340.290/2–2851
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Ward P. Alien, Special Assistant on United Nations Affairs, Bureau of European Affairs
Subject: UK Position on Chinese Representation in ECAFE and Other Bodies
| Participants: | Mr. Tomlinson, Counselor, British Embassy |
| Mr. Dennis Greenhill, First Secretary, British Embassy | |
| Miss Bacon—FE | |
| Ward P. Allen—EUR |
The UK representatives called this morning at their request to deliver the attached message from Mr. Bevin1 in response to the message sent from Mr. Acheson to Mr. Bevin on this subject contained in Deptel 3874, Feb. 21.
We agreed that the basic point of difference between ourselves and the British on this general question arises in large part from their firm conviction that moral considerations are completely irrelevant in determining whether the Peiping regime should be accorded either diplomatic recognition or China’s seat in the UN. In our view, on the other hand, regardless of the considerations which might normally determine recognition, Peiping’s aggression in Korea and UN condemnation [Page 237] of it requires that such measures as non-recognition and denial of China’s seat in the UN be considered at present more in the nature of diplomatic sanctions, which the Charter clearly envisages, and in that light moral considerations necessarily play a more important role. We expressed regret that it had not proved possible to work out with the UK some procedural device in ECAFE whereby public manifestation of our divergent views could be minimized.
However, we concluded that for the moment it appeared we could do no more than agree amicably to disagree.
- Not attached; see Bevin message, infra.↩