Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Africa and South Asia, Volume XI, Part 1

845A.411/10–2052

Department of State Position Paper¹

secret
SD/A/C.1/395

[Washington,] October 5, 1952.

Question of Race Conflict in South Africa

The Problem

To determine the United States position with respect to “the question of race conflict in South Africa resulting from the policies of apartheid of the Government of the Union of South Africa.”

Recommendations

1. The United States should vote for inclusion of this item in the agenda of the Assembly.^*

2. The United States Delegation should avoid taking any initiative in this case. Through informal discussions with appropriate delegations, however, it should urge the necessity for and the wisdom of a moderate, cautious approach to this difficult problem.

3. The United States believes that the General Assembly has competence to consider this matter. However, if as expected, a genuine difference of opinion develops over the question of competence, and a proposal is made to refer the competence issue to the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion, and it receives a measure of support, the United States should support such a proposal on the ground that since there is a genuine difference of opinion on this matter, an impartial judicial determination is an appropriate and practical method of resolving it.^† The United States should not initiate such a proposal. If such a proposal does not prosper and a resolution is introduced declaring that the General Assembly considers itself competent to consider the matter, the United States Delegation should vote in favor of it.

4. If the Assembly proceeds to consider the item on its merits:

a. The United States should point out that the problem of racial coexistence and inequalities of status, as well as the problems of observance of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms generally, are not peculiar to any nation but exist in many countries; nevertheless, under Articles 55 and 56 of the Charter each Member of the United Nations undertook the obligation to promote universal respect for basic human rights and fundamental freedoms. The United States should clearly state its opposition to racial oppression and denial of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.

b. If advisable, the United States should suggest in private conversations that, while we hope that Assembly discussion will impress upon the Union of South Africa the tenor of world opinion, adoption of a resolution will not contribute to amelioration of the situation and, on the contrary, may stiffen South African determination to carry its apartheid policies to critical extremes and may result in South African withdrawal from the United Nations.

c. If a resolution addressed specifically to the South African situation is pressed, the United States should support a resolution expressing concern over the situation in the Union of South Africa and expressing the hope that the policies of the South African Government will be guided by the purposes, principles and provisions of the Charter. The Delegation should consult the Department with respect to its vote on any proposals which go beyond the above. The United States should discreetly seek to discourage adoption of a resolution condemning South Africa.

d. If support develops for a more general resolution not limited exclusively to the South Africa situation and reminding all Members of their obligation to promote human rights, the United States should support and encourage such a resolution.

1. This paper, prepared for the use of the United States Delegation to the Seventh Session of the UN General Assembly, was drafted in the Bureau of United Nations Affairs. It is marked at top “subject to Final Clearance.” For a description of two meetings, attended by representatives of the Bureaus concerned, which preceded the drafting of this paper, see memoranda by Armistead Lee (BNA), dated Aug. 28, 1952 and Sept. 11, 1952, respectively (645A.91/8–2852 and 645A.91/9–1152).
2. See paper (SD/A/276) on the position to be taken by the United States Delegation in the General Committee to the effect that its recommendations to include items in the agenda are without prejudice to the question of competence. [Footnote in the source text. The paper is not printed.]
3. Further United States efforts, if any, to encourage such a proposal must be decided upon in the light of the results of current conversations with the British and Canadians. [Footnote in the source text.]