Paper 710, "Should We Ban the Atomic Bomb?" An article full of atomic information is "You, I and the Atom" in the Rotarian Magazine, December, 1953. Genocide The U.S.A. joined 49 nations in urging accelerated ratification of the Genocide Convention. None objected. Eight abstained. The Secretary-General was instructed to publicize the contents and purpose of the Convention. Background Information This pact to prevent the intentional destruction of national, racial, religious or ethnic groups has been ratified by 41 nations. The U.S. vote did not authorize propaganda for it. Refugees Following the termination of the International Refugee Organization, the Assembly appointed Dr. G. J. Goedhart as High Commissioner for a three-year term from 1 January, 1953. His task was to provide "international protection for refugees and promoting permanent solutions." So far $1,000,000 has been subscribed. Since there are 100,000 refugees of World War Two still living in camps and it costs from $400 to $1200 to resettle one of them, Dr. Goedhart said that he relies on voluntary agencies, "They never fail to help," he said. Dr. Goedhart was re-elected for a five-year term, 47-5 with 3 abstentions. Background Information Rotarians in many countries have interested themselves in the problems of refugees - See Paper 721 "New Australians, New Canadians, New..." These problems include legal assistance, jobs, homes, learning a new language and cultural assimilation. In addition to those refugees of World War Two, there are probably several million escapees from communism. Estimate is that over the years, only five percent of the refugees are no economic asset to the country which receives them. The rest can do and will repay abundantly any help that is given them. Sunfed The public has become so used to the alphabetical soup of United Nations initials (UNESCO, UNICEF, FAO, etc., etc.) that it will hardly gag at a new one. SUNFED stands for Special United Nations Fund for Economic Development, and also as the crux of the division between the advanced and backward economies of the world. Purpose of SUNFED is to provide under-developed countries with grants or long-term low-interest loans to finance non-self-liquidating projects (such as roads and harbors) which are basic for their development. According to the proposal, SUNFED would only come into existence when at least 30 countries had pledged the equivalent of at least $250,000,000 for the initial period of its operation. The Assembly by a vote of 46-0 with 5 abstentions instructed the Economic and Social Council to consult governments about SUNFED, and to make a report to the next session of the Assembly so that the Assembly can establish the plan when circumstances permit. Background Information Underdeveloped countries representing nearly two-thirds of mankind are concerned by their lack of progress. The gap between their standards of living (average per capita annual income - $80) and those of the advanced countries is widening. They claim that most financial aid has gone to the advanced countries and point to the huge expenditures for armaments as proof that resources exist for helping them. The advanced countries objected that until supervised disarmament was achieved, any attempt to establish SUNFED would be a sham and a threat to existing aid programs. Only the expression—"when circumstances permit"—enabled them to support the resolution. The five Soviet members abstained, saying they would not oppose SUNFED, but doubted whether it would do much good. They warned against linking it with the International Bank "which is under the influence of capitalist monopolies." In their view, more would be gained by abolishing pre-sent restrictions and discriminations in international trade. Colonies? Failing to gain a 2/3 majority was a declaration that the Assembly has power to decide whether a country was self-governing and not a colony about which information must be given to the United Nations. Vote was close—32-19 with 6 abstentions. A motion by U.S.A. that it cease giving information about Puerto Rico also failed-22-18 with 19 abstentions. Background Information Some 200,000,000 people are involved in these decisions. Article 73 of the Charter calls for annual reports on their economic and social welfare. As "non-self-governing peoples" they are under U.N. protection to that extent. The government of Puerto Rico has declared that it is self-governing, and U.S.A. announced that it can be independent. Assessments For U.N. Support The U.S. contribution was reduced from 35-2 percent to one-third of the total budget ($47,827,110) in approving the scale of contributions 50-6 with 2 abstentions. Scale is determined by national incomes during the three preceding years, current economic trends and per capita income. Background Information Russia pays 16.53, Britain 9.8, India 3.4, and the four smallest contributors .04 percent of the budget. The U.S. contribution averages about ten cents from each American citizen. Total cost of the United Nations is less than New York City spends for street cleaning. Personnel Loyalty Should the United Nations employ U.S. citizens who are disloyal to the United States? Of 1300 thoroughly investigated by the FBI and the Civil Service Commission not a single case disclosed "reasonable doubt of the employee's loyalty to the United States." There remain 400 to be investigated. Previously, however, the Secretary-General had dismissed 40 charged with disloyalty. Of these, 21 appealed before the U.N. Administrative Tribunal and 11 of them were awarded a total of $189,370 damages in lieu of reinstatement. In view of the strong opposition to any such payment by the U.S. delegate, the Tribunal's decision was submitted by the Assembly to the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion. (Vote was 42-5 with 13 abstentions.) Background Information The advice of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold was to pay the damages. The statute of the Administrative Tribunal, created by the Assembly itself, allows of no appeal. He also recommended new rules to permit dismissal of any U.N. employee for active membership in any political party. Commentary on the painful situation of the Secretary-General is the following story. A madman got loose on the 38th floor of U.N. headquarters where Dag Hammarskjold has his office. He screamed that he had been divinely appointed to be Secretary-General of the United Nations. He was taken to the psychiatric hospital. Next day a British news agency reported that the man had recovered; he no longer wanted to be Secretary-General of U.N. Elections For two years as non-permanent members of the Security Council-Brazil, New Zealand and Turkey. For three years as members of the Economic and Social Council — Czechoslovakia, Ecuador, Norway, Pakistan, United Kingdom and USSR. For three years as members of the Trusteeship Council India and Haiti. Background Information The nations elected do not form the complete membership of these organs. The Security Council has 11 members of which six are non-permanent. The Economic and Social Council has 18 members and the Trusteeship Council 12 members. Membership in these bodies changes each year.
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The Rotary Balita no. 742 (March 25, 1954)

One is honored and humbled by being asked to act for Rotary International as an observer at the United Nations. It was my good fortune to "observe" a few days at San Francisco when the United Nations dream was becoming a reality. Later I spent some time in New York City when the Security Council was meeting at Hunter College. During those dramatic days when the United Nations debate and its courageous stand saved Iran from occupation by Russian troops, we heard Mr. Bernard Baruch present for the United States of America a thrilling challenge to the world. In this challenge he asked all nations, especially the Soviet, to agree to an international inspection of atomic bomb manufacturing so that all the nations, including the United States of America could discontinue making atomic bombs. The offer was rejected by Russia and the atomic race toward the destruction of the world as we know it was on.

I had the privilege on December 8, of hearing President Eisenhower make to the world from the forum of the United Nations General Assembly a dramatic, humanitarian proposal that all nations set aside certain amounts of fissionable material in a common pool to be administered by the United Nations. Thus atomic energy could be directed into peaceful uses in all parts of the world.

I have been constantly impressed by the importance of individual character and personal friendship among the delegates at the United Nations. Personal acquaintance, as we are taught in Rotary, provides great opportunities for service in international affairs. Nations are made up of individuals and the individual delegates mirror their countries. We are making progress in the world and will continue to make progress if each individual does his part.

I am hopeful that the revision of the United Nations Chapter will be studied by each of us and that we will not hesitate to make suggestions to the governments of our own countries as to how the United Nations might be improved.

The General Debate

This year, 46 member states took part in 15 plenary meetings devoted to the overall view of the world situation. From many arresting remarks, those of Charles Malik, the philosophy professor who represents Lebanon, may be quoted from in this space:

"The world faces three ultimate problems: how the strong can live together in peace in a world shrunk to a neighborhood; how the weak can live in dignity and equality with the strong in a world in which security can come about only through collective security; and how the few fundamental cultures of the world can develop freely interacting and mutually enriching and respectful relations among themselves. The history of our epoch will be written by those three problems."

Background Information

The Assembly met in an atmosphere of lessened tension resulting from the armistice in Korea and hopes of a new direction in Russian policy. Unfortunately, these hopes did not remove from the debate the self-righteous and vituperative expressions that have marred U.N. proceedings. Spokesmen in many instances were foreign ministers of their countries.

At the first meeting, a Russian resolution to seat Communist China was defeated. A motion to postpone consideration for the remainder of the year was adopted 44-10 with 2 abstentions.

Madame Pandit, sister of India's prime minister Nebru, became the first woman to be elected president of the Assembly. She defeated Prince Wan Waithayakon of Thailand in a secret vote 37-22.

Charter Review

In the course of the General Debate, there were many references to the need for revising the United Nations Charter, particularly in respect to the "veto" of permanent members in the Security Council. By a vote of 54-5, the Secretary General was instructed to prepare and circulate an index of documentation and practices to be considered at a review conference that the Assembly will consider at its 1955 session.

Background Information

The Charter itself (Article 109) provides for this review conference, and requires that the Assembly consider holding one ten years after the Charter came into force, if not before. Amendments to the Charter require ratification by 2/3 of member states including the permanent members of the Security Council before they become effective. The five Soviet states were the minority opposed t preparation.

Stalemates

New items are rare. Almost every world issue has been submitted to the General Assembly. Often the result is recognition that the world has to go on living with the problem.

At this session, the Assembly repeated previous recommendations on the treatment of Indians in South Africa, the segregation laws there and the transfer of South-West Africa to United Nations trusteeship. Vote was 46-1 with 12 abstentions. South Africa once more rejected these decisions as interference with domestic jurisdiction. (Article 2)

Repeat resolutions on self-government for Morocco and Tunisia just failed to win a two-thirds majority.

The Korean problem was postponed pending the outcome of the negotiations at Panmunjon for a peace conference. But the Assembly voted 47-0 to refer the Russian complaint of U.S. bacteriological warfare in Korea to the Disarmament Commission. A U.S. complaint about communist atrocities to 38,000 U.N. prisoners and civilians in Korea was "noted with grave concern." (42-5)

Background Information

Perhaps the only value that could be expected from these fruitless discussions is their effect on the public conscience and desire to agree.

For example, Russia's charges of bacteriological warfare had been built at the last session of the Assembly on the alleged confessions of six captured American fliers.

At this session, Rotarian Dr. Charles W. Mayo of Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.A. was able to refute this testimony. The same fliers — now freed — repudiated those confessions. In the words of Dr. Mayo:

"All of them state categorically that they have never waged bacteriological warfare and that their so-called confessions were false and were extracted from them by coercive Communist methods. In the case of two officers, physical and mental torture in solitary confinement lasted more than three months in one case, and nearly five months in the other before they finally broke down."

United In Agreement

All member states voted to appoint Peru, Netherlands and Egypt as a committee on membership in the United Nations. Task is to elude the deadlock that prevents some 20 nations that have applied for membership from receiving the recommendation of the Security Council.

Another unanimous decision made the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund a permanent agency. The word "emergency" is removed from the title but the symbol "UNICEF" will be retained. Founded in 1947, UNICEF has fed millions of mothers and children and has protected many more millions from malaria, tuberculosis and yaws.

Background Information

A similar committee was appointed at the last session without result. A Russian proposal for a "package deal" to admit 14 nations was rejected.

Funds for UNICEF come from governments and private sources. The U.S.A has contributed $97,- 250,000; other governments about $43,000,000. Private contributions have been collected by Rotary and other groups in many countries. All UNICEF expenditures are matched by governments in the receiving countries to the extent of 61¢ for every 39e spent by UNICEF.

Disarmament

A "pious" resolution calling for "intensified disarmament negotiations" won 54-0 with 5 abstentions. Russia's perennial package proposal for a declaration prohibiting atomic weapons, across-the-board cut of one-third in convention armaments, abolition of overseas bases and a denunciation of war propaganda lost 5-32 with 14 abstentions.

On the day before adjournment, President Eisenhower made his speech about an atomic pool for peaceful purposes. No action was taken at this session.

Background Information

The proposal of President Eisenhower was anticipated four years ago by Rotarian Carlos P. Romulo, then President of the General Assembly.

For a description of the rival plans for controlling atomic energy for peace, and the degree of agreement reached in the United Nations on this crucial issue, please request Paper 710, "Should We Ban the Atomic Bomb?" An article full of atomic information is "You, I and the Atom" in the Rotarian Magazine, December, 1953.

Genocide

The U.S.A. joined 49 nations in urging accelerated ratification of the Genocide Convention. None objected. Eight abstained. The Secretary-General was instructed to publicize the contents and purpose of the Convention.

Background Information

This pact to prevent the intentional destruction of national, racial, religious or ethnic groups has been ratified by 41 nations. The U.S. vote did not authorize propaganda for it.
Refugees

Following the termination of the International Refugee Organization, the Assembly appointed Dr. G. J. Goedhart as High Commissioner for a three-year term from 1 January, 1953.

His task was to provide "international protection for refugees and promoting permanent solutions." So far $1,000,000 has been subscribed. Since there are 100,000 refugees of World War Two still living in camps and it costs from $400 to $1200 to resettle one of them, Dr. Goedhart said that he relies on voluntary agencies, "They never fail to help," he said.

Dr. Goedhart was re-elected for a five-year term, 47-5 with 3 abstentions.

Background Information

Rotarians in many countries have interested themselves in the problems of refugees - See Paper 721 "New Australians, New Canadians, New..." These problems include legal assistance, jobs, homes, learning a new language and cultural assimilation.

In addition to those refugees of World War Two, there are probably several million escapees from communism. Estimate is that over the years, only five percent of the refugees are no economic asset to the country which receives them.

The rest can do and will repay abundantly any help that is given them.

Sunfed

The public has become so used to the alphabetical soup of United Nations initials (UNESCO, UNICEF, FAO, etc., etc.) that it will hardly gag at a new one. SUNFED stands for Special United Nations Fund for Economic Development, and also as the crux of the division between the advanced and backward economies of the world.

Purpose of SUNFED is to provide under-developed countries with grants or long-term low-interest loans to finance non-self-liquidating projects (such as roads and harbors) which are basic for their development.

According to the proposal, SUNFED would only come into existence when at least 30 countries had pledged the equivalent of at least $250,000,000 for the initial period of its operation.

The Assembly by a vote of 46-0 with 5 abstentions instructed the Economic and Social Council to consult governments about SUNFED, and to make a report to the next session of the Assembly so that the Assembly can establish the plan when circumstances permit.

Background Information

Underdeveloped countries representing nearly two-thirds of mankind are concerned by their lack of progress. The gap between their standards of living (average per capita annual income - $80) and those of the advanced countries is widening. They claim that most financial aid has gone to the advanced countries and point to the huge expenditures for armaments as proof that resources exist for helping them.

The advanced countries objected that until supervised disarmament was achieved, any attempt to establish SUNFED would be a sham and a threat to existing aid programs. Only the expression—"when circumstances permit"—enabled them to support the resolution.

The five Soviet members abstained, saying they would not oppose SUNFED, but doubted whether it would do much good. They warned against linking it with the International Bank "which is under the influence of capitalist monopolies." In their view, more would be gained by abolishing pre-sent restrictions and discriminations in international trade.

Colonies?

Failing to gain a 2/3 majority was a declaration that the Assembly has power to decide whether a country was self-governing and not a colony about which information must be given to the United Nations. Vote was close—32-19 with 6 abstentions.

A motion by U.S.A. that it cease giving information about Puerto Rico also failed-22-18 with 19 abstentions.

Background Information

Some 200,000,000 people are involved in these decisions. Article 73 of the Charter calls for annual reports on their economic and social welfare. As "non-self-governing peoples" they are under U.N. protection to that extent.

The government of Puerto Rico has declared that it is self-governing, and U.S.A. announced that it can be independent.

Assessments For U.N. Support

The U.S. contribution was reduced from 35-2 percent to one-third of the total budget ($47,827,110) in approving the scale of contributions 50-6 with 2 abstentions. Scale is determined by national incomes during the three preceding years, current economic trends and per capita income.

Background Information

Russia pays 16.53, Britain 9.8, India 3.4, and the four smallest contributors .04 percent of the budget. The U.S. contribution averages about ten cents from each American citizen. Total cost of the United Nations is less than New York City spends for street cleaning.

Personnel Loyalty

Should the United Nations employ U.S. citizens who are disloyal to the United States? Of 1300 thoroughly investigated by the FBI and the Civil Service Commission not a single case disclosed "reasonable doubt of the employee's loyalty to the United States." There remain 400 to be investigated.

Previously, however, the Secretary-General had dismissed 40 charged with disloyalty. Of these, 21 appealed before the U.N. Administrative Tribunal and 11 of them were awarded a total of $189,370 damages in lieu of reinstatement. In view of the strong opposition to any such payment by the U.S. delegate, the Tribunal's decision was submitted by the Assembly to the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion. (Vote was 42-5 with 13 abstentions.)

Background Information

The advice of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold was to pay the damages. The statute of the Administrative Tribunal, created by the Assembly itself, allows of no appeal. He also recommended new rules to permit dismissal of any U.N. employee for active membership in any political party.

Commentary on the painful situation of the Secretary-General is the following story. A madman got loose on the 38th floor of U.N. headquarters where Dag Hammarskjold has his office. He screamed that he had been divinely appointed to be Secretary-General of the United Nations. He was taken to the psychiatric hospital. Next day a British news agency reported that the man had recovered; he no longer wanted to be Secretary-General of U.N.

Elections

For two years as non-permanent members of the Security Council-Brazil, New Zealand and Turkey.

For three years as members of the Economic and Social Council — Czechoslovakia, Ecuador, Norway, Pakistan, United Kingdom and USSR.

For three years as members of the Trusteeship Council India and Haiti.

Background Information

The nations elected do not form the complete membership of these organs. The Security Council has 11 members of which six are non-permanent. The Economic and Social Council has 18 members and the Trusteeship Council 12 members. Membership in these bodies changes each year.

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