Tenth Report from the Committee of Ministers to the Consultative Assembly in accordance with Article 19 of the Statute
Statutory report
| Doc. 975
| 19 April 1959
1 INTRODUCTION
1. In accordance with Article 19 of the Statute of the
Council of Europe, the Committee of Ministers has the honour to
present its Tenth Report to the Consultative Assembly on the occasion
of its Eleventh Ordinary Session.
2. This Report forms a sequel to the second supplementary report
(Doc. 924) transmitted to the Assembly in January 1959, and covers
the period from 19th January to 19th April 1959.
3. During the period under review the Ministers' Deputies held
five meetings :
- 68th meeting
(23rd—29th January 1959),
- 69th meeting (2nd—6th March 1959),
- 70th meeting (8th April 1959),
- 71st meeting (9th—11th April 1959), and
- 72nd meeting (17th April 1959).
4. The Report follows the same plan as the previous reports of
the Committee of Ministers.
5. An up-to-date chart showing the deposit of ratifications of
Council of Europe conventions and agreements is joined to the Report
of the Secretary General, European Co-operation in 1958, Doc. 971.
2 SECTION I - Steps
taken to achieve the aims of the Council of Europe
2.1 CHAPTER I - Political
Questions
2.1.1 (a) Rationalisation
of European institutions
6. In accordance with the decision taken by the Deputies
at their 69th Meeting, a Special Committee met in Paris from 17th
to 21st March and 6th to 7th April 1959 to discuss the rationalisation
of European institutions other than those of the Six. Apart from
representatives of the fifteen member countries of the Council of
Europe, this Committee included observers from the Governments of
Switzerland and Portugal, as well as of Canada and the United States.
The Secretaries-General of N. A. T. 0., W. E. U., O.E. E. C. and
theCouncil of Europe attended the meetings in an advisory capacity.
7. The Special Committee's Report will be presented at the 24th
Session of the Committee of Ministers in accordance with the latter's
instructions.
2.1.2 (b) Relations between
the Council of Europe and the six-Power Communities
8. As mentioned in the previous Report (Doc. 924, paras.
45, 46 and 47) the Secretary- General was instructed to prepare,
together with the competent authorities of the new Communities,
a draft agreement on the relations to be established between the
latter and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
In accordance with his instructions, the Secretary-General has submitted
to the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy
Community a draft agreement on which the two Communities have not
yet made known their views.
2.1.3 (c) Problem of
Berlin
9. The Committee of Ministers noted with interest Assembly
Resolution 155 (1959) on the problem of Berlin. It considers that
this Resolution, as well as the debate on the Berlin problem which
preceded its adoption, merit its close attention and represent an
important contribution towards defining the position of the western
Powers with regard to this European problem. The Committee welcomes
the fact that negotiations with the U. S. S. R. mentioned in paragraph
7 of the Resolution will shortly begin.
2.1.4 (d) Second Strasbourg
Conference
10. In a previous Report (Doc. 635, para. 38), the Committee
of Ministers informed the Assembly that, in principle, it approved
the holding of a second Strasbourg Conference composed of representatives
of the Canadian Parliament, United States Congress and the Consultative
Assembly of the Council of Europe.
11. In response to a specific request by the Assembly, the Committee
of Ministers decided, by Resolution (59) 8, to make an appropriation
of 8 million francs in the 1959 Budget for the second Strasbourg
Conference.
2.1.5 (e) Action taken
by the Committee of Ministers on Recommendations of the Assembly
12. The Committee of Ministers noted the Resolution adopted
by the Assembly on this subject on 22nd January 1959.
2.1.6 (f) Action taken
by Governments on decisions of the Committee of Ministers
13. As mentioned in the previous Report (Doc. 924, para.
18) the Committee of Ministers has decided that consideration of
the action taken by Member Governments on its Resolutions should
be included once a year in the agenda of one of its meetings at
Deputy level.
14. The Committee of Ministers noted that two Resolutions might
form the subject of a communication to the Assembly in this connection,
namely Resolutions (58) 21 and (58) 25, dealing respectively with
European co-operation in the field of posts and telecommunications
and European economic co-operation.
15. The action taken by Governments on these Resolutions forms
the subject of a communication to the Assembly in Chapter II of
the present Report, "Economic Questions", paras, (a) and \e).
2.1.7 g) Reply to the
First Report of the European Parliamentary Assembly
16. The Committee of Ministers noted Assembly Resolution
156 (1959) in reply to the first Report of the E. P. A.
2.1.8 (h) Secretary-General's
Report on European co-operation
17. At its 23rd Session, the Committee of Ministers instructed
the Secretary-General to draw up and present on his own responsibility
a detailed report on European co-operation for the 1959 spring Session
of the Consultative Assembly. The Secretary-General's Report will
be presented to the Assembly at its present Session.
2.2 CHAPTER. II - Economic
Questions
2.2.1 (a) European Economic
Co-operation
18. Having examined the action taken by Member Governments
on its Resolution (58) 25, the Committee of Ministers considered
that the negotiations now being actively conducted by the various
Governments testified to the latters' resolve to find a solution
to the problem of the economic relations between the Six and the
Eleven.
19. It is recalled that a Resolution in this sense was adopted
on 16th March 1959 by the Council of the European Economic Community.
2.2.2 (b) Reply to the
Sixth General Report of the High Authority of E. C. S. C.
20. The Committee of Ministers, having noted Assembly
Resolution 157 (1959), informed the High Authority of E. C. S. C.
that it called for no comment by the Committee.
2.2.3 (c) Reply to the
First General Report of the Commission of the European Economic
Community
21. The Committee of Ministers noted Assembly Resolution
158 (1959) in reply to the First General Report of the EEC Commission.
2.2.4 (d) Reply to the
First General Report of the Commission of the European Atomic Energy
Community
22. The Committee of Ministers noted Assembly Resolution
159 (1959) in reply to the First General Report of the Euratom Commission.
2.2.5 (e) European co-operation
in the field of posts and telecommunications
23. In its previous Report (Doc. 924, para. 56) the Committee
of Ministers informed the Assembly of Resolution (58) 21 concerning
European co-operation in the field of posts and telecommunications.
24. In implementation of that Resolution, many Member Governments
took part in the work of the Preparatory Committee for the Conference
of European Postal and Telecommunications Administrations held at
St. Moritz from 26th to 31st January.
25. A Memorandum on the progress of the Preparatory Committee's
work will be found at Appendix I.
2.3 CHAPTER III - Agricultural
Questions
2.3.1 Production and
marketing of cine products and spirits in Europe
26. On 29th January, having noted an opinion of 0. E.
E. C. to the effect that the "Committee of Substitutes of the Ministerial
Committee on Food and Agriculture did not feel able to express a
circumstantial opinion regarding the problems raised in Recommendation
182 on the production and marketing of vine products and spirits
in Europe... [and] confined itself to expressing keen interest in
any measures which the Council of Europe might take in pursuance
of that Recommendation," the Committee of Ministers adopted the
following Resolution (59) 1: "The Committee of Ministers, Having
regard to Recommendation 182 (1958) of the Consultative Assembly
on the production and marketing of vine products and spirits in
Europe, Resolves to authorise the Secretary-General to convene a
committee of governmental experts with instructions to prepare a
draft European convention laying down the general lines of a common
policy for the production and marketing of vine products and spirits
and for the protection of trade names which are warranties of origin.
The expenses of one expert from each Member State shall be borne
by the Council of Europe."
27. The first meeting of this Committee of Experts is to be held
on 4th May.
2.4 CHAPTER IV - Social
Questions
2.4.1 (a) Public Health
2.4.1.1 (i) 9th Session
of the Committee of Experts on Public Health
28. The 9th Session of the Committee of Experts on Public
Health was held at Strasbourg from 3rd to 5th March 1959. Observers
were present from Switzerland and the Regional Office for Europe
of W. H. 0.
29. The Committee of Ministers will examine the Experts' report
in the near future.
2.4.1.2 (ii) Duty-free
import of artificial limbs
30. The Committee of Ministers examined the proposals
for duty-free import of artificial limbs and orthopaedic appliances
put forward by the Experts on Public Health at their 3rd session
(July 1955).
31. They noted that customs duties on such imports were, according
to the country, either negligible, paid by charitable organisations
or social insurance, or abolished in particular cases.
32. As it was found that the harmonisation of national legislations
in this matter would be difficult and of little practical value,
the Committee of Ministers considered that no action should be taken
on the proposals of the Committee of Experts.
2.4.1.3 (iii) Medical fellowships
33. The Medical Fellowships Selection Committee for 1959
met on 27th February. The Regional Office for Europe of W. H. 0.
sent an observer.
34. The appropriation of 14 million francs enabled the Selection
Committee to award individual fellowships for 1959 to a total of
140 months, made up as follows :
- 6
fellowships of 1 month
- 1 fellowship of 1 1/2 months
- 14 fellowships of 2 months
- 1 fellowship of 2 1/2 months
- 23 fellowships of 3 months
- 3 fellowships of 4 months
- 1 fellowship of 5 months
- 1 fellowship of 6 months
- 1 fellowship of 10 months Total : 51 fellowships
35. Fellowships were distributed among member countries as follows.
:
| |
Number of fellowships
|
Number of months
|
|
Austria
|
4
|
10
|
|
Belgium
|
3
|
9
|
|
Denmark
|
3
|
9
|
|
France
|
4
|
10
|
|
Federal Republic of Germany
|
1
|
10
|
|
Greece
|
3
|
10
|
|
Ireland
|
5
|
11 1/2
|
|
Italy
|
5
|
13
|
|
Luxembourg
|
5
|
9 1/2
|
|
Norway
|
3
|
9
|
|
Netherlands
|
4
|
9
|
|
Sweden
|
3
|
9
|
|
Turkey
|
5
|
11
|
|
United Kingdom
|
3
|
10
|
|
Total :
|
51
|
140
|
36. The Selection Committee also awarded co-ordinated
fellowships to three specialists (1 Norwegian, 1 Italian and 1 German)
for the purpose of studying camping hygiene in member countries.
2.4.1.4 (iv) European Agreement
on the exchange of therapeutic substances of human origin
37. The Netherlands Government signed the Agreement on
26th February 1959.
2.4.1.5 (b) Social Charter
38. The Committee of Ministers decided to transmit to
the Assembly the results of the work of the European Tripartite
Conference— which was held in December 1958—and to ask for its opinion
on the draft Social Charter drawn up by the Social Committee. The
results of the Conference were also transmitted to the Social Committee
for their information, with a request not to draw up a definitive
text for the Charter until the Assembly's opinion had been communicated
to them.
2.4.1.6 (c) Reply to the
Eighth Report of I. L. O. on its activities
39. The Committee of Ministers noted Assembly Resolution
160 (1959) in reply to the Eighth Report of I. L. O.
2.5 CHAPTER V - Refugees
and Over-population
2.5.1 (a) Third Progress
Report of the Special Representative
40. The Special Representative presented his Third Progress
Report at the 68th Meeting of the Ministers' Deputies (23rd-29th
January 1959) and drew attention to the fact that an important section
of this Report was devoted to problems of training unskilled labour
41. The Committee of Ministers took note of the Report.
2.5.2 (b) Action by the
Special Representative in the vocational training field
42. At the 68th Meeting of the Ministers' Deputies, after
having outlined a supplementary study relating to the programme
of action for the training of unskilled labour, which he submitted
to the Committee of Ministers for its opinion, the Special Representative
expressed the hope that the Governments would, at an early date, take
a decision on the proposals put forward. These proposals are at
present being studied in detail by the Committee of Ministers.
43. The Committee of Ministers noted Assembly Recommendation 189
(1959), the main provisions of which deal with the vocational training
problems under examination.
2.5.3 (c) Special Liaison
Committee
44. The Committee of Ministers received a request from
the President of the Assembly calling for another meeting of the
Special Liaison Committee for Refugees, and was informed that MM.
Czcrnetz, Montini and Paul had been appointed as Assembly Representatives
on that Committee.
45. The Committee of Ministers considered that it would not be
advisable to convene the Special Committee, but that it would be
more suitable and efficacious for the members appointed by the Assembly
to the Special Liaison Committee to participate in meetings of the
Special Representative's Advisory Committee.
2.5.4 (d) World Refugee
Year
46. The Committee of Ministers approved in broad outline
the Council of Europe programme of work prepared by the Special
Representative in conjunction with the Assembly Committee on Population
and Refugees and the competent authorities of the United Nations
(see Appendix II).
47. While duly noting the concern voiced by the Special Representative
that all duplication of work should be avoided in this field, the
Committee of Ministers expressed satisfaction at the close co-operation
established between the Special Representatives of the Council of
Europe and of the United Nations.
2.5.5 (e) Hungarian refugees
in Austria desirous of settling in a member country of the Council
of Europe
48. After examining Assembly Recommendation 188 (1959),
the Committee of Ministers decided to draw the attention of Member
Governments to this Recommendation and to ask them to inform the
Committee and also the United Nations High Commissioner of possibilities
for receiving refugees in their respective countries.
49. The Committee of Ministers will transmit to the Assembly any
information received on this subject from Governments
2.5.6 (f) Refugees from
the Soviet Zone of Germany
50. The Committee of Ministers noted Assembly Resolution
161 (1959) on the problem of refugees from the Soviet Zone of Germany.
2.5.7 (g) Privileges
and immunities of the Resettlement Fund
51. The Ministers' Deputies, at their 59th meeting, decided
to open for signature as a partial agreement the Third Protocol
to the General Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the
Council of Europe. This protocol relating to the privileges and
immunities of the Resettlement Fund was signed in Strasbourg on
6th March 1959 by the Permanent Representatives of Belgium and Italy,
in Paris on 17th March by the Permanent Representatives of France
and Luxembourg, also in Paris on 18th March by the Permanent Representatives of
the Federal Republic of Germany and Greece, and in Strasbourg on
31st March by the Permanent Representative of Turkey.
52. When signing on behalf of his Government, the Italian Permanent
Representative made the following reservation : "With regard to
Article 3, Italy reserves the right, in view of the general principles
of its legal system, not to enforce by execution awards arising
from the arbitration procedure mentioned in Article 2, paragraph
3, when such awards are contrary to the national "ordre public".
53. The Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany made
the following reservation on behalf of his Government at the time
of signature : "With regard to tax exemption, the Federal Republic
of Germany will be unable to grant to Resettlement Fund loans any
benefits over and above those granted to its own loans or those of
other international organisations. Paragraph 4 of Article 7 cannot
therefore entail any undertaking on the part of the Government of
the Federal Republic of Germany to comply with the provisions laid
down in that paragraph."
54. In accordance with the second paragraph of Article 16 of the
Protocol, the signatories agreed that it should come into force
provisionally as from 1st September 1958, or at latest on the date
of signature, to the extent compatible with their constitutional
rules.
2.6 CHAPTER VI - Cultural
Questions
2.6.1 (a) Council of
Europe Cultural Fund— Conclusions of the first meeting of the Administrative
Board
55. The Committee of Ministers noted the conclusions
of the first meeting of the Administrative Board of the Cultural
Fund in January.
56. It approved the Board's proposals concerning relations with
the European Cultural Foundation of Amsterdam and the nomination
of co-opted members of the Board.
57. The following were therefore appointed in that capacity :
i The Chairman-in-office and one
of the Vice-Chairmen of the Assembly's Cultural Committee; it was
also agreed that the second Vice-Chairman should attend meetings
of the Board as an observer;
ii A member of the Governing Body of the European Cultural
Foundation at Amsterdam, whose name will be communicated by the
Foundation to the Secretary-General.
58. The second meeting of the Administrative Board will be held
at Strasbourg on 26th May, when the official inauguration ceremony
of the Cultural Fund will take place.
59. The Committee of Ministers noted Assembly Resolution 163 (1959)
calling for moral and financial support from private sources for
the Council of Europe Cultural Fund.
2.6.2 (b) Meeting of
youth specialists
60. On the initiative of the Committee of Cultural Experts
a meeting of European youth specialists was held at Strasbourg from
16th to 20th March 1959 with the object of reviewing the work already
accomplished in the youth field and considering what part might
be played by (a) the Committee of Cultural Experts, (b) inter-governmental
organisations and (c) international youth organisations in reviving
the European idea among youth.
61. The meeting was attended by two members of the Committee of
Cultural Experts, youth specialists from UNESCO, E. C. S. C, N.
A. T. 0. and W. E . U., and leaders of the following organisations
possessing consultative status with the Council of Europe :
- Association of Institutes for
European Studies,
- World Assembly of Youth (European sector),
- European Bureau for Youth and Childhood,
- European Youth Campaign,
- European Confederation of Agriculture,
- International Union of Socialist Youth.
2.6.3 (c) Meeting of
the Bureau of the Committee of Cultural Experts
62. The Bureau of the Committee of Cultural Experts met
on 24th and 25th March to make preparations for the second meeting
of the Administrative Board of the Cultural Fund and the inaugural
ceremony of the Fund, and also for the 15th Session of the Committee
of Cultural Experts to be held in Strasbourg from 28th May to 3rd
June.
2.6.4 (d) 6th European
Exhibition
63. The 6th European Exhibition sponsored by the Council
of Europe will be held in London in 1959, its subject being "The
Romantic Movement from 1750 to 1850".
2.7 CHAPTER VII - Convention
for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
2.7.1 (a) Constitution
of the European Court of Human Rights
64. The Committee of Ministers noted that the Consultative
Assembly had, on 21st January 1959, elected the members of the European
Court of Human Rights. They received a list of the fifteen judges
who make up the Court and were informed of the result of the lots
drawn by the Secretary-General on the same day in accordance with
Article 40 (2) of the Convention.
65. The European Court of Human Rights have already held their
first session (23rd- 28th February 1959), which was chiefly devoted
to an exchange of views on the guiding principles of their rules
and procedure. The Court's second Session opened at Strasbourg on
17th April 1959. The inaugural ceremony will take place on 20th
April 1959, in the presence of the Committee of Ministers, the Consultative
Assembly and the European Commission of Human Rights, as part of
the Tenth Anniversary celebrations of the Council of Europe.
2.7.2 (b) Renewal of
declaration by Denmark under Article 46 of the Convention
66. On 23rd March 1959, the Secretary- General of the
Council of Europe received a declaration dated 20th March 1959 from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark, whereby
the Government of that country renewed for a period of three years
as from 7th April 1959 its acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of
the European Court of Human Rights (Article 46 of the Convention).
The previous declarations made by the Government of Denmark in pursuance
of Article 46 of the Convention (13th April 1953, 14th March 1955
and 4th April 1957) had only been for a period of two years (as
from 7th April 1953, 7th April 1955 and 7th April 1957 respectively).
2.8 CHAPTER VIII -
Legal and Administrative Questions
2.8.1 (a) Simplification
of frontier formalities
2.8.1.1 (i) Assembly Recommendation
192 (1959)
67. The Committee of Ministers examined Assembly Recommendation
192 (1959) on the simplification of frontier formalities.
68. As regards point 1, the Agreement on Regulations governing
the Movement of Persons is now in force as between the following
countries : Austria, Belgium, France, Federal Republic of Germany,
Italy and Luxembourg.
69. As for points 2 and 3 concerning the abolition of customs
documents for the temporary importation of private motor vehicles
and tourist coaches, the Committee of Ministers takes the view that
in this, as in other cases, members of the Consultative Assembly
could, if necessary, bring pressure to bear in their national Parliaments
on Member Governments which have not yet abolished such documents.
The Committee of Ministers would point out that the following member
countries have already abolished customs documents for the temporary
importation of private motor vehicles registered abroad : Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. In the case of tourist coaches,
such documents have been abolished by Austria, France, Italy, Norway
and Sweden.
70. The Committee of Ministers is unable to comply with points
4 (a) and (b) of the Recommendation which request it to reconsider
its instructions to the Special Committee to suspend its work on
the abolition of customs papers for the temporary importation of
commercial vehicles and on the improvement of facilities at airports.
71. With regard to the first point, the Committee of Ministers
has noted that a study is in progress by the United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe. With regard to the second point, it cannot
be dealt with for the time being at purely regional level; it is
now being examined by such specialised organisations as the European
Civil Aviation Conference, the International Civil Aviation Organisation,
the International Air Transport Association and the Air Research
Bureau.
2.8.1.2 (ii) Draft European
Agreement on the abolition of visas for refugees
72. The Committee of Ministers has decided that at its
24th Session it will open for signature by Member Governments the
European Agreement on the abolition for visas for refugees.
2.8.2 (b) Arbitration
m respect of international relations of private law
73. As mentioned in the previous Report (Doc. 924, paras.
127 to 130) the Committee of Ministers has examined the proposal
of the Committee of Experts on arbitration in respect of international
relations of private law to the effect that the terms of reference
of that Committee should be enlarged and that it should be instructed
to prepare a draft Convention on a uniform arbitration law which
would replace the national laws of the Contracting States.
74. The Committee of Ministers has approved the Experts' proposal
and has instructed them to prepare the draft Convention in question.
2.8.3 (c) Compulsory
motor insurance
75. The Committee of Ministers has decided that at its
24th Session it will open for signature by Member Governments the
Convention on the compulsory insurance of motor vehicles.
2.8.4 (d) Mutual assistance
in criminal matters
76. The Committee of Ministers has decided that at its
24th Session it will open for signature by Member Governments the
Convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters.
2.8.5 (e) Prevention
of crime and treatment of offenders (European Committee on Crime
Problems)
77. The Bureau of the European Committee on Crime Problems
met on 7th February for the purpose, inter alia, of co-ordinating
the work of the Sub-committees.
i Sub-committee
No. 1 has prepared a questionnaire, with the help of the Centre Français de Droit Comparé,
on the present position in European countries as regards the death
sentence. The questionnaire has been circulated to members of the
E. C. C. P.
ii Sub-committee No. 2 held a second meeting at Strasbourg
from 11th to 14th March, when it made a preliminary study of social
rights, concluding that the right to work and the right to receive
certain social benefits should be recognized. It also held a further
discussion on the rights already examined at the first meeting.
A third meeting is to be held in June.
iii A Working Party of Sub-committee No. 3 met early in March
to draw up two preliminary draft European conventions, one on the
treatment of discharged prisoners and the other on the supervision
of persons conditionally sentenced or released.
iv Sub-committee No. 4 on European co-operation in the punishment
of road traffic offences held a second meeting from 25th to 28th
February 1959 at the head office of the International Criminal Police Organisation
(Interpol). Two forms of co-operation were proposed :
a Prosecution in the offender's own
country;
b Enforcement in the offender's country of a sentence passed
by a court of the country where the offence was committed.
The Sub-committee held a detailed
discussion on some of the questions involved in carrying out these
two methods, which would be complementary.
v The Working Party of Sub-committee No. 5 held a second
meeting in January to make the final draft of a questionnaire on
post-war juvenile delinquency in Europe; this draft was adopted
by the Sub-committee at its meeting on 19th and 20th March.
2.8.6 (f) International
Commission on Civil Status
78. The Committee of Ministers examined Assembly Recommendation
185 (1958) and was given the following information :
i France ratified the "Convention
on the issue of birth, marriage and death certificates for transmission abroad"
on 19th August 1957, and the "Convention on the free issue of certificates
of civil status and exemption from the need for authentication"
on 22nd January 1959
ii The Netherlands ratified the first of these Conventions
on 13th February 1958; the second has not yet been ratified.
iii In Luxembourg, ratification procedure is in progress for
the first of the Conventions and will shortly be instituted for
the second.
iv In Turkey, ratification procedure is in progress for the
second Convention.
v Austria and Italy contemplate acceding to these Conventions
in the near future.
2.8.7 (g) Treatment of
legal persons
79. The Committee of Experts on the Treatment of Legal
Persons met from 2nd to 10th February 1959. Observers attended on
behalf of 0. É. E. C, the European Economic Community, The Hague
Conference on Private International Law and the Rome Institute for
the Unification of Private Law.
80. The Experts finished drafting a number of clauses of the proposed
Convention and intend at their next meeting in the autumn of 1959
to examine the possible implications of that Convention for the
Common Market Treaty in the matter of the establishment of corporate
and other bodies.
2.8.8 (h) European Convention
on Extradition
81. Sweden deposited its instrument of ratification of
the European Convention on Extradition with the Secretary-General
of the Council of Europe on 22nd January 1959.
82. Sweden is the first member country to ratify the Convention,
which will enter into force when it has been ratified by three signatory
States.
2.8.9 (i) European Convention
on the International Classification of Patents for Invention
83. The Working Party on classification of patents met
at The Hague from 9th to 21st March 1959. It continued its preparatory
work on the sub-division of classes.
2.9 CHAPTER IX - Participation
of Local and Regional Authorities in European activities
2.9.1 Third European
Conference of Local Authorities
84. After having noted Assembly Resolution 162 (1959)
on the Second Session of the European Conference of Local Authorities,
and after examining Assembly Recommendation 191 (1959), the Committee
of Ministers decided to authorise the holding of the next European
Conference of Local Authorities in 1960.
85. For the preparation of this Conference an appropriation of
1,500,000 francs has been included in the 1959 Budget. For the Conference
itself, an appropriation of 10 million francs will be made in the
1960 Budget, on the understanding that this sum will cover certain
travelling expenses for participants and also the cost of interpreting
from Scandinavian languages into the official languages.
86. The Committee of Ministers felt unable to comply with the
Assembly's proposals in paragraph 2 of the Recommendation that it
should approve the principle of holding the Conference of European
Local Authorities every year.
87. It wishes to make it clear, however, that, while it is opposed
to the principle of regular meetings, it will not fail to consider
specific requests for the holding of the Conference; all such requests
will be considered on their merits.
2.10 CHAPTER X - Ceremonies
to mark the Tenth Anniversary of the Council of Europe
88. The Committee of Ministers appointed the United Kingdom,
French and Italian Permanent Representatives to represent it on
the Special Committee to examine proposals for the 10th Anniversary ceremonies.
The Special Committee met twice under the chairmanship of the Secretary-General,
the Assembly being represented by the President, M. Dehousse, the
Vice-President, Mr. Lynch, and the Chairman of the Cultural Committee,
M. Kraft.
89. After examining the Secretary-General's preliminary proposals,
the Committee of Ministers fixed the sum to be allocated for the
ceremonies at a maximum of 20 million French francs, and approved
the programme of celebrations to be held in Strasbourg and London
(see Appendix I I I ).
90. It was also agreed that the Minister for Foreign Affairs of
each member country would be requested to broadcast a message on
5th May—the date of the 10th Anniversary.
91. The Committee has already been informed that the Foreign Ministers
of the following countries will broadcast on the dates shown :
- Netherlands: 20th April
- United Kingdom: 4th May
- Austria: 5th May
- Denmark: 5th May
- Federal Republic of Germany: 5th May
- Greece: 5th May
- Ireland: 5th May
- Italy: 5th May
- Luxembourg: 5th May
- Turkey: 5th May
3 SECTION II - Operational
Activity of the Council of Europe
3.1 (a) Permanent Representatives
of Governments to the Council of Europe
92. Monsieur P. Wurth has been appointed Permanent Representative
of Luxembourg to the Council of Europe, in succession to Monsieur
P. Reuter.
3.2 (b) Meetings of
the Assembly away from the headquarters of the Council of Europe
93. The President of the Assembly had drawn the attention
of the Committee of Ministers to the Assembly's desire to be able
to hold sessions or part-sessions away from the Council of Europe
headquarters when it thought fit
94. The Committee of Ministers decided that it could not give
the Assembly general authorisation to hold sessions or part-sessions
away from the Council of Europe headquarters in view of the provisions
of Article 33 of the Statute.
95. The Committee nevertheless agreed to give consideration to
any specific request by the Assembly to hold a session or part-session
outside Strasbourg and giving the reasons for such a request
96. The President of the Consultative Assembly has been informed
of the views of the Committee of Ministers.
3.3 (c) Calendar of
Meetings
97. 1959
23-29 January 68th Meeting of Ministers' Deputies (Strasbourg)
2-10 February Committee of Experts on the Treatment of Legal
Persons
23-27 February European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg)
27 February Medical Fellowships Selection Committee (Strasbourg)
2-6 March 69th Meeting of Ministers' Deputies (Strasbourg)
3-6 March Committee of Experts on Public Health (Strasbourg)
4 March Administrative Council of the Resettlement Fund (Paris)
16-17 March Sub-commission of the European Commission of Human
Rights (Strasbourg)
16-20 March Meeting of Youth Specialists (Strasbourg)
17 March Governing Body of the Resettlement Fund (Paris)
18-21 March 16th Session of European Commission of Human Rights
(Strasbourg)
19-20 March Sub-committee on juvenile delinquency (Pai'is)
23-24 March Working Party on a European Civil Service (Paris)
23-26 March Sub-commission of the European Commission of Human
Rights (Strasbourg)
24-25 March Bureau of the Committee of Cultural Experts (Strasbourg)
6 April Joint Sub-committee on a European Civil Service (Paris)
8 April 70th Meeting of the Ministers' Deputies (Strasbourg)
8-11 April Sub-committee on the punishment of road traffic
offences (Paris)
9-11 April 71st Meeting of the Ministers' Deputies (Strasbourg)
15-16 April Working Party on European Exhibitions (Paris)
15-16 April Working Group of the European Court of Human Rights
(Strasbourg)
17 April 72nd Meeting of the Ministers' Deputies (Strasbourg)
17-18 April Plenary Session of the European Court of Human
Rights (Strasbourg)
17-18 April Sub-commission of the European Commission of Human
Rights (Strasbourg)
4 SECTION III - Relations
with international non-governmental organisations
4.1 Consultative Status
98. On 6th March 1959, after examining Assembly Recommendation
190 (1959), the Committee of Ministers adopted the following Resolution
(59) 7 :
"The Committee of Ministers,
Having regard to the arrangements adopted for the grant
of consultative status to international non-governmental organisations;
Having regard to Recommendation 190 (1959) of the Consultative
Assembly concerning requests for consultative status from certain
organisations of this type;
Having regard to the requests submitted by the organisations
concerned
Resolves to grant consultative status, Category B, to
:1.
The International Road Transport
Union
2. The International Catholic Migration Commission."
Appendix 1 - Posts and telecommunications
— European co-operation
Memorandum
by the Committee of Ministers on the work to date of the European
Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
1. The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications
Administrations was held in Brussels on 13th September 1958. Departmental
representatives from the following countries attended : Austria,
Belgium, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. These appointed
some of their number to study ways and means of establishing official
European co-operation in the field of posts and telecommunications.
2. On 18th November 1958 the Committee of Ministers adopted
Resolution (58) 21, which reads as follows : " The Committee of
Ministers, Having regard to Recommendations 102 and 143 of the Consultative
Assembly on European co-operation in the field of posts and telecommunications
and on the institution of a European Conference of Ministers of
Posts and Telecommunications respectively; Having noted the action
taken by the member countries of the European Economic Community
towards the establishment of close co-operation in the field of
posts and telecommunications, and welcoming the proposals to place
such co-operation in a wider framework; Noting with satisfaction
the creation of a preparatory committee, including representatives
of the Six and of other European countries, to examine in detail
the possibilities of a wider co-operation of this kind, operation
of this kind, Expresses the hope that all Member States of the Council
will co-operate in furthering this important enquiry."
3. The study Group set up in Brussels, under the title of
Preparatory Committee, was composed of representatives of the postal
and telecommunications administrations of the Federal Republic of
Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland
and, for the Northern countries, Denmark and Sweden. It held a meeting
at St. Moritz (Switzerland) from 26th to 31st January 1959. The
Committee drafted an Arrangement establishing a European Conference
of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations, adopted a Resolution
designed to secure wider understanding of the need for closer European
co-operation in this field and decided that the Conference would
hold its inaugural meeting on 22nd June next. It instructed the Swiss
postal administration to inform the Council of Europe of the Committee's
decisions and to send invitations to attend the Conference to the
postal administrations in the following countries : Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Turkey, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
and Yugoslavia.
The European Conference of Posts and Telecommunications, whose
headquarters will be at Montreux, is independent of any political
or economic organisation and will operate in a purely administrative
capacity. When listing some of its aims in the draft Arrangement
prepared at St. Moritz, the Preparatory Committee's object was to
stress the exclusively technical nature of the future institution.
The following documents are appended to the present memorandum :
1 Resolution by the St. Moritz
Preparatory Committee;
2 Draft Arrangement for a European Conference of Postal
and Telecommunications Administrations.
RESOLUTION
adopted by the Preparatory Committee of the European Conference
of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
The postal and telecommunications administrations of France,
Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom,
delegated by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
held on 13th September 1958 at Brussels, and constituting a Preparatory
Committee
Recognising that the rapidity of economic and technical development
raises a large number of problems for their departments;
Whereas the solution of these problems is frequently beyond
the power of any single administration and would be greatly facilitated
by closer European co-operation at official level
Whereas the operational concepts and methods of the European
administrations are wholly comparable,
Consider that there is a need for a common organisation to
encourage collaboration and research, so as to harmonise and co-ordinate
their administrative and technical problems;
Believing that some arrangement of this kind is necessary
not only to ensure the smooth running of their services, but also
to give satisfaction to the public,
Desirous that the new institution should be as efficacious
as possible, appeal to all those European administrations which,
as members of the U. P. U. and I. T. U., are inspired by the same
desire.
To this end, at their meeting in St. Moritz, they have prepared
a draft Arrangement specifying the form of the organisation and
its appointed functions.
They unanimously recommend that the Swiss postal administration
should at a very early date call a meeting of the administrations
in the hope that the outcome will be the establishment of the European
Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations.
The heads of delegations of the undermentioned administrations
have signed this Resolution :
Fed. Rep. of Germany : Signed : Dr. Ii. S T E I N M E T Z
Italy : Signed : ROMOLO D E CATEMNI
France : Signed : M. FAUCON
Netherlands : Signed: J . D. H. VAN D E I I TOOHN
United Kingdom : Signed : S. D. S A R G E NT
Switzerland : Signed : W E B E R
Observations
Although they took part in the meetings of the Preparatory
Committee, the representatives of the five Northern countries did
not sign the above Resolution. They considered that they had received
no instructions on this point from the seven administrations which
had delegated them :
Denmark : Signed : K. J . J E N S EN
Sweden : Signed: B. OLTERS
St. Moritz, 31st January 1959
ARRANGEMENT
establishing the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
PREAMBLE
The representatives of the postal and telecommunications administrations
hereinafter mentioned,
- Considering
the magnitude and complexity of the common problems facing the various
European administrations ;
- Convinced of the expediency of broad co-operation between
the European postal and telecommunications administrations ;
- Extending an open invitation to other European administrations
similarly desirous of co-operating, to join them in their work,
Have agreed upon the following provisions as the initial basis for
their co-operation.
ARTICLE 1 - Establishment of
the Conference
The undersigned national postal and telecommunications administrations
hereby establish a European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications
Administrations, hereinafter termed " the Conference ".
ARTICLE 2 - Relations with
international organisations
The Conference shall be independent of any political or economic
organisation.
Its Statute represents a special Arrangement within the meaning
of Article 8 of the Universal Postal Convention of Ottawa (1957)
and of Article 41 of the International Telecommunications Convention
of Buenos Aires (1952).
ARTICLE 3 - Members
Those European postal and telecommunications administrations
which have confirmed their signature to the present Arrangement
shall automatically be members of the Conference.
The postal and telecommunications administrations of those
European countries which, being members of the Universal Postal
Union or the International Telecommunications Union, desire to become
members of the Conference, shall address a request to the Secretariat
which will be set up in accordance with Article 7. The Secretariat
shall submit any such request to the next meeting of the Conference,
which shall decide thereon by a two-thirds majority of its members
In those countries where the postal and telecommunications
services are the responsibility of separate administrations, the
latter shall be deemed to constitute a single Member Administration
which shall have only one vote.
ARTICLE 4 - Purposes of the
Conference
The primary aims of the Conference are the harmonisation and
tightening of relations between the Member Administrations and the
practical improvement of their administrative and technical services.
Its functions shall include inter alia :
- the accomplishment of work and
the rendering of services of common interest;
- the simplification and improvement of postal and telecommunications
services; the promotion of research into questions concerning the
organisation, technique and functioning of services;
- the joint consideration of proposals submitted to the
Congresses and Conferences of the international postal and telecommunications
organisations;
- exchange of information and officials
ARTICLE 5 - Meetings of the
Conference
Member Administrations shall meet periodically, generally
once a year, to arrive at a concerted opinion on postal and telecommunications
matters of common interest
They may also hold other meetings if two-thirds of the members
so request.
The quorum shall consist of two-thirds of the members, it
being understood that no member may send more than one delegation.
Each Administration may submit proposals or make suggestions
which shall be debated at the meetings held in accordance with paragraphs
1 and 2.
ARTICLE 6 - Structure of the
Conference
Meetings of the Conference shall be attended by representatives
of the Member Administrations.
The Conference shall debate in plenary session those questions
which concern both posts and telecommunications and shall appoint
special " postal " or " telecommunications " committees to deal
with matters coming within their respective provinces.
The Conference and its committees may set up working parties
to study particular questions.
The Conference shall draw up its own Rules of Procedure.
ARTICLE 7 - Chairmanship and
Secretariat
The Conference shall appoint the Administration which is to
organise the next meeting.
That Administration shall assume the Chairmanship and provide
the secretarial services.
Once the Administration which is to organise the next meeting
has been appointed, it shall ensure continuity in the work of the
Conference and begin preparations for the meeting
It shall determine, after consulting the other member Administrations,
the place, date, programme and agenda of the meeting.
ARTICLE 8 - Nature of decisions
The decisions of the Conference shall primarily relate to
two types of questions : those dealing with the actual working of
the organisation and those dealing with the Conference's proposed
aims
Such decisions shall be taken by a majority of the votes cast,
as defined in Article 3, paragraph 3, subject to the special provisions
of Article 3, paragraph 2 and Article 12, paragraph 3.
Decisions concerning the working of the organisation shall
be binding, while others shall take the form of recommendations,
it being left to Member Administrations to decide how far they can
comply with them.
The provisions of this Article shall be without prejudice
to any arrangements, agreements, conventions, etc., whether bilateral
or multilateral, to which the Member Administrations have subscribed.
ARTICLE 9 - Languages
Documents shall be drawn up in the French language.
Speeches in the debates may be delivered in English, French
or German.
Speeches may also be delivered in other languages to the extent
that the technical arrangements provided by the convening Administration
so permit.
ARTICLE 10 - Finance
The Administration of the country organising the next meeting
shall assume the secretarial expenses up to that meeting.
Expenditure on the meetings themselves, including the cost
of translation from the languages mentioned in Article 9, paragraph
2, shall be divided equally among the Member Administrations.
Each Administration shall bear the travel and subsistence
costs of its representatives.
ARTICLE 11 - Entry into force
This Arrangement shall enter into force as soon as one-half
of the Administrations which take part in the inaugural meeting
shall have signed and confirmed it.
Confirmation shall be notified to the Administration organising
the meeting, which shall immediately communicate it to the Administrations
which took part in the inaugural meeting.
ARTICLE 12 - Revision
The present Arrangement may be revised if at least one-third
of the members so request.
A motion for revision shall be placed on the agenda of the
ordinary meeting next following the tabling of such request with
the Secretariat.
Any decision embodying a revision shall require a two-thirds
majority of the members.
ARTICLE 13 - Denunciation
Any Member Administration may terminate the application to
itself of the present Arrangement by giving six months' notice to
the Secretariat.
The Secretariat shall forthwith inform the Member Administrations
accordingly.
In witness whereof the under-mentioned representatives have
signed the present Arrangement
Done at ... on ... in ... certified copies which shall be
deposited at ...
For the Administrations taking part in the inaugural meeting
:
Country
Administration
Signatures
Appendix 2 - World Refugee
Year
Programme
of Action to be taken by the Council of Europe
The purpose of World Refugee Year is to give assistance, in
a gesture of world-wide solidarity, to people living in camps who
have been driven from their homes as a result of the war or for
political reasons and whose sole " mistake " is that they thought
that they would find outside their own country the freedom refused
to them at home. While recognising the considerable efforts made
by Governments and the charitable action which has, in particular,
been launched under the aegis of charitable institutions, we have
to admit that after 15 years of exile these displaced persons of
modern times are entitled to more human living conditions.
The Council of Europe, which, from the very outset, has concerned
itself with the problem of refugees, has associated itself with
the United Nations project and will assist it through the Council's
own facilities
(a) As
to procedure
1. In accordance with the United Nations Resolution,
the refugee problem must be considered solely from a humanitarian
point of view.
2. The role of the Council of Europe, likewise in pursuance of
the above Resolution, should consist in drawing the attention of
Member Governments and public opinion to the refugee problem by
appropriate means.
3. Council of Europe action should be coordinated with that of
the United Nations.
4. Since the initiative is to be taken by Governments and ad
hoc national committees in member countries, the task of the Council
of Europe would be to encourage and support national action on behalf
of refugees.
5. The action taken should consist in securing immigration facilities
as well as in raising money. To this end, the Council might approach
Member Governments and various overseas countries.
6. While taking part in the world campaign in favour of refugees,
the Council of Europe should pay special attention to the problems
of refugees of European origin, irrespective of their status (international,
national, deportees, escapees, etc.) and of their present place
of residence. However, although mainly concerned with refugees of
European origin, in the interests of world solidarity the Council
should not refuse moral and material assistance to other classes
of refugees with problems directly affecting Europe (Arab refugees
from Palestine and others).
7. It would be most desirable that the members of the Committee
on Population and Refugees should be members of their respective
national committees for the World Refugee Year
(b) As
to action
1. The Council of Europe might prepare a " Eurovision
" programme in the form of a real life documentary including visits
to camps (at Christmas, for instance).
2. Short films might be made using existing reels on refugees,
with the addition of suitable commentaries, and Member Governments
might be asked to show them on national television programmes (the
Information Section of the Special Representative of the United
Nations Secretary- General has offered to place its film library
at the Council's disposal for this purpose).
3. Public meetings could be arranged in Strasbourg while the
Assembly is in session and elsewhere, with exchanges of speakers
between member countries and possibly the participation of world
famous figures.
4. With the help of national committees, the Council of Europe
might ask famous painters of member countries to produce works on
the theme of refugees. These could be shown to the public in European
capitals in the form of a travelling exhibition after which they
could be sold by auction in one such capital, the proceeds of the
auction and from the sale of post-card reproductions of the works
exhibited going to the World Refugee Year Fund. When this proposal
was discussed at the Geneva meetings it was suggested that the exhibition might
be supplemented in the capital cities and other towns where it was
shown by famous works likewise inspired by the great forced emigrations
of which there are so many examples in the history of mankind (the Flight
of Moses and the Israelites into Egypt; the Flight of Joseph and
Mary from Galilee, etc.). The exhibition, supplemented by works
such as those described above, might also form the basis for a short
film which would undoubtedly arouse public interest by reason of
its subject matter and originality.
5. Lastly, the Council might ask Member Governments to organise
among schools a competition for the best drawing on the theme of
refugees. The most original entries could be reproduced on post-cards
by national committees.
Appendix 3 - Tenth Anniversary
Celebrations
I. Ceremony
in London
(a.) Ceremony
at St. James's Palace
This will take place on Monday, 4th May 1959, at 11.30 a.m.,
at St. James's Palace (Marlborough Road entrance) in the room where
the Statute of the Council was signed in 1949 (Queen Anne Room).
The ceremonial and the invitations will be agreed between
the Foreign Office and the Secretariat-General. (Morning dress will
be worn).
The following will be invited :
- the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Chancellor;
- Mr. Macmillan, Mr. Selwyn Lloyd and other Members of the
British Government (Mr.Duncan Sandys, Sir David Eccles, Mr. Maudling);
- Mr. Gaitskell, Mr. Morrison and Lord Attlee; Lord Layton,
Mr. Clement Davies, etc.;
- the present British members of the Consultative Assembly;
- the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee of Ministers
and the Permanent Representatives to the Council of Europe;
- the fourteen Ambassadors of the Member States in London;
- the President and former Presidents of the Consultative
Assembly (MM. Spaak, de Menthon, Guy Mollet and Dehousse);
- the members of the Standing Committee;
- the Foreign Ministers or former Foreign Ministers who
signed the Statute (MM. Bech, Lange, McBride, Sehuman, Stikker and
Unden);
- distinguished personalities who took part in the founding
of the Council (the Ambassadors' Conference, The Hague Conference,
etc.);
- well-known British personalities who take or who have
taken a special part in the activities of the Council (Lord McNair,
Professor Waldock, MM. R. W.G. Mackay, John Foster, Julian Amery,
John Hay, Lord Boothby, Sir Edward Beddington-Behrens, G. De Freitas,
J . Maclay, A. Nutting, etc.);
- for the Foreign Office : MM...
- for the Secretariat of the Council : the Secretary- General,
the Deputy Secretary-General, the Clerk of the Assembly, the four
Directors;
- the former Deputy Secretaries-General (MM. Halford, Caracciolo
and Lincoln);
- Press, cinema, television.
The following will speak :
- for
Her Majesty's Government : Mr. Macmillan;
- the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers;
- the Lord Chancellor (or the Speaker of the House of Commons)
- the President of the Consultative Assembly;
- the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. Each speech
will last about 10 minutes.
The B. B. C. (T. V. Programme Planning) has proposed to the
Headquarters of Eurovision, in Geneva, that the ceremony be relayed
by the Eurovision network. This proposal will be transmitted by
Geneva to those Member States which belong to the E. B. U. and have
a national television organization, i.e. all except Iceland, Ireland, Greece
and Turkey. The transmission would be either direct or filmed for
presentation later.
The Secretary-General will receive the guests, after the ceremony,
in the Picture Gallery, adjoining the Queen Anne Room.
(b) Luncheon
at the invitation of Mr. Macmillan
Lancaster House, 1.30 p.m. (about 50 people).
(c) Cocktail
Party in the Houses of Parliament at 6 p.m.
The Lord Chancellor and the Speaker of the House of Commons
propose to invite jointly all present and past British members of
the Consultative Assembly to a cocktail party, probably in the House
of Lords, at 6. p.m., in order to meet eminent personalities staying
in London for the Tenth Anniversary Celebrations.
Representatives of the Press, the newsreels and television
may be asked to attend.
(d) Dinner
at the invitation of private organisations
(8.30 p.m.) in the Houses of Parliament.
(e) Reception
by private organisations
(10 p.m,, possibly in the Tate Gallery.
II. Ceremony
at Strasbourg
This will take place on Monday, 20th April, with the following
programmeNote :
(a) Luncheon
at the Secretary-General's invitation
The guests will assemble in the Representatives Bar at Europe
House, where drinks will be served at 12.30 p.m.
The following will be invited :
- the French Prime Minister;
- the Speakers of the French Parliamentary Assemblies, MM.
Monnerville and Chaban- Delmas;
- the Speakers of the Parliaments of Member States ;
- the Committee of Ministers and the Permanent Representatives
;
- Members of the Bureaux and the Clerks of the Consultative
Assembly, the European Parliamentary Assembly, and the Assembly
of W. E. U.;
- the Representatives to the Consultative Assembly; (Xlth
Session);
- the Secretaries of the Parliamentary delegations to the
Consultative Assembly;
- the Commissions of the three European Communities ;
- the Secretaries-General of the other European international
organisations ;
- the Special Representative and the Governor of the Resettlement
Fund
- the Court of Human Rights;
- the Commission of Human Rights;
- the Administrative Board of the Cultural Fund of the Council
of Europe;
- the former Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the Consultative
Assembly;
- the former Chairmen and Rapporteurs of Consultative Assembly
Committees;
- Mme. J . C. Paris, Mme. L. Marchai, Mme. A. Straycken;
- the former Deputy Secretaries-General of the Council of
Europe
- leading members of the European Movement in 1949 and at
the present time;
- the Mayors of the towns awarded the European Prize;
- the Presidents of organisations having Consultative Status;
- Local authorities (Prefecture, Mairie, Conseil General,
University, religious denominations);
- guest members of the Press (see point III below);
- Secretariat-General
Total : about 350 people.
(b) Ceremonial
Meeting
In the Assembly Hall at 6 p.m. (in view of Eurovision transmission).
Doors will be closed at 6.15 p.m. Special places will be reserved
in the the body of Hall or in the gallery for the Committee of Ministers,
the Speakers of national Parliaments, the Commissions of the six-Power
Communities, the Secretaries-General of the other European international
organisations, the Court and Commission of Human Rights, the Special Representative,
the Administrative Board of the Cultural Fund and the Mayors of
towns awarded the European Prize (morning dress or dark suits will
be worn).
The order of speakers will be as follows :
- the Secretary-General;
- Lord McNair;
- (Taking of the oath by the Members of the Court of Human
Rights);
- M. Robert Schuman;
- the French Prime Minister;
- the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, M. Figl;
- M. Dehousse.
The ceremony will end at about 7.15 p.m.
(c) Evening
reception
Arrangements are being made jointly by the Secretary-General
and the Prefect of the Bas- Rhin.
(d) A Reception
for members of the staff of the Secretariat
will take place at a later date.
Overall estimate : 2,000,000 Fr.
III. Members
of the Press invited for the 20th April
The Special Committee examined on 11th March the memorandum
prepared by the Secretariat at the request of the Ministers' Deputies.
Two eminent journalists per Member State will be invited to Strasbourg
by the Secretary- General on 20th, 21st and 22nd April 1959.
Estimate : 3,500,000 Fr.
IV. Film
A television film lasting about. 20 to 25 minutes is being
produced. It will be used during the television broadcast of 20th
April; this programme, lasting an hour, will be televised by French
television and Eurovision. It is estimated that it will be seen
by 70 million viewers.
Estimate : 1,000,000 Fr.
V. Special
tenth anniversary postmark
The Secretary-General has obtained the agreement of the Postal
Administration in Paris to issue, without cost to the Secretariat,
a special postmark " Tenth Anniversary of the Council of Europe
"on all stamps in the main French post offices. In a letter dated
28th February 1959, the Secretary-General asked the Permanent Representatives
to try to ensure that similar arrangements should be made by the
other national postal authorities.
Estimate : Token Entry.
VI. Gramophone
records
(a) Long-playing
Pathé-Marconi record
The Secretariat has reached agreement in principle with the
firm of Pathé-Marconi with a view to the production of a record
in the Témoignages series.
The idea is to portray the first ten years of the Council's work
by a selection of speeches delivered in the Assembly accompanied
by a commentary. The record will be produced commercially and the
Council will not be required to make a financial contribution. The
Secretariat will purchase 200 records at the wholesale price for
presentation to schools, universities, institutes of European studies, private
organisations, etc.
(b) Sonorama
records
The Secretariat has reached agreement in principle with the
Sonorama Magazine sonore mensuel de l'actualité distributed
by Hachette, with a view to the inclusion in the May number of sound
bulletins concerning the Tenth Anniversary, without cost to the
Council.
Overall estimate : 500,000 Fr.
VII. Press,
periodicals, radio, television and publications
(a) Report
of the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General's Report for 1958, brought up-to-date
and with a foreword, will be published in French and English in
an abridged edition of 2,000 copies. They will be distributed to
universities, centres of European studies, private organisations,
etc. At the appropriate time the Secretary-General will ask the
Permanent Representatives to assist in distributing the Report in
member countries.
Estimate: 1,000,000 Fr
(b) Publicity
folders
The Secretariat intends to produce four folders, each in six
languages on the following subjects :
- frontier facilities " secured through the combined efforts
of the Council of Europe and O. E. E. C. ", for distribution by
national authorities at travel agencies, frontier posts, automobile
clubs, touring clubs, etc.;
- research fellowships and cultural facilities secured by
the Council of Europe, (for distribution in universities and academies);
- medical and national health facilities and fellowships,
(for distribution in hospitals and faculties of medicine, national
health centres, and travel agencies);
- Local Authorities and the Council of Europe (for distribution
in municipalities).
At their 69th meeting, the Secretary- General asked the Ministers'
Deputies to inform him of those national organisations best able
to attend to distribution of the folders. At the request of the
Special Committee a questionnaire on this subject, listing possible
solutions, will be sent by the Secretariat to the Permanent Representatives.
Estimate : 2,800,000 Fr.
(c) Articles
in newspapers and periodicals, etc.
Articles by the Secretary-General to be published in some
of the leading newspapers or periodicals of Member States;
Articles by well-known personalities;
Articles by the Secretariat to be placed in newspapers and
periodicals;
Estimate : token entry
(d) Posters
and various publications
To be put at the disposal of private European organisations
and national administrations in Member States. On 28th February
1959, the Secretary-General wrote to the Permanent Representatives
pointing out this possibility and asking them to invite and forward
suggestions to him.
Estimate : 1,500,000 Fr
(e) Tenth
Anniversary Edition of the Council of Europe Handbook
A condensed " Tenth Anniversary " Edition of the Handbook
will be published in 1959 in the 12 languages spoken in the Member
States. The Secretary-General will probably ask ten of the Permanent
Representatives to secure the assistance of the competent authorities
in their country for the translation and, possibly, the printing
of the Handbooks, in the interests of economy and speedy distribution.
Estimate : 6,350,000 Fr,
VIII. Commemoration
of the tenth Anniversary in Schools
(a) It is proposed that the prizes in connection with the
1959 European Schools Day should be presented at Europe House, since
the subject set for senior candidates this year will partly hinge
on the Tenth Anniversary. Estimate : 100,000 Fr. to cover reception
costs.
(b) The Committee of Cultural Experts may suggest to the Ministries
of Education of Member States that all schools devote between 5
and 15 minutes of class work to the Council of Europe on 5th May
1959. Estimate : Token entry.
IX. Sundries
and contingencies
Estimate : 650,000 Fr.
X. Utilisation
of any unexpended balance
If this 20,000,000 francs Budget shows a surplus, after the
expenses in respect of the ceremonies and other items provided for
in this document have been met, the Secretary-General will submit
to the Ministers' Deputies in September proposals for the utilisation
of the balance. They may include the provision of travelling fellowships
or the taking of other cultural or social measures. These will remain
part of the Tenth Anniversary celebrations.
