239. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations1
837. Ref: USUN’s 1218, 1219, 1220.2 Resolution contained below is designed for illustrative and explanatory purposes only at this stage consideration of Soviet colonialism item. It represents attempt by Dept to formulate a resolution that has good chance acceptance by substantial group of Europeans, Africans, Asians and Latin Americans. We realize fully some countries will be inclined vote against or abstain on resolution of this type, while others will believe it does not go far enough. Soviets can be expected find it totally unacceptable. Dept [Page 434] hopes this illustrative resolution can be discussed with selected friendly delegations from all regional groups, including particularly Japanese.
“The General Assembly,
Reaffirming that a fundamental purpose of the United Nations is to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principles of equal rights and self-determination of peoples;
Reiterating the provision of the Charter which states that members of the United Nations which have responsibility for the administration of territories whose peoples have not yet attained a full measure of self-government recognize the principle that the interests of the inhabitants of these territories are paramount, and accept as a sacred trust the obligation to promote to the utmost, within the system of international peace and security established by the present Charter, the well-being of the inhabitants of these territories;
- 1.
- Affirms that all men are created equal and that all have an equal right to governments of their own choosing;
- 2.
- Declares that the right of each person to participate by a free and unrestricted franchise in the governance of his society is among the most precious rights of mankind;
- 3.
- Declares that colonialism in all its manifestations should speedily be brought to an end;
- 4.
- Affirms that the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to world peace and cooperation;
- 5.
- Declares its support for the cause of freedom and independence for all such people;
- 6.
- Urges all members of the United Nations which have obligations for the administration of territories whose peoples have not yet attained or who have been deprived of a full measure of self-government to redouble their efforts to bring these people promptly to full self-government or independence in accordance with their freely-expressed wishes;
- 7.
- Urges all members of the United Nations administering dependent areas to encourage free political expression by the dependent peoples, particularly through exercise of a free and unrestricted franchise.
- 8.
- Urges the appropriate institutions of the United Nations to continue to facilitate and assist in expediting the transition to self-government or independence by the remaining dependent peoples of the world;
- 9.
- Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a report summarizing the major progress and problems in this field for consideration by the Sixteenth Session of the General Assembly.”
In view of developing opposition to final target dates within the African and Asian group, we do not believe we should now make any mention this controversial item. If need to take position arises suddenly, however, USDel should support UK formulation contained your 1219.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 321.4/11–160. Confidential. Drafted by Tron; initialed by Cargo and Sisco; cleared by Sullivan, Monsma, Herz, Ludlow, Nunley, Stoessel, Gerig, and Wallner, and in draft with Meeker; and approved by Merchant who signed for Herter.↩
- Dated November 1, telegram 1218 reported on a meeting of six members of the Asian-African group regarding the colonial item; telegram 1219 transmitted the text of a Guinean draft resolution on it; and telegram 1220 transmitted a summary of an Iranian draft declaration on the colonial item. (Ibid.)↩