Office of the Historian

740.00119 Council/10–846: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State, in Paris86

secret
Washington, October 8, 1946—7 p.m.

5378. Secdel 1075. 1. In view of our repeatedly stated position that GA may discuss any topic within the scope of the Charter and because its scope of discussion is thus wider than that of SC, we believe we should not oppose addition to GA Agenda of Soviet proposal re presence of forces of states members of UN on territories of non-enemy countries (re Dept’s 5321, October 5).87

2. Under GA rules all proposed Agenda items are passed upon by GA. Consequently, our position does not have to be taken definitively until GA convenes. However, we recommend that in order to make our position clear as well as to minimize risk of having Soviet proposal debated in its present form, we should promptly inform SYG our intention to move for a revision of the Soviet proposal or, if necessary, to propose a new Agenda item to include the question of troops of UN [Page 953] members in territories of non-member states (Dept’s telegram 4508, August 30), and that at the same time, we should request SYG to communicate notice of this intention to UN members. Our position should be determined promptly.

3. It is Dept’s view as well as that of War and Navy (Dept’s 4508, August 30) we should be willing to make available such information regarding US troops.

4. In view your prior consideration this matter with Bevin when proposed for SC consideration, you may wish to discuss it again with him. (Ur 4396, September 2)

Acheson
  1. Repeated to New York as telegram 231.↩

  2. In a letter to the Secretary General, October 3, the Soviet Delegation requested that the question of the presence of troops of United Nations members on non-enemy territory be placed on the agenda of the General Assembly; for text, see United Nations, Official Records of the General Assembly, First Session, Second Part, First Committee, p. 332. Telegram 5321, not printed, informed the Secretary of State of the Soviet request. (740.00119 Council/10–546)

    On October 7, Mr. Hiss and Senator Austin discussed the matter by telephone. Mr. Hiss indicated that in view of United States advocacy of freedom of discussion in the General Assembly the Department intended to recommend to Secretary Byrnes that the United States not oppose the placing of the item on the agenda. Senator Austin concurred. (740.00119 Council/10–546)

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