Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The British Commonwealth, Western and Central Europe, Volume V

501.BB/12–12416: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Spain (Bonsai)

Washington, December 13, 1946.

1442. Deptels 1433 Dec 11, 1438 Dec 12.⁸⁸ Resolution on Spain approved at plenary session General Assembly Dec. 12:34 affirmative 6 negative 13 abstentions.⁸⁹

US Delegate Stevenson made in substance following explanatory statement US vote: vote by paragraph having been requested US Del expresses, with respect to clause recommending possible Security Council consideration, grave doubts whether Charter authorizes SC take measures in circumstances recommended in resolution. Because of constitutional doubts US obliged abstain from voting ref paragraph. (Only this paragraph was voted on separately.)⁹⁰

Del thinks original US resolution preferable to resolution as amended. Believes it would have been more effective in accomplishing peaceful removal Franco regime by all elements of Spanish people.

In interest harmony and closest possible unanimity in GA on Spanish problem US will vote for resolution as whole with earnest hope peaceful change contemplated will soon bring freedom to Spanish people.

Acheson

88. Neither printed.
89. The General Assembly dealt with the draft resolution on Spain presented by the First Committee in three plenary sessions on December 12, 1946.
90. The paragraph in question was adopted by a vote of 29 to 8, with 11 abstentions (including the United States). For Mr. Adlai Stevenson’s statement, see GA (1/2), Plenary, p. 1217. The United States voted for the resolution as a whole.