501.BC/8–2947: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1
3762. 1. Present stalemate in SC re General Principles governing the organization of the armed forces to be made available to SC by UN member nations as recommended by MSC is causing us concern.2 [Page 624] SC agreement to such principles prior to initiating negotiations in accord with Charter Article 43 is a condition the satisfaction of which any permanent member SC not wishing to strengthen UN can obstruct indefinitely. Moreover Dept convinced one such member is exploiting this opportunity to full. In so doing this member is aided by inability SC, due to heavy agenda during recent weeks, to give attention to principles. This in turn has prevented SC from dividing on each unagreed principle, thus making a record which Dept desired should be made before GA session in order that Soviet isolation on most principles would be clear. Little prospect now that GA will have such a record before it and GA will reconvene with no agreements negotiated despite its recommendation last regular session that SC accelerate placing at its disposal of armed forces mentioned in Art 43 of Charter.
2. In pursuit our objective getting forces allocated to SC soonest consideration now being given to proposing that GA consider accelerating carrying of Art 43 into effect and, specifically, recommend (1) to members that they tender offers of forces, facilities and assistance to SC before March 31, 1948, (2) to SC that it accept such offers as agreements, thus effectuating a provisional implementation of Art 43, pending completion of SC consideration of general principles when SC could initiate renegotiation in order to bring terms of offers completely into line with accepted principles.
3. Before decision is made re such proposal Dept would like to know whether, if proposal were made, UK would respond affirmatively to such a recommendation from GA. Please approach British ascertain whether they have given thought to ways of getting Art 43 brought into effect other than present method of prior SC agreement on principles. If they have, Dept would appreciate being informed. In any event please outline to FonOff substance of proposal under consideration and inquire for Dept’s information what their reaction to such a GA recommendation would be.
- Repeated, mutatis mutandis, to the Embassies in France and China and to the United States Representative at the United Nations.↩
- The Security Council had examined the report of the Military Staff Committee at its 138th to 143rd and 145th, 146th, 149th, and 157th Meetings, from June 4 to July 15. For the record of these discussions, see SC, 2nd yr., Nos. 43–58, pp. 952–1312, passim. In presenting an initial statement on the subject for the United States at the 138th Meeting, June 4, Herschel Johnson had called for full and open discussion of the report. He had not specifically requested the creation of a committee for that purpose. Such a suggestion was subsequently presented by the Belgian and British representatives. However, at the 141st Meeting, June 16, after the Syrian and Australian representatives had vigorously opposed establishment of a committee, the Council decided to proceed with discussion itself. Other business prevented the Council from devoting attention to the subject after July 15; it did not complete its review of the report in 1947.↩