Office of the Historian

320/10–3050: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin)

secret
[Washington,] October 30, 1950—7 p. m.

Gadel 79. While Dept sees certain obvious educational advantages in Pearson’s suggestion for full-scale debate on threats of aggression against Yugo (Delga 189),1 we doubt present tactical feasibility doing so in connection Yugo Res on aggression, primarily for fol reasons:

1)
Such debate wld lend color and importance to Yugo Res and make difficult for us and other dels oppose or defer its passage.
2)
Since Yugo Res directed against aggression in genl, any debate as Pearson suggests cld not and shld not be limited to aggression against Yugo but shld also bring in aggression in other areas. After lengthy debates on Korean Res, Uniting for Peace and Sov item, we doubt whether Comitee wld be disposed to greet a new anti-Sov debate with any great enthusiasm.
3)
While implications not yet clear to Dept, Tito2 ref yesterday in Zagreb speech to possible appeal to UN against USSR and Cominform3 states may indicate wisdom leaving in Yugo hands timing, forum and manner of UN presentation of charges of threats of aggression. However, even if way cld be found to overcome difficulties raised in 1 and 2 above full consultation with Yugo Del and its advance agreement and cooperation wld be necessary before any debate, such as Pearson suggests shld be launched.
Acheson
  1. October 27, not printed. USUN had reported that “Ritchie, Canadian Delegation, said today Pearson thinking of idea utilizing the Yugoslav resolution on aggression for full debate on the threats of aggression which had been made against Yugoslavia. … This was not made as a proposal, but merely as tentative idea which Pearson thinking about. Department’s reaction requested.” (320/10–2750)↩
  2. Josip Broz Tito, Yugoslav Prime Minister.↩
  3. This was one of a series of preelection speeches that Tito was making at this time.↩