340.290/2–751: Telegram
The Chargé in Paris (Bonsal) to the Secretary of State
4665. Depcirtel 457, February 5. Foreign Office informs us French Government position re Chinese representation ECAFE and ECAFE Committee on Industry and Trade expected to be same as that outlined in reftel and on basis of same reasons, but that final decision will not be made for another two or three days. Foreign Office promises inform us when decision reached and Embassy will report immediately.
In connection with general question Chinese representation in various UN and specialized agency bodies, Foreign Office states it is generally in agreement with position outlined in Department’s circular airgram January 25, 8: 25 a. m., with reservation that in case of technical bodies, such as Universal Postal Union, where question of actual control of territory is pertinent, a Chinese Communist representative should be present as observer. Foreign Office further states that in some cases, which would be similar to Universal Postal Union, French Government would like to look at each case separately and decide its position on merits each case.
Foreign Office points out that there appeared to have been insufficient prior consultation between delegates to UPU meeting at Cairo and that, following rejection US resolution, Soviet proposal seat Chinese [Page 226] Communist representative was presented and approved before French delegate ever had opportunity to present French resolution calling for each Chinese side to be represented by observer. Foreign Office expresses hope that this general question will be matter frequent discussion between French and US delegates at UN.1
- In telegram 4767, February 12, 8 p. m., the Paris Embassy cabled the Department of State that “Foreign Office today informs us instructions have been issued French delegation ECAFE and ECAFE Committee on Industry and Trade along same lines as those described Depcirtel 457, February 5.” (340.290/2–1251)↩