Office of the Historian

53. Telegram From the Mission to the European Office of the United Nations to the Department of State1

Geneva, August 5, 1969, 1754Z.

2800. Subject: ECOSOC’s Implementation of Colonialism Declaration (Item 20). Refs: A. Geneva 2797, B. Geneva 2696, C. Geneva 2763.2

1.
Despite some rough edges lengthy draft resolution reported Ref. A seems on whole slightly more restrained than past efforts this subject. Comments on specific operative paras follow:
  • Para 2. Since our negative votes on GA Res 2311 (XXII) and GA Res 2426 (XXIII) were prompted largely by insistence on Bank and Fund’s implementation of resolutions which are inconsistent with their own charters, assume we would oppose this para.
  • Para 3. Although most of recommendations in President’s report seem unobjectionable, del notes that this would include suggestion [Page 87] para 1.E. Ref. B concerning arrangements with OAU envisaged para 3 of GA Res 2426 (XXIII).
  • Para 4. This was key point in many of statements made during general debate and Africans are undoubtedly intractable on this one.
  • Para 7. This is substantially same as proposal elaborated by Waldron-Ramsey (Tanzania) and supported by number of delegations during general debate (Ref. C). Subparagraph V, which he referred to in debate as “watchdog committee” seems superfluous at best although it does not specify that “machinery” must be committee of member states.
2.
Preliminary reaction from Belgian Del off is that they will likely abstain on resolution as whole, probably voting no on paras 2 and 4 and perhaps 7 V if there is separate vote. He reports that French share this view and are also objecting to para 5 which brings UNDP into picture. UK Del off somewhat more negative and very preliminary reading suggests negative vote on resolution as whole. US Del will be meeting with several WEO dels Wednesday morning to discuss strategy and will report and make recommendations following that meeting. Schedule calls for resolution to come to floor on Thursday.
Tubby
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 19 UN. Confidential. Repeated to USUN.↩
  2. Telegram 2797, August 5, transmitted the text of the draft resolution. (Ibid.) Telegrams 2696 and 2763 are Document 51 and Document 52.↩