International law handbook

Conscious
that failure of the Security Council to discharge its responsibilities on behalf of all 
the Member States, particularly those responsibilities referred to in the two preceding paragraphs, 
does not relieve Member States of their obligations or the United Nations of its responsibility under 
the Charter to maintain international peace and security,
Recognizing
in particular that such failure does not deprive the General Assembly of its rights 
or relieve it of its responsibilities under the Charter in regard to the maintenance of international 
peace and security,
Recognizing
that discharge by the General Assembly of its responsibilities in these respects 
calls for possibilities of observation which would ascertain the facts and expose aggressors; for the 
existence of armed forces which could be used collectively; and for the possibility of timely recom-
mendation 
by
the General Assembly to Members of the United Nations for collective action which, 
to be effective, should be prompt,
a
1. 
Resolves
that if the Security Council, because of lack of unanimity of the permanent mem-
bers, fails to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and 
security in any case where there appears to be a threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of 
aggression, the General Assembly shall consider the matter immediately with a view to making 
appropriate recommendations to Members for collective measures, including in the case of a breach 

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328
 
VII. International peace and security
of the peace or act of aggression the use of armed force when necessary, to maintain or restore 
international peace and security. If not in session at the time, the General Assembly may meet in 
emergency special session within twenty-four hours of the request therefor. Such emergency special 
session shall be called if requested by the Security Council on the vote of any seven members, or by 
a majority of the Members of the United Nations;
2. 
Adopts
for this purpose the amendments to its rules of procedure set forth in the annex to 
the present resolution;
B
3. 
Establishes
a Peace Observation Commission which, for the calendar years 1951 and 1952, 
shall be composed of fourteen Members, namely: China, Colombia, Czechoslovakia, France, India, 
Iraq, Israel, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sweden, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United 
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Uruguay, and 
which could observe and report on the situation in any area where there exists international tension 
the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security. 
Upon the invitation or with the consent of the State into whose territory the Commission would go, 
the General Assembly, or the Interim Committee when the Assembly is not in session, may utilize 
the Commission if the Security Council is not exercising the functions assigned to it by the Charter 
with respect to the matter in question. Decisions to utilize the Commission shall be made on the 
affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting. The Security Council may also 
utilize the Commission in accordance with its authority under the Charter;
4. 
Decides
that the Commission shall have authority in its discretion to appoint sub-commis-
sions and to utilize the services of observers to assist it in the performance of its functions;
5. 
Recommends
to all governments and authorities that they co-operate with the Commission 
and assist it in the performance of its functions;
6.