The XXth International Red Cross Conference was held from the 2nd to the 9th October 1965 in the striking setting of the Hofburg at Vienna. Well organised by the Austrian Red Cross with the help of personnel from the international organisations of the Red Cross, the Conference was cordially welcomed by leaders of the Austrian Government. Mr. Hans von Lauda, President of the Austrian National Society, presided with both authority and tact. The Secretary General was Mr. Hans Sevcik. The Conference was attended by 580 representatives of 92 National Societies and 84 governments.

The XXth International Conference of the Red Cross,

having received the report of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the League of Red Cross Societies on the action taken on the Resolutions of the XIXth International Conference of the Red Cross and of the Council of Delegates (Geneva, 1963),

accepts this report,

thanks the International Committee and the League for having submitted it.

Prisoners of War. — Delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross in both India and Pakistan have been permitted to visit prisoners of war; both governments have demonstrated their intention to apply the Geneva Conventions of 1949 on the protection of victims of war. Mr. Roger Du Pasquier in India and Mr. Michel Martin in Pakistan were therefore given access to several places of internment and were authorized to interview prisoners without witnesses. The delegates' reports were conveyed each time to the Detaining Power and the government of the prisoners' country of origin. Mr. Du Pasquier was also able to see prisoners of war who had been wounded in the course of the fighting.

As we have mentioned elsewhere, Mr. José Barroso Chavez, who has just been appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors of the League, paid a visit to the ICRC on his return from Vienna. He was received by the President, Mr. Gonard. Several members of the ICRC and staff were also present.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has studied the declaration of the President of the United States of America according to which he has expressed his intention of accepting on American soil Cuban nationals wishing to expatriate themselves. Since its name has been mentioned in this declaration, the ICRC wishes to point out the following : if an agreement is realized through diplomatic channels and if the Cuban Government and the Government of the United States desire the co-operation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the latter would be pleased to contribute, on the strictly humanitarian level which is its own, to the success of the action.