501.BC/12–1846: Telegram
The United States Acting Representative at the United Nations (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 19—7:45 a.m.]
983. Security Council (85th Meeting). A U.S. proposal for a seven-member Commission to investigate on-the-spot the alleged violations along the Greek frontier with Albania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, was placed before the SC December 18 by Chairman Johnson.
Prior to submitting his proposal, Chairman Johnson expressed the U. S. Government’s deep concern at the friction between Greece on the one hand and Albania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria on the other. He pointed out that all the involved nations had accepted SC jurisdiction in this case, which he described as exactly the type of case for the SC.
Mr. Johnson reviewed the situation as thus far presented by the four nations, emphasizing that the border violations alleged during the course of the debate could not be ignored by the SC. Information currently available was not a reliable basis for an SC decision and for this reason he urged the SC to suspend judgment and set up a Commission of Investigation, composed of Poland and Brazil in addition to the U.K., U.S.S.R., China, France and U. S. The group should proceed to the troubled area not later than January 15, 1947, and report on its findings at the earliest possible date.
Characterizing this on-the-spot inquiry as a “first essential step” Johnson declared it was with “a sincere desire to see constructive action and evenhanded justice result in a pacific solution of this case” that he had submitted his proposal.78
The Resolution embodying the U. S. proposal allows the Commission to: make preliminary reports; have authority to conduct its investigation in the area including such territory in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Yugoslavia as it deemed necessary, and call upon the Governments and officials of these countries, as well as other sources, for all relevant information. The SYG would make arrangements with appropriate authorities in the four countries to facilitate the investigation and would provide necessary staff.
[Here follow a further discussion of the Greek complaint and a summary of a meeting of the Committee on Postal Experts.]
[By unanimous vote on December 19, the Security Council established a fact-finding Commission of Investigation to make on-the-spot inquiries in northern Greece and anywhere else in Greece, Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia it deemed necessary. The Soviet delegate twice abstained from voting on provisions he had opposed, thereby making possible their passage. The British delegate similarly abstained to permit passage of a provision he had opposed. The Council’s decision was based on the United States resolution, with amendments proposed by other members of the Council (telegram 985, December 19, 1946, 11 p.m., from New York, 501.BC/12–1946).
For Council discussion of the Greek complaint, which took place at successive sessions from December 10 to December 19, see United Nations, Official Records of the Security Council, First Year, Second Series, Nos. 24–28, pages 529–701, passim. The text of the resolution establishing the Commission is printed ibid., No. 28, pages 700–701.]
- For text of Mr. Johnson’s statement, see SC, 1st yr., 2nd series, No. 27, p. 629.↩