Reference: Permis Tel 1823 Sep 12.178
Repeat London, Permis New York, Paris, NATO Paris (Information).

Baker, one of the officials concerned with disarmament questions at the State Department, gave us this afternoon the text of a draft resolution to cover the disarmament item of the General Assembly's agenda. The British and French embassies here are also being given copies of this draft, the text of which is contained in my telegram 1952.

2. By way of explanation, Baker said that this draft resolution had been worked out at the official level and approved by the Secretary as a basis for consultation, in the first instance with the USA's Western partners on the Sub-Committee. It is therefore open to amendment. Baker said that the language of the operative paragraphs was designed to stick as closely as possible to the text of the Four-Power paper. The State Department would be grateful for your comments. We pointed out to Baker that no provision had been made for noting the report of the Disarmament Commission, an omission which he said would be made good. The State Department would also be grateful to have your comments on whether the draft should be shown to the Japanese once it has been amended in the light of comments received from the British, French and ourselves. Their purpose in doing so would be not only to attempt to forestall a Japanese-sponsored resolution on the tests question but also with a view to obtaining their possible co-sponsorship. Baker explained that they expect that the Japanese Foreign Minister, who is visiting Washington next week, will almost certainly bring up the subject in conversation with the Secretary and for this reason they would hope to have our views before next Wednesday at the latest. In answer to our query Baker said that the State Department envisaged a widely representative group of sponsors from Europe, Asia and Latin America and of course the Western Four. They have not thought of any particular countries other than the Western Four and Japan. A further point in this connection on which Baker asked for our comments is the desirability of the USA putting forward the resolution in its own name if a situation should develop which made it necessary for such action to be taken. He foresaw, for example, the possibility of delay in obtaining agreement on the text if a number of delegations which would wish to be co-sponsors should desire such changes or delay because of difficulty in obtaining co-sponsors. The State Department would also like our views on the desirability of the Western Four alone sponsoring the resolution.

3. Bearing in mind Permis telegram 1823 September 12, we asked Baker if the State Department had, as yet, reached any position on the question as to whether disarmament should be placed on the agenda of the First Committee. He said that at the working level it was generally felt that the disarmament debate should come as soon as possible (they estimate that it might last for as long as two weeks). The views expressed in this connection were almost identical to those outlined in paragraph 2 of Permis telegram 1823. Baker said he understood that the British and French were not too keen to have disarmament discussed too early. Baker seemed to imply that perhaps the British and the French were not too keen on having an extended debate on disarmament whereas he felt that the position is a strong one and one which can be easily defended. Baker added that this was a matter which, of course, would have to be worked out at an early date.

4. We asked Baker whether the State Department had any views on how the Indian, Belgian and Czech items might be handled. He replied that their tentative view is that the Belgian and Indian items should be taken up at the same time as the report of the Disarmament Commission but that the Czech items should be dealt with separately.

5. As far as the Indian item is concerned, Baker said that the USA naturally hoped that the present membership would not be altered or enlarged but that it might be difficult to resist popular pressure to see the membership widened. They have not yet reached any final decision as they are attempting to reconcile the obvious disadvantages of a larger body with the dangers of opposing any widespread demand in the Assembly for broader membership. Baker intimated that the USA would be consulting with us, the British and the French on this point at an early date. As far as the Czech item was concerned Baker said merely that the USA would urge a simple procedural resolution referring it to the Committee on Atomic Radiation.

6. From the foregoing it would appear that the State Department is seeking General Assembly approval of the basic points in the Western paper, even though a resolution on these lines is bound to be opposed by the Soviet bloc, and possibly by some other states as well. They believe that the Western position is a strong one, and merits wide support, and gave no indication of considering that a purely procedural resolution (on the lines of the 11th Session) would be a preferable alternative.

7. Your views by Tuesday next are requested.