234. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
2937. Policy. Possible SC problems.
- 1.
- As we have indicated in previous tels we may find ourselves in unusually difficult situation in SC this year on colonial issues.
- 2.
- Balance voting in SC on such questions is obviously different than on questions in which US has direct political interest, as LAs, [Page 518] Norway, China and Philippines will all be reluctant to oppose African initiatives or to see SC sessions on colonial questions end without any action. China would find it particularly difficult avoid voting for reses desired by French-Africans. Not inconceivable therefore that we could find ourselves in position where, under Moroccan-Ghanaian sponsorship, these issues would come to SC and reses be put through with 7 votes which we did not like at all but which many of our friends would support and we would not voting against (veto).
- 3.
- Way to meet this is to develop policies for SC action which we could support and which could either be put forward by us or be floated through friendly small powers. Such policies would unquestionably have to go beyond positions which South Africans or Portuguese would accept and possibly also somewhat beyond what UK or French (or even we) would prefer. But this might be opportunity make SC function at its best through eliminating extremism among African demands while inducing some movement from administering authorities.
- 4.
- Hope therefore Dept can give early attention to steps we could advocate on main colonial questions which we likely to face in SC.
- 5.
- In terms GA reses these questions
are specifically Angola and apartheid, with possibility also of
sessions on other “Portuguese territories” or on issues which may be
referred from Comite of 24. Pertinent sections of reses read as fol:
Angola: SC is requested “to take appropriate measures, including sanctions” to secure Portugal’s “compliance” with pertinent reses.
Apartheid: SC is requested “to take appropriate measures, including sanctions” to secure South Africa’s compliance with pertinent reses and “if necessary, to consider action under Art 6 (expulsion).” Special Comite on South Africa also requested to report to SC as appropriate on South African “racial policies.”
Portuguese Territories: SC requested, in case Portugal refuses to comply with pertinent reses, “to take all appropriate measures” to secure “compliance of Portugal with obligations as member state.”
Comite of 24: Requested to apprise SC of any developments which may threaten international peace and security.
- 6.
- UKDel also very much concerned with this problem and raised it with respect to apartheid on their own initiative in our talks yesterday. They already realize that unless UK policy can go at least as far as recommendations for arms embargo they will be in real difficulty. They are therefore anxious for close consultation with us on this whole SC problem.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, UN 3 SC. Confidential; Priority.↩