Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–14, Part 1, Documents on the United Nations, 1973–1976

24. Telegram 191465 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, August 13, 1975, 1419Z.¹ ²

August 13, 1975, 1419Z

TELEGRAM
Department of State
191465

R 131419Z AUG 75

FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC POSTS
AMEMBASSY SUVA BY POUCH
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
XMT AMEMBASSY BERLIN
USMISSION EC BRUSSELS
USMISSION IAEA VIENNA
USMISSION OECD PARIS
AMEMBASSY TAIPEI
USMISSION NATO
USINT BAGHDAD
AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT

STATE 191465

E.O. 11652: GDS
TAGS:PFOR, UN

SUBJECT: 30TH UNGA - KEY ISSUES
REF: A. STATE 170841 B. STATE 175558; C. STATE 104050

1. SUMMARY/BACKGROUND. 30TH REGULAR SESSION OF UNGA WILL MEET SEPTEMBER 16-DECEMBER 12 FOLLOWING 7TH SPECIAL SESSION SEPTEMBER 1-12. THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED TO ASSIST POSTS IN PURSUING ON CERTAIN UNGA ISSUES CONTINUING DIALOGUE REQUESTED PARA 2 OF REF A. WE DO NOT REQUIRE POSTS TO INITIATE ACROSS-THE-BOARD DISCUSSIONS OF UNGA MATTERS THIS YEAR, BUT EXCEPT FOR ISRAEL POSTS MAY RAISE ISSUES IN THIS MESSAGE WITH HOST GOVERNMENTS AT THEIR DISCRETION AND IN ALL CASES SHOULD USE MATERIAL TO REPLY TO QUERIES AS FULLY AND RESPONSIVELY AS POSSIBLE. ON ISRAEL, WE WISH TO AVOID INITIATING FURTHER DEMARCHES (AS AGAINST RESPONDING TO INQUIRIES) EXCEPT UNDER CAREFULLY CONTROLLED CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MAY BE THE SUBJECT OF FUTURE INSTRUCTIONS. ON 7TH SS, OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO CONVINCE OTHERS THAT US READY TO BE RESPONSIVE TO LDC CONCERNS AND WILL HAVE POSITIVE PROGRAM TO OFFER IN THE SESSIONS. OUR OVERALL GOAL WITH THIS AND SIMILAR MESSAGES IS TO FURTHER DEMONSTRATE USG SUPPORT FOR BOTH ECONOMIC AND SECURITY ROLES OF UN, VIGOROUS ENGAGEMENT WITH FULL RANGE OF ITS ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES, AND DEEP CONCERN OVER THREAT TO UN AS DISCUSSED IN SECRETARY’S JULY 14 SPEECH. END SUMMARY/BACKGROUND.

2. 7TH SPECIAL SESSION EMPHASIS SHOULD BE ON POSITIVE TONE USG IS TAKING AS REFLECTED IN REFTELS A AND B AND PARTICULARLY IN SECRETARY’S STATEMENT IN HIS MILWAUKEE SPEECH THAT: “WE WILL APPROACH THE SPECIAL SESSION WITH DETERMINATION TO MAKE PROGRESS; WE INTEND TO MAKE CONCRETE AND CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSALS FOR ACTION ACROSS A BROAD SPECTRUM OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES SUCH AS TRADE AND COMMODITIES, WORLD FOOD PRODUCTION AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MEASURES.” WE ARE ENGAGED IN INTENSIVE PREPARATIONS ON PROPOSALS TO WHICH THE SECRETARY REFERRED. WE ARE ENCOURAGED THAT IN THE RECENT ECOSOC, CONFRONTATION WAS AVOIDED AND EMPHASIS WAS ON DESIRABILITY OF LAUNCHING CONSTRUCTIVE TALKS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST. WE WERE ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON A NON-CONTENTIOUS AGENDA LIMITED TO ITEMS ON WHICH WE BELIEVE PROGRESS CAN BE MADE. IN THE CONCURRENT INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS WITH THE G-77 AND DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, WE DEMONSTRATED THAT WE INTEND TO BE AS RESPONSIVE AS POSSIBLE TO THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE LDCS.

3. ISRAEL. THIS WILL BE ONE OF MAJOR ISSUES LOOMING OVER THE 30TH GA. RESOLUTION PASSED AT MID-JULY ISLAMIC FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN JIDDA, CALLING FOR REMOVAL OF ISRAEL FROM UNGA, SPECIALIZED AGENCIES, AND ALL UN CONFERENCES, MAY HAVE SET IN MOTION MOVEMENT ON ISSUES WHICH WILL BE MAINTAINED AND ENHANCED THROUGH LIMA AUGUST NAC, AND SEPTEMBER 1 ARAB LEAGUE MEETING. HOWEVER, DECISION OF JULY 28 OAU MEETING AT KAMPALA IN FAVOR OF MILD RESOLUTION THIS SUBJECT HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN CHECKING THIS MOMENTUM. THE DECISIVE FACTOR MAY WELL BE PROGRESS ON MIDDLE EAST PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. AS USG HAS PUBLICLY STATED AT HIGHEST LEVELS, US IS COMPLETELY OPPOSED TO ANY MOVES TO SUSPEND OR EXPEL ISRAEL FROM THE GA OR ANY PART OF THE UN SYSTEM, WHICH COULD INVOLVE ENTIRE FUTURE OF UN, FAR BEYOND ARAB/ISRAELI QUESTION. AS SECRETARY OF STATE POINTED OUT IN JULY 14 MILWAUKEE SPEECH ON UN, OUR POSITION IS “CONSTITUTIONAL”, (BASED ON ARTICLES 5 AND 6) AND OUR CONCERN IS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE UN CHARTER, IN WHICH THE PREROGATIVES OF SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION ARE CLEARLY GIVEN TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL SO THAT INTEGRITY AND FUTURE OF GA MAY BE MAINTAINED. US PUBLIC REACTION TO SUCH A MOVE WOULD BE ENORMOUS AND THIS EROSION OF PUBLIC SUPPORT WOULD IMPERIL FUTURE OF THE UN. THUS, UN WOULD BE SERIOUSLY DAMAGED AND PEACEMAKING PROCESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST GRAVELY ENDANGERED. IN PARTICULAR SUCH AN ACTION WOULD MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD PEACE MORE DIFFICULT BY UNDERCUTTING THOSE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND ELSEWHERE WHO ARE WORKING FROM THE PREMISE THAT LEADING ARAB GOVERNMENTS ARE PREPARED TO ACCEPT ISRAEL AND MAKE PEACE.

4. KOREA. IN PREPARATION FOR A STIFF FIGHT WITH NORTH KOREA’S SUPPORTERS OVER ISSUE OF FOREIGN (US) TROOPS IN ROK, THE US OFFERED, BY PRESENTING PROPOSED DRAFT RESOLUTION TO UNSYG ON JUNE 27, TO TERMINATE UN COMMAND EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1976. THIS IS SUBJECT TO SOLE CONDITION THAT OTHER SIGNATORIES AGREE TO ARRANGEMENTS TO REPLACE UNC IN MAINTAINING THE ARMISTICE AGREEMENT. US AND ROKG WILLING TO MEET AT ANY MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE TIME AND PLACE WITH THE OTHER SIDE TO THIS END. (IN INTERIM WE INTEND TO RESTRICT USE OF CERTAIN UN MANIFESTATIONS INCLUDING FLAG.) OFFER DOES NOT AFFECT STATUS OF US FORCES IN KOREA WHICH ARE THERE UNDER TERMS OF 1954 BILATERAL MUTUAL DEFENSE TREATY. SEVEN COUNTRIES (UK, CANADA, JAPAN, COSTA RICA, URUGUAY, NEW ZEALAND AND THE NETHERLANDS) ORIGINALLY COSPONSORED ON DRAFT RESOLUTION AND OTHERS HAVE NOW BEEN ADDED OR ARE EXPECTED. AS UNC WAS ESTABLISHED AT REQUEST OF SC IN 1950, WE HAVE ALSO PRESENTED LETTER TO SC PRESIDENT CONTAINING SAME OFFER. WE BELIEVE THIS OFFER IS POSITIVE STEP TOWARD REDUCING TENSIONS ON KOREAN PENINSULA AND IN KEEPING WITH RESOLUTION 3333 ADOPTED BY 29TH GA. NORTH KOREA HAS ACTIVELY SOUGHT THIS YEAR TO INCREASE THE SUPPORT OF THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES FOR A RESOLUTION ABOLISHING UNC AND CALLING FOR WITHDRAWAL OF ALL FOREIGN TROOPS FROM KOREA. 29TH UNGA CONSIDERATION OF SIMILAR RESOLUTION WAS DEFEATED BY A TIE VOTE (48-48-38) LAST YEAR; WHILE OUR OFFER TO TERMINATE UNC MAY WEAKEN CASE BEING MADE BY NORTH KOREA’S SUPPORTERS, WE NONETHELESS EXPECT BITTER DEBATE AND CLOSE VOTES. FYI. THESE SUPPORTERS DISTRIBUTED, AUG 8 A HOSTILE RESOLUTION WHICH CALLS FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF THE UN COMMAND, WITHDRAWAL OF FOREIGN TROOPS IN SOUTH KOREA UNDER THE UN FLAG AND REPLACEMENT OF THE ARMISTICE AGREEMENT WITH A PEACE AGREEMENT AMONG THE “REAL PARTIES CONCERNED” I.E. NORTH KOREA AND US. WE WILL SEND SEPARATE INSTRUCTIONS TO SELECTED POSTS ON THE KOREAN ITEM SHORTLY. END FYI.

4. CYPRUS. THIRD ROUND OF INTER-COMMUNAL TALKS UNDER “PERSONAL AUSPICES” OF SYG PURSUANT TO GA RES 3212 AND SC RES 367 CONCLUDED AUGUST 2 IN VIENNA. THIS ROUND RESULTED IN AGREEMENT ON MOVEMENTS OF MEMBERS OF BOTH COMMUNITIES, GREATER UNFICYP ACCESS TO TURKISH AREA, UN USE OF NICOSIA AIRPORT, AND FURTHER PRIVATE TALKS LEADING TO FOURTH ROUND UNDER AUSPICES SYG SEPTEMBER 8-9. US IS ENCOURAGED BY THIS PROGRESS SINCE IT FIRMLY BELIEVES THERE IS NO ADEQUATE SUBSTITUTE FOR INTER-COMMUNAL TALKS. WE VIGOROUSLY ENCOURAGE ALL COUNTRIES IN POSITION TO DO SO TO URGE IMMEDIATE PARTIES TO MAINTAIN MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY AND GOOD FAITH IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS. WE NEVERTHELESS EXPECT CYPRUS TO BE ON AGENDA OF 30TH GA. ASSUMING TALKS REMAIN VIABLE, WE WOULD EXPECT AND SUPPORT ADOPTION OF NON-CONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION SIMILAR TO 29TH UNGA RES 3212 CALLING FOR ACCELERATED PROGRESS IN THE INTERCOMMUNAL TALKS AND CONTINUING ROLE OF SYG IN THEM. NONALIGNED WORKING GROUP TOOK VERY CONSTRUCTIVE INITIATIVE IN WORKING OUT RES 3212 AND UNDER FAVORABLE CIRCUMSTANCES WE HOPE IT WOULD DO SO AGAIN IN 30TH GA IF CYPRUS ISSUE PUT ON AGENDA.

5. AFRICAN ISSUES.

A. SOUTH AFRICA. SINCE 1970, UNGA ANNUALLY HAS VOTED TO REJECT SOUTH AFRICA’S CREDENTIALS. AS PRESIDENT OF THE 29TH SESSION, ALGERIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BOUTEFLIKA WILL APPOINT THE MEMBERS OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE FOR THE 30TH SESSION. ACCORDINGLY, SHOULD SOUTH AFRICA PRESENT ITS CREDENTIALS TO THE 30TH UNGA, THERE IS NO LIKELIHOOD THAT A MAJORITY OF COMMITTEE WILL APPROVE THEM. ONCE THE ASSEMBLY HAS APPROVED THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT, THE NEW PRESIDENT COULD BE ASKED WHETHER THE CREDENTIALS REJECTION PRECLUDES SOUTH AFRICAN PARTICIPATION IN THE SESSION. IN RULING THAT SOUTH AFRICA BE SUSPENDED FOR REMAINDER OF 29TH UNGA SESSION, BOUTEFLIKA DEPARTED FROM THE HAMBRO PRECEDENT THAT REJECTION OF CREDENTIALS SHOULD BE REGARDED AS CONDEMNATION, BUT HAS NO PRACTICAL EFFECT. US POSITION IS THAT THE CREDENTIALS REVIEW PROCESS IS A TECHNICAL ONE, DESIGNED TO VERIFY THAT PERSONS CLAIMING TO REPRESENT A GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THAT GOVERNMENT (SOUTH AFRICA MEETS THE TECHNICAL CRITERIA), AND THAT REJECTION OF CREDENTIALS ON POLITICAL GROUND SHOULD NOT LEAD TO EXCLUSION FROM UNGA (REF B). THIS MISUSE OF THE CREDENTIALS MACHINERY TO PUNISH MEMBER STATES WHOSE INTERNAL POLICIES ARE UNPOPULAR HOLDS OBVIOUS SERIOUS DANGER FOR THE UN. THIS IS METHOD OF SUSPENSION CONTRARY TO CHARTER WHICH WE WILL STRONGLY OPPOSE. IN ADDITION, PRESSURE WHICH SHOULD BE MAINTAINED ON SAG THROUGH UN CAN ONLY BE EFFECTIVE IF SAG PARTICIPATES IN UNGA. USG OPPOSITION TO SUSPENSION OF SOUTH AFRICA IN NO WAY ALTERS OUR STRONG OPPOSITION TO APARTHEID.

B. RHODESIA. GA MAY AGAIN CALL ON UK TO TAKE EFFECTIVE ACTION TO ELIMINATE SMITH REGIME AND MAY CALL FOR AID TO RHODESIAN LIBERATION MOVEMENTS. US REMAINS SYMPATHETIC TO AFRICAN CONCERNS UNDERLYING PROPOSALS ON RHODESIA AND WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT EFFORTS OF BRITISH AND AFRICANS TO NEGOTIATE END TO WHAT WE CONSIDER ILLEGAL MINORITY REGIME. WE, HOWEVER, MUST CONTINUE TO OPPOSE EXTREME SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTION AGAINST RHODESIA. OUR POSITION ON RESOLUTIONS WILL DEPEND ON LANGUAGE OF DRAFT TEXTS.

C. NAMIBIA. USG ACCEPTED CONCLUSIONS 1971 ICJ DECISION THAT SOUTH AFRICA OBLIGED TO WITHDRAW FROM NAMIBIA AND HAS INDICATED REPEATEDLY TO SAG US CONCERN ABOUT SLOW PROGRESS TOWARD POLITICAL SELF-DETERMINATION FOR NAMIBIA. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. USG COULD NOT SUPPORT JUNE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT BELIEVES MANDATORY SANCTIONS SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR THE MOST ACUTE CASES OF THREAT TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY. WE ARE READY TO SUPPORT RESOLUTIONS CALLING FOR EARLY SELF-DETERMINATION UNDER UN SUPERVISION. USG DOES NOT BELIEVE SANCTIONS WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN REMOVING SOUTH AFRICAN ADMINISTRATION FROM NAMIBIA.

7. HUMAN RIGHTS. MAJOR HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES AT 30TH GA WILL BE CHILE, TORTURE, IMPLEMENTATION OF ECOSOC 1503 PROCEDURES, AND RECURRING ITEMS SUCH AS RACE DISCRIMINATION, APARTHEID, AND ISRAELI-OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES. CHILE HAS JUST DECIDED TO WITHDRAW ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THE WORKING GROUP (WG) SET UP BY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TO EXAMINE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN CHILE. IT IS TOO EARLY TO KNOW IF IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO GET THE WG BACK ON TRACK. CHILE’S DECISION PUTS COUNTRIES LIKE THE US WHICH SUPPORTED THE MODERATE WG APPROACH IN AN AWKWARD POSITION. FYI. WE HAVE TOLD CHILE THAT WE REGRET ITS EXCLUSION OF THE WG. END FYI. POLEMICAL DEBATE AND DRAFT RESOLUTIONS STRONGLY CONDEMNING CHILE ARE VERY LIKELY. WE ALSO HAVE AN INDICATION THAT CUBA MAY MOUNT A CAMPAIGN TO SUSPEND OR EXPEL CHILE FROM UNGA AS A RESULT OF ITS ATTITUDE TOWARD THE UN. WHILE NOT WISHING TO GIVE WEIGHT TO SUCH A MOVE BY FIGHTING IT PREMATURELY, IF THIS MATTER RAISED YOU SHOULD INDICATE THAT WE WOULD OPPOSE IT STRONGLY ON CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS. US IS CONSIDERING INTRODUCING PROPOSAL AT 30TH GA TO BUILD ON LAST GA’S ANTI-TORTURE RESOLUTION AND WORK OF FIFTH UN CONGRESS ON THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS MEETING IN GENEVA SEPTEMBER 1-12 TO KEEP PRACTICE OF TORTURE BEFORE INTERNATIONAL FORUMS AND PRESS FOR ACTION WHICH WILL RESULT IN EVENTUAL ELIMINATION OF SUCH PRACTICES. ECOSOC 1503 RESOLUTION PROVIDES METHODS FOR EXAMINING GROUP OR PRIVATE CLAIMS OF GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. ECOSOC WILL REPORT THAT THESE PROCEDURES RECEIVED INITIAL TEST AT FEBRUARY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING WHICH WE BELIEVE WAS FAVORABLE. US IS PLEASED THAT A START HAS BEEN MADE TOWARDS THEIR IMPLEMENTATION AND HOPES THAT OTHER COUNTRIES WILL JOIN IN SUPPORTING THEM. HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES CAN BE EXPECTED TO ARISE IN CONNECTION WITH DEBATES ON SUCH RECURRING THEMES AS RACE DISCRIMINATION, APARTHEID, AND ISRAELI-OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES. SPECIFIC US POSITION ON THESE ITEMS WILL DEPEND ON NATURE OF PROPOSAL OR RESOLUTION PUT FORWARD, BUT IN GENERAL US WILL CONCENTRATE ON PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING MEASURES WHICH ARE BALANCED AND WILL LEAD TO FRUITFUL PRACTICAL RESULTS.

8. DISARMAMENT. PROVISIONAL AGENDA OF 30TH UNGA ALREADY INCLUDES 16 DISARMAMENT ITEMS. GIVEN INCREASED INTEREST IN DISARMAMENT MATTERS DISPLAYED AT LAST UNGA, WHEN 21 DISARMAMENT RESOLUTIONS WERE APPROVED, THERE COULD WELL BE AS MANY OR MORE RESOLUTIONS THIS YEAR.

A. NUCLEAR ISSUES. NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT) REVIEW CONFERENCE (HELD IN GENEVA MAY 5-30, 1975) MAY GENERATE EXTENSIVE DISCUSSION AND SEVERAL RESOLUTIONS AT 30TH GA, EVEN THOUGH REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION OF CONFERENCE RECOMMENDATIONS IS NOT FORMALLY SCHEDULED UNTIL 31ST UNGA (1976). IN LINE WITH THIS US DOES NOT PLAN ANY NPT INITIATIVE FOR 30TH UNGA. WE WERE GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH FINAL DECLARATION OF CONFERENCE, WHICH REAFFIRMED IMPORTANCE OF NPT, AND RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN NON-PROLIFERATION EFFORT. NON-ALIGNED AT CONFERENCE PUT FORWARD THREE DRAFT PROTOCOLS TO NPT. FIRST WOULD HAVE KEYED MORATORIUM ON NUCLEAR TESTING BY DEPOSITARY GOVERNMENTS (US, UK, USSR) TO ADDITIONAL ACCESSIONS TO TREATY, AND CALLED FOR PERMANENT BAN ON ALL TESTING AS SOON AS ALL NUCLEAR WEAPON STATES WERE PREPARED TO AGREE; SECOND CALLED FOR 50 PERCENT REDUCTION OF VLADIVOSTOK CEILINGS ON STRATEGIC ARMS LEVELS ON SAME BASIS; THIRD CALLED FOR NON-USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS UNDERTAKINGS BY DEPOSITARIES VIS-À-VIS NON-NUCLEAR WEAPON NPT PARTIES. US OPPOSED PROTOCOLS ON GROUNDS THEY WOULD IN EFFECT AMEND NPT (WHICH WE DID NOT WISH) AND, IN CASE OF FIRST TWO, WOULD IMPOSE UNREALISTIC TIME TABLES AND UNACCEPTABLE TERMS ON PARTIES TO ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS. THIRD PROTOCOL, IN OUR VIEW, COULD IMPAIR SECURITY OF US AND MANY NON-NUCLEAR WEAPON STATES PARTIES TO NPT. (WITH RESPECT TO COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN, US REMAINS COMMITTED TO GOAL OF ADEQUATELY VERIFIED CTB, BUT CONSIDERS THAT “NATIONAL” MEANS OF VERIFICATION DO NOT YET PERMIT RELIABLE DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ALL SEISMIC EVENTS; THEREFORE IN OUR VIEW SOME ON-SITE INSPECTION IS REQUIRED.) WHILE NONE OF THESE PROTOCOLS HAD REALISTIC CHANCE OF ADOPTION AT CONFERENCE OWING TO OPPOSITION BY NPT DEPOSITARIES, THEY MAY RESURFACE AS PROPOSALS IN UNGA WHERE LDCS ARE REPRESENTED IN GREATER NUMBERS.

B. NUCLEAR-FREE ZONE (NFZ). AGENDA INCLUDES CARRY-OVER ITEMS ON NFZS IN MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA, AND SOUTH ASIA. IN ADDITION, NEW ZEALAND WILL PROPOSE NEW RESOLUTION ON SOUTH PACIFIC NUCLEAR-FREE ZONE. PURSUANT TO 1974 GA RESOLUTION, UNGA WILL ALSO HAVE BEFORE IT COMPREHENSIVE EXPERTS’ STUDY (UNDER CCD AUSPICES) OF NFZ QUESTION IN ALL ITS ASPECTS. USG CONSIDERS THAT APPROPRIATELY DRAWN NUCLEAR-FREE ZONES CAN COMPLEMENT NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION OBJECTIVES, BUT WILL ASSESS SPECIFIC PROPOSALS ON CASE-BY-CASE BASIS, APPLYING CRITERIA THAT NFZS SHOULD:

(1) BE SPONSORED BY STATES IN AREA CONCERNED;

(2) INCLUDE ALL STATES IN AREA WHOSE PARTICIPATION IS IMPORTANT;

(3) NOT DISTURB NECESSARY SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS; AND

(4) PROVIDE FOR ADEQUATE VERIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE. IN ADDITION, IN ORDER TO SERVE NONPROLIFERATION OBJECTIVES, ZONES SHOULD NOT PERMIT INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVES FOR ANY PURPOSE.

C. INDIAN OCEAN PEACE ZONE (IOPZ). AD HOC COMMITTEE ON INDIAN OCEAN HAS MET SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR TO CONSIDER INTER ALIA POSSIBLE CONFERENCE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF “PEACE ZONE” DECLARATION CONTAINED IN ORIGINAL IOPZ RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY UNGA IN 1971. TOGETHER WITH MOST MAJOR MARITIME STATES EXCEPT JAPAN, US ABSTAINED ON THAT AND ALL SUBSEQUENT IOPZ RESOLUTIONS. THIS YEAR US DECLINED (ALONG WITH UK, USSR, FRG, FRANCE AND ITALY) INVITATION TO CONSULT WITH LITTORAL AND HINTERLAND STATES ON ISSUES INVOLVED IN IOPZ DECLARATION. IF ASKED ABOUT USG POSITION, POSTS SHOULD EXPLAIN THAT WHILE US SHARES AIM OF PROMOTING PEACE AND TRANQUILITY IN INDIAN OCEAN REGION, WE DO NOT ACCEPT PREMISE THAT REGIONAL GROUP OF STATES CAN IMPOSE SPECIAL LEGAL REGIME ON CERTAIN PART OF HIGH SEAS, AND DO NOT BELIEVE THAT APPROACH OF DECLARING “ZONE OF PEACE” CAN ADEQUATELY RESOLVE COMPLEX QUESTIONS INVOLVING SIGNIFICANT ARMS CONTROL AND LAW OF SEA CONSIDERATIONS.

D. WORLD DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE (WDC). SOVIET INITIATED PROPOSAL FOR WDC CONTINUES TO ATTRACT CONSIDERABLE INTEREST ON PART OF SOME COUNTRIES AND WILL BE ON UNGA AGENDA FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR. WHILE US HAS STATED VIEW THAT SUCH A CONFERENCE COULD PLAY ROLE IN DISARMAMENT PROCESS AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME, WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO PREPARE FOR ONE IN NEAR FUTURE. IF WDC HELD TOO EARLY, MOST LIKELY RESULT WOULD BE POLEMICAL EXCHANGES HARMFUL TO ADVANCEMENT OF DISARMAMENT OBJECTIVES. UNDER PRESENT CONDITIONS, OTHER FORA, AND PARTICULARLY CCD, OFFER BEST CHANNELS FOR ACHIEVING PROGRESS IN MULTILATERAL ARMS CONTROL EFFORTS. PRC VEHEMENTLY OPPOSES SOVIET PROPOSAL. WE SUGGEST THAT, GIVEN FUNDAMENTAL DIVERGENCE OF VIEWS BY MAJOR COUNTRIES ON BASIC WDC PROPOSAL (WHICH IS UNLIKELY TO BE RESOLVED SOON), WDC QUESTION MIGHT MORE APPROPRIATELY BE SCHEDULED FOR UNGA CONSIDERATION EVERY THIRD, OR AT MOST EVERY OTHER, YEAR INSTEAD OF ANNUALLY.

E. OTHER ISSUES. REPORT OF CONFERENCE OF COMMITTEE ON DISARMAMENT (CURRENTLY IN SESSION IN GENEVA) TO UNGA WILL COVER SEVERAL NOTEWORTHY ITEMS, ESPECIALLY CHEMICAL WEAPONS, BAN ON USE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES FOR MILITARY AND OTHER HOSTILE PURPOSES, “PEACEFUL” NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, AND US INITIATIVE ON MILITARY EXPENDITURES LIMITATIONS. IN VIEW OF ONGOING DISCUSSIONS IN CCD, WE PREFER TO REFRAIN FROM SPECIFIC COMMENTS BUT IF ISSUE IS RAISED POSTS MAY STATE THAT US IS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN WORK OF CCD ON THESE ISSUES.

9. FINANCIAL ISSUES.

A. UNEF/UNDOF FINANCING. THE PRESENT FUNDING RESOLUTION FOR UN PEACEKEEPING FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST EXPIRES OCTOBER 31. GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE FORCES IN PREVENTING HOSTILITIES AND HELPING TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE PEACEFUL NEGOTIATIONS CAN TAKE PLACE, IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF ALL TO SEE THAT ADEQUATE FINANCING IS PROVIDED. LDCS INDICATED IN LAST YEAR’S 5TH COMMITTEE DEBATE THAT SHOULD IT BE NECESSARY TO EXTEND THE FORCES BEYOND OCTOBER 31, 1975, THEY WOULD REOPEN THE RESOLUTION’S FUNDING FORMULA TO INCREASE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL. THE US POSITION IS THAT THE PRESENT FUNDING FORMULA SHOULD BE CONTINUED SINCE IT IS AN ACCEPTABLE COMPROMISE WHICH BOTH RECOGNIZES THE SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY AND OBSERVES THE PRINCIPLE OF THE COLLECTIVE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEMBERSHIP.

B. UN BUDGET. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL HAVE BEFORE IT THIS FALL FOR CONSIDERATION THE SECOND BIENNIAL PROGRAM BUDGET COVERING THE PERIOD 1976-77. WHILE NO HARD FIGURES ARE YET AVAILABLE, ESTIMATES ARE THAT IT COULD EVENTUALLY EXCEED $800 MILLION FOR THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD, AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 33 PERCENT OVER 1974-75. GIVEN LDC DISSATISFACTION WITH THE AMOUNTS BEING RETURNED TO THEM AND CONCERN AMONG DEVELOPED NATIONS OVER THE HUGE INCREASES THEY ARE EXPECTED TO PAY, CAREFUL SCRUTINY MUST BE APPLIED TO ALL PROPOSALS. EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO ECONOMIZE WHERE POSSIBLE AND TO PUT INTO EFFECT MEASURES WHICH WOULD ASSURE THAT SUMS APPROVED PROVIDE FOR DELIVERY OF THE GREATEST POSSIBLE BENEFITS TO EACH MEMBER. WE WOULD HOPE THAT EACH NATION WOULD FOCUS ON THE BUDGET IN TERMS OF COST EFFECTIVENESS AND INSTRUCT THEIR DELEGATIONS TO SUPPORT ONLY THOSE ITEMS WHICH IT DEEMS ESSENTIAL IN ORDER THAT INCREASES MAY BE HELD TO A MINIMUM. SUPPORT OF ANY SUCH NEW ESSENTIAL ITEMS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE ELIMINATION OF LESS ESSENTIAL ITEMS. KISSINGER

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Drafted in IN/UNP by staff under the direction of Baker; cleared by Palmer, Goott, Schwebel (in part), McNutt, Walker, and Boeker, and in ARA/LA/USOAS and D/HA; and approved by Buffum. Sent for information to USUN, the Mission to the EC in Brussels, the Mission to the IAEA in Vienna, the Mission to the OECD in Paris, and Mission to NATO. Telegram 170841 is Document 23. Telegram 104050 is Document 14. Kissinger’s July 14 Milwaukee speech, subsequent press conference, and related documents are published in Department of State Bulletin, August 4, 1975, pp. 149–184. Edvard Hambro of Norway served as President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1970 and 1971.
2. The Department informed posts about major issues of interest to be negotiated at the 30th United Nations General Assembly.