320/10–654
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of United Nations Political and Security Affairs (Popper)1
- Subject:
- Non-Member Participation in UN General Assembly
- Participants:
- Mr. Hiroto Tanaka, First Secretary, Japanese Embassy
- Mr. David H. Popper, UNP
- Miss Elizabeth Brown, UNP
- Miss Ruth Bacon, FE
- Miss Marjorie McMullen, NA
At his request Mr. Tanaka came in to discuss with us the latest developments regarding non-member participation in the General Assembly. He showed us the text of a proposal the Embassy had received from Ambassador Sawada, the Japanese Observer in New York, which we confirmed embodied the main elements of the tentative US proposals. [Page 1038] Recalling some previous doubts in the Japanese Foreign Office as to the desirability of “associate membership” for Japan, Mr. Tanaka explained that Ambassador Sawada had taken up our latest suggestions directly with the Prime Minister, Mr. Yoshida, in New York, and the latter had decided Japan should favor the proposal. He inquired regarding the current status of our negotiations.
Mr. Popper explained that the US Delegation to the General Assembly was consulting with other Members and with those applicants that would benefit from the proposal. Once these consultations were completed, we would be in a position to decide whether to proceed with the proposal. One problem was that some of the applicants, notably Italy, Austria and Portugal, had reacted negatively, apparently to some extent on the basis, which we regarded as unjustified, that it might prejudice their chances for full membership. Some UN Members, particularly the United Kingdom, were concerned as to the legality of the proposal. If most of the applicants and many Members opposed the idea, it would be difficult to proceed.
In response to a question from Mr. Tanaka, Mr. Popper indicated that so far only Japan, Jordan, the ROK and just possibly, Ireland were interested in the plan. He observed that if large important powers such as Japan and Italy were interested, it would undoubtedly affect the attitude of others. It was also noted that many UN Members were still without instructions. The prospect did not appear especially encouraging, Mr. Popper concluded, though we wanted more information before making up our minds.
Mr. Tanaka thanked us for the information. He appeared somewhat surprised that more applicants were not interested in the proposal. He indicated that he would be assisting Ambassador Sawada in New York on this matter. We suggested that he should get in touch with Mr. Sisco and Mr. Bonsai of the US Delegation in New York, which he said he would do.
- Drafted by Brown.↩