151. Telegram 525 to Djakarta, November 131
Brazil has introduced resolution in GA recommending Latin American countries negotiate arrangements for nuclear free zone in Latin America with provisions for verification to insure arrangements being observed. We intend support this resolution. We believe that in area like Latin America, where nuclear weapons not deployed, arrangements worked out among states concerned for denuclearized zone with adequate verification to insure zone indeed remains free of nuclear weapons could be important contribution to overall efforts prevent wider dissemination such weapons. FYI Carefully formulated resolution also offers vehicle to stimulate action which could prevent reintroduction Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba. END FYI.
As reported USUN’s 1746 repeated Djakarta 31 and being repeated Karachi and Geneva, Indonesia also considering introducing resolution urging powers in region of Asia and Pacific Ocean to secure agreement on denuclearization that region. We are opposed to UN resolution calling for such zone. Embassy Djakarta requested approach Foreign Office soonest to express strong hope Indonesia will not repeat not introduce resolution. Following arguments may be drawn upon:
[Facsimile Page 2]1. Unlike situation in Latin America where there is wide support for denuclearized zone, many states in Asia and Pacific area oppose nuclear free zone for their region. UN should not suggest nuclear free zone in any area where there is such wide disagreement on question among states concerned. Resolution in this situation devoid of meaning. Question is one for states themselves to work out.
2. Basic distinction must be drawn between nuclear free zone in Latin America and such zone in Europe or Pacific where nuclear weapons now deployed and where military balance would be changed. This is problem which can be solved only in general disarmament context. It is not, as in case Latin America, problem of preventive disarmament of area where nuclear weapons do not exist. As in Europe, Soviet nuclear striking power must be taken into account in considering problem nuclear weapons in Asia. Accordingly, this problem must be considered as part of general disarmament problem, and not, as in Latin America, as matter of declaring area “off limits” to nuclear arms race. Problem in Asia, as in Europe, is task of general disarmament negotiations to alleviate and, if possible, resolve.
[Typeset Page 397]3. Although Chicoms have paid lip service to idea of nuclear free zone for Asia and Pacific, they are actively working on nuclear development and clearly have no intention renouncing their efforts or entering into any agreement involving necessary effective verification. Chicoms are determined go ahead with their efforts to produce nuclear explosion as first step toward some kind of nuclear capability despite grave economic difficulties and despite fact such capability would be long way in future after first explosion. Chicoms therefore [Facsimile Page 3] not sincerely interested in objectives Indonesians seeking in proposed resolution.
4. Net result of resolution would be put pressure on Free World to denude itself of nuclear defenses in Asia and Pacific and render Asian nations more vulnerable to Chinese Communist aggression. Chicoms have history of aggressive action in Asia and right now are engaged in aggression against India in violation all principles subscribed to by Chicoms in long series of public pronouncements and promises to other nations of Asia. Obviously impossible for India and other states in region to agree to nuclear free zone in absence sincere Chicom agreement since result would only be to advantage Chicoms.
5. Most fruitful steps which could now be taken in interest of reducing dangers posed by nuclear armament are those involving nuclear test ban. To divert attention and effort from work towards such measures would be disservice to cause of nuclear disarmament.
USUN may wish draw on foregoing in discussions with Pakistan Delegation in New York. If Indonesians do introduce resolution, Department will consider advisability approaching GOP in Karachi in order discourage support for Indonesian proposal. Given present coolness between U.S. and Pakistan because of U.S. military assistance to India, premature representations in Karachi against Indonesian proposal might have opposite from the desired effect.
- U.S. support for U.N. General Assembly resolution on nuclear free zone in Latin America. Confidential. 3 pp. Department of State, Central Files, 600.0012/11–1262.↩