Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, General; the United Nations, Volume I

501.BC/8–2946: Telegram

The Acting United States Representative at the United Nations (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

urgent

New York, August 29, 1946—midnight.
[Received August 29—11:30 p.m.]

527. The following is an unofficial translation for the press of statement by Ambassador Gromyko, before the Security Council, 29 August, 1946 proposing that UN members report on their troops stationed in certain foreign territories:

“In connection with the war the United Nations waged against their common foes—Hitler Germany and militaristic Japan—troops of certain powers, members of the United Nations, were situated on the territory of several countries, members of the United Nations, and certain countries which had not participated in the war, for the purpose of driving out the German and Japanese aggressors, or to prevent invasion by Axis troops. After these tasks had been completed and the war had ended and Germany and Japan were put under the control of Allied occupation forces, some Allied troops were withdawn from the above-mentioned territories. However, according to the available information, Allied troops still continue to be situated on the territory of several member states of the United Nations and other states, not including the former enemy territories.

The presence of Allied troops for so long a time after the end of the war, a presence which is not called for by military necessity, must provoke natural uneasiness in the peoples of those countries in which foreign troops are still stationed. Further, world public opinion, which is interested in the establishment of peace as soon as possible and the maintenance of collective security, follows with open concern the situation which has been created in the above-mentioned countries.

The Security Council should therefore study the question of the maintenance of Allied troops at the present time on the territory of member states of the United Nations and other states, with the exception of former enemy territories. The Security Council, however, has not at its disposal information on where in the territory of member states of the United Nations and other states, excepting former enemy territories, troops of other member states of the United Nations are situated, and on the number of these troops. Taking into account the duties of the Security Council provided for in Chapter 7 of the Charter of the United Nations, the Security Council should be informed on the question of where the armed forces of member nations of the United Nations are stationed in the above-mentioned territories and on the number of these troops. In connection with this, I submit, on instruction of the Soviet Government, the proposal that the Security Council should take the decision to require states members of the United Nations to submit to the Security Council within two weeks the following information:

1. In which places in the territories of member states of the United Nations or other states, with the exception of former enemy territories, and in what number are armed forces of other members of the United Nations stationed.

2. In what places in the above-mentioned territories are situated air and naval bases, and the strength of their garrisons, belonging to the armed forces of other member states of the United Nations.

3. The information mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2 should be submitted as of August 1, 1946.”³⁸

Johnson

38. For the official translation of Gromyko’s statement including the Soviet proposal, see United Nations, Official Records of the Security Council, First Year, Second Series, No. 5, pp. 141–142. Hereafter cited as SC, 1st yr., 1st series, No. 5.