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In considering sanctions against China I would ask you to bear Page 443 of 587
Page 443 these things in mind.
sanctions against China.
They explain why we would oppose general economic
There is another important reason why we would
hesitate to follow your example: we believe that there would not be general
support amongst European and Asian countries for such a policy, and that
pressure to adopt it would weaken the United Nations.
As regards a selective embargo against war materials, however,
we are with you and indeed this has been our policy for some time. But
we desired to give the Good Offices Committee ample time to exhaust the
possibilities of making contact with Peking. Delay by the Additional
Measures Committee meant little in practice; the principal supplying
countries were already applying restrictions which in the main exceeded
what is now proposed for the United Nations.
It was not on the substance of the proposals, but on the timing,
that you and we have hitherto not seen eye to eye. In view however of the
time which has now elapsed and in deference to your request, His Majesty's
Government have now decided that there is no longer any reason to delay
submission of a resolution from the Additional Measures Committee to the
Assembly recommending the imposition of a selective embargo on the
supply of war materials to China. I do not exclude the possibility of
extending the list now under consideration at Lake Success to further
specific items of strategic importance; but I would continue to oppose its
extension into a general embargo.
You mentioned Chinese representation at the United Nations.
Our views have been put on record. As I said to Mr. Gifford, they flowed
naturally from our conception of the doctrine of recognition, To allow the
effective Government of China to occupy the Chinese seat at the United
Nations is in no way a measure of weakness, but is inherent in the consti-
tution of the United Nations. I know that many people wonder why we
should appet af proposal which if accepted would sBaga ovefment at
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the council tables of the United Nations when that Government is engaged