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Koretzky absenting himself over the issue of the representation of China) continued their work on the codification and progressive development of international law. Studies of three subjects were completed and submitted to the General Assembly: ways and means for making the evidence of customary international law more readily available; formulation of the Nürnberg Principles; and the estab lishment of an international criminal tribunal.

By the Secretary-General

Following an advisory opinion of the Court given in 1949, the Secretary-General took action on several claims arising from the death or injury of United Nations personnel while engaged on the business of the organization.

By the General Assembly

Following a decision by the Assembly in 1949 a conference was convened at Lake Success in the spring of 1950 to draw up a convention on the declaration of death of missing persons. This treaty, wher accepted and put into effect, would establish criteria for presumption of death of persons who disappeared between 1939 and 1945 under circumstances which afford reasonable ground to infer that they have died. An international bureau would be established within the framework of the United Nations to act as clearinghouse for such information.

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ADMINISTRATIVE AND FI

NANCIAL

ARRANGEMENTS

FOR THE UNITED NATIONS

Permanent Headquarters

Though the Security Council and other United Nations councils and committees still meet at Lake Success, the United Nations Secretariat began to move into its Manhattan skyscraper ahead of schedule in late 1950. The conference building for council meetings is ex

pected to be completed in 1951; the General Assembly meeting placenow under construction-in 1952. Funds for headquarters building construction come from a loan of $65,000,000 authorized by the Congress of the United States. First repayment of $1,000,000 is to be nade July 1, 1951.

Budgets and Assessments

The United Nations assessment budget for the calendar year 1951 is approximately $43,000,000. The assessment of the United States for its share of this budget has been reduced slightly from 39.79 percent to 38.92 percent. This reduction is a further step toward implementing the principle that no member should contribute more than one-third of the total required to meet the expenses of the organization. Leaving aside the special amounts required for the expanded program of technical assistance and for the care of Palestine refugees in the Near East, the total assessment budgets for the calendar year 1951 of the United Nations and all those permanent specialized agencies which are financed primarily from annual member contributions amount together to approximately $73,500,000.

Staff Arrangements

During the year 1950, the General Assembly made two notable advances in the field of administrative and staff arrangements through the adoption of a simpler, more flexible, and less expensive salary and allowance system, and the adoption of permanent financial regulations which are intended to serve as a model for all of the specialized agencies.

Together with China and Russia, the United States is one of the inajor countries that have not ratified the convention on privileges and immunities. Most governments, whether or not they have acceded to the convention, do not tax the salaries received from the United Nations by their nationals on the United Nations staff. However, nonaccession by the United States results in a very special burden being placed on the United Nations budget. This grows out. of the fact that since the United Nations has its own staff assessment plan, reimbursement must be made by the United Nations to United States nationals for national taxes on their compensation from the United Nations if these individuals are not to suffer the effects of double taxation.

This sketch of the various activities of the United Nations for the year 1950 shows how the United Nations is attempting to meet the differing needs of different men. To inhabitants of dependent territories it is a promise of help toward self-government or independence. To millions of people struggling for more food, better clothing, and more secure shelter, it is a chance to apply on an ever-widening scale the achievements of science and technology to the everyday problems of living. To governments, even though it is a restraint upon their freedom of action, it is a symbol of the success which comes from unity and strength in meeting common problems of security. To everyone, men and governments everywhere, it is an opportunity for surmounting our worst fears by the use of our best talents.

THE

UNITED STATES

IN THE

UNITED NATIONS

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