249. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations1
989. Re USUN’s 1339, 1476, 1518, Thacher–Tron Telecon.2 On specific question raised by UKDel, you should state US will support UK in securing revision of ASAF resolution concerned with “inalienable right to complete independence” without prejudice to our final position. You should tell Cohen privately we may eventually have to support this phraseology if we are unable secure modification by sponsors on grounds that independence has been defined by GA to include self-government. Moreover, it can be argued that although any people have “inalienable right to independence”, they also have right seek association with others. A right remains no less an “inalienable right” because peoples concerned do not choose exercise it. Nevertheless, we intend back UK to the hilt in securing language acceptable to them.
USUN may also tell Cohen we are gratified UK has decided work actively secure moderate, universally acceptable resolution and we hope we can work together closely.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 321.4/11–2460. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Tron, cleared in substance with Nunley and Herz, and approved by Wallner who signed for Herter. Repeated to London.↩
- Telegram 1339, November 9, transmitted the text of an Asian-African draft resolution on the colonial item. (Ibid., 321.4/11–960) Telegram 1476, November 21, reported that the British had requested U.S. reaction to two points about the Asian-African draft. (Ibid., 321.4/11–2160) Telegram 1518, November 24, reported on a meeting of U.S., U.K., French, Dutch, Australian, and New Zealand Delegates regarding the colonial item. (Ibid., 321.4/11–2460) No record of the Thacher–Tron telephone conversation has been found.↩