Sandifer Files1
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Sandifer)
Mr. Rusk told me that he thought it was very important that UNA consider promptly and urgently the effect on our UN policy of the President’s announcement of the atomic energy explosion in Russia. He said he thought the question should be considered not in terms of a single line of action or a comprehensive solution but in terms of a number of steps that might be taken. This should be outside the question of what might be done with respect to atomic energy itself.
As illustrative of possible lines, Mr. Rusk suggested the following:
- 1.
- We should aim at the development of a world alliance against aggression, recognizing that this will be difficult to achieve now or in the near future. In effect we have such an alliance in the Charter, but subject to the veto.
- 2.
- One possible step in the direction of such a world alliance would be the implementation of Article 43. This should be explored both in terms of action in the Security Council and, alternatively, of a convention within the United Nations or possibly action in the General Assembly.
- 3.
- We should explore the possibilities of proceeding within the framework of Chapter VII in such a manner as to short-circuit the effect of a veto.
- 4.
- In light of the requirement under the MAP legislation of semiannual reports on progress under Article 43 and on regulation of armaments, we should explore further the possibility of further action on the latter.
- 5.
- The relationship of our need for bases should be considered in connection with the implementation of Article 43, taking account of [Page 172] the fact that while it may be difficult to get some of the bases that we need on the ground of our own requirements, we might get them through action pursuant to Article 43.
- 6.
- We should consider carefully and realistically the effect of this information concerning atomic energy plus the developments in China on the international prestige situation. To some extent US prestige has gone down and Russian prestige has gone up. This may affect our tactics and policy on given problems, both within and without the United Nations.
Our overall political objective should be to consolidate an overwhelming majority of nations on the theory of “One World” before a definitive issue is drawn with the minority. This we have not yet done.
- Lot 55D429, files of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs Durward V. Sandifer for the years 1944–1953.↩