§ 82. Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the judgment of the International Court of Justice in the South-West Africa case, the United Kingdom Government will take steps through the United Nations to terminate the South African administration of the territory; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. WhiteWhether the United Nations acting alone has competence to terminate the mandate, and if so in what circumstances, are complex questions of law on which no opinion has been given by the International Court.
The proceedings against South Africa were brought by Ethiopia and Liberia. I understand that they and other African States are now considering how they should proceed in the light of the Court's judgment. They may well wish to urge the General Assembly of the United 330W Nations to seek a further advisory opinion from the Court. We feel at this stage that the initiative for such action should rest with them.