310.393/9–253: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Aldrich) to the Department of State
940. 1. Understand Foreign Office has instructed UKUN and British Embassy discuss with US, UN and Department tentative British views re continuation moratorium Chinese representation UN. Purpose of exercise said to be clear own minds, sound out US thinking [Page 695] and avoid if possible public airing of differences in forthcoming session UNGA.
2. In brief, UK position is that moratorium lasting throughout session would present practical difficulties, would be incompatible with statements by government spokesmen and would leave government vulnerable to attack by opposition. Selwyn Lloyd, for example, on July 30 stated in Commons among factors which would have to be taken into consideration would be results of political conference and behavior of Chinese outside conference. UK would wish explore with US possibilities of moratorium for shorter term, or until UNGA has had opportunity study report from political conference.
3. In explanation above views, Foreign Office stated UK wished avoid inflexibility in approach to this delicate subject. ROK, it was felt, would be more likely create difficulties than Communists, and UK has no desire have Rhee dictate British policy toward China. If, for example, Chinese Communists were to release foreign internees and give British businessmen in China a break, or if they gave satisfactory guarantees to French re IC, UK would be hard put to defend continuance moratorium. Foreign Office assures Embassy that it not indulging in wishful thinking as it quite likely Communists will prove as difficult at political conference as at Panmunjom; in such case moratorium would be continued indefinitely, UN would still retain freedom of action, and it would be in better bargaining position vis-à-vis Communists.