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South Africa To
"TPhysically" Bar
U.N. Inquiry
NEW YORK, Fri.-South Africa will bar the
proposed United Nations fact-finding commission
from physically c6nducting any investigations into
the operation of the apartheid laws within the
borders of the Union and South-West Africa.
This was reported by a Reuters correspondent
at the United Nations today.
The South African Govern
ment would regard any attempt
by the United Nations to ex
amine the racial situation in
South Africa as an illegal intru
sion into. the domestic domain
of the. Union, the correspondent
said, after conferring with South
African officials.
"Hence the commission, as re
Commended by the Special
Political Committee yesterday,
will have to conduct its study of
the international aspects and
implications of the apartheid
laws without a first-hand know
ledge of the racial conditions in
the country," the correspondent
said.
The 60-nation committee yes
terday adopted a comprehensive
resolution on the apartheid
policies of South Africa, includ
ing a recommendation for the
creation of a three-man com
mission of inquiry to study the
racial situation in the Union.
35 Countries
The recommendation itself was
voted upon separately, and was
adopted by 35 votes to 8, with
16' abstentions..
If this margin was confirmed
by the General Assembly, it
would be easily assured of the
two-thirds majority which it
deeded to gain acceptance at a"
plenary session of the highest
organ in the world organisation.
Peru joined South Africa in
voting against the proposal.
Australia, New Zealand, the
United States, Britain, France,
Canada and the Netherlands
were among those abstaining.
The strong support for the 18
nation proposal came from the
Latin-Anmrican countries, the
Asian-Arab group and the Sov
iet bloc.
South Africa contends that
the whole issue is outside the
jurisdiction of the United Na
tions.
The committee adopted a
Scandinavian resolution calling
upon all United Nations mem
bers "to bring their policies in
to conformity with their, obli
gations under the United Na
tions charter to promote the
observance of human rights and
fundamental freedoms."
Equality For All
The Scandinavian proposal also
declares that racial harmony
and respect for human rights
are best assured when legislation
and practices are directed to.
wards legal equality of all- per
sons, regardless of race, creed
and colour.
This was approved 20 to 7.
with 32 abstentions, which indi
cated that it might fail to obtain
the necessary two-thirds major
ity when it comes before a
plenary meeting of, the General
Assembly for final action.
Mexico, South Africa and the
five Soviet bloc countries cast
the negative votes.
The United States, Canada, the
Netherlands. Israel and several
Latin American countries were
among those supporting the
proposal.
Australia, New Zealand, Bri
tain, France, Pakistan and Bur
ma were among the nations
abtaining.
The committee decided by 32
votes to 7, with 18 abstentions,
to return the question of apar
theid (racial segregation) to the
agenda of the next General As
sembly.
Mr. G. P. Jooste, leader of the
South African delegation, speak
ing to reporters after the meet
ing, said that any resolution on
the substance.of the case would
be considered null and void by
South Africa.
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