320/9–2553: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Mission at the United Nations1
Gadel 11. Japanese Embassy has referred to recent conversations Secretary and Lodge with Araki on desirability “associate membership” for Japan and has requested our “concrete ideas” on specific terms such plan and reactions other non-members approached. Embassy indicated some reluctance of Japan take firm position until these questions answered and prospects of general support for Japan ascertained and asked whether we intend take positive approach re “associate membership” now.
Department believes that pending consultations other UN Members we could not give Japan final views on exact terms of plan or prospects success on basis of which Japan could take position. In our view arrangements might be worked out which would provide extensive enough privileges to make plan attractive to Japan. Such privileges would include right participate in Main Committees and Plenary, with right speak under same rules as Members, make proposals and receive GA documents. Participants might also be allowed have votes recorded but not counted. To cover cost such participation GA could request voluntary contributions.
However we see following difficulties:
- 1.
- Other Members might consider above arrangements incompatible with Charter. If willing support any arrangements at all they might support only limited privileges which would not be acceptable Japan.
- 2.
- Other Members might be willing move ahead only if plan covers both Soviet and non-Soviet applicants, a condition we could not accept.
- 3.
- Would be difficult obtain support for non-Member participation if Japan is only qualified applicant interested.
In view above considerations suggest you consult soonest with UK, French and other key delegations, pointing out advantages both to UN and to non-Members concerned of non-Member participation and desirability doing everything possible for states unjustly excluded, and ascertaining their reactions to arrangements along above lines for non-Soviet applicants if they are interested. Also suggest you consult further with Italy. If there is general reluctance accept plan now you might sound out others on desirability requesting good offices committee provided for in Belaunde resolution consider possibility non-Member participation for states qualified for membership.
Department informing Japanese Embassy US Delegation considering whole problem and will keep in close touch Sawada.
- Drafted by Paul W. Jones and concurred in by Popper, cleared in draft with the geographic bureaus and L/UNA, and signed by the Assistant Secretary of State for UN Affairs (Murphy).↩