مجموعة ٦/٨١ "سوريا: الوضع في إسكندرونة وأنطاكية." [ظ‎‎١‎٧‎١] (٥٧٦/٣٤٣)

10
sanjak as soon as possible a mission of three observers, whose role would he
defined in the following terms :—
“ It should be understood that, according to the French proposal, the
task of these observers would be neither to study the substance of the question
nor to enquire into the events which may have occurred recently in the district
of Alexandretta and Antioch. Nor will the observers have to take any action
themselves with a view to the maintenance of order or the pacification of
the state of mind of the population. Their duty will simply be to observe
and to keep in touch with the facts in order to be able to inform the Council
if necessary. 5 '
The rapporteur then proposed the following draft resolution : —
“ The Council,
“ (1) Noting that the Governments of France and Turkey have agreed
to postpone to the Council’s ordinary session in January the examination of
the substance of the question which has arisen regarding the distinct of
Alexandretta and Antioch, recommends the two Governments to continue
their conversations meanwhile in close contact with the rapporteur;
“ (2) Notes the assurances given by the representatives of France and
Turkey that they will spare no effort to contribute to a satisfactory solution
of the question:
“ (3) In response to the request formally made by the French Govern
ment, decides to send as soon as possible to the Sanjak of Alexandretta three
observers with the task defined in the present report;
“ (4) Requests the President of the Council to appoint the said
observers on the rapporteur's proposal;
“ (5) Fixes the end of January 1937 as the maximum time-limit for the
observers’ mission;
“ (6) Requests the Secretary-General to provide the observers with the
necessary secretarial staff;
“ (7) Authorises the Secretary-General, under Rule 33 of the Financial
Regulations, to draw, if necessary, on the working capital fund, up to a
maximum of 75,000 Swiss francs, for the sums necessary to cover the
expenditure involved by the execution of the present resolution, it being
understood that France shall defray this expenditure;
££ (8) Stipulates that the adoption of the present resolution shall not be
regarded as in any way prejudging the substance of the question, which
remains entirely open.”
32. In the debate which followed, the Turkish Representative said that,
although Turkey had decided to abstain from voting on the resolution, she would
not hinder its adoption by voting against it and would continue to seek an
amicable solution of the question. M. Aras recalled the proposals of his Govern
ment as regards conservatory measures, and said that, if these proposals had been
agreed to, the Turkish Government would have been ready to submit to the
suggested enquiry into events, past and present, extending to its own territory,
as well as the sanjak. They considered that a simple mission of observers would,
not be able to form a correct picture of the position in the sanjak, since it could
only obtain information from prejudiced local authorities. Even then the
Turkish Government would have been willing to accept the French proposals
provided the mission of enquiry included French and Turkish members as well
as a neutral. The French Representative replied with the observation that the
French request for a mission of neutral observers was an unprecedented
concession by a mandatory Power. M. Vienot also pointed out that the
conciliatory measures proposed by the rapporteur emanated entirely from the
French Government.
33. The United Kingdom Representative drew attention to the special
interest of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom in this question.
The United Kingdom was herself a mandatory Power; His Majesty’s Govern
ment were most anxious that nothing should occur to disturb the political
tranquillity of the Near East, and they had close and cordial friendship for both
Governments concerned. His Majesty’s Government were convinced, in view of