Office of the Historian

320.2–AC/3–2351: Telegram

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

secret
New York, March 23, 1951—4:55 p. m.

1324. Re AMC. Next round of talks with UK and French, probably on Mar 26, may raise fol questions resulting from conversation reported on Mar 19 (US/A/AC.52/17) as to which Dept’s comments are requested.

1.
In order to meet UK tactic of urging early consideration of military matters, it wld be possible to put economic measures in subcommittee and keep military question before full committee. After very brief discussion this might lead to simple statement of policy that additional forces as can usefully be employed by UC are desirable and, therefore, suggesting that UC might request what forces, if any, are needed.
2.
In connection with UK and French thinking in direction of a list of materials to be embargoed, suggestion is made that either with or without US suggested formula the substance of the COCOM experience in the form of its list might be circulated on a bilateral basis [Page 1942] to other members of the committee without identifying origin or they themselves might be publicized for what they are.
3.
  • (a) What wld reviewing function of proposed committee be toward states refusing to support efforts of others? We assume USSR and possibly other states, e.g., India, wld refuse.
  • (b) In this event, what wld US expect committee or GA to do? This raises question of publicizing COCOM plan or devising substitute method of publicizing and countering evasion of GA recommendation.
4.
In light of Deptel 771, Mar 9,1 what shld US reaction be to UK view that talks on substance of economic measures shld be continued in Washington before taking more than procedural decisions here.
Austin
  1. Telegram 771 to New York, March 9 (not printed), informed the U.S. Mission at the United Nations of a conversation between the Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs, Mr. John D. Hickerson, and officials of the British Embassy. Mr. Hickerson had informed the officials that with the establishment of a subcommittee of the Additional Measures Committee to arrange priorities of work, the United States would begin discreet and confidential discussions in New York on March 14 or 15 with other members of the subcommittee, and subsequently with other committee members, and would avoid haste or pressure. (320.2–AC/3–951)↩