Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-24
BY SIMON TUCKER

Efforts to determine a wise and
fair course of United Nations action
on Israel's refusal to leave Egypt
have become seriously enmeshed in
this question: How can the United
States in conscience support sane
tons against Israel when no move
was made for sanctions when two
other countries recently defied the
United Nations?
The two countries referred to are
the Soviet Union, whose troops
brutally suppressed the Hungarian
revolution. and India. which has
declared her ownership of Kashmir.
One answer of course. is the
one President Eisenhower used in
his adio-television report of last
Wednesday Two wrongs don't
make a right.
This approach, however. still
leaves unanswered the big question
Of whether there is to be one
standard of law for small nations
and another for large nations.
Perhaps more fruitful approach
is to examine the facts of the Hun
garian and Indian cases and deter
mine whether they are actually
comparable to the Israeli case.
First 1t is necessary to under
stand the two categories of func-
tons assigned to the United Ma
tons by its charter.
The first category is ITO main
tain international peace" by actions
Of the Security Council.
This includes taking measures
to remove threats to the peace, to
suppress breaches of the peace, and
to settle by peaceful means inter-
national disputes. In all'cases, these
refer to conflict between two or
more states. 1t is international
peace. and international disputes
that these measures affect. The
Charter specifically states that the
u. N. is not authorized ito inter-
vene in matters which are essential
ly within the domestic jurisdiction
Of any state"
No Enforcement
The second main category of
functions given to the U. N. has to
do with international cooperation
in promoting political, social and
economic progress. This includes
promoting respect for human rights
and freedoms. and developing re-
spect for the principle Of equal
rights and self determination.
This area of function is a re-
sponsibility Of the General As
sembly, and the Economic and
Social Council. They are authorized
to discuss matters. and to make
studies, reports and recommends
lions. But neither organization has
power to enforce acceptance by
countries OF any U. N. decisions or
recommendations.
The problem of Israel In Egypt
obviously involves dispute between
two countries which constitutes a
threat to international peace. If not
q breach Of the peace. II Is not so
apparent that the problem of the
USSR in Hungary falls into the
same category.
On the evening of November 4,
1856, the U. N. General Assembly
passed the first resolution Oh this
problem. calling for the USSR to
withdraw It's forces from Hungary
and end its intervention in Hun
gary In PASSING this resolution,
the General Assembly took note OF
two communications on November
/ and 2, from the Hungarian gov
eminent under the them Premier
Macy to the u. N Secretary Cen
eral, suggesting that Hungary de-
sired the withdrawal of Soviet
forces and asking for U N. help in
bringing this about. The resolu-
ton also noted the desperate radio
appeal Of November 4 by Premier
Macy for help from the outside
world.
The question Is whether q case
can be made from these facts for
the existence Of a dispute between
Hungary and the USSR, calling into
play U. N. jurisdiction for the main
tenance Of peace
y'"fore the Macy appeals Of No
venJei la, all evidence suggests
that Soviet troops were in Hungary
with the legal consent of the Hun
Rarian government. On November
Z. the. actions OF the Hungarian