Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Japan, Volume XXIII, Part 1

221. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Japan¹

Washington, September 9, 1957—6:23 p.m.

586. Embtel 723.²

1. Re question raised in para 2 Reftel any possible ambiguity removed by rewording para C to read: “C. Measures which may be taken under the Security Treaty including those which may be taken under the Administrative Agreement entered into thereunder, shall conform to the provisions of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, insofar as such provisions are applicable thereto.” That was intent of para contained in Deptel 579,³ but recognize possibility of alternate interpretation. Above form expresses Japanese interpretation as set out in third sentence para 2 Reftel.

2. Revised clause as set out in para 4 Reftel, even if amended per your suggestion para 5 Reftel, is not consistent with either Article 51 of Charter or Article I of Security Treaty. Note Article 51 refers to “self defense if an armed attack occurs against a member of the United Nations” rather than merely “self defense against armed attack.” With reference Article I of Security Treaty, as previously emphasized, contribution to maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East is not necessarily contingent upon an armed attack. In view of wording of Security Treaty, latest Japanese proposal “self defense against armed attack” may imply armed attack against Japan only.

3. With reference to question raised in last sentence para 2 Reftel we are troubled by fact that reference to “armed attack” in para C will lead Japanese public to believe that use of United States forces “to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East” is being dropped from the Security Treaty by interpretation.

4. Since our revision should take care of Japanese concern as expressed reftel, we would prefer to limit discussion to it rather than to deal with distinctly different latest Japanese para C set out in para 4 Reftel.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 794.5/9–957. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Becker, cleared in NA and FE, and approved by Becker. Repeated to COMUS Japan and to CINCPAC for POLAD.
2. Supra.
3. Document 219.