CONFIDENTIAL
:
CALLS FOR THE EXPULSION OF MEMBERS OF THE UN AND THE
SPECIALISED AGENCIES (INCLUDING "UNIVERSALITY")
(See also separate Section on Credentials, Page 45 )
1. In the event of calls in UN organs or the Specialised Agencies
for the expulsion of any Member State (normally directed against
South Africa and Israel), the delegation should refer to the FCO
or instructions. The following considerations should also be
borne in mind.
Universality
2.
The effectiveness of the UN and of its Specialised Agencies depends on the Organisation's universal character, although national political considerations have often overridden the concept of universality of membership (eg the 2 Germanies and the 2 Chinas).
The UN Charter is not explicit on the question of universality, but Article 4.1 provides that "membership in the United Nations is open to all other [ie other than the additional signatories] peacc-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the present Charter and, in the judgment of the Organisation, are, able and willing to carry out these obligations". Article 6 of the Charter provides that "A member of the United Nations which has persistently violated the Principles contained in the present Charter may be expelled from the Organisation by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council".
3. We hold no brief for certain policies of certain countries,
but it is important for the effective functioning of the United
Nations and its related bodies that participation by States in such organisations should be as universal as possible. We deplore the increasing politicisation of technical UN agencies. Expulsion of member states on political grounds is particularly inappropriate. The question of expulsion from the United Nations is a political matter which, if it is to be considered at all, should be considered by the General Assembly and the Security Council under the terms of Article 6 of the Charter.
/South Africa
(30)