396.1–GE/3–2454: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union1
597. Reurtel 1125,2 following is text US draft Aide-Mémoire submitted to French and British representatives Washington March 23 as suggested reply Soviet Aide-Mémoire transmitted your 10863 (March 23 draft is revision original draft submitted March 22):
“With regard to points contained in Aide-Mémoire of USSR dated March 17, Governments of France, United Kingdom and United States are in agreement on the views set forth below. In this connection these governments desire to point out that the fact that the four powers agreed at Berlin on the convocation of the Conference gives them a special responsibility for its organization and creates an obligation for consultation among them. While the USSR is, of course, at liberty to consult with such other powers as it chooses, this is not to be interpreted as indicating that such other powers enjoy a status or responsibility any different from that of the other countries invited to the Conference.
“The Governments of France, the UK and the US are pleased to note that the Government of the USSR finds acceptable the proposal that the Conference be held in the Palais des Nations, that the simultaneous interpretation system of that building be used, and that expenses for common services should be borne by the participants. It is proposed [Page 57] that these common expenses be apportioned equally among all the participants. In order to facilitate completion of the technical and related administrative arrangements prior to the Conference, the Governments of France, the UK and the US are shortly sending experts to Geneva where they will be available for liaison with appropriate Soviet officials.
“With reference to the problem of languages, the Governments of France, the UK and US consider that in the light of the four-power agreement at Berlin, the official languages should include French, English and Russian. Since it is the purpose of the proposed Conference to seek a peaceful settlement of the Korean question, Korean should also be made one of the official languages, together with Chinese, for the discussion of the Korean problem.
“It is to be regretted that the USSR does not agree to the proposals made by the three Governments for a common secretariat to be furnished by the UN for all interpretation, documentation, translation, and other Conference services. However, the proposal that each delegation assume the responsibility of translation of documents received from other delegations and the dissemination of their own documents in one of the official languages referred to above is accepted.
“With regard to oral translation, the Governments of France, the UK and the US are prepared to agree that, following the statement of a delegate in one of the official languages, and [an?] oral interpretation should be made in another of the official languages and at the same time a simultaneous interpretation into the remaining official languages, using the system existing in the Palais des Nations. As to the order of languages in consecutive translation, it is suggested that the official languages be used in rotation on successive days. It is suggested that the personnel required for such interpretation for the official languages be recruited from the UN Secretariat to the extent possible, the costs to be shared equally by all the participants.
“The three Governments agree that a representative of the French Government should act on behalf of all four powers in initiating the necessary arrangements with the Secretary General of the United Nations on the foregoing basis.”
Foregoing text has been referred UK and French Foreign Offices for approval, after which you will receive appropriate instructions re delivery.4
Since Soviets have rejected our proposal that common conference secretariat be provided by UN, we have also raised with British and [Page 58] French representatives here question of establishment separate secretariat to serve common needs of non-communist delegations similar to secretariat three Western powers at Berlin Conference. From attitude British representative UK does not appear anxious provide SYG for such purpose. French representative advanced view that secretarial function of Korean and Indochinese aspects should be separate and different personnel should be employed. He also implied that French may insist on having French SYG for Indochina phase. We are giving consideration desirability having non-Big Three nationals act as SYG for Korean phase and have asked British and French for suggestions re such individual.
Another matter taken up with British and French was desirability consulting with representatives other UN countries and ROK soon as possible re conference preparations. It was agreed to call them in after tripartite agreement reached on above draft Aide-Mémoire and fill them in on progress to date.
- Repeated for information to London, Paris, Seoul, and Geneva.↩
Dated Mar. 24; the text read as follows:
↩“British Embassy has received text of proposed reply to Soviet aide-mémoire on preparations for Korean political conference worked out and submitted for governmental consideration by tripartite working group Washington together with summary of discussions. In order to avoid last minute rush (which sometimes happens) if reply is to be handled on tripartite basis here, would appreciate text and any other pertinent information on subject.” (396.1–GE/3–2454)
- Not printed.↩
Telegram 600, Mar. 28, transmitted the following instructions from the Department to the Embassy in Moscow:
↩“French and British Embassies here have now informed us that their Governments have approved text US draft aide-mémoire transmitted to you Deptel 597 and have agreed to your delivering it to Soviets March 29.
“Please make necessary arrangements for delivery aide-mémoire Kuznetsov date indicated late afternoon Moscow. For your information Department plans call in representatives of Governments participating our side in Korean phase Geneva Conference on March 29 at which time they will be informed regarding contents of aide-mémoire already exchanged as well as present one. They will be told you are delivering latter that day.” (396.1–GE/3–2854)