Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, National Security Affairs; Foreign Economic Policy, Volume I

320/11–2851: Telegram

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

secret   niact

Paris, November 28, 1951—1 a. m.

Delga 384. Subj: Armaments resolution. Jessup with staff met this afternoon with Lloyd (UK) and Moch (Fr)¹ and their staffs to go over the draft text of answers to Vyshinsky’s questions and to consider further what our gen approach shld be to the subcomite proposed by Iraq, Pak and Syria. In the light of the ground swell for subcomite which has developed, particularly in today’s debate, Moch felt that three powers shld come out for subcomite unequivocally and promptly in order to avoid the impression that three powers are being dragged into acceptance. Lloyd shared Moch’s views and the three agreed that in statement which Lloyd will make in Comite I tomorrow,² which will include the answers to Sov questions, he will also state that we agree in principle to the establishment of a subcomite consisting of the four powers with the president of the GA as chairman. He will say that in view of the three powers the subcomite shld be requested to bring in report by certain date, perhaps within week, but in no event later than two weeks after its creation.

By taking this position the three agreed that this might forestall amendments which wld enlarge the subcomite with “neutrals”. Idea of adding others was suggested by the Egyptian in this morning’s debate. Lloyd will also say in tomorrow’s speech that the terms of ref of the subcomite require considerable revision.

The list of speakers for the gen debate in Comite I will be closed tomorrow. We believe that Jessup shld give his analysis of the Sov amendments to our proposals Thurs or Fri before Comite I considers res on establishment of subcomite.³ Br and Fr felt that during subcomite consideration of disarmament proposals Comite I shld suspend its deliberations on these two items and proceed to CMC item.⁴ Presumably Comite I wld return to discuss items as soon as subcomite reports.

In accordance with USGADel decision this morning we stressed need, if subcomite established, that every effort be made to secure understanding that its report shld be completed before Comite I considers next agenda item. Lloyd agreed that in his speech tomorrow he will state responsibility of Comite I in this regard.

We also discussed with Br and Fr their views on the Indian proposal for the creation of an internatl fund, etc.⁵ Both Moch and Lloyd were clear that the Indian proposal aside from its merits is wholly premature and contributes nothing but confusion to disarmament debate. Lloyd suggested that India be persuaded to withdraw its proposal. USGADel staff shares Br and Fr views but feels that persuading India withdraw proposal requires discreet handling.

USGADel staff initial reaction to Indian proposal is fol:

(1) Commitment to contribute to fund cannot realistically be made until states know how much they will save by arms reduction. Obviously states wld not make contribution of all moneys saved from arms reduction.

(2) Proposal all states file statement of principles and scale on which prepared to reduce armaments cuts across work of proposed disarmament comm for whose establishment India voted in comite of twelve. Sixty UN members (no mention made of nonmember states) filing self-serving schemes and scales without further ado wld hamper and not help disarmament effort.

Request Departmental guidance on India proposal as well as on handling matter of persuading India withdraw it.⁶ USGADel staff suggests matter of persuading India to withdraw be left to UK.

Sent Dept Delga 384, rptd info Rome 254.

Austin

1. Jules Moch, French Minister of Defense, July 1950–August 1951; Member of the French Delegation to the General Assembly.
2. For the summary record of the address by Selwyn Lloyd, British Representative, on November 28, see GA (VI), First Committee, pp. 40–41.
3. Ambassador Jessup did not present an analysis of the Soviet amendments prior to the establishment of the subcommittee by the First Committee on Friday, November 30 (see editorial note, infra).
4. For documentation on the Collective Measures Committee, see pp. 616 ff.
5. For text of the Indian draft resolution, document A/C.1/669, November 26, see United Nations, Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixth Session, Annexes, Agenda Items 66 and 16, p. 7 (hereafter cited as GA (VI), Annexes).
6. In telegram Gadel 282, November 28, not printed, the Department expressed general agreement with the Delegation’s initial reaction to the Indian proposal (320/11–2851).