Editorial Note
The First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly met oil December 12 from 10:45 a. m. to 1:10 p. m.; for the record, see U.N. document A/C.1/SR.415. At the outset, the Indian Representative (Rau) introduced a thirteen power joint draft resolution sponsored by Afghanistan, Burma, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen; the text of which read as follows (A/C.1/641):
“The General Assembly,
“Viewing with grave concern the situation in the Far East,
“Anxious that immediate steps should be taken to prevent the conflict in Korea spreading to other areas and to put an end to the fighting in Korea itself and that further steps should then be taken for a peaceful settlement of existing issues in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations,
“Requests the President of the General Assembly to constitute a group of three persons including himself to determine the basis on which a satisfactory cease-fire in Korea can be arranged and to make recommendations to the General Assembly as soon as possible.”
After a statement explaining the position of the Government of India, Sir Benegal Rau then introduced a twelve power joint draft [Page 1525] resolution sponsored by the above powers less the Philippines, the text of which read as follows (A/C.1/642):
“The General Assembly,
“Viewing with grave concern the situation in the Far East,
“Considering that the continuance of this situation is likely to endanger the maintenance of world peace and security,
“Recommends that the representatives of the following governments, namely___________, shall as soon as possible meet and make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of existing issues in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations.”
An Indian motion to give priority in the discussion to the thirteen power draft resolution (A/C.1/641) was then approved by the First Committee by a vote of 48 to 5, with 4 abstentions. The United States Representative announced during the subsequent debate that he would vote in favor of the thirteen power draft resolution.