751G.00/7–1754
Memorandum by the Special Adviser to the United States Delegation (Bonsal) to the Deputy United States Representative and Coordinator of the Delegation (Johnson)
Subject:
- Final Conference Declaration
Paragraph 10 of the current French draft declaration1 for issuance by the Conference reads as follows:
“10. The members of the Conference agree to consult together on any question which may be transmitted to them by the international [Page 1404] control commissions, in order to study the measures which may appear necessary to insure observance of the agreements on the cessation of hostilities in Indochina.”
We have consistently taken the position that we would not consult with the Communist powers regarding matters related to Indochina after the close of the present Conference. Therefore we should either suggest that this paragraph be omitted or that it merely provide that the international commission will report to the Geneva Conference powers on such matters related to the implementation of the agreements on the cessation of hostilities as the international commission has not been able to handle.
The following wording might be appropriate in the event the latter alternative is accepted:
“10. The International Control Commission (or Commissions) will inform the members of the Conference regarding the progress of its (their) work and particularly regarding questions which appear to involve a threat to the successful implementation of the agreements on the cessation of hostilities. In the event that unanimity is not achieved in the preparation of such reports, any member or members of the Commission may communicate directly with the members of the Geneva Conference.”