Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Korea and China, Volume VII, Part 2

320.2–AC/4–2451: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations

secret

Washington, April 26, 1951—7 p. m.

881. Urtel 1440 Apr 24.¹ Dept disappointed at UK and Fr del reaction to approach to Ambs in Wash re AMC. So far as we aware, this reaction not shared by Embassies here and we assume does not reflect thinking their FonOffs with regard to conversations held by Hickerson with Ambs Apr 20.

In our view Commie offensive in Korea has rendered obsolete much of argumentation hitherto used by Brit and Fr in resisting our proposal for selective embargo in AMC. Altho we have never seen any evidence of Chi Commie desire to negotiate with GOC on an acceptable basis, we admitted that effect of selective embargo proposal on negotiations for a peaceful settlement might be a matter on which opinions cld differ. Commie offensive, however, indicates to us that Commies have no desire whatever to negotiate at this time; in other words, policy of forbearance in AMC has proved a failure. What is needed now is strong evidence of continued, collective determination not to be intimidated by lawless use of force.

We believe UK and Fr shld now be willing in their own interest to make public measures they are taking to cut off flow of strategic materials to China. We note that Jebb himself alluded to UK restrictions in San Francisco speech Apr 9.² In our view, UN has much to gain from a proclaimed, collective recommendation to the intl community calling for a selective embargo. This wld enable us to increase effectiveness of existing controls by inducing other states to apply them and to eliminate loopholes.

Altho we still desire avoid open split with other Dels it is our firm conviction that time has now arrived when we can no longer continue to defer presentation of our program despite their objections. We cannot believe UN Members will fail to go along when asked to take entirely reasonable action designed to facilitate attainment of UN objectives in Korea. We are therefore maintaining our intention to seek AMC mtg to present our program next week, on or about Apr 30, and we wld accede to Sarper’s sug of May 3 if he prefers (urtel 1450 Apr 25).³ Pls inform him of our views.

Acheson

1. Telegram 1440 from New York, April 24 (not printed) reported that the British and French Delegates indicated some perturbation and irritation at the Department’s urging of an early meeting of the full committee of the British, French, and Australian Ambassadors (320.2–AC/4–2451).
2. Reference is to a statement by Mr. Jebb of the position of the British Government with respect to additional economic measures, a summary of which is in The (London) Times, April 19, 1951, p. 4.
3. Telegram 1450 from New York, April 25, not printed, in part requested the Department’s views on the May 3 meeting date proposed by Sarper (320.2–AC/4–2551).