India, Indonesia, Kenya, Panama, Peru, Sudan and Yugoslavia. The draft resolution was adopted by 10 votes in favour to none against with 4 abstentions (France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United States of America) as resolution 344 (1973).
"The representatives of France, the United Kingdom and the United States made statements.
"The representative of China did not take part in 'the vote and made it clear that China dissociated itself from this resolution."
Resolution 344 (1973)
of 15 December 1973
The Security Council,
Considering that it has decided by its resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973 that talks among the parties to the Middle East conflict for the implementation of resolution 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 should be held under "appropriate auspices",
Noting that a peace conference on the Middle East situation is to begin shortly at Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations,
1. Expresses the hope that the Peace Conference will make speedy progress towards the establishment of a just and durable peace in the Middle East;
2. Expresses its confidence that the SecretaryGeneral will play a full and effective role at the Conference, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and that he will preside over its proceedings, if the parties so desire;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council suitably informed of the developments in negotiations at the Conference, in order to enable it to review the problems on a continuing basis;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to provide all necessary assistance and facilities for the work of the Conference.
Adopted at the 1760th meeting by 10 votes to none with 4 abstentions (France, Union of Sol'iet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America)SG
Decision
On 19 December 1973, the President of the Security Council addressed the following letter (S/11162) 86 to the Secretary-General:
"I have been requested by the members of the Security Council to inform you, in response to your letter dated 18 December 1973 addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/11161 ) 36 that they have taken note of your letter and the documents attached to it,87 which they consider to be in accordance with resolution 344 ( 1973) adopted without opposition by the Security Council on 15 December 1973.
"I have been informed by the French delegation that it reaffirms the reservations it expressed at the Security Council meeting of 15 December38 which led it to abstain in the vote on resolution 344 ( 1973).
"The Chinese delegation, in conformity with its position taken on resolution 338 ( 1973) and resolution 344 ( 1973), dissociates itself from what has been mentioned in the first paragraph."
~5 One member (China) did not participate in the voting. 36 See Official Records of the Security Council, Twentyeighth Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1973. 37 Letters dated 18 December 1973 from .the representatives of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and of the United States of America concerning certain aspects of the Peace Conference on the Middle East scheduled to begin in Geneva on 21 December 1973. 38 See Official Records of the Security Council, Twentyeighth Year, 1760th meeting.

QUESTION CONCERNING THE SITUATION IN SOUTIIERN RHODESIA89

Decisions
In connexion with the implementation of Security Council resolut,ion 320 (1972), the President of the
89 Resolutions or decisions on this question were also adopted by the Council in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972.

Security Council issued a note (S/10873),4° on 31 January 1973 indicating that following consultations with the members of the Council it had been agreed that the time-limit fixed in resolution 320 ( 1972) for the submission of reports by the Committee established in pursuance of Security Council resolution 253 (1968), had been extended runtil 28 February 1973.
40 See Official Records of the Security Council, Twenty-eighth Year, Supplement for January, February and March 1973.

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