Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume V, United Nations, 1969–1972

363. Telegram From Secretary of State Rogers to the Department of State¹

Lisbon, June 5, 1971, 0105Z.

Secto 35/1868. Subj: Secretary’s Bilateral Conversation With Douglas-Home: Chirep.

1. The Secretary outlined our view of likely developments and our current thinking about possibility of resolution seating Communist China, by majority vote, retaining seat for GRC, and deciding expulsion of GRC would require two-thirds vote. We would not comment on SC seat, as that would be separate decision by SC which we think should be faced in SC when we knew whether Peking would actually enter UN or not. Sir Alec observed that UK still wished to raise the status of their representation in Peking. They were certain they could do this within about two weeks; whether after three weeks or so they did not know. Requirements were that they no longer support the Important Question resolution and withdraw their Consulate from Taiwan. He thought both could be accomplished by UK without interfering with approach we had in mind.

2. The Secretary said he would appreciate it if the UK waited for about two weeks before conveying this decision to PRC. Sir Alec agreed but asked that the details of the US position not be divulged in the meantime. He said that if the Chinese learned that the Important Question resolution would no longer be a crucial matter his bargaining position would be undercut. The Secretary indicated understanding and observed our intention was not to reveal details of our thinking for about six weeks.

3. Pedersen suggested UK statement on Important Question should be addressed specifically to issue of representation of China in terms used in previous UN resolutions, thus retaining flexibility on future decisions to apply two-thirds vote to an expulsion proposal. Sir Alec indicated UK could do this.

4. Sir Alec raised problem of GRC name, noting it not proper to have two representatives claiming to represent one state. Secretary said we already had Byelorussia and Ukraine in UN and that we should simply use names both Chinese governments used without taking any position on their respective claims. Sir Alec responded that our approach might raise questions about universality elsewhere. The Secretary said membership of North and South Vietnam was no problem, membership of FRG and East Germany might be possible in circumstances envisaged by FRG, and that the Korean matter could be considered an exception in view of United Nations forces in South Korea.

5. Dept rpt as desired.

Rogers

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 6 CHICOM. Secret; Exdis. Secretary Rogers attended a NATO Ministerial Meeting in Lisbon June 1–6.