Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 327

The Special Adviser to the United States Delegation (Achilles) to W. Dennis Allen of the British Delegation

confidential

Dear Dennis: With reference to our conversation of this morning, I am quoting below the draft letter to the President of the Security Council which the Thai government proposed to send last June. The only change which Washington believes need be made at this time is deletion of the bracketed portion at the end of the second paragraph.

“I have the honor, under instructions from my Government and in conformity with Articles 34 and 35, paragraph 1, of the United Nations Charter, to bring to the attention of the Security Council a situation which, in the view of my Government, represents not only a threat to the security of Thailand but is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security of the region.

“Large-scale fighting has taken place in the immediate vicinity of Thai territory; there has been a clear possibility of direct incursions of foreign troops into its territory. This possibility continues to exist [despite the temporary recession of the direct threat of military incursions].1

“I have the honor to bring this situation of international tension to the attention of the Security Council to the end that the Security Council may provide for observation in the area under the Peace Observation Commission.

“The Royal Thai Government makes this appeal to the Security Council not only as a firm supporter of the United Nations but as a power firmly determined to play its part in the maintenance of international peace and security in Southeast Asia.

“Finally, I have the honor to request that you call a meeting of the Security Council to consider this matter and, as representative of Thailand, I may be invited, in conformity with rule 37 of the Rules of Procedure of the Security Council, to participate in the Council discussion of the question.

“Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

The following is the text of the draft resolution which the Thai government intended to propose last June. Washington believes that it is still suitable with deletion of the bracketed words in the second paragraph. The Department also has in mind a subcommission of five—India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sweden and Uruguay—and believes it would be desirable to name these states in the resolution.

[Page 884]

“The Security Council,

“Recalling General Assembly Resolution 337 (V) (uniting for peace), part A, section B establishing a peace observation commission which could observe and report on the situation in any area where there exists international tension, the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security,

“Finds that there exists in the general area of [and adjacent to] Thailand [and Laos]2 a condition of international tension the continuance of which is likely to endanger international peace and security,

“Requests the Peace Observation Commission to establish a subcommission composed of … members, with its seat at the United Nations Headquarters, with authority:

(a)
To despatch such observers as it may deem necessary to any part of the above area on the request of any state or states concerned, but only to the territory of states consenting thereto;
(b)
To visit if it deems necessary, any area in which observation requested under sub-paragraph (a), is being conducted;
(c)
To consider such data as may be submitted to it by its members or observers and to make such reports as it deems necessary to the Peace Observation Commission and the Security Council for the information of member states.”

Sincerely,

Theodore Achilles
  1. Brackets in the source text.
  2. Brackets in the source text.