Lot 60–D 224, Box 55: D.O./P.R./26
Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Stettinius) to the Secretary of State
Subject: Progress Report on Dumbarton Oaks Conversations—Twenty-seventh Day
Meeting of the Joint Steering Committee
A meeting of the Joint Steering Committee was held today at Ambassador Gromyko’s request to reach agreement on a number of unsettled items.
(a) Voting in the Council
With reference to the section on voting in the Council the Soviet group preferred a general statement rather than an enumeration of [Page 825] the questions requiring unanimous vote.9 The Soviet group also were agreeable to providing that a permanent member could abstain from voting, but be bound by the decision.9 The British said emphatically that the voting question was closed at this time and maintained that the matter of voting should be settled as a whole rather than in parts. I suggested the voting question might best be covered by a statement that the matter has been left open.
(b) Regional Arrangements
The Soviet group withdrew their reservation on regional arrangements, but requested that the clause excepting from the authority of the Security Council action in relation to enemy states be transferred to the chapter on transitional arrangements.10
(c) Respect for Human Rights
The British were reluctant to accept our proposal for a provision obligating states to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Soviet group would accept this principle provided it were coupled with a provision that Fascist or fascist-type states could not be members of the organization.11
(d) Disarmament and Regulation of Armaments
The British agreed that the general Assembly might consider disarmament, but maintained their view that the military staff committee should not deal with disarmament.
The Soviet group withdrew objection to empowering the Security Council, assisted by the military staff committee, to formulate plans for regulating armaments.
(e) Election of Non-Permanent Council Members
The British agreed to eliminate the qualification that the contribution of members to peace and security be a consideration in filling nonpermanent seats.
(f) Settlement of Disputes
The Soviet group suggested that the obligation of parties to refer an unresolved dispute to the Security Council state that the Council should in each case decide whether the dispute is a threat to peace and whether the Council should deal with it.
[Page 826](g) Bases and Transit Facilities
The Soviet group agreed to drop the provision, originally proposed by them, that smaller states should provide transit facilities and sites for bases.
(h) International Air Force Corps
The American formula regarding national air force contingents was accepted and the British alternative was dropped.
(i) Transitional Arrangements
Agreement was reached that until the special agreement or agreements to provide armed forces come into force, the states parties to the Moscow Declaration should consult with one another and, as occasion arises, with other members of the Organization with a view to joint action to maintain peace and security.
- See footnote 62, p. 777.↩
- See footnote 62, p. 777.↩
- The last phrase of the second paragraph (September 13 draft by the Joint Formulation Group, not printed) stated: “… no enforcement action should be taken under regional arrangements or by regional agencies without the authorization of the Security Council, with the exception of action in relation to enemy states as a result of the present war taken or authorized by the governments having responsibility for such action.”↩
- In response to an inquiry by Mr. Pasvolsky as to whether the Council would determine whether or not a state was of a fascist type, Ambassador Gromyko replied: “Of course”. (Informal minutes of meeting No. 16 of the Joint Steering Committee, September 19, p. 3.)↩