Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Korea, Volume VII

330/6–3050: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Offices ¹

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Washington, June 30, 1950—4 p. m.

Egyptn Rep informed SC this afternoon that Egypt wld have abstained in vote on Jun 27 SC Res because

1. Conflict is simply another element of difficulty between East and West and

2. Similar actions of aggression were called to attn UN before but UN did not take action to end them.

Since Dept assumes you will be queried re US attitude toward Egyptn decision, you shld be guided by fol:

Overwhelming support by UN members for UN action re Korea has been greatly encouraging. However US has recd news of Egypt decision with deepest regret since issue involved is one of world wide scope in which all nations have important stake. Issue is full use and support of UN functions by its members in maintenance of peace and in opposition to aggression and is not question of special interest to any one country. While realizing that each UN member is free to determine nature of its obligations under UN Charter,² we believe that failure of any UN member to support UN actions diminishes effectiveness of UN and will have most adverse effect on reputation of those States as UN members and on their internatl position. Other material contained in Dept’s guidance tels shld also prove useful.

Ref is made to Lie’s request of Jun 29 to all UN members in conformity with SC Res of Jun 28 [27] on Korea to effect that “in the event that your Govt is in a position to provide assistance, it wld facilitate the implementation of the Res if you were to be so good as to provide me with an early reply as to the type of assistance”. Request was drafted in such way that no reply wld be required except if affirmative. Shld you receive indication, however, that your country might intend misusing Lie msge as vehicle for negative reply, Dept hopes you will be able to prevent such attitude materalizing. Consideration is now being given in Dept to positive steps which we may make in fon capitals in support SC resolutions and Lie’s request. This will be subject later tel.

FYI Dept has discussed Egypt statement informally with Syrian and Leb Ministers who both expressed strong disapproval of Egypt action and said they intended telegraphing their govts immediately that effect. Both Ministers expressed apprehension that Egypt statement wld be interpreted as indication of neutrality of all Arab states. They also expressed understanding that real issue is test of UN in preserving security of free world. We also intend approaching other Arab Reps here similarly.

Acheson

1. Sent for action to the Embassies in Baghdad, Cairo, and Jidda and the Legations in Amman, Beirut, and Damascus, and for information to the Embassies in London, Moscow, and Paris, and to the U.S. Mission at the United Nations.

2. A circular telegram transmitted at 3 a. m. on July 7 made the following change in phrasing of this passage:

   “As phrase ‘While realizing that each UN member is free to determine nature of its obligations under UN Charter’ contained in Depcirtel Jun 30, 4 p m might be subj to possible misinterpretation re legal obligations assumed by each UN member under Charter, pls delete and substitute phrase ‘While realizing that each UN member must determine its own policy in light of its obligations under UN Charter’.” (795.00/7–750)