320/9–1553: Telegram

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

confidential

Gadel 4. Re: Charter Review Department’s initial reaction to agenda item on Charter amendment just submitted by Egyptian Del. [Page 179] (Doc. A/2466) follows, although explanatory memo may cast further light when received:

1.
Position paper on Dutch item (SD/A/C.1/433)1 already states US opposition to creation by UN of any preparatory body for Charter review at this time. In addition to fact such body would be patently premature, we also had in mind that a “technical” body of this sort would a fortiori be counter-productive until basic governmental decisions provided some solid political base for drafting or interpretative operations.
2.
Egyptian letter does not make clear when the proposed technical committee would be elected. Its contemplated task of studying and reporting “on the basis of proposals to be submitted by Member States” suggests that it may be related to Dutch invitation to submit such proposals prior to 1955 GA session. In any case we see no utility to setting up this or any other UN preparatory group at this session.
3.
However, we should not oppose inclusion of item in agenda. Best way of handling it would be merging it with Dutch and Argentine items and seeking reach agreement among sponsors that creation of any UN body should await submission of concrete proposals by governments.

Lourie
  1. Supra.