Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, General; The United Nations, Volume I

501.AA/7–1147: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Mission at the United Nations

secret

Washington, July 11, 1947—8 p.m.

309. Following views on applications to be considered by SC Committee on Membership¹ are for your general guidance if, contrary to our expectations, substantive discussion in the Committee should take place on July 14 or immediately thereafter. More specific and detailed information re Dept’s attitude on these applications will be forwarded in next few days.

Paper on procedural problems before Committee on Membership will be pouched to USUN July 12, together with necessary additional background information.

1. Albania—US is inclined to oppose Albania’s admission even more strongly than last year, on following grounds:

a. Albania’s failure to agree that it will honor treaties and agreements to which US and Albania are parties. (This was the basis of our opposition last year.)

b. Albania’s refusal thus far to agree to reference of Corfu case to ICJ, in accordance with SC recommendation.

c. The conclusion of a majority of members of the United Nations Balkan Investigation Commission that Albania has been responsible for assistance to the Greek guerrillas, and the refusal thus far of the Albanian authorities to take part in the work of the Subsidiary Group of that Commission, throw doubt upon the peace-loving character of the present Albanian regime.

2. Mongolian People’s Republic—US member on Committee should adopt a negative attitude toward application of MPR, on the following grounds:

a. Information at our disposal indicates that MPR is not in fact an independent state.

b. Despite requests for information about the MPR made during the proceedings of this Committee last year, many of the essential facts bearing on its qualifications for membership are lacking.

c. MPR maintains diplomatic relations with no country other than the Soviet Union.

3. Trans-Jordan—As result of developments since this application was considered last year, the US should now have no hesitation in supporting this application.

4. Eire—US should continue its support.

5. Portugal—US should continue its support.

6. Hungary—Prior to resignation of Prime Minister Nagy, Hungary submitted application for membership. This action was apparently stimulated by advice orally conveyed to the Prime Minister by the American Minister, on instruction by Dept, that we would welcome Hungary’s early application. As result of recent political events in Hungary, we are not prepared at this moment to take a definite position on the Hungarian application.

7. Italy—The US should strongly state its support, on the merits, for Italy’s admission. However, despite Italy’s cobelligerency, Italy’s application will certainly be opposed at present by the Soviets on the ground that the peace treaty has not yet come into force. Approval will clearly be impossible, except as contingent on admission of one or more of the Eastern European Satellites.

8. Austria—The admission of Austria at this time will be difficult because of the failure to conclude a treaty and the continued occupation of the country by the Four Powers. US should nevertheless strongly support Austria’s application on the merits, explaining that Austria was a victim of aggression rather than an enemy state and that there has been undue delay in conclusion of the Austrian treaty. We should make every effort to have the Austrian application placed on a footing above, or at least equal to, that of any Eastern European Satellite.

Marshall

1. By this date the Security Council had received from Hungary, Italy, and Austria new applications for admission to membership in the United Nations, and these had been referred to the Membership Committee. By early August the Committee had received from the Security Council additional new applications from Romania, Yemen, and Bulgaria.