Office of the Historian

330/8–2552: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Japan

secret
Washington, August 27, 1952—6:49 p.m.

566. Urtel 697 Aug 25.1 In advance consultations with UK and France prior SC mtg US stressed importance procedure be so organized [Page 852] that SC deal with new applications (Jap, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) before taking up Sov res; that especially in view possibility Sovs will include Japan package extremely important that SC take separate vote on Jap before voting on Sov res so that it is clear Sovs bear full responsibility if Jap not admitted. No conclusion reached on how Jap application shld be handled as UK and Fr felt that in pre-SC consultation among permanent members Malik might indicate strong Sov objection to Jap so that no danger of including it in package. If USSR were to oppose Jap, UK and Fr saw considerable difficulty in obtaining SC majority to waive SC rule 32 to put Jap application ahead of Sov draft res tabled 16 Jim. Chi views similar.

Consultation permanent SC members Aug 21, revealed USSR objection in principle to admission Jap. Sov rep took position no reason to consider Jap’s application at this time since Jap remains in state of war with “two permanent SC members—the Sov Union and People’s Republic of China”.

In light position UK, Fr and China and views Malik, Dept instructed USUN to seek firm agreement with other friendly members as follows: While we continue favor definite arrangement vote on Jap application before Sov res if as we expect Sovs do not include Jap in res, vote on Jap application may be deferred until after vote on Sov res. If possible, vote on Jap application shld be at same mtg. If this not possible, mtg to consider Jap and possibly IC applications shld be convened in next day or so and SC vote on Jap without referral to Membership Comite. If however Sovs at any stage in proceedings amend their res include Jap, Jap application shld be voted on before Sov res. UK and Fr concur in this procedure. USUN expected table res on Jap today.

Bruce

  1. In telegram 697, Aug. 25, the Embassy in Japan cabled:

    “English language newspaper Mainichi ran UP despatch dated August 22 from UN. UP reports five permanent members SC met in secret session to discuss membership question prior to debate on admissions scheduled for Sept. 2. Paper states communiqué issued after secret meeting said permanent members held to previous views on membership.

    “Embassy would appreciate being kept informed.” (330/8–2552)

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