Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, National Security Affairs, Volume II, Part 2

330.13/9–453: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations¹

secret

Washington, September 4, 1953—6:12 p.m.

93. Re Disarmament.

I. Following position has been approved by Secretary and should be discussed now with friendly members Disarmament Commission in anticipation GA debates this subject. While contents draft resolution should be indicated text should not be transmitted.

1. US should not introduce any substantive proposals in GA, nor elaborate existing substantive proposals previously introduced in UN by US, individually or jointly with UK and France.

2. US will in debate:

(a) Point up US and Western allies unilateral disarmament after World War II and fact free-world rearmament program forced by aggressive Soviet efforts seeking world-domination;

(b) Review record its efforts in UN to achieve agreed disarmament and emphasize proposals US already submitted in Disarmament Commission, unilaterally or with UK and France, provide comprehensive approach to genuine disarmament negotiations treating all elements this problem;

(c) Emphasize deep and abiding interest US Government and people in achieving comprehensive, balanced and safeguarded disarmament, as evidenced by President’s statements and Congressional expressions,² and point out USSR largely responsible for lack of progress attaining this goal;

(d) Note that, although substantial progress cannot be expected in UN on disarmament program until international tensions relaxed through settling some of the major political issues, we are prepared continue our efforts obtain from Soviets concrete indication they will sincerely cooperate in necessary exploratory work to establish technical bases of disarmament. This would facilitate final agreement when propitious international atmosphere achieved;

(e) Propose any specific disarmament proposals, if made in GA, be referred to Disarmament Commission.

3. US will co-sponsor resolution along general lines set forth below.

4. If Soviet bloc introduces resolution calling on Great Powers to confer and agree upon disarmament program, which Department estimates most likely Soviet gambit although they may make specific proposals similar to past efforts in GA, US should in addition to action outlined under paragraphs 2 and 3:

(a) Point out that because of complexity disarmament problem, it is much more difficult item than other USSR–free-world issues on which ascertain Soviet sincerity in allegedly seeking general peaceful settlements. Nevertheless, it would be helpful and useful continue explore technical bases disarmament program in anticipation being able both reach final agreement on and implement agreed disarmament program because of progress on settlement other issues. Parenthetically, should be noted that, while Foreign Ministers of Great Powers might conceivably agree on broad avenues of approach, development of comprehensive program would still have to be delegated to experts either in Disarmament Commission or in Great Powers conference;

(b) Indicate that while US is ready at appropriate time to proceed with substantive disarmament discussions in Great Powers Talks, the work of Great Powers Representatives convened to deal with this problem can be more fruitful should progress be made toward solution outstanding political problems facing world;

(c) Point out that, meanwhile, Disarmament Commission should continue to deal with problem; that the Great Powers are represented on the Commission and it is always possible, within Commission’s framework, to arrange for specific Great Power discussions of subject.

5. If Soviet bloc raises issue including Communist China among Great Powers, the US should:

(a) state that essential problems are whether Soviet Union sincerely desires negotiate on disarmament problem, and how agreed disarmament program can best be achieved.

(b) Question of Chinese participation in disarmament negotiations not fundamental these problems at this time. It is question which must be considered when there is evidence of progress in disarmament discussions, since obviously all states or authorities with major military strength must be included in agreed disarmament program. As is well-known, US recognizes National Government as Government of China. However, as pointed out in Disarmament Commission at time Tripartite Working Paper concerning numerical limitation of armed forces was introduced in May 1952,³ agreed disarmament program would have apply to all armed forces everywhere, including all Chinese forces; the word “China” in proposals to limit armed forces indicated country and not government; and is premature consider what authorities which might have substantial military power must be consulted at later date in order bring them into effective disarmament system.

II. We anticipate Secretary will also devote section his statement in general debate to disarmament problems.

III. Verbatim text of possible draft resolution

The General Assembly

• Mindful of the international tensions which grip the world, of which the burden of armaments is evidence, and believing that lasting peace can be firmly based only upon just relations and honest understanding between all nations,
• Reaffirming its responsibility for considering the principles governing disarmament,
• Believing that progress toward agreement on the principal issues which heighten international tension would facilitate achieving concurrent progress on an agreed disarmament program,
• Mindful that the aim of a system of world wide disarmament is to prevent war and to release the world’s human and economic resources for the purposes of peace.

1. Takes note of the Third Report of the Disarmament Commission of August 20, 1953⁴ and, particularly the Commission’s hope that recent international events will create a more propitious atmosphere for the reconsideration of the disarmament question, whose capital importance in conjunction with other questions affecting the maintenance of peace is recognized by all.

2. Declares its belief that

(a) All States should contribute to that rebirth of trust vital to the attainment of peace and disarmament, by seeking to achieve just settlements of their international disputes in accordance with the obligations set forth in the Charter of the United Nations;

(b) Concurrently with these attempts to settle existing international disputes, progress on which would materially strengthen that world trust essential to disarmament, all Member States and in particular the major Powers among them should intensify their efforts to agree on a comprehensive and coordinated program of disarmament with adequate safeguards;

(c) Agreement on and implementation of such a disarmament program should enable all nations to devote a substantial percentage of the savings achieved through disarmament to joint and separate efforts to aid the underdeveloped areas of the world, stimulate mutually beneficial world trade, and help build a world in which all peoples will know the blessings of productive freedom.

3. Reaffirms General Assembly Resolution 704 (VII) of 8 April 1953,⁵ and requests the Disarmament Commission to continue its efforts to develop agreement on proposals for a comprehensive and coordinated system of disarmament, as defined in that resolution.

4. Requests the Commission to report to the General Assembly and to the Security Council not later than September 1, 1954.

5. Calls on all Member states to cooperate in aiding the Disarmament Commission reach agreement on the problems with which it is concerned.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Meyers of UNA. Repeated for information (by air) to Moscow, Paris, and London.
2. On July 29, 1953, the Senate, in Resolution 150, had declared the continued purpose of the United States to be the pursuit of conditions for a durable peace including agreements by all nations for enforceable limitations on armaments through the medium of the United Nations in accordance with the principles set forth by President Eisenhower in his “Chance for Peace” address of Apr. 16, 1953. For text of Senate Resolution 150, see Documents on Disarmament, 1945–1959, vol. I, pp. 387–388.
3. Reference is to UN doc. DC/10, May 28, 1952; for text, see Documents on Disarmament, 1945–1959, vol. I, pp. 365–369.
4. For text, see Documents on Disarmament, 1945–1959, vol. I, p. 338. A copy of State Department position paper SD/A/C.1, “Report of the Disarmament Commission,” Aug. 29, 1953, drafted in preparation for the Eighth Session of the General Assembly, is in Disarmament files, lot 58 D 133, “Disarmament-General”.
5. See the editorial note, p. 1140.