Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969–1972

121. Telegram 227601 From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations¹ ²

Washington, December 16, 1972, 1825Z.

NATO for Boyd

Subject:

• UNGA-Terrorism

1. Department reluctantly agrees that we should participate on terrorism committee. Given text of res and its parliamentary history we are not sanguine that there is substantial possibility that committee will produce meaningful report or even that we will be able to have appreciable influence on its content. However, we fear non-participation might be misconstrued as decline in US interest in problem and consider this aspect determining.

2. In communicating our decision to participate to WEO group, Japan and like-minded LA’s you should stress our disappointment over lack of any clear multilateral expression of deep international concern over problem of terrorism and of determination to act in cooperation against it. You should explore with them their attitude toward possibility of separate statement or declaration at appropriate time by like-minded countries which would clearly indicate a joint will to act on this problem regardless of the inability of the UN and the committee to move constructively.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, POL 23-8. Confidential; Routine. Repeated to London, Paris, Rome, and NATO. Drafted by Armitage and cleared by De Palma.
2. The Department agreed with reluctance that the U.S. delegation should participate on the terrorism committee required by the UNGA terrorism resolution.