Situation in Hungary and the Middle East
Recommendation 132
(1957)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- This Recommendation
was adopted by the Assembly at its 38th Sitting, on 11th January
1957 (see Doc.616, draft Recommendation presented by the Committee on
General Affairs).
The Assembly,
I
Having examined the development of the situation in Hungary
;
Paying tribute to the courageous resistance of the Hungarian
people, which has demonstrated to the world that the political system
imposed upon it was powerless to quell mankind's profound desire
for freedom;
Believing that the responsibility for the brutal repression
of the Hungarian people falls entirely on the Soviet leaders, who
have shown themselves determined to preserve their tyrannical rule,
even by resorting to the use of armed force against, and deportation
of, workers who aspire to be free from political and economic repression
and to reap the fruits of achievements which are the outcome of
a century of struggle for political liberty and social progress
by the people ;
Proclaiming its support for the endeavours of member countries
to secure compliance with the Resolutions of the United Nations
in Hungary ;
Considering that further action should be taken, since events
in Central and Eastern Europe are a special responsibility of the
Council of Europe,
A. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :
1 should invite member countries
to continue without respite their efforts to ensure that the decisions
of the United Nations are respected and, in particular, those requiring
- the evacuation of Soviet troops
from Hungary in accordance with the offer made on 30th October last
by the Government of the Soviet Union itself;
- the repatriation of Hungarian citizens deported by the
Soviet forces or deprived of their personal liberty for political
reasons;
- the re-establishment of the political independence of
Hungary and the setting up of a Government enjoying popular support
;
2 should recognise the special responsibility of the organs
of the Council of Europe in regard to events in Hungary and in Central
and Eastern Europe in general, and should, accordingly, decide that
the policy of member countries regarding that part of Europe should
be concerted in the Council of Europe as the first practical application
of the principle of a common European policy which was set forth
in Resolution (56) 23 of the Committee of Ministers
Note; and should give
effect to this decision by the following initial measures :
i instructing the Secretary-General
to set up a special department for Central and East European affairs,
with the task of preparing proposals for submission to the Committee
of Ministers and to the Assembly on the pursuit of a common European
policy in that region ;
ii offering the Hungarian people and any other people in
Central and Eastern Europe, which may desire it, immediate aid for
relieving the peoples' distress, such aid being given on behalf
of the Council of Europe, and distributed under its supervision
or under the supervision of the International Red Cross ;
B. Invites member countries :
1 to declare their willingness collectively to respect the
status of neutrality which a Central or East European country may
wish to adopt ;
2 to inform the U.S.S.R., in conjunction with the U.S.A.
and Canada, that the Western Powers remain ready to open negotiations
for the establishment of a security system which, while affording
the U.S.S.R. legitimate guarantees, and not modifying the balance
of power in Europe, provides for the withdrawal of Soviet troops
from Central and Eastern Europe, and restores the national sovereignty
of all the peoples in that region ;
3 to draw the attention of the Soviet Government to the
threat to peace which would arise from prolonging the division of
Germany ;
II
Having examined the development of the situation in the Middle
East;
Reaffirming its Resolution
112, adopted on 28th October 1956, and taking note of the
message of President Eisenhower, dated 5th January 1957;
Considering that the presence of an international force in
this area could be conducive to the creation of the conditions that
are necessary for the peaceful solution of outstanding problems
in respect of the right to exist and the independence of the countries
concerned and of international justice,
Recommends that the Committee of Ministers should invite member
countries :
a to seek to establish
a common policy in the Middle East, in conjunction with the United
States and any other State able to join in that task, in order to
ensure conditions of lasting peace together with the economic development
of the region and, in particular, to guarantee the countries of
the Middle East not only against Soviet aggression from outside,
but against any conflict between them such as a renewal of the Arab-Israel
war ;
b jointly, by using the procedure set out in the Resolution
(54) 16 of the Committee of Ministers
Note, to ask the United
Nations to keep the international force in the area until :
i the Suez Canal has been cleared
;
ii a system has been established guaranteeing for all States
freedom of navigation in the Suez Canal ;
iii a peace treaty has been concluded between the Arab States
and Israel.
