Affaires étrangères et Commerce international Canada
international.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Documents relatifs aux relations extérieures du Canada
|
| |||
|
Volume #18 - 399. | |||
|
CHAPITRE IV CONFÉRENCES ET ORGANISATIONS INTERNATIONALES | |||
|
2E PARTIE AUTRES ORGANISATIONS | |||
|
SECTION
B CONFÉRENCE DE LA CROIX-ROUGE INTERNATIONALE, 23 JUILLET-9 AOÛT, 1952 | |||
|
399. |
DEA/9456-JY-40 | ||
|
Note du sous-secrétaire d'État aux Affaires extérieures pour le secrétaire d'État aux Affaires extérieures | |||
|
RESTRICTED |
Ottawa,
le 3 avril 1952 | ||
|
INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS CONFERENCE | |||
|
1. We have known, ever since we agreed to this conference being held in Toronto this summer, that Communist governments and governments of states we do not recognize, would be invited. Both the Germanies, and both the Koreas are now, we learn, to be invited. We can, if we choose, protest against any of these, although our opinion has not been asked.
2. The Canadian Red Cross has asked our advice about the Formosa Government. The Communist Chinese Government has already been invited through this Department. The Standing Commission of the Conference at Geneva has asked the Canadian Red Cross its view on the advisability of inviting also the Nationalist Chinese Government. Apparently all members of the Standing Committee are being polled and the decision will go by a majority vote of those polled. The same question is being asked about the Chinese Red Cross Society which has its headquarters in Formosa. 3. We have so far taken the position that the Red Cross people are themselves the ones to decide who should be invited to the Conference. We think that if we once interfere, we may well be drawn into numerous disputes. Our view within the Department has been that governments and societies of any country in which hostilities are apt to occur, or whose forces are apt to be engaged in hostilities, should be invited, if eligible. Hence, for example, we did not protest the invitation to Communist China. 4. If we follow the same principles, we should not object to North Korea being invited, even though we branded North Korea as an aggressor. I therefore recommend that we raise no objection regarding North Korea, and that we transmit the invitation, when received, through appropriate channels. I must, however, remind you that Torontonians and some other Canadians May not like this, and that you are yourself a member of the General Committee of the Conference. 5. As to Nationalist China, it would politically be more comfortable for us if that Government were invited. It presumably has no doubts of its own eligibility. It will feel itself slighted if left out. It will, perhaps, complain to this Department. An invitation to Nationalist China would also fall within our policy of having all potential belligerents attend. Nevertheless, I would recommend that we adhere to our rule - that is, we should decline to advise the Canadian Red Cross Society. If you agree, I shall cause the Canadian Red Cross Society to be told orally that we do not think this is a question appropriate to be addressed to the Canadian Government. If pressed for "unofficial" advice, we could add, "off the record" that we certainly had no objection to the Formosa bodies being invited.25 A.D.P. H[EENEY]
| |||
|
| |||
