FE flies, lot 55 D 480, “Elections”
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (Key) to the Secretary of State
- Subject:
- Question of Re-election of China and France to ECOSOC
Discussion:
As you requested, we have examined the question whether, as a step toward breaking away from the present practice under which the Big Five are in effect permanent members of ECOSOC and many other United Nations bodies, the United States might this year vote for other candidates instead of China and France for ECOSOC.
As you know, the basis for the present practice is simply the idea that these five countries, which the Charter recognized as having the greatest power and the greatest obligations, should be in a position to influence ECOSOC decisions. We are, in connection with the problem of Charter Review, canvassing possibilities for recasting the membership and voting systems in various United Nations organs, and under your general instructions, will certainly pursue ways in which the membership of the Councils might be changed so as to improve their work. We have not yet reached any definite conclusions on the matter.
However, although we do not support Soviet candidacies, it is our interim view that the present system under which the Big Five are automatically re-elected to ECOSOC has definite advantages to us. It does secure, without any effort on our part, the constant membership not only of ourselves, but also of the United Kingdom and France, which have the same general orientation toward ECOSOC problems as we have. It helps keep the smaller countries from exerting too much influence and makes it easier for us to prevent irresponsible action on major issues like economic development.
Our chief and immediate concern relates to any action which we might take now to deny China the position on ECOSOC which it undoubtedly expects. However we handled it, our failure to support China’s re-election to ECOSOC would undoubtedly be interpreted as a weakening of our support of Nationalist China and as a first step towards seating Red China. Congressional and public reaction in this country would be hostile in view of the emotional and explosive nature of this subject, and this would adversely affect the Administration. The Chinese Nationalist Government has always considered its prestige to be vitally involved in membership in the various United Nations bodies on which the Big Five have traditionally been represented. It would vigorously protest our failure to support its reelection to ECOSOC.
[Page 584]France also would strongly resent our failure to support its reelection. Moreover, as mentioned above, its membership on ECOSOC is highly desirable from our standpoint, since it has been one of the strongest supporters of our policies in that Council.
Recommendation:
That you approve our support for the re-election of China and France to ECOSOC.
Concurrences:
FE—Mr. Robertson; EUR—Mr. Merchant; E—Mr. Kalijarvi; G—Mr. Murphy.