Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, General, Volume I

840.50/2034b: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Representatives ⁵⁵

Washington, June 9, 1943—2 p.m.

Reference Department’s circular telegram May 21, 9 p.m.⁵⁶ The following is the text of the note to be used in presenting the draft agreement for a United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and the explanatory memorandum to the governments concerned:⁵⁷

“Acting on the instructions of my Government, I have the honor to transmit to you herewith for the consideration of your Government a draft agreement for the establishment of a United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, together with an explanatory memorandum relating thereto.

I know that your Government has been giving attention to the problems of relief and rehabilitation which will exist after the war and in war-torn areas as they are liberated from the control of the enemy even before the termination of hostilities. My Government will be happy to collaborate with the Government of . . . . . . . in developing plans for joint action by the United Nations and the other Nations associated with them in this war in meeting these vast and challenging problems.

In order to secure a basis for general discussion of the subject, my Government has been engaged in informal discussions with the British Government, the Soviet Government and the Chinese Government; the enclosed draft meets with the approval of those Governments. This draft is being brought to the attention of all of the United Nations and of the Nations associated with them in this war. It is also being placed before the appropriate French authorities.

The representative of your Government in Washington is being informed regarding the substance of this note and he is being told that the Secretary of State and the other officers of the Department of State dealing with this subject will hold themselves in readiness to discuss with him any questions or suggestions which your Government may wish to present.

In order to forestall speculation as to the terms of the proposal, arising out of the wide public interest in the matter in many countries, the text of the draft agreement will be released to the Press for publication after 9 o’clock p.m. Washington time on the day on which it is being placed before the Governments; the explanatory memorandum will be given to the Press for background purposes at the same time. In making this release to the Press my Government will make it clear that the draft agreement is tentative and that no action will be proposed until all of the governments concerned have had an opportunity for full consideration and discussion of the proposal. The Government of . . . . . . . will feel free, of course, to release the text or to discuss the actual terms of the draft agreement with the Press at any time after the time set for the release in Washington.

In view of the tremendous scope of the problems of relief and rehabilitation which will face our Nations and of the possibility that large-scale assistance will be required for civilians who may be freed from Axis domination in the near future, action by the United Nations and the Nations associated with them is of the utmost importance. It is the hope of the Government of the United States, therefore, that your Government will be in a position shortly to join with the United States and the other Nations in definitive action on this matter.”

Hull

55. Sent to the chiefs of mission accredited to the Governments comprising the United Nations (except China, the United Kingdom, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and to the Governments associated with them (except Liberia); also to the Consul General at Algiers. Sent as telegram No. 55, June 9, 1 p.m., to the Mission in Liberia. The Consulate at Asmara having been closed, it was impossible to communicate with the Ethiopian Government; the documents were therefore handed to the Ethiopian Vice Minister of Finance, who was in the United States to attend the conference at Hot Springs, Va.
56. See bracketed note, p. 907.
57. Memorandum not printed. By a circular telegram dated June 9, 4 p.m., the chiefs of mission were instructed to make the presentation early Thursday, June 10. Separate telegrams with similar instructions were sent as No. 56, June 9, 2 p.m., to the Mission in Liberia, and as No. 1095, June 9, 5 p.m., to the Consul General at Algiers.