The Chair recognizes the Chairman of the Delegation from the Republic of Mexico.

MR. CHAPA: Mr. President, Delegates, The honor has fallen to my country of being requested to respond to the words of the President of the Conference, which constitutes in my opinion the most important development in civil aviation during recent years and one of the most far-reaching steps toward organizing the post-war world. Aviation, the most modern system of transportation, has become in a short space of time one of the outstanding means of communication, and its incredible development and its enormous possibilities for the future, its range of action and its speed, and the possibilities it offers of overcoming all natural obstacles, eliminating physical barriers which prevented free communications between peoples, indicate not only the necessity but, also in our own interest, the establishment of rules and regulations organizing it and permitting its increasing development.

Mexico, like other American countries, on account of its orographic formation, because of the great distances which exist between the economic centers and the cities, has already found in aviation the means of communication which permit it to easily join the various parts of its territory with the consequent social and economic benefits. It is for this reason that Mexico comes to this Conference, together with the other countries of the American continent, with more enthusiasm, more faith, if such is possible, knowing in advance that the resolutions of this assembly will profoundly influence the prosperity of the world when the war is over.

Understanding the importance of aviation and the great forward impulse that this meeting will give it, General Manuel Avila Camacho, President of the United States of Mexico, has requested me to transmit to you his best wishes and hopes for the success of the work that you are initiating here today.

It has been stimulating to listen to the words of Mr. Berle, because they are an index of the importance which the larger nations give to the world-wide organization of civil aviation, and of the desire to strengthen the bonds that unite the different nations of the world, to bring them closer together and bring about a better and more profound understanding.

Serious and difficult technical, financial, and international problems must be studied and solved, seeking always the greatest common benefit. A tremendous responsibility has fallen on our shoulders but we must face the situation with courage and in all honesty, remembering that in our hands is placed the organization and the future of one of the conquests which does honor to humanity and on which depends the health, prosperity, and greatness of our respective countries.

It is up to this meeting to establish the new bases and general lines along which civil aviation of the future should develop. From the resolutions adopted many aspects of the future world will depend. This is the mission with which we have been charged, and for which we have met. It is up to us to work intensely, with good-will, remembering that the world of tomorrow should be more just, more friendly for all its inhabitants, and for all nations.

MR. BERLE: Every American is glad to recall that in the black year of 1940, among others there was a great republic to the south of us,

with which at some occasions in our history we have had misunderstandings, which did not wait to figure out which country might win the war, but immediately and at once threw in its lot with the forces of liberty.

The fifth item on our agenda today relates to the acceptance of the rules and regulations to govern provisionally until approval by the next session. Since the next session is due to take place tomorrow, this is provisional acceptance until such time as the Committee on Rules and Regulations files its report. Before asking for a motion on the subject I should like to report that in the Executive Committee immediately preceding this meeting, aside from a few minor changes, two suggestions were made which the Committee on Rules and Regulations, when appointed, will undoubtedly accept, namely, one a slight change in the section relating to open meetings to the press in the sense that all plenary sessions shall be open to the press, all plenary sessions of the committees shall be open to the press, the committees, of course, reserving for private sessions the subcommittee meetings, drafting meetings, and such private discussion sessions, to the end that there may be the greatest public knowledge of the debates which go on. Likewise, there has been a slight relaxation of the rule of the time within which projects must be presented.

I should like to recognize Dr. Steenberghe, the Chairman of the Delegation from the Netherlands.

DR. STEENBERGHE: I should like to move that the provisional rules and regulations be regarded as governing the proceedings of this Conference until they are officially approved by the Conference.

MR. BERLE: The motion is made that the rules and regulations be regarded as provisionally applicable until they are adopted by the next session of the Conference. Is the motion seconded?

MR. LE GALLAIS: I second the motion.

MR. BERLE: The motion has been seconded by the Delegate from Luxembourg. Is there discussion? If not, are you ready for the question? Those in favor will please say "aye".

(Chorus of "ayes".)

Those opposed. (Silence.)

There being no objection these are considered as the rules and regulations provisionally until the report of the Rules Committee.

It becomes my duty as Temporary Chairman to appoint three committees, they being the Committee on Credentials, the Committee on Rules and Regulations, heretofore referred to, and the Committee on Nominations. I should like to appoint on the Committee on Nominations, as Chairman, the Delegate from Peru, Colonel Armando Revoredo, and the Chairman of the Delegation of Cuba, the Chairman of the Delegation of India, the Chairman of the Delegation of Luxembourg, and the Chairman of the Delegation of Poland.

As the Committee on Credentials, I should like to appoint as Chairman the Honorable A. S. Drakeford of the Delegation of Australia, and the Chairmen of the Delegations of Egypt, Greece, Norway, and Panama; and as members of the Committee on Rules and Regulations, as Chairman, Dr. Gie, the head of the Delegation of the Union of South Africa, the Chairmen of the Delegations of Chile, Czechoslovakia, Iceland, and Liberia.

The reports of these committees will be due at the plenary session of this Conference tomorrow so their labors will have to be swift. Is there other business before the meeting, or anyone who would like to speak now? (Silence.)

In amplification of this last, I should like to state that it is the intention of the United States at the next plenary session to state the substance of its thesis at this Conference. I am advised that a number of other countries wish to do likewise, notably Great Britain, Canada, and, I believe, also France. Others likewise signified that they may wish to do so. I make this statement so that the delegates may be guided by it, for I am inclined to believe that the intellectual positions might well be stated at the next plenary session.

Is there other business that we may properly transact now? If not, I declare the meeting adjourned.

I ask you to wait for the "Star Spangled Banner".

(After the playing of the national anthem, the meeting adjourned.)

VERBATIM MINUTES OF SECOND PLENARY

Document 42

SESSION, NOVEMBER 2

MR. BERLE: The Conference will come to order.

The first business before the meeting is the report of the Committee on Credentials, and the Chair recognizes Mr. A. S. Drakeford of Australia, who will present the report of that Committee. Will you come to the rostrum, Mr. Drakeford.

MR. DRAKEFORD: Mr. Chairman, I have to present the report of the Committee of Credentials.

The Committee was appointed by the Temporary President of the International Civil Aviation Conference to examine the credentials of its participants and met under the provisional chairmanship of the Honorable A. S. Drakeford, Chairman of the Delegation of Australia, at 9:30 a.m., November 2, 1944.

The Committee consisted of the representatives of Australia, Egypt, Greece, Norway, and Panama. The credentials of the representatives of the following governments and authorities participating in the Conference were examined and found to be in good order: Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippine Commonwealth, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, Union of South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Yugoslavia.

The Committee therefore recommends to the Conference the approval of these credentials and the accordance of full right of participation of these representatives in the Conference. The Committee on Credentials also had the occasion to read copies of two letters of credit dated September 12, 1944 from the Honorable Secretary of State of the United States to the Honorable Henrik de Kauffmann, Minister of Denmark, and the Honorable Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj, Minister of Thailand, inviting each to attend in his personal capacity, the Conference. We also had the replies of the Danish Minister and the Thai Minister accepting these invitations. In as much as no question of credentials was raised by these letters, the Committee agreed to refer their subject matter to the Conference and recommends that the Conference approve the attendance of the Danish Minister and their advisers to the Conference but without the privilege of a vote.

That is signed by myself as Chairman and by Mr. Espy as Secretary.

With the Chairman's permission I propose to move the following resolution:

WHEREAS the Committee on Credentials appointed by the Temporary President has convened, examined the credentials of the representatives of the governments and authorities participating in the International Civil Aviation Conference, their technical advisers and other assistants, and made its report, a copy of which is annexed hereto and made a part hereof, now therefore

Be it resolved

That the aforesaid Report be, and hereby is, in all respects approved and adopted and that the representatives of the participating governments, their technical advisers and other assistants, be accredited in accordance therewith.

MR. BERLE: You have heard the motion. Is there a second? (The motion was seconded by the delegate from Afghanistan.) The Delegate from Afghanistan seconded the motion to adopt the report. The motion is before the house, and I should like to express the thanks of the Chairman and of the Secretary General to Mr. Drakeford and his Committee for the work they have done.

Are you ready for a vote? All in favor will please say "Aye". (Chorus of "Ayes".) Those opposed? (Silence.) There appears to be no opposition.

The motion is declared carried and the report of the Committee on Credentials is adopted.

The next business before the meeting is the report of the Committee on Rules and Regulations. The Chair recognizes Dr. S. F. N. Gie, Chairman of the Delegation of South Africa, who is the Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Regulations. Will Dr. Gie please come to the rostrum.

DR. GIE: Mr. President, I beg to submit the following report of the Committee on Rules and Regulations.

The Committee on Rules and Regulations met at 10 p.m. November 1, 1944, at the Stevens Hotel. The Committee considered the Provisional Regulations, the recommendations of the Executive Committee, as well as memoranda from the French and Polish Delegations, respectively; and recommends the following modifications of the Provisional Regulations:

1. Chapter III, Article 11, paragraph (b): substitute there "eleven" for "ten" in the second line.

This substitution results from the action of the Executive Committee in designating an additional member of the Steering Committee at its session on the afternoon of November 1.

2. Article 11, paragraph (c), last sentence: delete the comma after "Chairmen" and insert "and" between "Chairmen" and "Vice Chairmen" and delete the comma following "Vice Chairmen" as well as "and Reporting Delegates".

This change is necessary in order to enable the respective committees after their memberships are determined to designate their respective Reporting Delegates.

3. Chapter IV, Article 13: in the title of Committee I substitute "routes" for "transportation services" and change Roman numeral I