Evening star., 1947-02-05

past year toward economic recon-
struction and toward establishing
the necessary basis for an expanding
peaee-time trade and employment.
A draft trade charter establish
ing principles and practices aimed at
Increasing the volume Of world trade
and employment by reducing or elm
mating artificial trade barriers and
restrictions has been proposed by the
United States and is now being de-
veloped by preparatory commit
tee of Is nations. One of the pri-
mary United Nations tasks of the
year ahead is the adoption of such
q charter and the creation of an in
ternational trade organization to
carry 1t out.
!. European Commission Asked.
The General Assembly has unani-
mously asked the Economic and
Social Council to act on recon-
mendations for the reconstruction
and integration of the European
economy and establishment Of an
economic commission for Europe.
This commission would unite all the
interested countries, including the
Soviet Union on the east and the
United States on the west, in a
common program. Steps toward
economic reconstruction and de-
velopment in the Far East will also
be undertaken by the Economic and
Social Council this year.
Progress has also been made by
the Economic and Social Council
and the specialized agencies during
the past year in many other re-
spects. It is not too much to say
that the establishment and main
tenance of lasting peace will depend
in large part upon the ability of the
United Nations to carry through to
q successful conclusion the work it
has begun toward world economic
recovery and cooperation.
The promotion and protection Of
basic human rights for all peoples
is a fundamental purpose Of the
United Nations. Active support for
the widersrealization of these rights
and freedoms has been and shoulA
continue to be primary objectiveof
United States policy in the United
Nations. "a
During the past year, our repre-
sentatives in the Assembly and the
Economic and Social Council took
the initiative In writing charter
for the International Refugee Or
ganization under which the right to
freedom and another chance for 8
decent life of q million victims Of
war and racial, political, or religious
oppression would be preserved. I
shall recommend to the Congress
prompt acceptance Of the constitu-
ton Of the IRO and appropriation
of our share of the expenses OF Its
program. "a
Promotes Information.
The United States believes that
freedom of information must be
realized on a far wider basis than
exists in the world today if the
United States is to succeed. We
have strongly supported the policy
of public debate of all issues in the
United Nations because this pro-
notes public knowledge and under
standing and gives the peoples OF
the world more direct opportunity
to influence the results. We have
also asked for action to break down
the barriers to a wider, freer flow
of information in the world. Prep
arations are now going forward for
a world conference on freedom OF
information before the end Of this
year as one step in this direction.
The provisions of the Charter
relating to dependent peoples offer
to those hundreds of millions who
do not yet govern themselves their
best hope for attainment of this and
other basic human rights and free
doms. The United States represent
atives took a leading part In the
General Assembly in bringing about
the establishment of the trusteeship
system in the face of sharp dis
agreements and other major diff
ficulties that might have caused
indefinite delay. The United States
will support further steps during
the coming year toward strengthen
ing the trusteeship system.
America has long been a symbol
of freedom and democratic progress
to peoples less favored than we have
been. We must maintain their
belief in us by our policies and our
acts.
One of the important long-range
achievements of the General Assem-
bly's first session was the adoption
of resolutions introduced by. the
United States on the codification
and development of international
law.
An International Crime.
The General Assembly unan-
imously directed its Committee on
Codification to give first attention
to the Charter and the decision Of
the Nuremberg tribunal, under
which aggressive war is a crime
El3!ll!l5iE8
I-11