740.00119 FEAC/5–2649: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Sebald)
234. Subj is Summary FEC Mtg, May 19, 1949.
Jap Membership in Internatl Convention of Telecommunications ( FEC 334)
Phil member expressed view that provision of Basic Post-Surrender Policy empowering SCAP at his discretion to authorize Jap Govt to exercise “all the normal powers of govt in domestic admin” did not confer on SCAP same discretionary power in field of internatl relations. He stated Jap cld only accede to internatl conventions if authorized by FEC. He concluded since there was an accomplished fact before the Comm, his Del wld abstain, but was not prepared to consider SCAP’s action as binding precedent in future cases. US Member pointed out there was now a proposed policy before FEC on this subj and since four years had gone by since surrender provision had to be made to bring Jap back into normal participation in internatl relations.
Jap Participation in Internatl Relations ( FEC 339)
UK Member stated his Govt sympathized with broad objective of US proposal but cannot agree to it in its present form because (a) it is expressed in such broad terms that it cld result in termination of state of war with Jap without recourse to signature of treaty of peace, (b) there is no indication in it how Jap is to develop or what her status is to be, and (c) it cannot agree that SCAP shld be sole arbiter as to degree of relationship which Jap shall be entitled to maintain with Fon powers outside Jap. His Govt wld, however, be prepared to give careful consideration to policy proposal designed to secure greater measure of Jap participation in internatl arrangements on technical level and which wld avoid above points to which it takes exception. Furthermore UK member inquired of US Del whether they contemplate that Jap Cons be sent or expected to be received abroad. US Member referred question to his Govt, but pointed out SCAP auth wld be exercised in conjunction with other Govts which wld have the right to refuse to issue visas to Jap.
In view of rather strong objection to US proposal to refer paper to working Comite, paper was retained on FEC agenda but also referred to Comite 4.
Priority for Patent Applications in Jap ( FEC 333/7)
USSR Member expressed disagreement with NZ views presented at last mtg. He inquired of US Member whether the US considers rejection [Page 757] by Comm of policy means absence of action on part of Comm and whether this gives US right to issue interim directives. US Member stated that he had already stated position of his Govt on this point. The Chairman ruled that this item be removed from agenda. USSR Member objected, but Chairman replied that he considered this procedural matter and unless there was call for vote item wld be removed from agenda.
Jap Reparations and Level of Industry ( FEC 340)
Phil Member made fourteen page statement which was released to press and which is being airpouched to you. Chi Member stated that in spite of fact that his Govt is fully aware of difficulties that US, as principal occupying country, has encountered in course of last three years, it still cannot endorse views expressed in US statement of May 12. His Govt believed that these views were contradictory to internatl agreements in spirit and letter and wld be grossly unjust to those countries which have fallen victims to Jap aggression.