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

501.BB/10–546: Telegram

The Secretary of State to Senator Austin ¹⁷

secret
urgent

[Washington,] October 29, 1946—7 p.m.

253. USdel 648, Oct. 5.¹⁸ Re Soviet item presence of forces of states members of UN oh territories of non-enemy states Delegation should feel free to propose expansion of item so as to include forces in ex-enemy states, if an actual proposal along lines of Soviet thesis is presented in the appropriate committee prior to further communication from me or the Department.¹⁹

We understand item is not likely to come up this week in committee and that in event it does the British Delegation will move for postponement of consideration until Bevin’s arrival in view of his personal interest in the matter. We have assured British Embassy you would not oppose such postponement.²⁰ We do not regard our amendment as requiring placing of a new item on the agenda and therefore do not feel that proposed agenda deadline will adversely affect our freedom of action.

It occurs to me that you may wish to tell other delegations and the press, if inquiry is made of you, that we do not oppose open discussion in the Assembly of the Soviet proposal but that we consider it one-sided in as much as it does not cover ex-enemy states.

It does not seem to me that it would be wise for us to make disclosure of locations and strength of U.S. troops in advance or in absence of the adoption by the GA of a resolution requesting such information from members. You should, however, feel free to point out that we have nothing to hide with regard to our forces abroad and that in no case are our forces in friendly countries remaining there against the consent of such countries. Our forces entered these countries to prosecute the war against our enemies and where they are still present they are remaining for legitimate purposes growing out of the end of hostilities. For your information, any resolution the Assembly may adopt should not call for information as to troops except in excess of 100 in any particular country as we see no useful purpose that would be served in including such minor contingents. It is also important that you make clear that we regard Austria as not being an ex-enemy country.

Byrnes

[At the 42nd Meeting of the General Assembly, October 29, during the general debate phase, Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov delivered an address dealing with a wide range of issues confronting the United Nations. His remarks included criticism of the U.S. proposal for the international control of atomic energy. He also read the Soviet resolution on troop reporting which had been presented to the Security Council on August 29, expressed regrets that the Council had refused to place the matter on its agenda, and contended that “It is essential for the General Assembly to state its weighty opinion on this subject.” Molotov concluded by introducing a Soviet proposal on the general reduction of armaments which read as follows:

• “1. With a view to strengthening peace and international security in conformity with the aims and principles of the United Nations, the General Assembly recognizes the necessity of a general reduction of armaments.
• “2. The implementing of the decision concerning the reduction of armaments should include, as its primary object, the prohibition to produce and use atomic energy for military purposes.
• “3. The General Assembly recommends that the Security Council should ensure the effective implementing of the principles laid down in paragraphs 1 and 2 above.
• “4. The General Assembly appeals to the governments of all the States to give to the Security Council all the assistance necessary to enable it to discharge its responsibilities arising out of this task, the achievement of which lies within the scope of its mission to establish an enduring peace and maintain international security. This task is also in the interest of the peoples who would be released from the heavy economic burden caused by the excessive expenditure on armaments which do not correspond to peaceful post-war conditions.”

For the full text of Molotov’s speech, see GA(I/2), Plenary, pages 832–847.]

17. The source text includes the following marginal notation by Mr. Hiss, the drafting officer: “Cleared’ in substance with War & Navy Depts.”
18. Not printed.
19. The U.S. Delegation discussed the matter briefly at its 12th Meeting, 9 a.m., October 29, but took no decisions with respect to it. The minutes of the meeting include the following: “Senator Vandenberg stated that abstractly the Soviet proposal certainly dealt with the maintenance of peace and security. To oppose it would be fantastic. Since consideration of it could not be escaped, it should be arranged in the way the United States wanted it to be. He continued that it would be just as fantastic not to broaden the proposal.” (IO Files)
20. In regard to the position of the present telegram in the flow of events, including discussions with the British Embassy, see the bracketed note infra, and Mr. Hiss’ memorandum of October 30, p. 978.