740.00119 Control (Germany)/3–1149: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations ( Austin )to the Secretary of State
us urgent
315. Sir Terence Shone, Mr. De La Tournelle and I called on Ambassador Alvarez, SC President, this afternoon in regard to the Berlin case. Speaking for the group, I explained our position to the President, emphasizing that in view of the nature of the committee’s report we did not believe that consideration of that report by the SC at this time would serve any useful purpose. We explained that we thought this phase of the proceedings which had been instituted by Dr. Bramuglia might be brought to a close by publication of the committee’s report at an early date, together with a statement by the President indicating that no further action is contemplated. We explained the nature of the statement which we had in mind the [Page 691] President might issue at the time of the publication of the report and, at his request, left with the President a copy of a proposed text.
The President, after some discussion, said he thought the procedure we suggested was quite satisfactory and said he would institute action along these lines immediately. He proposed to instruct the secretariat to have the report duplicated immediately and thought it might be made public this weekend. He asked whether we had consulted the Canadians. We indicated we had informed them in general of what we had in mind and that they had not objected. He indicated he would probably get in touch with them.
The President was quite clear that the matter would not be brought before the SC in any way and that it would not be made into an S/document. Question was raised whether the Russians would ask for a meeting. I suggested that if this occurred the President might ask the Russians whether they now accepted the jurisdiction of the SC. The President did not indicate that he planned to consult the Russians before taking the contemplated action with regards publication.
The following is the text we handed to the President:
“The President is making public the report of the committee of Neutral Experts established by the President of the Council, Dr. Bramuglia, on November 30, 1948, which with its annexes gives full account of the work of the committee for the study of the Berlin currency and trade problems. As the report indicates, the committee held long and detailed discussions lasting several weeks. Despite its laudable efforts, the committee was unable to arrive at a solution of the problem acceptable to both sides. Accordingly there would appear to be no further contribution which the President’s Committee of Experts can make at this time. The Council remains seized of the Berlin matter, however, and the President of the Council as well as other members not directly involved in the dispute hold themselves ready to render such assistance to the parties as would be most helpful.
Protitch1 telephoned and said that Alvarez had telephoned alerting Protitch to expect instructions Monday morning to prepare the report immediately for release Tuesday.
Ignatieff2 informed us Cubans consulted them, and Canadians who meanwhile had received instructions from Ottawa to support us fully, informed Cubans they were thoroughly in favor of procedure envisaged. Canadians advised Cubans to consult other neutrals, and Canadians had impression Cubans would do so immediately by telephone.