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43 The next Article pertaining to this question, Article 34, says:

"The Security Council may investigate any dispute, or any situation which might lead to international friction or give rise to a dispute, in order to determine whether the continuance of the dispute or situation is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security."

It suffices to compare the circumstances mentioned here by the Iranian delegation with Article 34 in order to eliminate any doubt that this Article is absolutely inapplicable to the question under consideration; since it relates to a dispute or situation of quite a different order. I shall further quote Article 36, paragraph 1 of the Charter:

"The Security Council may, at any stage of a dispute of the nature referred to in Article 33 or of a situation of like nature, recommend appropriate procedures or methods of adjustment."

This Article is inapplicable in this case since this is not the place for such recommendations, the Soviet Government having expressly stated that it considers the only acceptable means of settling such questions between neighboring countries to be by bilateral negotiation.

Finally Article 37, paragraph 1:

"Should the parties to a dispute of the nature referred to in Article 33 fail to settle it by the means indicated in that Article, they shall refer it to the Security Council."

This Article envisages a situation in which the parties have found themselves unable to come to an agreement. It is quite obvious that, at present, such a situation does not exist in the relations between the USSR and Iran, and consequently, there is no foundation for the application of Article 37 of the Charter.

The analysis of the above-mentioned Articles of the Charter undoubtedly proves that the Security Council has no grounds for considering the substance of the Iranian delegation’s statement. The Soviet delegation suggests that the Soviet Union and Iran should be given the opportunity to settle this matter,

In submitting this proposal, the Soviet delegation has in view the interest of good-neighborly relations among Members of the Organization, the interest of strengthening international confidence and mutual goodwill, and an endeavour to strengthen unity and friendship within the Organization of the United Nations.


 * Does the Iranian representative desire to speak at this stage? I was going to propose that this might be a suitable moment for an adjournment of the debate until the next meeting of the Security Council. If the Iranian representative feels it imperative for him to speak, I shall have to ask the Council.

Very well; do I take it, then, that it is desired that we shall adjourn the proceedings of the debate until the next meeting?