Report of the United Nations Special Committee on the Balkans1

[Here follow Chapter I on the creation and organization of the Committee, Chapter II on the conciliatory role of the Committee and Chapter III on the observation by the Committee of the extent of compliance with the General Assembly resolution of October 21, 1947.]

Chapter IV

Conclusions

185. The following conclusions are based on events which have come to the knowledge of the Special Committee up till 16 June 1948.

186. The Special Committee has consistently endeavoured to assist Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, on the one hand, and Greece, on the other, to establish normal diplomatic and good neighbourly relations amongst themselves. The Government of Greece has co-operated with the Special Committee in implementing the resolution of the General Assembly of 21 October 1947. The Governments of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, on the other hand, have refused to co-operate with the Special Committee or even to recognize it as a duly constituted body of the United Nations. Because of this refusal to co-operate with it, the Special Committee has thus far been unable to give substantial assistance to the four Governments in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the General Assembly’s resolution concerning (1) establishment of normal diplomatic and good neighbourly relations; (2) frontier conventions; (3) political refugees; and (4) voluntary transfer of minorities.

187. Good neighbourly relations between Greece and her northern neighbours do not exist. Diplomatic relations exist between Greece and Yugoslavia, but these relations are not normal. There are no diplomatic relations between Albania and Greece. The Special Committee has been informed that the resumption of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Greece is now under discussion in Washington, D.C. (U.S.A.).

188. It appears to the Special Committee that the Greek guerrillas have received aid and assistance from Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia; that they have been furnished with war material and other supplies from those countries; that they have been allowed to use the territories of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia for tactical operations; and that after rest or medical treatment in the territories of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, their return to Greece has been facilitated. The Special Committee further finds that moral support [Page 252] has been given to the guerrillas through Government-controlled radio stations, the existence of the broadcasting station of the Greek guerrillas on Yugoslav soil, and the systematic organization of aid committees. This assistance has been on such a scale that the Special Committee has concluded that it has been given with the knowledge of the Governments of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia.

189. So long as events along the northern borders of Greece show that support is being given to the Greek guerrillas from Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, the Special Committee is convinced that a threat to the political independence and territorial integrity of Greece will exist, and international peace and security in the Balkans will be endangered.

190. Although the Governments of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia have not so far cooperated with it, the Special Committee is convinced that it would be possible to assist these Governments and the Government of Greece to reach, in the interest of all, a peaceful settlement of their differences if the Governments concerned were prepared to act in accordance with the General Assembly’s resolution of 21 October 1947 and in the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations. It is with this hope that the Special Committee is continuing its task.

Chapter V

Recommendations

191. (1) As long as the present disturbed conditions along the northern frontiers of Greece continue, it is, in the opinion of the Special Committee, essential that the functions of exercising vigilance with regard to the relations between Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Greece and of endeavouring to bring about a peaceful settlement of existing tension and difficulties, remain entrusted to an agency of the United Nations.

192. (2) The Special Committee, however, recommends that consideration should be given to the constitution of the Special Committee in a form which would not entail so heavy a financial burden on the United Nations and on the nations members of the Special Committee.

193. (3) The Special Committee recommends that the nations which have provided observers and equipment shall be reimbursed for the expenses incurred and that the United Nations shall meet all such expenses in the future.

194. (4) The Special Committee recommends that the General Assembly shall consider ways and means of obtaining the co-operation of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia with the Special Committee.

[Here follow concluding paragraph, signatures of the Representatives and annexes.]

  1. Signed at Geneva on June 30, 1948, by the Representatives of Australia, Brazil, China, France, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the United States; reprinted from GA (III), Suppl. No. 8.