320/12–1350: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
confidential
Washington, December 13,
1950—8 p. m.
3027. USDel GA reports FonOff position, as indicated by UKDel, is that in view Art 12 UN Charter Korean question must be removed from SC agenda before GA can make recommendations in regard Chi Commie intervention Korea.
Dept strongly of view SC shld not meet at this time to remove item from agenda, for fol reasons:
- (1)
- Attempt remove agenda item at this time entails substantial dangers. Sovs might now take position vote to remove item from agenda subj veto, and get Council into parliamentary snarl by at [Page 1542] tempting double veto. Tsiang who is presiding SC has indicated he will not rule to defeat such double veto. If action to remove item from SC agenda is instituted and fails, GA auth to take further” steps re Korea might be challenged.
- (2)
- In any event mtg SC at this time wld open door Sov propaganda speeches and delaying tactics. Also, public attention wld be focused on SC mtg expecting results, and public wld not understand that sole purpose mtg was to take procedural step made necessary by technicalities of Charter.
- (3)
- In Dept’s view, it can be argued SC action to remove item from agenda not necessary in this case. While SC is still exercising its functions in regard question aggression against ROK under res June 25 and 27, it is not exercising its functions in respect Chi intervention Korea having been prevented from doing so by Sov veto six-power res of Nov 10.
- (4)
- If other friendly dels insist Art 12 does require SC take steps divest itself jurisdiction before GA can make recommendations in this case, Dept believes it highly undesirable remove entire Korean item from SC agenda. Removal entire question of Korea might raise doubts as to legality of continued UN operations under SC Res of June 25 and 27 and wld make it difficult without protracted debate to get item back on agenda in present form in event further SC action desirable. Any action by SC shld, therefore, be confined procedural decision in appropriate form that SC not dealing with that aspect of Korean case relating Chi intervention. However, for reasons indicated paras (1) and (2) above, even such partial removal by SC shld not take place at this time but shld be postponed until just before GA ready make recommendations to member states in regard Chi Commie intervention Korea.
Pls seek persuade FonOff, as matter priority that UK shld support and seek persuade others support foregoing position this question.
Acheson