320.2–AC/4–2051
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Officer in Charge of Economic Affairs in the Office of Chinese Affairs (Barnett)
Subject: United States Views Regarding Additional Measures Committee Action on Economic Sanctions
| Participants: | Ambassador Makin—Australian Embassy |
| Mr. Hickerson, Assistant Secretary of State—UNA | |
| Mr. C. T. Moodie—Counselor, Australian Embassy | |
| Mr. Allen—EUR | |
| Mr. Popper—UNP | |
| Mr. Barnett—CA |
The Australian Ambassador called at our request for a discussion of our plan for action by the AMC in the economic field.
Mr. Hickerson reviewed for the Australian Ambassador points which he had made to the British Ambassador at an earlier meeting today (see memorandum of conversation on this subject prepared by Mr. David Popper).1 Mr. Hickerson said that we recognized that the 12 countries represented on the Additional Measures Committee each encountered slightly different problems in working out the courses of action they would pursue, but notwithstanding that fact we believed that unanimity on our formula could be achieved. We would spend the coming week in preparatory conversations to make possible a meeting on the Committee on April 30 where prompt and unanimous action [Page 1973] could be taken. Mr. Hickerson said that he hoped the Australian Government could assist us in these efforts.
Mr. Makin replied that the Australian Government would not find it convenient to declare itself on the subject of economic sanctions for Communist China until after the April 28 elections. Mr. Moodie added that the Australian Government agreed, in principle, with the U.S. proposals, generally favored priority consideration of economic sanctions by the AMC, but continued to have certain reservations regarding the possible adverse impact of AMC work on economic sanctions upon efforts of the Good Offices Committee. Mr. Hickerson replied that it was our view that AMC consideration of a resolution calling for economic sanctions would help rather than hinder these efforts. We felt strongly that the Chinese should not be permitted to gain the impression that the UN countries supporting the February 1 resolution were wavering in their determination to treat China as an aggressor. At the same time, it was our view that whatever actions were taken by the AMC the GOC should remain in existence and exhaust every practical means to reach a peaceful settlement. Ambassador Makin said that he attached great importance to this statement of our attitude toward the GOC.
Ambassador Makin departed hurriedly for a meeting with the Secretary.