202. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Republic of China1
335. Your 517.2 All essential elements of US position on membership issue and situation in UN have been set forth fully in President’s and Secretary’s messages to Chiang and Department’s supplementary telegrams. Department knows of no additional information which would have been of assistance to Embassy in presenting [Page 426] case to Chinese authorities. Developments in New York have been moving on an hour-by-hour basis. Detailed description even if feasible (which was not the case) would have been outdated before received by Embassy. Neither Department nor USUN had any advance knowledge substance UKDel’s proposals (Department’s 3343). Department first learned of these proposals on Saturday afternoon and forwarded information instantly to Embassy. There have been no behind-the-scenes “understandings” whatsoever by US with USSR, UK, Canada or any other country on this issue. Our position was stated publicly by Lodge on November 13 and remains unchanged. Reasons for our decision to forego use of veto with respect to European satellites and Outer Mongolia have been explained in detail. That decision which was taken only after most exhaustive consideration of entire situation at highest levels is final.
President Chiang’s reply (Embtel 517) suggests he may still believe Outer Mongolia can be dropped and remaining candidates admitted to UN. It is imperative that you make certain that Chinese authorities are under no misapprehension on this point. Issue is not whether we want Outer Mongolia or other satellites in UN or whether China should be given an “offsetting advantage”. Issue is whether use of veto in circumstances is justifiable. Plain fact is that a Chinese veto in anticipated circumstances will be regarded, rightly or wrongly, by most UN members as an abuse of privilege and that consequences it appears will be of utmost gravity for China.
You should spare no effort to bring this situation home to President Chiang and other Chinese authorities and to convince them that in China’s interest and interests of Free World generally they should join US in foregoing use of veto to obstruct will of overwhelming majority of UN members on membership issue.
FYI: Department has informed USUN that we are favorably impressed with UK Delegation’s proposal in numbered paragraph 1 Deptel 334 with understanding no change our position on Chi rep after expiration suggested moratorium, and that our initial reaction to proposals in numbered paragraphs 2 and 3 is also favorable. We have asked to be informed of UK Cabinet decision soonest. End FYI.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/12–455. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Bacon and signed by Robertson for the Secretary.↩
- See footnote 3, Document 200.↩
- Dated December 3, not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/ 12–355)↩