310.2/1553: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Mission at the United Nations1
499. Re: Chinese representation. Department has given careful consideration question raised urtel 807. Views given below follow numbered paragraphs urtel.
1. Re question whether advantage in splitting Soviet motion into two parts: (a) motion to unseat representative of Chinese National Government and (b) to seat Commies; Department convinced our interest lies rather in continuance of procedure under moratorium through which we have uniformly succeeded in keeping Soviet proposals from coming to vote at all, either as whole or in parts. This procedure is means whereby British and others can support us on vote to postpone consideration Soviet proposals although they would vote for Soviet proposals if these were put to vote. Device thus enables us (a) to obtain far better vote for continuing seating Chinese Nationalist representatives and keep out Commies than could be achieved by [Page 678] voting on Soviet motion either in whole or in part and (b) avoid open split with friendly countries over Chinese representation issue.
In light past Soviet practice believe likely Soviets themselves will submit their motion in two parts as you indicate since more votes might be obtained for exclusion Chinese Nationalists than for seating Communists unless firm understanding with friendly delegations covering both procedural gambits exists.
Apart from controlling considerations given above, Department does not believe that limiting Soviet motion to unseating Chinese Nationalists would in itself raise or be suitable vehicle for raising question of expelling members who have admitted aiding aggressors, i.e. Soviets. Expulsion of member state that has persistently violated its obligations is provided for in Article 6 of Charter. But expulsion is quite separate matter from determination who is entitled represent particular member state in UN bodies. It has never been suggested or contemplated, so far as we know, that expulsion of a state from UN under Article 6 could be effected by mere process of refusing seat or unseating any representative this member state in SC.
We believe above view so generally accepted throughout UN that vote on question of unseating representative opposed by another claimant would not be taken as opening way to unseating of representative of member in case where there was no alternative claimant.
Department believes any suggestion along these lines by us would be extremely disadvantageous our interests. Any US suggestions unseat USSR would be generally resented as move increase tension at precise moment when others look upon achievement of armistice as basis for further efforts reduce tension.
2. Vote of TC 10–1–1 Chinese representation question and preliminary reactions from field to Deptcirtel 1185 [1195?] indicate strong likelihood that at least in immediate future matter can be handled routine fashion and with minimum debate, in both GA and SC, on procedural basis suggested Deptel 488. This method likely secure maximum vote for our objective of continued seating representative Chinese National Government and exclusion of Chinese Commies all UN bodies. Assume domestic opinion concerned primarily with results rather than method.
Believe your advance inquiries will indicate 9 or 10 votes in SC for motion suggested Deptel 488. We would expect GA vote will probably not depart substantially from vote last fall which was 42–7–11, although returns Deptcirtel 1185 in next few days should show quite clearly what picture is.
3. Requirement that Soviet motion not be considered except under appropriate agenda item is nothing more than reasonable procedural protection against sudden and constant raising issue by USSR in SC proceedings on other questions. Moreover, in light past practice SC, [Page 679] this is normal way in which proceed. (See Annex memo Wainhouse to Lodge, May 29.)2
4. Reason Department suggested that Colombia or Greece make motion was that US will be President SC and it seems to us more appropriate for another delegate to make motion.
- Drafted by Taylor and concurred in by Wainhouse; cleared by the Bureau of Far Eastern Affairs and the Bureau of European Affairs, L/UNA, and the Executive Secretariat; approved for transmission and signed by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for UN Affairs (Sandifer).↩
- Not found in Department of State files.↩