710 Consultation (3)A/456: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Uruguay ( Dawson )
4. For the Ambassador and Spaeth. Upon further consideration, the Department is of the opinion that it would be undesirable to effect the exchange of information at a meeting, as suggested in Department’s [Page 4] 640 of December 30.14 Among the objections which the Department has received from or observed in various interested quarters are the following:
- 1.
- It would consume considerable time to inaugurate the meeting, whereas most governments are now prepared to engage in the exchange of information and some are already doing so. Further delay appears dangerous.
- 2.
- Despite the most careful efforts to establish the limited purposes of the meeting, strong suspicions would exist that it was for purposes of consultation or decision regarding recognition or would be converted to such purposes. In some countries the Committee’s resolution has already given rise to fears based upon sovereignty considerations.
- 3.
- Certain smaller countries probably would be unable to be represented, but can be reached promptly and effectively through regular diplomatic channels.
Hence, the Department is of the opinion that the better procedure is to effect the exchange of information through the regular diplomatic channels. It is prepared to circularize its information immediately to all the missions, for delivery to the respective Foreign Ministers for their strictly confidential information and believes that other governments principally concerned are similarly situated.
The Department believes, however, that it would be most helpful in this connection if the Committee would adopt a further resolution to the effect that new developments indicate that its resolution of December 24 is applicable to the Bolivian change in government, and recommending that the governments concerned promptly exchange information and consult with one another through their regular diplomatic channels for the purposes stated in the December 24 resolution. Such further action by the Committee would appear necessary to set the stage for the exchange of information and otherwise put the resolution of December 24 into operation with important multilateral sanction.
The Department recognizes that the foregoing may be a disappointment to Dr. Guani and to Spaeth. You may rest assured and should impress upon Dr. Guani that the foregoing in no sense detracts from the Department’s deep appreciation of and respect for the leadership and initiative he has demonstrated in this matter as has Spaeth. That leadership and initiative, shared also by other Committee members, have resulted in considerably enhancing the prestige of the whole Committee.
In discussing the revised procedure with Dr. Guani, please make clear to him our opinion that there is great urgency in reaching an immediate agreement upon the procedure for carrying out the December [Page 5] 24 resolution, and that the Committee offers the most effective means of precipitating agreement upon and implementation of that procedure by all interested governments. We hope, therefore, that the Committee will immediately adopt the further resolution earlier described, and communicate it by telegram to the 19 governments involved.