A Draft Recommendation on the situation in Hungary and the Middle East
The Assembly,
I
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 thé brutal repression of the Hungarian people falls entirely on the U. S. S. R., which has shown itself determined to preserve its 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 the achievements 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;
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 incumbent upon 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 :
2.1 to instruct the Secretary-General to set up a special department for Central and East European affairs, with the task of preparing proposals to be submitted to the Committee of Ministers and to the Assembly, on the pursuit of a common European policy in that region;
2.2 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;
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 in conjunction with the other Members of N. A. T. 0., to inform the U. S. S. R., that the Western Powers remain ready to open negotiations for the establishment of a security system which, while giving 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 an international guarantee against any aggression, the conditions of lasting peace and 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
Noteto appeal to the United Nations that the international force be kept in the area until :
2.1 the Suez Canal has been cleared;
2.2 a system has been established guaranteeing for all States freedom of navigation in the Suez Canal;
2.3 a peace treaty has been concluded between the Arab States and Israel.
Draft RecommendationNote on European political unification
The Assembly,,
Noting that the development of the international situation has once more confirmed the urgent need for Europe to become a united force morally, politically, economically, within the framework of the Western community and the Charter of the United Nations,
Recommends to the Committee of Ministers the following measures :
1 to invite the Governments to reply at an early date to the request addressed to them in Resolution (56) 23 of the Committee of Ministers
Note asking them to consider the principles set out in Recommendation 105
Note, with a view to working out a common European policy;
2 to work out, on the basis of these replies, a concrete and effective method for co-ordinating their national foreign policies as a preparation for drawing up a common policy;
3 to submit to it, in pursuance of Article 1 of the Statute, proposals for establishing the political organs of the European community, taking into account the organisations that have, or are being set up, such as E. C. S. C, Euratom and the Common Market.
