173. Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Japanese Ambassador (Iguchi) and the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson), Department of State, Washington, November 19, 19551
SUBJECT
- Japanese Membership in the United Nations
Ambassador Iguchi had asked to see the Secretary, which proved impossible, and then arranged to see Mr. Robertson on the urgent instructions of his Government. He gave Mr. Robertson a Note (copy attached to original only).2 The Note stressed the keen interest of the Japanese in early admission to the United Nations and the “honest wish of Japan” that Japanese admission should be effected through the good offices and efforts of the United States rather than those of any other country. It then concluded, “Although Japan fully understands the United States’ position regarding the application of Outer Mongolia, it is desired that the United States will give full regard to the trend of opinion within the United Nations and contribute positively to a favorable settlement of this long pending question.” Mr. Robertson said that we are glad to have the Note, especially since there will be a meeting within the Department later today on the membership problem.
Ambassador Iguchi said that a part of the Japanese interest stemmed from the fact that once Japan is in the United Nations the Soviet Union will lose a bargaining point in the negotiations in London. On the attitude of the Soviet Union he commented that he understood Kuznetsov had said publicly at the United Nations that [Page 385] the Soviet Union was ready to approve eighteen countries, which would include Japan.
Mr. Robertson said that we are not certain of the Soviet position since, to his knowledge, all that they had said is that they would not vote for anyone unless Outer Mongolia is included as well. In addition to this problem with the Soviet Union, the French position is completely unclear. Mr. Robertson pointed out that the Soviet Union is equating all of the other seventeen applicants with Outer Mongolia in adopting the position which it is taking. However, he could assure Ambassador Iguchi that the United States will make every effort for Japanese membership and will not make any arrangement with the Soviet Union which would exclude Japan in favor of some other country or group of countries.