795.00/12–2050
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Charles P. Noyes, Adviser on Security Council Affairs, United States Mission at the United Nations
US/S/1650
Subject: Dropping Korea Question from Security Council Agenda
| Participants: | Mr. Denis S. Laskey, United Kingdom Delegation |
| Mr. C. P. Noyes, United States Mission |
Laskey reported that after the United States Embassy had discussed this question with the Foreign Office, the Foreign Office had [Page 1582] sent them new instructions. The present position remains as previously, that it is legally very doubtful that the Assembly has the right to make recommendations to Member States on the Korean question while the matter remains on the Security Council agenda. The Foreign Office therefore continues to feel that it is important that at some time the Security Council should drop this question from its agenda.
They realize that throughout this month there are very real political difficulties. They are willing, therefore, to go on for the rest of this month without raising the issue themselves. Laskey was not sure what their position would be if other Delegations, before the end of this month, raised this issue and it became a hot potato. This would put them in a very difficult position. He thought barring this eventuality his Delegation would have no difficulty in passing any resolution implementing a cease-fire—if that were possible—or the Six-Power resolution.
In regard to the Six-Power resolution, he thought it could be made an exception on the ground that in the same resolution the Council had been prevented from passing it; also that it did not make recommendations to Member States but merely stated a policy. The British certainly would have grave difficulties with any second-step resolution which did make recommendations to Members. Laskey thought the Foreign Office would be anxious, after January 1 to have the Security Council drop the matter from its agenda so as to eliminate this difficulty. He thought this could easily be done when Quévedo is President.
Laskey indicated that the British had discussed this in Commonwealth Meeting. He thought that the point of view he had expressed was the general feeling of the Commonwealth Group.