740.00119 Council/10–346: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Caffery)
us urgent
5262. Secdel 1039. Discussions re Yugoslav and Czech requests for return Danube vessels began in plenary session ECOSOC Sept 27 and continued through two sessions Sept 28.77 Both Yugo and Czecho delegates read statements indicting US for unjustified retention vessels urgently needed in Czecho and Yugo. Winant replied with agreed statement U.S. position. Greek delegate stated no arrangements had been made for return Greek vessels in Soviet zone, and proposed resolution for Council similar to those of Czecho and Yugo but directed at Sov Govt.
Sov delegate made lengthy statement attacking U.S. for unjustified retention vessels and for issuing what he termed “ultimatum” to Czecho and Yugo. Statement included line that conference in Vienna re operating arrangements not connected with restitution issue. Also referred to no internationalization American rivers. Urged Council [Page 274] decision on restitution issue but denied right to act in calling Vienna conference by reason Art. 107 Charter.
French, Brit, Belgian, Lebanese, Greek, Canadian and Chilean delegates spoke in favor U.S. resolution re Vienna conference. Peruvian delegate expressed opinion none of resolutions presented were within competence ECOSOC. Debate on competence ECOSOC act on such questions ensued. Chairman Stampar78 finally closed debate with statement Chair would entertain any proposal and bring question to vote in plenary session Council sometime during coming week.
In summary, Council now split along East West lines. If question had come to vote Sat, Dept. representatives present believe Yugo-Czecho and Greek resolutions would have been defeated, while U.S. resolution would have been passed. However, defeat Yugo-Czecho resolutions would not accurately reflect support U.S. position since some negative votes would have indicated only belief question was not within competence Council. Believe South American group would vote “No” on Yugo-Czecho resolution with some abstentions on U.S. resolution together with some approvals of it. French delegate was uneasy and uncertain re French vote.
Summary Danube negotiations in Paris would be helpful.
Please report local reactions resulting from U.S. position in ECOSOC and degree to which U.S. position is reported locally.
Sent Paris as 5262, repeated Vienna 890, Praha 1206, London 6963, Budapest 1020, Moscow 1754, Belgrade 660, Bucharest 642, Sofia 310.
- For minutes of these sessions, see United Nations, Report by the Economic and, Social Council of the General Assembly, Tenth Meeting, September 27, 1946, pp. 62–72; Eleventh Meeting, September 28, 1946, pp. 73–76; Twelfth Meeting, September 28, 1946, pp. 76–78; Twenty-first Meeting, October 3, 1946, pp. 152–155.↩
- Dr. Andija Stampar, Yugoslav delegate.↩