501.BB/12–1246: Telegram
The Chargé in Spain (Bonsai) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 12—11:23 a.m.]
1730. Following is translation FonOff note verbale delivered my home late last night:
“Ministry Foreign Affairs presents compliments American Embassy and has honor to communicate that, according reports news agencies confirmed by reports reaching this Ministry, in session of Political Security Committee of UNO held last Monday 9th Belgian representative [Page 1089] Spaak who presided, taking advantage prevailing confusion and notwithstanding protests presented by some delegates considered as included in preamble of resolution on Spain without submitting it to vote and as though it had been voted by all a phrase according to which it is affirmed that it has been established ‘in incontrovertible manner and with documentary proof that Franco was guilty together with Hitler and Mussolini of conspiring to unchain war against those countries which in course of struggle were accidentally grouped under name of United Nations’.
“It is known to majority of nations if not to all and it is especially known to the Govt which the Embassy represents that report is absolutely slanderous that Chief of Spanish State ever had knowledge of preparation of international war nor least connection with declaration thereof which was done much against Spain’s will against her own interests and seriously injured Spanish recovery which had just begun following end our war of liberation.
“Therefore Spanish Govt rejects with greatest energy such statements accepted without previous analysis and without least trace of proof because of the manifest partiality with which discussion was directed.
“As result and since from afore-mentioned reports it is deducted that American delegation in UNO doubtless because of prevailing confusion made no reservations re said paragraph when aforesaid preamble was approved as a whole nor any reservations re inaccuracies contained in other paragraph thereof, Spanish Govt hopes that warned in time American representative in UNO when time comes tomorrow to vote in Assembly aforementioned proposal will stand up for the rights of trusts [truth?] and will pronounce himself against false and insidious accusations.”
Please instruct regarding reply.87
- The Department in its telegram 1495, December 30, 1946, to Mr. Bonsai stated: “Since it is not believed that anything would be gained by making reply, Dept proposes none be made. If you are asked you can say that both notes were at once telegraphed your Govt but that you have received no instructions as to reply.” (501.BB/12–1246)↩