795.00/12–1250
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Charles P. Noyes, Adviser on Security Council Affairs, United States Mission at the United Nations
US/A/C.1/2357
Subject: Korea
| Participants: | General Carlos P. Romulo, Philippines Delegation |
| Mr. C. P. Noyes, United States Delegation |
Romulo described the meeting yesterday of the Asian Group roughly as follows:
Rau had submitted his original resolution. Romulo had taken this apart. He had pointed out that the United Nations was one of the belligerents and could not call upon itself to cease fire. In connection with the cease-fire line, he had pointed out that it was absolutely essential that the United Nations should protect its own forces and that therefore it must of necessity consult the Unified Command before attempting to settle any principles or any details. As regards the third paragraph, Romulo pointed out that out of the seven nations only the United States, and possibly France, could be expected to stand up against the Communists. The USSR position was known; the United Kingdom and India had recognized Communist China; and Egypt’s position was one of desiring peace at all costs. He said that this was a stacked committee; that he would have nothing to do with it. He also pointed out that the sub-items in the Indian proposal covered [Page 1528] exactly the same ground as the terms of reference of UNCURK, and that it would be ridiculous for an Assembly to give to this new committee the same terms of reference as UNCURK. Finally, he pointed out that the final paragraph made it possible for the Chinese Communists to raise any Far Eastern issue they wanted, including Indo-China, Formosa, seating in the United Nations, the Philippines, Japanese Peace Treaty or any other issues.
Romulo stated that he urged the Group to stick to the simple ceasefire and suggested a committee appointed by the President to make the necessary arrangements if possible. He said he was supported in a number of these points by the Syrian and some of the others.
At about that point Rau was called out of the meeting and returned a minute or two later to say he had an important message from Prime Minister Attlee who favored the Indian proposal and in particular favored a single resolution which would have in it both a cease-fire and broad negotiations for peaceful settlement of existing issues. Romulo stated he told the Group he didn’t care what the British position was; that he would have nothing to do with any such proposal. He was the only Representative present who had troops in Korea and as far as the Philippines were concerned, they would not be willing to tie negotiations up with a cease-fire. He added that if the Philippines were ever under Communist pressure, he would not want any of those present to be acting in a neutral manner—as they were at the present time. Thereupon he walked out of the meeting.
In general, Romulo is satisfied with the way Rau handled himself at this morning’s meeting.1 His general view was that it would probably be possible to avoid discussing the second resolution until the Assembly had received a report from the President, and possibly until it had passed a resolution approving cease-fire arrangements.
Romulo was somewhat bitter against the British and even against some of the Asiatics.