396.1 GE/6–1754: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Delegation1
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Tedul 211. From Secretary. Re Secto 460.2 I seriously doubt wisdom of US participation as member of Committee of Nine, which is really not a committee at all since nine is total membership of Conference. This it seems to me would put our Delegation in position of having to participate in making of decisions which ought not be made so far as US is concerned, except after consultation with Dept and perhaps even on those terms we would not want to share in making these decisions.
I have frequently pointed out, notably in last press conference, that US continuing presence Geneva would be subject to recognizing primacy of French and Associated States and only with view to being helpful in quasi-advisory or observer capacity.
Could not membership of Committee be reduced by elimination for example of US, UK, and Soviet Union, and perhaps Communist China, with understanding that such a subcommittee would report back, at which time definitive US position could be made known. Presumably US Del would be kept informed by French and Associated [Page 1172] States but we would avoid official participation in day by day Committee discussions which would mold decisions from which we might find it awkward subsequently to disassociate ourselves.