272. Preliminary Notes on the Operations Coordinating Board Meeting, Washington, April 9, 19581
OCB LUNCHEON
[Here follows discussion of items 1–7: Propaganda, the Brussels Fair, Satellites, a Pan-African Conference, Korea, the Spanish economy, and U.S. employees overseas.]
[Page 500]8. Antarctica
The Weekly Activity Report for the OCB meeting of April 22 stated that the Department had circulated an aide-mémoire3 to eleven Washington embassies, including the USSR, noting that there was interest in having consultations in Washington which would look to joint administrative arrangements in Antarctica and asking for an expression of views. At that meeting several members raised the question of whether the note to the Soviet Embassy at this time was not in violation of the spirit, if not the words, of NSC 5804/1.4
The Weekly Activity Report for the meeting of April 9, prepared by the OCB staff, stated that: “It was considered necessary by State that the USSR be consulted at this time in order to avoid as far as possible an adverse reaction to the proposed Antarctic organization.” The Report also mentioned that: “To have pursued these consultations with Free World countries in order to present to the Soviets at the time of calling a conference a packet fully agreed to by the Free World powers, in State’s view, would have assured the opposition and non-cooperation of the USSR.”
In reply to a question, Governor Herter said that the Department had decided that no U.S. public announcement on the matter should be made until a reasonable time had elapsed for the receipt of replies to the aide-mémoire. General Cutler, supported by Mr. Harr (the Vice Chairman) and Mr. Sprague (Defense), said that NSC policy called for a sounding out of Free World claimants on support for the U.S. proposal for an Antarctic administrative organization, including the matter of participation by the USSR. General Cutler said that Defense had reluctantly agreed only on the assumption that a great propaganda gain would come to the U.S. He alleged that “State decided to go off on its own,” and that this action “was not in conformity with the policy of the U.S.” He said that insofar as the USSR was concerned, the policy called for invitations to the USSR for a conference and not prior consultation with it.
Mr. Allen (USIA) said that either the U.S. was seeking an agreement on Antarctica or it was seeking a propaganda victory. If it was an agreement which we wanted, the Department’s action had been correct.
Mr. Allen Dulles suggested that the addressees be notified that on a particular date the U.S. would call a conference. General Cutler recommended that at a press conference the Secretary announce that: [Page 501] “We have called a conference.” Thus there would not be time for other countries to object. By taking this action the U.S. could gain the propaganda initiative.
Governor Herter agreed that we should seek a favorable world reaction. He would see if there might be a redetermination on the subject within the Department.
Later Governor Herter said many questions need to be answered before we announce any conference on Antarctica. For example, when and where is the conference to be held? Who will pay costs? What level of representation?, etc. He would talk to Mr. Daniels and Mr. Rubottom about the matter.