501.BB Balkan/9–348: Telegram
The Secretary of State to Mr. Gerald A. Drew, at Athens
us urgent
1280. Balcom 208. Following Dept’s views re Combal 248.1 It has never been Dept’s intention to oppose in any way formation strong conclusions to be included in Supplementary Report. We trust conclusions will be strongest which evidence adduced by UNSCOB will sustain and we hope Supplementary Export will include all evidence at least up to end of August including particularly Grammos operation.
We also approve strongest possible condemnation of A, B, and Y on basis aid to guerrillas and attitude toward UNSCOB. If evidence in possession UNSCOB affords basis for milder treatment of Yugo [Page 266] (Balcom 2072) we hope Supplementary Report will reflect such distinction, but only if sound factual foundation exists.
Recommendations set forth Balcom 2003 represent essential points which, in Dept’s view, should be met in some way or other to insure continued satisfactory UNSCOB operation. Netherlands suggestion extremely vague as outlined Combal 248. How would “blanket” approach provide for such points as GA recommendation to disarm and intern guerrillas, authority to consult Interim Committee, and recommendation states other than A, B and Y give no aid to guerrillas, etc? If Netherlands approach covers, either expressly or impliedly, essential points US program, Dept perceives no fundamental objection to this type approach, however, we believe idea specific recommendations should not be discarded lightly without assurance that essential points are covered.
We feel strongly that proposed resolution should clearly endorse, either expressly or by implication, the observation activity of UNSCOB. In this connection, an injunction from GA to UNSCOB to continue its activities in the same manner as present operation would seem meet this point. We still await receipt your views on armed escorts for observer teams. (Balcom 2044)
Dept willing to consider any “practical solution” which UNSCOB can devise as logical consequence of strong conclusions. When proposed suggestion for blanket resolution takes more specific form we would appreciate opportunity to study tentative text with view to developing further suggestions.
Conversations between Rusk and Gladwyn Jebb, UK, revealed fundamental agreement US-UK along lines of recommendations Balcom 200. Does UKDel now favor “blanket” approach?
Re your proposed abstention on dubious points,5 important that such US policy will not encourage other delegates to adopt similar attitude on points where it would be desirable to have unanimity.
Please advise whether UNSCOB contemplates proposed resolution be introduced by rapporteur.
Please also advise principal recommendations advocated by Mexican delegation.
- Identified also as telegram 1739, September 2, 7 p. m., from Athens; it reported a “feeling among several of more realistically minded that US recommendations would be weak anti-climax to strong conclusions in that they offer no practical solution to problem pointed to by such conclusions. This thinking has prompted Netherlands delegate to come forward in corridors with outline of proposed GA resolution which would (1) adopt and approve general and supplementary reports (2) approve manner in which committee had discharged its mandate (3) direct it to carry on in same manner. Such broad resolution by giving blanket blessing to our work would in effect accomplish most of objectives of Dept’s more detailed recommendations, avoid obvious contradiction with strong conclusions and preclude addition of petty details in mind of some delegates.” (501.BB Balkan/9–248)↩
- Identified also as telegram 1263, September 2, 12 noon, to Athens; it cited an Athens press source alleging that Yugoslavia was interning guerrillas crossing the Yugoslav border and in some cases turning them back (501.BB Balkan/9–248).↩
- Dated August 17, p. 255.↩
- Identified also as telegram 1242 to Athens, dated August 28, not printed.↩
- As indicated in Combal 248.↩