330/8–950: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received August 9—9:26 p. m.]
247. Preceded by half-hour exchange views US, UK, France, 2 hour meeting Jebb’s office 4:30 today all SC members, except Bebler and Malik, reached following conclusions:
- 1.
- General agreement proper course to follow SC Thursday afternoon meeting and perhaps at least day or two following would be along lines paragraph 2, USUN’s 240, August 9. Fawzi objected but all other members with possible exception Rau agreed to interspersing drive for procedural decisions with substantive statements.
- 2.
- Brief discussion idea committee of whole under rule 28, (paragraph 3, USUN’s 240) brought out some objections and it was agreed to postpone consideration this possibility for at least day or two pending outcome generally preferred course.
- 3.
- Majority favored opening proceedings Thursday afternoon with renewal of point of order that June 25 resolution stand and President required thereby to invite representatives ROK to table. There was also, however, considerable interest in procedural alternative suggested by Rau, namely, to request President to rule on manner in which question should be put; that is, whether question should be put as stated by Malik Tuesday’s meeting: “Who is in favor of the permission that was extended to the representative of the Southern Korean authorities to attend the SC being considered as being still validly in force today”? or whether question should be put other way around to reverse June 25 decision of SC. Possibility also discussed of leading off with original Tsiang form point of order and falling back later in meeting to Rau idea as second string to bow. Agreed to consider these possibilities overnight and reach decision at meeting same group eleven tomorrow.
- 4.
- There was no support for “drastic action” such as amendment rule 18 in order eject Malik from chair nor in favor adjournment or other possible alternatives.
- 5.
- There was considerable interest in idea put forward by Rau “referring to substance of matter” that it might be desirable to prepare and publish our own general proposals for peaceful settlement. [Page 552] He had in mind specifically establishing commission nonpermanent members to study all proposals for peaceful settlement of Korean, problem; during this commission’s study consideration of other resolutions would be deferred by SC. Rau added commission’s terms of reference would, of course, be based on (a) cease-fire, (b) withdrawal to 38th parallel, and (c) basic conditions for peaceful settlement. It was agreed this idea merited very careful consideration and that meanwhile it should be held very closely without publicity.
- 6.
- On Quevedo’s1 proposal there was general agreement that Malik should be invited to informal, private consultation with entire SC membership prior SC meeting tomorrow afternoon. Sunde, tapped for this chore, telephoned Malik who agreed in principle to such informal, private consultation at 2 p. m. at Lake Success. Malik said he would let Sunde know tomorrow morning if he had any different thought.
At opening of meeting today Jebb explained Bebler had first agreed to attend but had subsequently telephoned and in effect said he thought it would not be consistent with his position of neutrality to do so.
Jebb also informed group he had called on Lie in connection Lie’s desire to attend meeting and had offered to transmit Lie’s views and advice to group. Lie felt (a) nothing drastic should be done such as forcing Russians out; (b) that we should go on with procedural course we are following; and (c) in event this leads to wholly intolerable situation SC should adjourn or walk out on Malik if he refuses to adjourn.
During course of discussion Rau referred at least three times mysteriously to probable development during week which would make it very undesirable for him to move any point of order or participate any action which would lay him open to Russian charge he was engaging in any way in conspiracy against them.
- Antonio Quevedo, Ecuadoran Representative on the U.N. Security Council.↩