Text of the Speech made by Lord Caradon (United Kingdom) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1237 held on 4 September 1965

Text of the Speech made by Lord Caradon (United Kingdom) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1237 held on 4 September 1965

I wish to make a short comment on the procedural point that has been raised this afternoon.

We have listened with great defence, as always, and also with a certain impatience, to the point which has been elaborately stated by the representative of the Soviet Union. Three points, perhaps, he raised. The first point, which he took some time to explain to us, was that we must observe the rules duly laid down for the conduct of affairs in this Council. I should scarcely have thought that it was necessary even allowing for his great experience in these matters, to lecture the Council in such a way. We all, of course, accept that the rules of the Council must be scrupulously obeyed.

The second point, however, was the main point which he wished to put to us, in relation to rules 1 and 2. Now, whether we are lawyers or not lawyers I think we must take it that rule 2 does not cancel rule I, nor in detract from it or supersede it in any way. Both rules stand on fact their own feet. Rule 1 establishes the general principle that meetings of the Council shall be held at the call of the President at any time he deems necessary-and, as the representative of Malaysia says, that means what it says. Rules 2 and 3 are separate and distinct, and set out the circumstances in which the President is required or obliged to call a meeting of the Council. These rules are, of course, without prejudice to the general discretionary powers which are so clearly set out in rule

1.Then there was a third point, which was a question of fact. Of course I do not know exactly the consultations which took place with the delegation of the Soviet Union, but I would say that we have known for several days that a meeting of this Council might well become necessary. All of us have been in touch with the Secretary-General, and in the past day or two with the President himself. I received, and I would: be surprised if the delegation of the Soviet Union had not also received, warning that an early meeting of the Council might be required. It certainly came as no surprise to me when I heard today that finally a meeting had been called by the President in exercise of the powers which, it seems to us, are perfectly clear.