The Charter formulates the functions and powers of
the General Assembly with regard to problems of arma-
ment reduction. Article 11 of the Charter states that the
General Assembly may consider "the principles governing
disarmament and the regulation of armaments." In ac-
cordance with this, the Soviet Government has proposed
that the General Assembly adopt a decision recognizing
the necessity of a general reduction of armaments.
We do not think that the General x^ssembly can at
once adopt a detailed decision on this question. In our
opinion, il should recommend that the Security Council
work out the necessary concrete measures. But the recom-
mendations adopted by the General Assembly should make
a beginning in this work, which is of the greatest political
importance,
11
THE PROHIBITION OF ATOMIC WEAPONS
hi the consideration of the problem of armament re-
duction, great importance attaches to the question of atomic
weapons.
The draft submitted by the Soviet Government contains
I he following proposition:
"The implementation of the decision on the reduction
of armaments should include as a primary objective the
banning of the manufacture and use of atomic energy for
military purposes."
At its London session, early this year, the General As-
sembly adopted a decision establishing a commission for
control of atomic energy. In the terms of reference of
this commission we read that it is to draw up proposals
;ifor the elimination from national armaments of atomic
311