Commission I: General Provisions

(For officers of Commission I and its two committees, see ante, p. 27.)

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Summary Report of Meeting of Commission and Committee Officers, May 3

Doc. 81, May 4

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Rolin (Belgium) at 10:40

a.m.

He explained that the meeting was being held to arrange the work of the committees and to acquaint the Commission and committee officers with one another. In the absence of the Delegate of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, who had been designated Chairman of Committee 1, the President volunteered to serve as interim Chairman of this Committee.

It was suggested that it should be the responsibility of each delegation to insure its own representation at every meeting.

Mr. Rolin then explained the procedure for the presentation of proposals to the committees. He reminded the meeting that proposals of substance must be submitted in writing to the Secretary-General by Friday, May 4. He pointed out, however, that this requirement would not preclude the introduction of amendments in the course of the committees' work. Such amendments should be submitted in writing, and no decisions would be taken until the members had had adequate time to study them, preferably at least 24 hours.

The Commission officers were informed that committee documentation would be brought together in one volume and would consist of Dumbarton Oaks Proposals, the proposals of the Chinese Government, and the comments by the participating governments. An index to the basic documents and relevant proposals would also be provided. There was some discussion on the question of procedure for taking up the several amendments suggested by the delegates in the committee, as well as on the question whether the proposals presented at the plenary sessions would also be considered by the committees. It was observed that the committees would be considering general questions of principle while textual matters could usefully be left to drafting committees.

After some discussion of the procedure of drafting committees, it was decided that, although several drafting committees might be required in certain cases, it should be the responsibility of the chairman of any committee to decide the appropriate moment for reference to a drafting committee.

Discussion followed on the precise scope of each committee's work, and it was announced that Committee 1 would hold its first meeting on Friday, May 4, at 10:30 a.m. and Committee 2 on Saturday, May 5, at 3 p.m. It was explained that the Secretariat would endeavor to schedule meetings of the two Committees on alternate days to suit the convenience of the delegates, but that subcommittees might be required to meet simultaneously with the committees.

În response to inquiries about voting procedure, the Chairman explained that, as the Steering Committee had not yet met to take a final

decision, he proposed the following procedure for the meeting of committees: On matters of form and procedure, a simple majority; on substantive matters, a two-thirds majority of those present and voting. Failing a two-thirds majority on matters of substance, it might be necessary to submit the issue to a subcommittee.

Mr. Rolin then raised a point not on the prepared agenda. He referred to the issue of minutes of committee meetings and some form of press statement. It was felt that the summary record of proceedings should be limited to a statement of subjects discussed, conclusions reached, votes taken, and any action with regard to appointing subcommittees, in order that delegates might develop discussion freely in the meetings. It was agreed provisionally to leave the matter to the discretion of the Chairman. The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Report of Rapporteur of Subcommittee I/1/A to Committee I/1

Doc. 723, June 1

Formation of the Subcommittee

At the close of the general discussion in full committee on May 17 the Chairman announced the formation of a subcommittee to be composed of 12 members as follows:

The Chairman

The Rapporteur

One member from each of the delegations of the four

sponsoring governments

The Delegate from Belgium

The Delegate from Chile

The Delegate from France

The Delegate from New Zealand

The Delegate from Panama

The Delegate from Union of South Africa

Task of the Subcommittee

The Subcommittee was to consider the Dumbarton Oaks Proposals, the amendments of the four sponsoring governments, and all other amendments presented by the various governments within the timelimit fixed by the Steering Committee on May 5, and, in the light of the general discussion that took place in full committee, to draw up and draft a text to be submitted with the report for your consideration and decision.

The Subcommittee has held, up till now, 13 meetings. I hope the number 13 is of good augury to the result of its work. If it is not it will be one more hard point in the very hard job which the subcommittee was requested to do.

The general discussion held in this Committee was very helpful in that it was a presentation of amendments, an exposé of the reasons for submitting them and of the arguments in their favor, a comment on the Dumbarton Oaks Proposals, and exchange of views on the contents of our part of the Charter. The Subcommittee is indebted in its work to the many judicious remarks made here. The general discussion was not, however, corroborated by the Committee voting to recommend a given point of view or a given amendment or to set clear directives to