285. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France1
Tosec 9. Ref: Secto 5.2USUN is reporting separately complete details yesterday’s developments on Algerian item in New York including text of Res, negotiating developments, votes and analysis.3
Following additional elements in Dept decision beyond those previously reported may prove helpful as indicator line we plan follow with French here.
US opposition to immoderate Res such as that originally tabled with reference to PGAR, made absolutely clear by our negative vote in Political Committee. Decision by co-sponsors in plenary to delete reference to PGAR marked substantial improvement in text by removing item we understood most objectionable to French and in final version Res contained nothing which might be construed as putting the Assembly on record as recognizing the PGAR. In fact, this deletion appeared offer real possibility that regardless of our vote, Res would receive two-thirds majority. However, in order not to contribute to shift of votes in favor of Res, US kept decision to abstain confidential. We are convinced fact US voted negatively in committee and kept intention to abstain in plenary secret was decisive factor in failure Res achieve two-thirds vote. This assumption seem justified since all other countries which cast negative vote in committee also cast negative vote in plenary; this group included several countries which usually follow US lead on such issues.
Of course fact we abstained on Res does not mean we approved it. On contrary abstention shows there were still objectionable aspects of Res, i.e., such as preambular call for independence and operative reference to “two parties”. We did not like these paragraphs, knowing they unacceptable to French. Moreover, we had made our explicit objections to them known to Afro-Asian group through Slim;4 thus [Page 647] there should be no doubt in minds of parties concerned that our abstention in no way constituted endorsement these paragraphs.
In view fact Res was moderated, even though it still contained features we knew were objectionable to French, we decided, despite concern and opposition of EUR, abstention was best solution. Our position was extremely difficult since France refused throughout participate in debate or to play active role in lobbying in favor of their position, although she had done so in years past. French did not appear to vote in plenary even when it appeared Res might be approved. Having gone on record in favor of French in First Committee and with more moderate Res up for vote in plenary having prospect of passage, a negative vote would have put US in bad position vis-à-vis Afro-Arab group especially since Soviet bloc endorsing Algerian cause. Our relations with Morocco particularly important since we about to present Moroccan base package.
In effect negative vote on modified resolution in plenary could have been considered straight vote against right of independence for Algerian people should they freely decide that was their desire. This seemed to us impossible position for US to take.
We intend take following line with press. Deletion of paragraph re PGAR substantially changed resolution from form in which it approved by political committee. Resolution in plenary no longer specified negotiation with rebel government or with any specified persons. Article re independence in our view somewhat awkward way of expressing charter rights of self-determination. US position on this paragraph made clear by our vote in favor Haitian amendment5 in political committee. US dissatisfaction with wording this article and with possibility differing interpretations of “two parties” in operative paragraph registered by our abstention in final vote.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320.11/12–1458. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by Buffum on December 13; cleared by S/S and in substance with Wilcox, Cargo, Jandrey, and Porter; and approved by Dillon.↩
- Secto 5, December 14, requested a report on the U.N. General Assembly debate and vote on Algeria. (Ibid., 751S.00/12–1458)↩
- Reported in Delga 720, December 14. (Ibid., 320.11/12–1458) For text of the draft resolution on Algeria, see U.N. Doc. A/C.1/L.232. For a record of the First Committee discussion and vote on the draft resolution, see U.N. Doc. A/4075. For a record of the plenary discussion and vote on the draft resolution, see U.N. Doc. A/PV.792. The draft resolution failed by one vote to gain a two-thirds majority and was therefore not adopted.↩
- Lodge discussed the draft resolution with Slim twice on December 12, and Barco discussed it with him on December 13. (Delgas 710, 711, and 716, all December 13; Department of State, Central Files, 320.11/12–1358)↩
- For text, see U.N. Doc. A/C.l/L.233/Rev. 1. Regarding the vote on this amendment, see U.N. Doc. A/4075.↩