153. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
980. For S/S—Al Adams. Information Memorandum to the Secretary from Ambassador James L. Malone. Subject: LOS Weekly Report (April 12–April 16, 1982)
1. Confidential—Entire text.
2. The conference deadline for submission of formal amendments to the draft convention was April 13. The U.S. managed to obtain co-sponsorship for its amendments from the leading industrialized countries.2 These amendments substantially exceed the bottom line agreed to at the SIG.3 They were perceived by the conference as a major reduction in U.S. demands but helped to signal that the U.S., while remaining very tough, may in fact be willing to participate in the adoption of the convention by consensus at this session of the conference.
3. Basic strategy of the G 77 remains as it has been for the past several weeks. They are not willing to discuss the U.S. amendments until they have reached a satisfactory agreement with us on PIP. They believe that if PIP is resolved to the satisfaction of our industry pressure on the USG will be substantially relieved and we will reduce our demands further on more ideological issues. All efforts by U.S. del to disabuse them of this idea are unavailing. PIP is likely to be resolved finally tomorrow night and the negotiating group will turn to Part XI amendments proposed by the U.S., the Group of 11, and the Group of 77. When the G 77 learn that U.S. demands in Part XI have not been further reduced as a result of satisfying us on PIP the conference will reach another critical point.
4. Soviet attitude has shifted markedly since introduction of U.S. amendments. While not abandoning their rhetoric in favor of the G 77, their plenary statement4 indicated that some U.S. amendments could [Page 446] be acceptable to them. In the KOH negotiating group their attitude on PIP has been generally constructive.
5. President Koh has told us that no matter what the G 77 do, it is his intention to produce new texts on the basis of discussion during the next few days. Based on his recent behavior, he probably will introduce the results of the PIP negotiations, the results of any Prep Comm negotiations, and the G 11 papers. The G 77 may challenge his right to do so but he has announced his willingness to let the issue be raised in plenary as a procedural matter.
6. The G 77 leadership claim that they would prefer face-to-face negotiations with the U.S. “at the appropriate time” and do not want Koh to produce texts not resulting from agreements reached in such negotiations. Their tactics in the PIP negotiations, however, have been to use up the available time for negotiations without reaching other issues of concern to the U.S. Koh has said that he will hold meetings until next Wednesday5 on all outstanding issues and formal amendments. On Thursday6 he and the collegium will produce their final “recommendations” and then will use those texts as the basis for the conference to decide, on April 23, whether all efforts to reach consensus have been exhausted. If the answer is negative negotiations could continue. For the moment there seems to be a determination to continue negotiations and make every effort to reach consensus. The chance that voting will begin therefore appears remote but the situation remains highly unpredictable.
7. Action requested:
No action is required at this time.
- Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D820201–0549. Confidential.↩
- In telegram 931 from New York, April 14, USUN reported that Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom had co-sponsored U.S. amendments to Part XI and the Preparatory Commission and that Belgium, West Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom had co-sponsored U.S. amendments to the PIP resolution. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D820193–1001)↩
- See Document 150.↩
- In telegram 979 from New York, April 17, USUN reported on the plenary debate, including the Soviet statement. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D820201–0536)↩
- April 21.↩
- April 22.↩