Office of the Historian

501.BB/11–1846: Telegram

Senator Austin to the Secretary of State

secret
urgent
New York, November 18, 1946—10:15 p.m.
[Received November 19, 12:58 a.m.]

822. The following position on Soviet troop proposal, approved by Secretary, will be presented to Delegation tomorrow morning for approval: Recommendations

A. Substantive

(1)
We should immediately take steps to broaden the inquiry so as to include all mobilized troops at home and abroad, including those in ex-enemy territories.
(2)
We should indicate from the beginning complete readiness to comply with an appropriate request to furnish such information.
(3)
Neither Austria nor Korea is to be regarded as an ex-enemy country.
(4)
Only troops in excess of 100 in any particular country should be reported.
(5)
If troops in home territories are to be included, only total figures should be required, without giving locations and breakdown.
(6)
Should circumstances make it appropriate to do so, we should reaffirm the importance which we attach to adequate safeguards in the field of armament regulation.

B. Proposed tactics

The Soviet representative will presumably open the debate on the item relating to the disposition of troops of United Nations in other than ex-enemy countries.

The following tactical moves are recommended:

(1)
The United States should endeavor to speak soon, if possible immediately, after the Soviet representative.
(2)
The initial statement of the U.S. representative should be a brief and forceful one making it clear that we have a clear conscience and nothing to hide, and embodying the points made in A, 1–4, above.
(3)
The U.S. should endeavor to avoid raising the issue as to whether broadening the resolution is within the Committee’s competence. If the question is raised by others, we should insist that such an amendment as we propose is entirely appropriate.
(4)
Before any statement is made in open committee, the U.K. Delegation should be consulted and, if possible, their concurrence with the U.S. position obtained.

Austin