The Daily Express

THE OHIO DAILY EXPRESS
United Nations News and Views
BY SAMUEL P. PERRY JR
LAKE SUCCESS (ANP)-- The recommendation of a special political committee that the former Italian colony of Eritrea be united in a federation with Ethiopia was approved here by the UN General assembly in a 46-10 vote with four abstentions.

The recommendation, voted 38-14 with eight abstentions, was sent to the full UN body last week. It provided that Eritrea will be an autonomous part of the federation with jurisdiction in domestic affairs. Such matters as foreign relations, defense and finance are to be handled by the federal government.

Before the vote was taken by the general assembly, the plan was formally submitted to and accepted by the Ethiopian delegate, who noted in his acceptance that "my country had wanted outright annexation of Eritrea but accepted federation in a spirit of compromise."

A UN commission, sent to Eritrea last year to sound out the views of the people, could not agree on a possible solution. Instead the commission submitted three basic ideas for the consideration of the general assembly. They were independence, annexation by Ethiopia or federation.

With neither the independence or annexation idea gaining much favor with the UN, the special committee adopted a compromise move by a 14-nation combine to work for a federation. Supporting the compromise were Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, Greece, Liberia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Turkey and the United States.

The plan calls for a transition period, not to extend beyond Sept. 15, 1952, during which an Eritrean government is to be organized and a constitution prepared and put into effect. Britain, as administering authority, would continue to conduct the territory's affairs during this period.

Further, Eritrea would be an autonomous unit federated with Ethiopia under the sovereignty of the Ethiopian crown. The federated government would have jurisdiction over defense, foreign affairs, currency and finance, foreign and interstate commerce and external and interstate communications, including ports. The Eritrean government is given other powers.

An imperial federal advisory council, composed of an equal number of representatives from each territory, would be formed and Eritrea would be represented in the federal legislature in the proportion which its population is to that of the federation.

A UN commissioner would be selected to advise on the organization of the administration and assist in the transfer of authority.