Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The United Nations; The Western Hemisphere, Volume II

310.2/3–2350: Telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Missions and Consular Offices ¹

secret

Washington, March 23, 1950—6 a. m.

1. US Mission to UN reports US position on question of Chi representation in UN not clearly understood by all other Members UNSC. Circulation to UN Members by SYG Lie of legal memo on question recognition of Chi Commies and Chi representation in UN organs has added element of confusion. Lie’s memo based on premise that linkage between question of representation in UN and question of recognition by Member Govts is unfortunate from practical standpoint of UN operations and erroneous in legal theory.

2. US position which has been stated in SC and in other UN organs may be summarized as fols:

a. US recognizes Nat Govt;

b. US opposes unseating of Nat reps in UN or seating of Commies;

c. US believes question of representation is procedural and can be decided by each organ of UN by necessary majority;

d. US will accept parliamentary decision made by each organ on this question;

e. US believes each Member shld decide for itself how it will vote on question in light of its own circumstances and interests and its appraisal of best interests of UN.

3. Although reasons why US opposes seating Commie rep are generally those which also lead us not to recognize Commie regime, we recognize that other govts may not have same approach subj and must determine for themselves how they vote on representation question. While we are aware that our vote against unseating Natl rep and expression of our views as outlined preceding para inevitably affect thinking of other govts on this question, because of UN interest involved we wish refrain from any efforts influence others or from activities which might subject us to charge of bringing pressure on other membs on representation question. In other words we do not wish to interfere in any way with normal parliamentary procedures including free discussions among membs and decisions freely arrived at.

4. Important to note that present situation in UN organs arises not from US attitude, but from Sov walkout due its unwillingness accept majority decision. Blame for present situation lies with USSR and not with US or any other Member which continues recognize Nat Govt.

5. If question arises you may discuss with FonOff for purposes of clarification.

Acheson

1. Sent to the United States Mission at the United Nations (USUN) and to the United States diplomatic missions and consular offices located in 52 of the member states of the United Nations, for action; sent also to those in Formosa, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, and Poland for information.