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It was impossible to establish in advance a list of questions which should be considered proceduial. Accordingly the Soviet Union delegation presented its own resolution, which read : - " The General Assembly " 1. Deems it of particular importance that all member States should strive further to strengthen the authority of the United Nations in accordance with the lofty principles of .the Charter, which has been recognized by all peace-loving nations. " 2. Considering it particularly important that the nations, great and small, should combine their efforts for the development among them of friendly relations and for the strengthening of international peace and security, calls upon the United Nations to widen international co-operation on the above basis, avoiding unnecessary regulation and formalism in the activity of its organs and promoting the development of practical achievements in political, economic and cultural co-operation between nations. "3. Taking into consideration that the principle of unanimity of the permanent members of the Security Council in the adoption of decisions by the Council is a most important condition for ensuring effective action by the United Nations in developing co-operation between nations and in maintaining international peace and security, expresses confidence that in the future the Security Council will accordingly take account of the experience of its work in the past, will apply the method of consultation where necessary, and will seek to improve the possibility of adopting concerted decisions." The Australian delegate (Colonel Hodgson) recalled that at San Francisco Dr Evatt had made strenuous efforts to have the unanimity rule confined to that, part of the Charter which dealt, with enforcement action (Chapter VII) and that at the previous session two of the permanent members (China and the United States) had supported that principle. Accordingly he proposed that a further paragraph be inserted in the joint resolution requesting the permanent members of the Security Council " to forbear from exercising the power of veto except in cases under Chapter VII of the Charter/' The United States representative (Mr Cohen) stated that this amendment ignored the condition of agreement among the permanent members which was the very basis of the. joint resolution, and China, France, and the United Kingdom joined in opposing it. The amendment was rejected by 9 votes (N.Z.) in favour, 22 against, with 10 abstentions. The joint draft resolution of China, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States was adopted by 33 votes (N.Z.) to 6, with 4 abstentions. v The Argentinian draft resolution was rejected by 12 votes (N.Z.) in favour, 22 against, with 10 abstentions. Before the Soviet Union draft resolution was put to the vote, Sir Alexander Cadogan {United Kingdom) said that while it was in many respects an admirable resolution, its contents were covered by the resolution which had just been adopted. It would therefore be illogical to put it to the vote, and if it were so put he would vote against it.
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