501.BC/9–246: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State
urgent
[Received 8:18 p.m.]
4396. For Acting Secretary for Johnson from the Secretary. Reference New York’s 534, August 31. Soviet proposal that the Council ask [Page 897] for full data regarding military forces is of course propaganda. My first reaction was to advise offering an amendment to make certain that it would apply to Russian troops in ex-enemy states. However, British believe it would be followed by request for number and location of naval vessels. They will oppose placing subject on the agenda. Therefore, I advise that we take same position showing that request would not require statement from Soviets as to their troops in ex-enemy states. Johnson should assert it is ridiculous so far as we are concerned because newspapers daily publish the number of our troops in foreign territories and that no American soldier is in any country which has not requested the presence of such soldiers except those in ex-enemy states.