501.BB/10–2646: Telegram
Senator Warren R. Austin to the Acting Secretary of State
urgent
[Received 6:59 a.m.]
710. Briggs77 from Dawson. Meeting attended by representatives of most American Republic delegations, principally chief delegates, held this afternoon in writing room of General Assembly headquarters.78 Uruguayan Ambassador Blanco presided informally. Senator Austin made brief appearance between two important engagements and after gracious opening remarks read prepared statement as amended by you.79 After meeting Blanco expressed to me great satisfaction saying Austin’s appearance had saved day for him since he had insisted on including United States delegate in invitation implying original proposal had been confine meeting to Latin American delegations. Castillo Najera later told Carlos Hall that Argentine delegate Arce had tried to exclude United States.
Meeting was brief and there was no discussion slates or any other problem before United Nations. Arce spoke briefly to effect that we should not be afraid use word bloc and that American Republics constitute in fact a bloc. He then retired since he was addressing General Assembly leaving Corominas as Argentine representative. Lopez, Colombia, suggested discussion procedure for future meetings but there was no immediate reaction. Nieto del Rio, Chile, spoke very briefly to effect that he disagreed with Arce’s remarks regarding bloc which were not in line with Austin’s statement. Velloso, Brazil, stressed that American Republics form system and not bloc and suggested that calling of future meetings be left to Blanco. Corominas, Argentina, [Page 49] proposed designation four-man committee to handle future meetings. Padilla Nervo, Mexico, strongly opposed stating that meetings should have no formal character which was unnecessary and would arouse suspicions.80
Several delegates have asked me for the English or Spanish text of Austin’s statement. Please advise me urgently whether Department authorizes this.81 [Dawson.]
- Ellis O. Briggs, Director of the Office of American Republics Affairs.↩
- A detailed report of this meeting was made by Ambassador Dawson in a memorandum to Senator Austin dated October 25 (IO files, document US/A/60).↩
- Not printed: Senator Austin’s statement was attached to Ambassador Dawson’s memorandum. Senator Austin stated in pertinent part: “I feel and you feel that we can justly be proud of the splendid example of international cooperation on a basis of complete respect for sovereign equality offered to the world by our inter-American system. I am confident that the long tradition of harmonious collaboration which characterizes the relations of our countries will persist throughout our work together in the United Nations. The Delegation of the United States is most desirous of maintaining the closest liaison with the Delegations of our sister Republics. … However, we must recognize that on specific issues there are bound to be differences of opinion and, where such differences arise, it is of course understood that every American Republic will freely express its individual judgment—here in this General Assembly just as in our inter-American system. … I should like particularly to emphasize that we want to consult and exchange our views with you in the closest and most friendly manner, and that we believe that this can best be accomplished through the constant day-to-day contact between our delegations on matters of mutual interest. You know that arrangements have been made for maintaining liaison through Ambassador Dawson and the officers working with him, and we hope that you will make abundant use of these arrangements.”↩
- Several such informal meetings were held in the period leading up to the balloting in the General Assembly on November 19 for elections to membership on the several United Nations organs. As these were held at times when Senator Austin was occupied with prior appointments, usually meetings of the United States Delegation itself, he was represented by Ambassador Dawson (IO Files, documents US/A/79, 101, 103, 128, 132).↩
- Marginal notation: “Mr. Briggs phoned ‘yes’ 10/26/46 a.m.”↩