Moscow Embassy Files: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
[Received December 20—11:50 a. m.]
2855. Secret for the Ambassador
1. Your interpretation of the reasons for the inclusion of the reference to paragraph one of Section C of Chapter VIII is correct (Reference your 4905 of December 19, 11 a. m.) but covers only one part of the situation. The paragraph under reference envisages the settlement of local disputes by peaceful means under regional arrangements or agencies. It also envisages scrutiny by the Security Council of such arrangements or agencies and their activites for the purpose of determining whether or not they are consistent with the purposes and principles of the organization. Finally, it envisages specific utilization of such arrangements or agencies by the Security Council, in its discretion, for purposes of peaceful settlement. Accordingly, we regard the Security Council’s activities under this paragraph as part of the Security Council’s general responsibilities for encouraging peaceful settlement specified in detail in Section A of Chapter VIII. It is not of course practicable to foresee at this time the precise procedures which the Security Council will adopt in the discharge of its functions pursuant to the paragraph under reference. We do however anticipate that such functions will in all probability lead in some instances to formal decisions by the Council which will call for a vote of the Council. In view of the fact that these particular functions are basically similar in nature to the functions specified in Section A of Chapter VIII, it seemed to us logical to provide for a similar voting procedure in the two categories of functions.
[Page 62]2. Section C of Chapter VIII was among the last provisions of the proposals to be drafted at Dumbarton Oaks. It had not been drafted at the time the voting procedure of the Council received intensive consideration and there was in fact no discussion at Dumbarton Oaks of the procedures which the Council might follow in acting under that Section. Consequently we assume that the Soviet officials who are familiar with the Dumbarton Oaks conversations may not have heretofore considered this question and so may have experienced some surprise at noting the President’s specific proposal in this respect.
3. For the reasons given in paragraph one above we consider that paragraph one of Section C is so closely related to Section A that the same voting procedure should naturally be followed with respect to cases arising under both sets of provisions. However the clearcut and important issue at this time is the one of principle, namely, that a distinction should be drawn between the peaceful settlement functions of the Council on the one hand and its enforcement functions on the other hand. It seems to us evident that if this issue is resolved in the way in which the President has proposed it will follow as a matter of course that the President’s specific proposal as to paragraph 1 of Section C of Chapter VIII will also in due course be adopted. Consequently you should, if you consider it would be helpful, feel free to state to the Soviet officials that in view of the fact that the President’s suggestion as to paragraph 1 of Section C is a novel matter from their point of view and relates only to a subsidiary aspect of the voting question, we should be glad to have consideration on that part of the President’s suggestion left for future determination if they so desire.
4. The President and I are most anxious for this matter to be settled as rapidly as possible for reasons of which you are of course, aware. We have not yet heard from the British but are urging them to come to a decision as soon as possible. We are confident that you will make every effort which you consider appropriate to bring this to a successful conclusion.