Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, General; The United Nations, Volume I

501.BB/11–347: Telegram

The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State

New York, November 3, 1947—9:54 p.m.

1139. The following draft resolution was approved November 3 by 9–0, four abstentions (Australia, Argentina, Lebanon, and Norway), by the GA Sub-committee of Committee I discussing the establishment of the Interim Committee:¹

“The GA conscious of the responsibility specifically conferred upon it by the Charter in relation to matters concerning the maintenance of international peace and security (Articles 11 and 35), the promotion of international cooperation in the political field (Article 13), and the peaceful adjustment of any situations likely to impair the general welfare or friendly relations among nations (Article 14);

Deeming it necessary for the effective performance of these duties to establish an Interim Committee to consider and report with its conclusions on such matters to the GA during the period between the closing of the present session and the opening of the next regular session of the GA.

Recognizing fully the primary responsibility of the SC for prompt and effective action for the maintenance of international peace and security (Article 24);

Resolves that

1. There shall be established, for the period between the closing of the present session and the opening of the next regular session of the GA, an Interim Committee on which each member of the GA shall have the right to appoint one representative.

2. The IC, as a subsidiary organ of the GA, established in accordance with Article 22 of the Charter, shall assist the GA in the performance of its functions by discharging the following duties:

(a) To consider and report with its conclusions to the GA on such matters as have been referred to it by the GA;

(b) To consider and report with its conclusions to the GA on any dispute or any situation which, in virtue of Article II(2), or of 35 of the Charter, has been proposed for inclusion in the agenda of the GA by any member of the UN or brought before the GA by the SC, provided the Committee previously determines the matter to be both important and requiring preliminary study. Such determination of the Committee shall be made by a majority of two-thirds of those present and voting, unless the matter is one referred by the SC under Article II(2), in which case a simple majority will suffice;

(c) To consider, as it deems useful and advisable, and report with its conclusions to the GA on methods to be adopted to give effect to that part of Article II(1) which deals with the general principles of cooperation in the maintenance of international peace and security, and to that part of Article 13(1) (a) which deals with the promotion of International cooperation in the political field;

(d) To consider, in connection with any matter under discussion by the IC, whether occasion may require the summoning of a special session of the GA and, if it deems that such session is required, so to advise the SYG in order that he may obtain the views of members thereon;

(e) To conduct investigation and appoint commissions of inquiry within the scope of its duties, as it may deem useful and necessary, provided that decisions to conduct such investigations or inquiries shall be made by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. An investigation or inquiry elsewhere than at the headquarters of the UN shall not be conducted without the consent of the state or states in whose territory it is to take place;

(f) To report to the next regular session of the GA on the advisability of establishing a permanent committee of the GA to perform the duties of the Interim Committee as stated above with any changes considered desirable in the light of experience.

3. In discharging its duties, the IC shall at all times take into account the responsibilities of the SC under the Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security as well as the duties assigned by the Charter or by the GA or by the SC to other Councils or to any committee or commission. The IC shall not consider any matter of which the SC is seized.

4. Subject to paragraphs 2(b), and 2(e) above, the rules of procedure of the GA shall, so far as they are applicable, govern the proceedings of the IC and such Sub-committees and commissions as it may set up. The IC shall, however, have authority to adopt such additional rules as it may deem necessary provided that they are not inconsistent with any of the rules of the GA. The IC shall be convened by the SYG, not later than six weeks following the close of the second regular session of the GA. It shall meet as and when it deems necessary for the conduct of its business.

5. The SYG shall provide the necessary facilities and assign appropriate staff as required for the work of the Interim Committee, its Sub-committees and Commissions.”

Austin

1. For the report of the subcommittee, see GA (II), First Committee, pp. 614 ff., annex 17 g.