IO files, lot 71 D 440
Minutes of the Fifteenth Meeting of the United States Delegation to the Eighth Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly, October 14, 1953
US/A/M (Chr) 275
[Here follow a list of 47 persons present at the meeting, including United States Representatives Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, Governor James F. Byrnes, and Frances Bolton; a brief mention of an administrative matter; a background description of the question of [Page 1013] the Indians in South Africa; and a summation of the United States position on this item as contained in the paper of September 4, 1953, page 1007.]
Mr. Meeker noted the following long-range aspects the Delegation would wish to consider. First, there was concern felt by the United States and others at what was happening to the individual and human rights of the people. Second, if the situation became worse, there would be fear for the future of the Union of South Africa. Another consideration was the strong interest of the United States in obtaining uranium there. It was also felt that the General Assembly should not debase its currency by adopting too many resolutions which would be disregarded.
Ambassador Lodge called upon Mrs. Bolton as the Delegate in the Ad Hoc Committee on this item to express her views.
Mrs. Bolton related a conversation she had had with Ambassador Jooste of the South African Delegation. In discussing the question of why South Africa carried on its discriminatory practices, Ambassador Jooste had said they did so because of a fear of being taken over if the groups were not separated. They feared being overwhelmed and done away with. He showed no concern for the Indians and Mrs. Bolton gained the impression of a very closed-minded attitude.
Mr. Ward Allen reported he understood the South Africans continued to be willing to meet with the Indians and Pakistanis with or without an agenda but would not do so within the framework of a United Nations resolution. Mrs. Bolton, however, pointed out that the Indians had a certain justification for their refusal to negotiate while the Group Areas Act was being implemented.
Mr. Taylor raised the question of what our line should be under paragraph 3 of the Department’s position (SD/A/C.1/452).1 Mrs. Bolton thought we should do everything we could to bring the three governments together into conference.
Mr. Meeker wondered whether, in light of the Moroccan situation,2 and others, we could expect to persuade the Indians and Pakistanis to drop certain elements from their probable draft resolution, or whether it would be better merely to have general discussions with them. Mr. Satterthwaite did not believe we could get very far in view of the emotional aspects, and thought it would be better to conduct general discussions.
Ambassador Lodge thought there was very little we could do on this subject in relation to the Moroccan item saying that if we went any distance on the latter, the French would think we wanted to take over Morocco. He thought we would risk doing more harm than good.
[Page 1014]Mr. Carey spoke briefly on the doubts which had been raised about the utility of United Nations machinery. He said that not only the parties involved but the great governments of the world were concerned. He felt there ought not be any reservations about such utility. In connection with the hesitancy about too many resolutions, he pointed out that the United Nations existed for the purpose of resolving disputes. He felt we should continue to explore the possibility of using United Nations machinery and did not believe we should advocate a resolution indicating doubt. He favored an approach expressing hope.
Dr. Mayo felt the matter came down to a factor of time. He felt we might not have the machinery which would correct the situation immediately and what we were after was to provide the necessary time.
In answer to Mr. Carey, Mr. Meeker expressed the view that the doubts were not addressed to the functions of the General Assembly, but related to experience with Good Offices Commissions and similar efforts. Perhaps for the 8th session, we need a slightly different appeal.
Mr. Satterthwaite expressed the hope that the South Africans would sit in on the debate on the item.
2. Plenaries
Mr. Taylor reported that a new series of plenary meetings had been set for the end of the following week, probably Friday,3 to take up the resolutions passed thus far in the committee.
The meeting then adjourned.