Forty-four nations were represented at the fifth session on tariff negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade at Torquay, England which convened on September 28, 1950. Of the nations which took part in negotiations, 32 were contracting parties to GATT and seven (Austria, Korea, Peru, the Republic of the Philippines, Turkey, Uruguay and the Federal Republic of Germany) attended the conference with the hope of becoming signatories upon the completion of negotiations. There were five countries (Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Venezuela and Switzerland) which sent observers. L. Dana Wilgress of Canada was the chairman of the meeting. The United States withdrew its request to have Japan restored to full trading equality at the conference because of the indications that other nations were not yet willing to grant most-favored-nation treatment to Japan. The contracting parties negotiated among themselves for newer and broader tariff concessions than those obtained at Geneva in 1947. At the conclusion of the country-with-country bargaining, the results wtere examined by all the participating countries and upon their approval were integrated into the agreement. Other items of importance to international trade discussed were 1) the discrimination against dollar goods as practiced by some countries and 2) the relation of the Schuman Plan to the most-favored-nation clauses in existing agreements. The conference established a tariff negotiations working party of eleven to act as expeditor and policeman if the delegations were slow in initiating negotiations or dragged them on too long.

General Policy: Following the mandate of the Fifth General Conference to “pay closest attention to the problems of concentration of efforts and resources”, the Executive Board's draft program for 1952 was evolved under the guiding principle of ‘;dynamic concentration’ — in such a way as to secure effective integration, through subordination, selection, and coordination, of all of UNESCO's manifold activities. As a result, the 1952 draft document contained 147 resolutions, as compared to the 294 resolutions in the 1951 program. The draft program was also meant to reflect the general opinion (first officially expressed in United Nations General Assembly and ECOSOC resolutions) that, in order to realize the optimum effectiveness of the specialized agencies, it was necessary to determine those activities which had priority in the cause of peace and to expend the available resources in the realization of those fundamental goals.

Six additional governments — Austria, German Federal Republic, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Turkey became eligible to accede to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. By June 20,1951 each of the six governments had received the required two-thirds majority under the terms of the agreement. To complete requirements for accession, each was obliged to sign the Torquay Protocol by October 21, 1951.

By June 1, 1950 Austria had become the sixtieth country to ratify the International Telecommunication Convention of Atlantic City, 1947. Four additional countries acceded to the convention bringing the membership of the International Telecommunication Union to 64. The Hungarian People's Republic, the Republic of Poland, the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia, also during the period under review, ratified the European Broadcasting Convention, Copenhagen, 1948.

The fifth general session of contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade held in Torquay, England ended on December 19,1950. Prior ot adjournment, a Canadian proposal to create a standing committee to handle the problems arising between sessions was referred to the participating governments for their consideration. The session approved the circulation among the parties of a questionnaire designed to obtain by early 1951 information on the policy, technique, and effect of import restrictions being applied for balance-of-payments reasons, and information on discriminatory measures applied under exceptions made for the postwar transitional period. It was also agreed that due to the uncertain international situation, there should be an extension of the period for the use of exceptional import controls on scarce commodities and those of which there were large government-owned stocks. The conference in addition studied several complaints alleging that the benefits of some tariff concessions had been nullified by the actions of certain governments and accepted a code of standard practices on the administration of necessary trade restrictions.1 The code provided that: 1) the grant of an import license should imply that the necessary foreign exchange would be obtainable if applied for within a reasonable time; 2) if both import licenses and exchange permits were required the operation of the two requirements should be coordinated; 3) new restrictions on imports or exports should not apply to goods proved to have been en route at the time of the change or to have been already largely paid for; 4) goods proven to have been confirmed prior to the change in restrictions and not marketable anywhere else should receive special consideration; 5) the administrative formalities in connection with the issuing of import and export licenses or exchange permits should be designed to allow action on applications within a reasonably short period; 6) requests for renewal under exceptional circumstances should be given sympathetic consideration; 7) under a system of fixed quotas the period set for applications should be sufficient to allow for exchanges of communications for the purchase of the goods; 8) the control authorities, when apportioning quotas to importers on the basis of past participation in the trade, should give consideration to requests for licenses from new firms; 9) if an assurance on an import license would be necessary for consular legalization, a communication giving the number of the license should be sufficient; 10) authority given to customs officials should be sufficient to allow slight discrepancies from specifications of import or export authorization; and 11) when a balance-of-payments difficulty has occurred, transfers of exchange should give priority to goods already imported or licensed in preference to new orders.

The sixth General Conference of UNESCO was held in Paris from June 18 to July 11, 1951 to discuss an agenda which included the following subjects: 1) criteria adopted by the Economic and Social Council for the establishment of priorities in the programs of the United Nations and specialized agencies; 2) draft program for 1952; 3) education; 4) natural science; 5) social science; 6) exchange of persons; 7) mass communication; 8) relief assistance services; 9) activities in Germany and Japan; 10) establishment of a world network of regional fundamental education centers; 11) consideration of special reports; and 12) the paper shortage.

During the period under review (September-October 1950) the five Brussels Pact nations continued their collaboration in defense and defense training matters. The powers, with the participation of the United States, carried out a successful demonstration of new and improved anti-tank weapons at the School of Infantry, Warminster in England on September 4, 1950 as well as a demonstration of United Kingdom armored artillery and infantry weapons. As a result of the tests, it was reported that good progress had been made in the army's firepower generally and that the infantryman's anti-tank potential was increasing.

In accordance with the agreement between the United Nations and the Universal Postal Union, UPU submitted a report on its activities for 1950. At the end of 1950, it was reported, the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies had been applied to the UPU by eight governments: Austria, Denmark, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland. Preparations for the thirteenth Universal Postal Congress, to be held in Brussels in 1952, had been started in the period under review. Member governments were reminded that, according to the regulations of the organization, settlement of transit charges was to be carried out, as a rule, through the general clearing account of UPU and not through separate direct settlement. It was noted, however, that 95 administrations had settled their account through the general clearing account in 1949, 28 more than in the previous year.

The joint International Air Transport Association/Universal Postal Union conference which met in Cairo in January 1951 to discuss air mail problems drew up a revised schedule of tariffs for the transport of mail by air. These new rates were to be recommended to the members of IATA for adoption. Other recommendations were made concerning the remuneration of air companies, the use of collector bags, practice regarding bills of lading and delivery, charges for insured mails, measures for the acceleration of air mail and the payment of transport charges when the mail was destroyed. In regard to its future program the conference suggested that the Congress of Brussels in 1952 should adopt provisions to abolish the present categories of air lines and that it should establish a new system of remuneration for commercial aviation companies. The conference further suggested the establishment of a Liaison Committee between IATA and UPU.

During the period from October 1, 1950 to the middle of December, a total of twenty meetings of various subsidiary groups affiliated with UNESCO were held, eighteen in Paris and two in Havana—the regional conference of national commissions of the western hemisphere and the meeting of experts on exchange of persons.

During the period under review arrangements were being completed for the fourth session of the West Indian Conference, which was to be held in Curasao, Netherlands West Indies from November 27 to December 10, 1950. Prominent in the provisional agenda, which was circulated to all interested parties prior to the conference was the topic of agricultural problems of the Caribbean. This agenda topic had been decided upon by the third session of the conference and was in conformity with its recommendations as well as those of the Caribbean Research Council and its research committees. Under this topic representatives would discuss the importance of agriculture in Caribbean economy, with reference to the world market; farm management; soil conservation and fertility; water control; animal husbandry; types of farming; rural welfare; land tenure and settlement; rural housing, including potable water supply; extension services; general rural education; marketing problems; and agricultural credit, labor, mechanization and research.

Suez Canal Dispute: On July 17, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Assam Pasha, stated that the United Kingdom attitude toward the Suez Canal dispute would have destructive consequences to its prestige and influence in the Arab world. Egypt was faithfully carrying out the Arab League decision to prevent war material from reaching Israel.

The Executive and Liaison Committee of the Universal Postal Union, established by the Congress of Paris of 1947, held its fourth session at Montreux, Switzerland, May 15 to 26, 1950 under the presidency of J. J. Le Mouel, Director-General of French Posts. The first question dealt with by the committee concerned the representation of China; taking into consideration the technical character of UPU and the actual situation in China the committee recognized the representative of the People's Republic of China as the rightful delegate. The committee spent much of its time in discussion of air mail problems and it was decided to call a joint IATA/UPU conference in January 1951 for the purpose of attaining solutions to the problems. The recommendation of the delegate from Czechoslovakia that those governments whose air mail rates exceeded the rates fixed by the Paris Convention be pressed to reduce them, was adopted. A subcommittee consisting of France, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia and the United Kingdom was appointed to consider a revision of the form and substance of the acts of Paris concerning the international exchange of parcels. The report of the subcommittee entrusted with the work of rearranging and revising the acts of the Universal Postal Union was heard and adopted by the committee; the proposals would be placed before the Congress of 1952 for its approval. The committee scheduled its fifth session for May 21 to June 2, 1951 at St-Gall, Switzerland.

A joint meeting of the Research Committee on Agriculture, Fish, Wildlife and Forestry and the Preparatory Fisheries Committee was held in Trinidad on July 9, 1951. The meeting, under the chairmanship of the United Kingdom representative (Frampton), discussed proposals regarding commercial trawl fishing in the Gulf of Paria and the organization of the Fisheries Conference. The committee felt that a survey of commercial trawl fishing should be undertaken at an estimated expense of $2,000. The committee also recommended that the Fisheries Conference, to be held in March 1952 for five days, should meet in Trinidad and have an agenda as follows: occurrence and distribution of commercial fish species in the Caribbean, techniques used in the Caribbean for fish capture, types of fishing craft used, marketing, storing, distribution, conserving methods, and cultivation of fish in ponds.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, together with representatives of the German Federal Republic and the Saar met at Rome on November 4, 1950 under the chairmanship of Count Sforza (Italy). Prior to the meeting the ministers had agreed that Germany and the Saar should be represented at all meetings of the committee and not only at certain specified times. Two decisions were taken by the ministers: not to discuss the Assembly recommendation for the formation of a European army under a European defense minister; and to approve the convention on human rights. The committee felt that the Atlantic army proposed by Secretary of State Dean G. Acheson (United States) and the release of the Pleven Plan by France had overshadowed the Assembly recommendation. The matter was being discussed by the North Atlantic Pact Organization and the ministers believed that it was better to leave the question to be handled by the governments rather than risk a clash of views in the Council of Europe. Furthermore, the ministers agreed to establish a refugee office within the Secretariat and to encourage the drafting of a European Code of Social Security. The ministers were also sympathetic to the need for revision of the Statute to allow for ”specialized authorities” within the framework of the Council of Europe.

The Fourth World Health Assembly completed an unusually heavy agenda during its meetings in Geneva, from May 8 to May 25, 1951. The meetings were attended by delegates from 70 countries and observers from 20 international organizations. Japan, Spain and the Federal Republic of Germany were admitted to membership, bringing the roster to 78 countries.

The first Congress of the World Meteorological Organization, which convened in Paris from March 19 to April 28, 1951, elected Dr. G. Swoboda (Switzerland) Secretary-General. Dr. Swoboda, former chief of the IMO secretariat, was to be director of the permanent secretariat with headquarters in Geneva. WMO officers, who automatically became the officers of the Congress and the Executive Committee, were elected as follows: Dr. F. W. Reichelderfer (United States) President, A. Viaut (France) First Vice President, and N. P. Sellick (Southern Rhodesia) Second Vice President. Six regional associations were set up (Africa, Asia, South America, North and Central America, Europe and the South West Pacific). The Congress approved, with minor modifications, the text of the draft agreement between the United Nations and WMO, which provided for 1) recognition of WMO as a specialized agency; 2) reciprocal representation of the two organizations; 3) coordination with respect to agenda items, United Nations recommendations, and the exchange of information and documents; 4) advisory aid from the International Court of Justice; 5) cooperation with regard to location of WMO headquarters and regional offices, personnel arrangements, statistical and other services, budgetary and financial relationships, inter-agency agreements and liaison arrangements; and 6) implementation of the agreement and possible revision.

On March 15, 1951 the International Meteorological Organization, which had existed nearly one hundred years as a semi-official body, held a conference in Paris to complete the arrangements for the transfer of its assets, activities, functions and obligations to the World Meteorological Organization. Immediately following the final session of the Conference of Directors of IMO, the first Congress of the World Meteorological Organization was to convene. The first congress was primarily concerned with administrative and organizational matters which would necessarily need affirmative action to insure the effective operation of the newly created organization. The provisional agenda included: 1) the election of officers; 2) the establishment of general regulations, rules of procedure, regional associations, and technical commissions; 3) the organization and location of a secretariat; 4) the appointment of a Secretary-General; and 5) the approval of a budget and a program of work.

On August 21, 1951 the Conference on African Defense opened in Nairobi, Kenya with representatives of the Union of South Africa, Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Southern Rhodesia and the United Kingdom present at the meeting. A team of United States observers also attended. Egypt had refused the invitation because of the dispute over troops in the Suez Canal zone. The purpose of the conference was to ensure in the event of war an even flow of war materials and troops within Africa. The conference would not be concerned with strategic planning.

The final communiqué of the second annual meeting of the North Atlantic Council stated that the ministers had agreed upon the establishment at the earliest possible date of an integrated force under centralized command adequate to deter aggression and insure defense of western Europe. The integrated force was to be based on the following principles: a) the force was to be organized and subject to the political and strategic guidance of the appropriate agencies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; b) the force was to be under a supreme commander with sufficient delegated authority to ensure effective training of an integrated force by an international staff representing all the nations participating; c) the standing group of the military committee was to be responsible for higher strategic direction of the integrated force. The Defense Committee was requested to recommend the steps necessary to bring the force into being, the changes and simplifications necessary to ensure close working relationships between member governments, the character and composition of the forces to be allocated to the integrated force by the member governments, and the utilization of German manpower–on which subject the Council was agreed that Germany should be enabled to contribute to the buildup of the defense of western Europe.