710 Consultation (3)A/456: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Uruguay (Dawson)
640. For Spaeth. The Department has received suggestions that it might be feasible to effect the exchange of information envisaged [Page 37] by the Committee’s resolution by the following method. Reference immediately preceding telegram from Duggan,77 and your No. 1086 of December 27, 1 p.m.78
The Committee would take the initiative by calling to a meeting to be held in Montevideo authorized representatives of the 19 governments concerned, for the purposes of engaging in the exchange of information contemplated by the resolution. The representatives would each be expected to submit to each other all information secret and otherwise pertinent under the resolution, and thus be able to report such information in full back to their respective governments.
The Committee would not be expected to exercise any responsibilities for analysis or evaluation of the information or for making any report or recommendations to the governments based upon the information exchanged. The Committee mechanism would be employed, therefore, merely as a convenient method of facilitating in an expeditious and orderly way, the meeting, and the multilateral exchange of information recommended. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the exchange of information at the meeting should be without prejudice to the right of any participating government to consider other evidence in its possession.
The suggestions made thus rather clearly distinguish between the function of exchanging information, and the function of consultation. As to the latter, the governments would remain free to and probably would consult with one another before and after the meeting, presumably through the usual diplomatic channels, with respect to the basic question of recognition. It would also be clearly understood that the ultimate decision as to recognition was one for each government to determine. It is felt that, with these clear understandings on consultation and recognition, various governments sensitive to considerations of sovereignty would be more inclined to cooperate in such a meeting.
It is also assumed that the meeting should take place at an early date.
The Department has in mind the prospect of promptly sounding out certain other key governments with regard to these suggestions. Before doing so, however, it is imperative that it know whether the Committee would be in a position to carry forward such a plan or some suitable modification. You should promptly confer with Dr. Guani on the matter. You may also confer with any other members of the Committee in whom you have absolute confidence, if necessary to ascertain with confident accuracy the majority sentiment. The strictest confidence should be enjoined upon those consulted, to be maintained until the matter, if feasible so far as the Committee is concerned, has otherwise been adequately explored and determined upon.
[Page 38]A full report from you is desired at the earliest possible moment, both upon the substance of the plan and the mechanics for its inauguration.