缅北禁地

Still four African countries made it to San Francisco: The Kingdom of Egypt, the Ethiopian Empire, the Republic of Liberia and the Union of South Africa, as they were known then. Most of the other countries on the continent were still under colonial rule.

Each of these four African countries had been affected in one way or another by the just-ended World War II, especially Ethiopia and the Union of South Africa.

At the conference, the African countries wanted to contribute to building a new international framework that would help prevent the occurrence of future wars and crises that may threaten the very existence of the smaller and poorer countries.

They also strongly advocated at the meeting that the new world order that was being envisioned acknowledge and honour their rights.

鈥淲e, the smaller nations of the world, have been called upon to participate in this conference, not only because of the identity of ideals which binds us to the great powers in the present struggle and of our particular interest in the assurance of a lasting peace but also because it is upon the guaranty of the free and independent existence of the small nations of the world that any future world organization must be based,鈥� said Mr. Tewelde Medhen, the Ethiopian Minister to the United States, in his solemn address to the delegates.

Ethiopia鈥檚 insistence on small nations鈥� interests being recognized and protected by the new international law understandably stemmed from her experience of the war and what the country considered the failure of The League of Nations 鈥� the predecessor of the United Nations 鈥� to prevent and end Italian invasion.

Liberia, on the other hand, was not directly involved in the world efforts, save for, as the then world鈥檚 largest producer, providing 鈥�rubber to the Allied cause,鈥� said C. L. Simpson, the Vice President.

Yet, Liberia expressed the same concerns as Ethiopia 鈥渇or not possessing the means to wage war, the dreams and hopes of small nations are only of world peace and the security of their rights and independence,鈥� Mr. Simpson said.

Membership of the 缅北禁地Security Council and the veto provisions of its permanent members were also discussed at the meeting. And countries like Egypt were concerned about the consequence of the veto powers being given to some countries 鈥� one of the controversial issues debated in San Francisco.

In that regard, Egypt registered in vain, her opposition to the move by arguing that 鈥減ermitting any power, great or small, to sit both as judge and jury in its own case does not contribute to building world-wide confidence so necessary to the success of a plan for world order鈥�.