740.00119 FEAC/5–949: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Sebald)
192. Subj is Summary FEC Mtg, May 5, 1949.
Review of Jap Constitution
USSR Member stated although Sov Del not agree views of constitution given by SCAP in FEC 326/6 and believes constitution cld have been bettered in direction of its further democratization, Sov Del considers at present time essential question not so much question review of constitution as fact that those few democratic provisions contained [Page 738] in it being systematically violated by US occupation authorities and Jap Govt. Sov Del believes FEC shld adopt matters for actual provision of normal conditions for development of democratic tendencies in Jap and therefore wld abstain on voting on FEC 326/28. FEC 326/28 approved by vote 7 favor, 4 abstentions (India, Phil, USSR, US). Indian Member stated that considering limited period during which constitution had been in operation, his Govt felt no useful purpose be served by changing constitution at this present time and hoped SCAP wld continue to guide Jap people in carrying out both letter and spirit of constitution. Austral Member stated he was disappointed other points raised by his Govt had not been sent by Comm to SCAP even though there was not majority support for them.
Comm does not plan release this paper to the press.
Jap Membership in Internatl Convention of Telecommunications ( FEC–334)
Phil Member requested postponement as he was not yet prepared to present views on question.
Jap Participation in Internatl Relations ( FEC–339)
Reply to UK query on Apr 29, 1949 US proposed policy decision, US Member called attention of UK Member to provisions in Preamble and Part I of Basic Post-Surrender Policy for Jap and pointed out it was these references in addition to over-all objective of Allied Powers to restore peacefully inclined and responsible Jap Govt to family of nations, implicit in Potsdam Declaration, that US had in mind in drafting proposed decision.
Item retained on agenda.
Under other business UK Member indicated he planned to make statement on excessive concentration of economic power in Jap at next mtg.