320.2–AC/4–2751: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Secretary of State
5645. ReDeptel 4913 on AMC. EmbOffs discussed matter today with acting head UN Dept FonOff,1 who summarized contents FonOff tel to Franks late evening of Apr 26 to effect UK concurs AMC shld meet April 30 to consider selective embargo but also believes work of GOC shld continue, AMC shld not move precipitately, there shld be as little publicity its proceedings as possible need of declaration of aims shld be kept in mind, and that before AMC takes any definitive steps US and UK shld confer. Reaction to this msg awaited before FonOff considers further action.
In subsequent conversations at FonOff fol points emerged:
- 1.
- FonOff wants work of GOC to continue as well as AMC in order that both alternatives remain open.
- 2.
- Brit hope that if Chi offensive is blunted Peiping might be in mood to receive approach from GOC, probably after declaration of aims which cld be used to reassure Peiping.
- 3.
- In any case, Brit do not want hasty AMC action on resolution proposing selective embargo lest any chance—admittedly faint—of securing Peiping’s consent disappear completely.
- 4.
- Brit rep Peiping believes that any specific embargo steps at this time will only strengthen Chi Commies inside China.
- 5.
- AMC cld do useful work in clarifying terms of ref etc without having to move quickly into proposing definite measures.
- 6.
- If Chi offensive goes well, work of AMC to take definite embargo steps cld be pushed at more rapid pace; it is reasoned resolution cld then be proposed to First Comite GA since hope of negotiated settlement wld be by then lost.
Unless GOC kept in operation Brit see no end of stalemate.
Sent Dept 5645 rptd info Paris 2148, Dept pass USUNNY as London’s 77.
- C. P. Hope.↩