501.BC/9–246: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Acting United States Representative at the United Nations (Johnson)
secret
Washington, September 9,
1946—7 p.m.
185. 1. The following comments concern USSR proposal that Council obtain certain information regarding military forces and take into account Secretary’s instructions on this subject (reference secret telegram 4396, September 2 from Paris).
- 2.
- We believe you should informally sound out those Council members likely to oppose USSR proposal to determine their positions and indicate to them we desire USSR proposal should be kept off agenda pointing out obvious propaganda nature of USSR proposal, inconclusive manner in which the Council’s jurisdiction is invoked, and, if desirable, any further arguments mentioned hereafter. If it appears that there will be sufficient votes to preclude placing USSR proposal on the agenda in its present form, we feel that extended discussion in Council should be avoided. We hope in this manner to bring on early vote so Council can pass on to matters more in keeping with its responsibilities and dignity. It seems to us that under these circumstances short statement by you to this effect would suffice.
- 3.
- Should it appear doubtful from your informal conversations with other
members that there is assurance of keeping this matter off agenda, and
if you, therefore, will need to make extended arguments in Council, then
you may in your discretion take initiative in Council in seeking to keep
matter off agenda, provided others are unwilling
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to do so. You may argue that we do not stand on
technicalities when complaints are brought to attention of Council and
indeed encourage full discussion of problems that concern Council.
However, in this instance, USSR statement in no way indicates any
relation to international peace and security or to the work of the
Council.
- a.
- The statements of “unconcealed anxiety” of world public opinion or of “natural uneasiness” cannot conceivably establish basis for considering the matter as dispute or situation under Chapter VI. Furthermore, USSR statement does not refer to Chapter VI.
- b.
- While USSR statement refers to Chapter VII, there is nothing in that statement that can be construed as being threat to peace, breach of peace, or act of aggression.
- c.
- We do not see what useful purpose, in relation to work of Council, desired information would serve. It is pertinent to inquire whether information is intended to relate to matters at present assigned by Council to MSC. How will it facilitate work of MSC if that is intention?50
Clayton
- The Security Council considered the question of placing the Soviet proposal on its agenda at its 71st Meeting, September 23, and 72nd Meeting, September 24; see SC, 1st yr., 2nd Series, pp. 423–442 and 443–460, respectively. At its 72nd Meeting, the Council decided not to admit the subject to the agenda by a vote of seven to two (Soviet Union and Poland) with two abstentions (France and Egypt).↩