CFM Files
United States Delegation Journal
USDel (PC) (Journal) 26
After some discussion the Commission agreed to approve the record of the previous meeting except for Item 3 which would be re-submitted for approval later. At the end of the meeting agreement was reached on the original British text of this item.
The Commission then renewed discussion on the procedure for hearing the ex-enemy states. Admiral Conolly (U.S.) then made a statement to the effect that the decision adopted at the previous meeting represented a far-reaching restriction on the consideration of the views of the ex-enemy states. He did not think it reasonable to prohibit all discussion of such proposals unless introduced as amendments by a member state, since such a procedure would go far to nullify the decision of the Conference to permit ex-enemy states to submit their views. No matter how much weight might be given to their suggestions, it was important that the people in those countries know that their views were being given at least a fair hearing. The Soviet and Ukrainian representatives criticized the American statement and said [Page 291] that the ex-enemy states had already been given an extensive opportunity to express their views. Admiral Conolly asked for a vote on the American proposal. Mr. Alexander (U.K.) did not favor that proposal and considered that it would represent a retrograde step reversing the position taken the day before by the Commission by a more than two-thirds majority. General Slavin (U.S.S.R.) also criticized the American position and proposed that there be no further review of the decision of the previous day. The Canadian Delegate then moved the adjournment of the meeting in order that the U.S., U.K. and Soviet representatives might make an effort to find a mutually agreeable formula. A simple motion of adjournment was carried unanimously.