845A.411/10–2654: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations
Gadel 65. Re: Indians in South Africa.
Draft LA proposal (A/AC.76/L.3)1 falls within category resolutions on which position paper authorizes GADel in its discretion vote affirmatively or abstain. It closely approximates type of action US has hoped GA would take in past by its emphasis on resumption of direct negotiations. Moreover, proposal is sponsored not by Arab-Asian group led by India but for first time by LA group whose sincere interest in achieving equitable solution this difficult problem cannot be questioned.
Nevertheless resolution, while avoiding many features of past GA resolutions (e.g. references to Group Areas Act and other South African legislation, critical characterization of apartheid, condemnation South Africa for disregard GA recommendations), includes certain provisions prescribing methods of settlement that in our view unlikely succeed. As indicated Gadel 622 we consider paragraphs 3 and 4 tend defeat purposes first two paragraphs. Therefore suggest GADel should vote negatively or abstain on them. We hope however current informal efforts GADel to induce sponsors delete or substantially modify these paragraphs may succeed.
Even if these two provisions stand, Department inclined believe GADel should vote affirmatively on resolution as a whole. This view takes account of following:
(1) generally favorable reaction to LA proposal, including Indian support and unprecedented South African intention to abstain first two paragraphs; (2) likelihood proposal will be adopted by overwhelming majority; (3) fact that in past US has voted for resolutions [Page 1047] sponsored by Arab-Asian group which included objectionable features involving-substance of dispute; and (4) possibility US abstention for first time on resolution certain to be adopted by GA would be interpreted as unfortunate retrogression in US position both on substantive issue of racial discrimination implicitly involved this case and on procedure of direct negotiations which is fundamental Charter principle.