The Assembly
Recalling that in its Order 64 (Doc. 305) it instructed its Special Committee to follow up the action undertaken by the Council of Europe to help the earthquake victims and to offer suggestions;
Noting that so far no effective action has been carried out or even undertaken and that the Council of Europe has inevitably suffered a loss of prestige thereby,
Adopts the following Resolution :
The Assembly recommends that the Chairman of the Committee should be invited to undertake a campaign to stimulate and coordinate Government action to give effect to these measures.
On 25th September, 1953, the Consultative Assembly unanimously adopted the Island of Ithaca, a gesture of solidarity which aroused great hopes among the victims of this island. So far, however, it has not led to any practical result.
This has caused not only general disappointment in the Council of Europe, but a tendency not to take the work of our Assembly seriously any longer.
If the Council of Europe is anxious to retain some prestige among the stricken countries, then it must as a matter of urgency make at least a symbolic gesture to prove that the adoption of the Island of Ithaca was not an empty promise.
I according have the honour to submit to the Assembly the foregoing draft Resolution.