Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

740.0011 EW (Peace)/12–1549: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

confidential

Washington, December 15, 1949—7 p. m.

4486. Advise FonOff Dept ready designate Prof Edwin Dickinson, Dean Penna Law School and noted intl law scholar, as US rep satellite comms (urtel 4865, Dec 7¹). Dept indicated to Dean Dickinson that while he will be appointed initially to all 3 comms he wld serve only on one in case of consolidation of disputes (Deptel 3841, para 4, Oct 25 [26]²).

Dept believes best method making designation notes to three satellites with copies to SYG of UN. We envisage brief notes announcing appt our rep to all 3 comms, requesting name of their reps and proposing consultation re naming third members.

Since Brit now also prepared proceed appt their rep Dept believes it wld strengthen our case if action again coordinated with Dominions as in previous steps. Canad Emb Wash informed us Canad Govt also decided proceed with appt their rep. Austral Emb on other hand advises Austral Govt considers appts shld be deferred pending opinion of ICJ.

Dept suggested to Brit Emb Wash meeting of Austral, New Zealand, Canad, UK and US officials in Wash or London to discuss matter with view reaching early decision as to appt of reps. Brit Emb informed FonOff of our suggestion. Dept prefers Wash as site of meeting. Dominion Embs Wash are familiar with problem. In case FonOff proposes meeting in London, Dept will send further instructions for your guidance.³

Question of consolidation of disputes wld arise only in unlikely event that satellites shld indicate willingness appt their reps or if ICJ shld answer affirmatively questions 3 and 4 of GA res requesting advisory opinion. To effect consolidation presumably only one Dominion rep wld be required and others if designated wld have to be withdrawn.⁴

Acheson

1. Not printed; it reported that the Embassy was informed that the British Foreign Office was prepared to designate Elwyn Jonas, Member of Parliament, as the United Kingdom representative to the Balkan treaty implementation commissions (740.0011 EW (Peace)/12–749).
2. Ante, p. 271.
3. Telegram 5089, December 22, from London, not printed, reported that the Foreign Office position on the proposals set forth here was that New Zealand and Australia would not be persuaded to participate in the joint action, that the best procedure would be for the United States, Britain, and Canada to go ahead themselves; January 5 was suggested as the date for the presentation of designation notes (740.0011 EW (Peace)/12–2249).

4. This telegram was repeated to Canberra with the following additions:

   “Above Deptel rptd to you in answer urtel 266, Nov 30. Brit FonOff now ready designate Elwyn Jonas MP as Brit rep to comms.

   “For urinfo re above ref to ‘consolidation of disputes’ last summer Dept agreed with Brit FonOff that for purposes convenience disputes between Allied states and each satellite shld be consolidated, and that 4 or 5 Allied states making charges under each Peace Treaty wld name same rep to present their case jointly. We proposed Allied states be represented by Dominion citizens in Hung, Amer in Rum, and Briton in Bulg. UK accepted this plan but we are unaware whether Brit discussed it with Dominions.”