S/SNSC Files: Lot 63D351: NSC 21 Series1

Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Perkins) to the Under Secretary of State (Webb)2

secret

There is attached the paper on Antarctica (UM D–523) which was discussed at your staff meeting on August 8, 1949. No objection was raised.4

A year ago the US proposed to the Antarctic claimant countries that a solution for the Antarctic territorial problem be discussed on the basis of internationalization. This proposal was unacceptable to the majority of the claimant countries. It is, therefore, now recommended that we accept the substance of the Chilean proposal for a modus Vivendi, amending it so far as possible to bring it into harmony with our views on the desirable eventual solution. As we would seek to amend it, the modus vivendi would be a declaration or agreement by the eight claimants to freeze the status quo with respect to territorial rights as between the signatories for a period of 5, 10 or more years; to promote scientific investigation; and to cooperate for the advancement of their common interests. (It is far from certain that this proposal will be accepted by Argentina, which has taken an extreme nationalistic position.) If this recommendation is approved, we will take the following steps: 1. Inform the NSC and through the NSC the Secretatry of Defense (memorandum5 attached for signature, if approved). 2. Consult with the British as to their general attitude [Page 804] on the proposal. 3. If the British do not raise serious objections, consult the Chileans as to the best manner of bringing the proposal actively to the attention of the countries concerned.

Recommendation:

That the attached paper be approved and that the attached memorandum to the NSC be signed.

Concurrences:

The following divisions and offices have concurred in the position outlined in the annexed paper (UM D–52) and the text of the memorandum to the NSC: NOE, BC, EUR, NWC, RPA, ARA, OIR/GE, L/P.

[
George W. Perkins
]
  1. Serial master files of National Security Council documentation and related Department of State material for the years 1947–1961, retired by the Executive Secretariat of the Department of State.
  2. Marginal handwritten notations on the source text indicate that this memorandum was transmitted through and approved by Deputy Under Secretary of State Dean Rusk, was approved by Under Secretary of State Webb, and was forwarded to the Secretary of State.
  3. See supra, and footnote 1 thereto.
  4. The Action Summary of the Under Secretary’s meeting of August 8, not printed, indicates that the course of action proposed in the undated Department of State paper, supra, was to be recommended to the Under Secretary of State for his views before it was forwarded to the Secretary of State Under Secretary’s Meetings: Lot53D250).
  5. For the text of the memorandum under reference as signed by the Secretary of State and submitted to the National Security Council on August 29, see infra.