350/4–1251: Circular airgram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Offices 1
Transmitted under separate cover for your info are copies of two res on Ewe problem introduced in Trusteeship Council at Eighth Session (Documents T/L.140 and T/L.141).2After considerable consultation with French, British and other interested dels fol plan was evolved: that Franco-British res (T/L.140) would be introduced by British rep with appropriate statement; that Iraq–US res (T/L.141) would then be introduced; that President would call for vote on latter first; that France and UK would abstain on this vote; and that adoption of Iraq-US res would render unnecessary vote on Franco-British res. This plan was successfully followed, resulting on March 9, 1951, in adoption of vote 9–0–3 (UK, France, USSE) of Iraq–US res.
You will observe from Franco-British res that these Govts wld have preferred that TC endorse Franco-British proposals for urging Ewe participation in Consultative Commission. However, they were eventually persuaded that this approach wld not win general support in TC and that it might give rise to serious difficulties in GA. Both expressed their appreciation to US Del for our help in persuading Iraq to cosponsor res which avoided serious clash on Ewe question in TC.
[Page 574]Comparison of the two res reveals that most important difference between Iraq–US res and Franco-British is that former drops emphasis on procedural devices, especially Consultative Commission, and recommends that Administering Authorities formulate substantive proposals and inform TC accordingly not later than July 1, 1951.
The French and British Govts will presumably consult this Govt before next session of TC with view to obtaining our support for such substantive proposals as they agree to make. This Govt has not yet arrived at position as to exactly what sort of proposals it eld support, nor does it wish to intervene at this stage with detailed suggestions, The Dept wld appreciate such indications of French and British thinking re this matter as you may be able to obtain informally from time to time. Indications as to developments in Togolands affecting strength of Ewe-unification movement would also be most helpful. Latter question particularly is drawn to attention of consular posts in area.