I should like to say a few words in explanation of the vote that the delegation of Canada proposes to pass on these resolutions that are before the Committee.

We feel that we will have to vote in opposition to the resolution of Poland.⁴⁵ If we were to select speeches that come closest to representing our point of view, they would be the speeches by the representatives of Pakistan and the Netherlands made this morning.

Briefly stated, the reasons why we feel that we must oppose the Polish resolution are:

First, because nothing in the way of effective sanctions can flow from it. The Security Council cannot apply Article 41 without first determining that there is a threat to the peace under Article 39, and there is no serious allegation of a threat to the peace. It would be very doubtful if any such allegation could be proved if it were made.

Therefore we feel that the resolution, if passed, would be entirely ineffective and could not properly be acted upon. It would be a futile gesture by the United Nations, much as if we were making a face at Franco, making a face across the Atlantic at him. We do not think it is likely that a step of that kind would add to the dignity or the prestige of the United Nations, and we think that it would go some distance in discrediting the United Nations. That is our first reason.

Our second reason for voting against that resolution is because the passing of such a resolution would, we think, be helpful rather than harmful to the Franco regime. We do not want to help Franco in any way: Last year we expressed our abhorrence of the Franco regime. The words which our representative used were these:

We abhor the record and the present policies of the Franco dictatorship.

We earnestly hope that the Spanish people may be able to rid themselves of Franco by peaceful means and establish a democratic, responsible and enlightened administration.

We are not prepared to support at this time outside intervention in Spain which might impede European recovery, or revive in Spain the horrors and sufferings of civil war.

Our delegation sees no reason to change its position as stated last year.

The Canadian people and Government do not-favour authoritarian or totalitarian government, whatever may be its political complexion. If we are to spend our time in passing ineffective resolutions, we are afraid that they would simply cause the Spanish people to rally to the support of Franco, instead of bringing the Franco regime into disrepute. That is the reason why we think passing a resolution of this kind would help him rather than hurt him.

Our third reason is that last year we voted against this provision of last year's resolutions with respect to specialized agencies. We did not think it was wise to pass that part of the resolution, and we still are of that opinion. We would not like to vote for a reaffirmation of last year's resolution for that reason. While we abstained in the vote last year, we feel that the reasons, under the present circumstances, for opposing the resolution are so strong that we should vote against it this year.

⁴⁴Voir ibid., pp. 226-227.
See ibid., pp. 216-7.