320/9–1753: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Mission at the United Nations
Gadel 5. Re Membership (urtel 183):
Department sees no difficulty in UK suggestion Members study possible revisions of admission procedures in connection Charter review.
However, we have several objections to UK draft contained reftel. First, draft would close door to various Latin American proposals. Although we cannot support them we believe GA should not reject them finally and categorically. In addition we wish avoid debate with Latin Americans which draft as it now stands would probably necessitate.
Second, UK draft does not like past GA resolutions seek change in USSR policies which are cause of stalemate, and clearly implies GA favors early political solution of membership problem. Resolution could therefore be used by others in attempt persuade us agree to political solution rather than persuade USSR abandon its arbitrary policies.
In light of above we suggest following changes in UK draft:
- 1.
- First paragraph should also refer to GA resolution 197A (III) which recommends members act in accordance ICJ 1948 opinion.
- 2.
- Conclusions should be omitted. Alternatively, resolution could, without drawing conclusions, simply note that neither procedural methods nor proposals aimed at political solution secured general acceptance in Special Committee.
- 3.
- Recommendations should include request that SC keep under consideration all pending applications and that all Members vote on applications solely on basis criteria of Article 4. This recommendation should be inserted after present recommendation (1).
- 4.
- Phrase “and in any case before the Ninth Session of the GA” should be omitted from present recommendation 2.