pressure on other countries to vote against the Important
Question Resolution. Nr. Morgan said that this had not cropped
up with colleagues in Peking. However, he had been struck
how much attention the Chinese paid to this point in their
conversations with him. Hr. Brown thought that the following
might vote this year against the Important Question Resolution:
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Guyana, Italy, Peru, Malaysia
(definitely), and Austria.
8.
Mr. Yorgan turned to the question of British subjects
detained in China. H.1.0, took the position that relations
with China could not be described as good or even normal se
If the Chinese long as six British subjects were detained,
wished to make a gesture, they had been told, they should
relcase Mr. Crouch and Mr. Johnston and allow the other four
detained Britons to return to their work in Peking.
Meanwhile,
he preferred to talk of a normalisation in the mechanics of our
relations; a recent example was restoration of the parcel post between
Canton and Hong Kong. Nr. Parr asked whether
the Chinese had linked the question of detained British subjecta with
the Important Question Resolution. Kr. Morgan said that
they had not.
CONFIDENTIA
5
19.
CONFIDENTIAL
9.
Mr. Morgan said that the most interesting point to emerge
from his visit to Peking was the categorical statement by the
Chinese that the C.P.R. had withdrawn its conditions for
taking the Chins seat should the Albanian Resolution be adopted.
Apart from the State Department we had informed the Canadians
and Japanese of this exchange with the Chinese. We must aak
that it remain confidential.
T'ang had at first
10.
Mr. Morgan contrasted the reiteration by the Chinese
Chargé d'Affaires in London in Kay of the customary list of
sonditions to be satisfied before China would take her place
in the D.N. with the attitude adopted in the last week of
September by the Aeting Director of the West European
Tupartment of the 1.P.A. în Peking.
declined to confirm the assumption expressed by Mr. Morgan
that the Chinese conditions remained in force. Later T'ang
had said that he had been instructed to reply that there was
a "rumour and plot" that China would not take her seat ir
voted in. Mr. Morgan had replied that the rumour and plot
had apparently been spread by the Chinese Minister of Foreign
Affairs when speaking to Japanese journalists in 1965.
Was
it & Ægir daduetion that Chen Yi's words on that occasion no
longer represented Chinese policy? T'ang had confirmed this
paint: China's ambitions were limited to "restoration of her
legitimate rights", by which, he made it clear, he meant
passage of an Albanian type resolution followed by ita
consequences.
11. Mr. Morgan said that there had earlier been hinta to
the Yugoslavs and Swedes in Peking on these lines, but, he
thought, nothing so categorical as Ir. T'ang's statement,
CONFIDENTIAL
6
/It seemed
CONFIDENTIAL
It seemed clear that a change in Chinese policy had occurred
between May and September. Hr. Jenkina naked whether there
was more to the present show of moderation by the Chinese
than a return to reasonable behaviour following the Cultural
Revolution.
Mr. Horgan thought that the present phase might
best be described as one of tidying up after the excesses of
the Cultural Revolution. The Chinese had sent back a number
of Ambassadors, Their missions were behaving more correctly.
Presumably they were reporting with more efficiency, This
could lead to further foreign policy initiatives in due course,
but it was early to expect a general relaxation.
British Embassy,
WASHINGTON.
October 1970.
CONFIDEN:
7
By Bag
SAVING TELEGRAM
FROM PARIS TO FOREIGN AND COLLIONWEALTH OFFICE
Ar Soames
No 70 Saving
Unclassified
20 October 1970
FEC 2/4
TOP COPY
Addressed to Foreign and Consonwealth Office telegrEM No 70 baving of 20
October 1970. Rr 1 saving to:
Washington Kome
UK is New York UKis Geneva
4
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ينيا
From UK Delegation to UNESCO General Conference
CHINESE REPRESENTATION IN THE UN AND SPECIALISED AGENCIES
1!
On 12 October the Chairman of the Credentials Committee presented the
Committee's first report to the plenary session of the Conference. He
reported inter ali that the Roumanian representative on the Committee
had objected to the credentials presented in the name of the Republic of
China, declaring that the delegation which presented them did not
represent the Chinese people. The US representative on the Commit:ee,
supported by the Australian representative, had submitted to the
Committee a draft resolution in the following terms:
"La Conférence générale,
A.
Rappelant la recommandation de la cinquième session ordinaire de
l'Assembléee générale des Nations Unies, en date du 14 décembre 1950,
recommandant que 'l'attitude qu'aura adoptée l'Assemblée générale' sur
la question de la représentation des Etats membres 'soit prise en
considération par les autres organes des Nations Unies et par les
institutions spécialisées'
b. Happelant la décision prise par l'Assemblée générale à sa
vingt-deuxième session ordinaire, le 28 novembre 1967, concernant la
représentation de la Chine,
1. Décide de ne prendre aucure décision concernant bute proposition
tendant à modifier la représentation de la Chine à så seizième seosion
ordinaire;
2. Constate que les pouvoirs des délégués du gouvernement de le
République de Chine sont conformes aux dispositions de l'article 22 du
Règlement intérieur."
This resolution had been adopted in the Committee by 4 votes for, 3
against and 1 abstention. The Committee accordingly recommended the
resolution to the Conference.
2. In the ensuing debate the UK delegation spoke as instructed in the
brief as follows:
"The United Kingdom delegation has great difficulty with the
/paragraphs
:
!
4
I
•
I
1
-2-
paragraphs of this draft resolution dealing with the representation of
China.
The view of the United Kingdom delcgation is that representatives
appointed by the Government of the People's Republic of China, which is
the Government of China, should be seated in other organs of the United
Lutions and in the Specialised ..gencies as they should be soetod in the
General Assembly. It is clear, however, that the views of the British
delegation are strongly contested by others. It is clear also that our
objective, which is to seek a solution as just as possible in the vexed
circumstances which have surrounded this issue for so many years will
not be achieved by procedural wrangles in the Specialised Agencies.
Furthermore, the Goverment of the Yeople's Republic of China themselves
have indicated that so long as their representatives are not seated in
the General Assembly they would scorn participation in the activities of
other organs of the United Rations and of the specialised "gencies.
It therefore appears to the British delegation that although this
Organization is legally competent to decide the question for its own
purposes, our efforts should be centred upon a settlement in the General
Assembly. We believe that it is there, through a more reasonable and
sensible attitude by the protagonists of both sides, that the problem
must be set.led. Ge think, indeed, that we may dilute and weaken our
efforts to this ond if we force the issue here.
The British delegation therefore supports the draft resolution of the
Credentials Committee. 15
3. A roll call voto was taken. The result was 59 for (UK), 39 against,
20 abstentions and 4 absentees.
4.
The proceedings will be reported in the verbatim records of the second
plenary meeting of the 16th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO.
FCO/WHITEHALL DISTRIBUTION
W.E.D.
L
C NFIDENTIAL
qz
"outh "hst Asian Departnení
co./..
U.M. (Political) Department.
Thile I was in Bangkok I saw a copy of a telegram from UKMI8 New York
about Chinese representa- tion in the U"N, which suggested that the
Cambodian, following the change of regime, would vote against Peking's
occupation of the China seat. I think that there is already on record an
account of Kr. Royle's conversation with the Cambodian Foreign Minister
during his recent visit to London. On this occasion the question about
Cambodia's vote was out direct to Ir. Koun Vick and he replied that the
Cambodian delegate would absent himself, UKNIS New York appear to have
overlooked this or perhaps the Cambodians have changed their minds.
3
U Agle you
MAZ
FED.
(K.H. Wilford) 23 October. 1970
CONFIDENTIAL
1
UNCLASSIFIED
BRITISH EMBASSY WASHINGTON, D.C.
hur (rowow Tance
|A22/
Cups to UM (PA) Depr Americanteger
19 October, 1970
Dear Len, RAIFE, IRD, PUSD.
Chinese Representation
Fac qu
The New York Times of 18 October carried a brief item recording the
results of a Gallup Poll, completed in September, on American attitudes
to Chinese representa- tion. The paper pointed out that according to
this survey the number of Americans favouring the seating of the C.P.R.
had reached its highest point ever. Asked "whether Communist China
should or should not be admitted as a member of the United Nations", 35%
answered in the affirmative and 49% in the negative. There were 16%
don't knows.
Чт ети
Jour
(J. I. Boyd)
L. V. Appleyard, Esq.,
Far Eastern Department,
Foreign ; and Commonwealth Office.
c.c. Chanceries: Peking, UKMis New York
P.S.
The Washington Post has pointed out that during the 1950's the
affirmative response never rose higher than 17%.
UNCLASSIFIED
GC.
Mor Jay
CONFIDENTIAL
Reference
Fac 2/4
M. Purcell (East African Department) Mr. Banbury (West African
Department) Mr. Woodfield (West African Department) Mr. Poaton (est
African Department) Mr. de Ling (American Department) Mr. Austin
(American Department) Mr. Hendrie (American Department)
Hr. Doble (Arabian Department)
Hr. Sullivan (South West Pacific Department)
Mr. Nason (UN (Pol) Department) (For information/
Mr. Brewer (Research Department) (For information/
Kr. Crowson (Far Eastern Department) For information
CHINA AND THE UNITED NATIONS
There has been considerable speculation recently, mainly in Peking and
New York, that some countries will change their votes this year on the
two resolutions on Chinese representation in the United Nations. You
will recall that the two resolutions are: firstly, the
American-sponsored Important question Resolution, laying down that any
resolution calling for a change in Chinese representation must have a
two-thirds majority; and, secondly, the Albanian Resolution, which calls
for the immediate seating of Peking and the exclusion of the
Nationalists.
2. I have put down below a list of countries about which there is some
speculation of one kind or another, together with their voting pattern
for 1969.
Country
Important Question
Albanian Resolution
Resolution
Togo
For
Against
Sierra Leone
For
Against
Cameroun
For
Against
Senegal
For
Against
Mauritius
For
For
Indonesia
Absent
Absent
Kuwait
Absent
Abstained
Colombia
For
Against
Bolivia
For
Against
Ecuador
For
Abstained
Chile
For
Abstained.
CONFIDENTIAL
13.
CONFIDENTIAL
3. Some other countries have already indicated that they will change
their vote (e.g., Malaysia and Canada). The Central African Republic was
reported earlier to be contemplating a switch, but judging by Tamsui
telegram No. 3 to UKMIS New York, reporting a recent visit to Taiwan by
General Bokassa, this seems highly unlikely.
4. Without any background knowledge of the current political situation
in these countries, it is difficult to know how much weight to attach to
the speculation in New York. I should be grateful if Desk Officers could
let me have some idea of whether there have been significant changes in
the internal balance of power in their countries which might affect
voting on the China seat this year, Chile is an obvious example.
L. Appleyard. F.E.D.
Liffreeyard
(L. V. Appleyard) Far Eastern Department
19 October, 1970.
Mauctions.
I should wingine thar Manation's wild contrine or vote
Live
the Important Question Resolution. I do not understand the Albanian
Revolution look by low "bler voting for the Albanian Pesolation look Ati
in corect?)
year. (Are you
over twes
2. The mauritian's are not dispored to favour any from Peking. Some
experts from Tamian have assited the
reci-grow.
Mauritian's recently, welt exfermental reci- mancican Government fears
Itar a left-wing
the in land
possibly receiving some
(Iltih).
militant grouping
of
form of examenchip or support from Peking will I think, fermave Item or
take a
ir line and drove against the Albanian resolution'. Its
slinger year:
Thy day.
E.A.D.
20/10/170.
CONFIDENTIAL
(9069) (1.8)3852 3m 1/47 G.W.B.LM. GSM)
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION
for [ORAL answer 7th October 1970
FAR EASTERN
V. p. Pre
The draft reply should reach the Parliamentary Office through your
Under-Secretary by
Now Thunday Sw
*La./Co. Mr. John Rankin (Glasgow, Govan): To ask the
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he
proposes taking to
enable China to be invited to join the United Nations Organisation.
Mr. Grzell Gelber,
For many years we have voted for the seating of the Chinese
my it. hon. friend People's Republic and shall do so again this year. As
said
his
in speech in the United Nations on the 24th of September, the
absence of China from the United Nations makes the solution of many
pressing world problems all the more difficult.
|
JG
27th October 1970
*La./Co. Mr. John Rankin (Glasgow, Govan): To ask the
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he
proposes taking to
enable China to be invited to join the United Nations Organisation.
No. 78
MR. JOSEPH GODBER
For many years we have voted for the seating of the Chinese People's
Republic and shall do so again this year. As my right honourable Friend
said in his speech in the United Nations on the 24th of September, the
absence of China from the United Nations makes the solution of many
pressing world problems all the more difficult.
89
REFERENCES
Flag A
Secretary of State's speech in the United Nations
Flag B P.Q. Hr. Foley's reply to
Mr. Allaun
Flag C
Flag D
P.Q. Mr. Foley's reply to Mr. Judd
P.q. Mr. Roberts' reply to Mr. Whitaker
Flag E P.q. Mr. Roberts' reply to
Kr. Judd
24 September, 1970
29 May, 1970
13 October, 1969
29 November, 1968
18 November, 1968
NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES
U.K. Vote for the Important Question Resolution
1. We take the view that a change in the representation of
China, which is a Permanent Member of the Security Council, is
an "Important Question" under Article 18(2) of the Charter.
This view is borne out by the deep division of opinion in the
United Nations on this matter as shown by the voting each year.
Are Me Proposing to Change our Vote this Yearî
2.
We have no plans to change our vote this year.
orments on Canadian Recognition of China
I do
3. This is a matter for the Canadian Government alone.
not think it would be right for me to comment. Our own position
is well known. We recognise the Government of the Chinese
People's Republic as the only Government of China.
Effect of Canadian Decision of Voting
4. I do not think it would be useful for me to speculate on
this point. I have already made our own position quite clear.
/Two Chinas Solution
5.
Jings Jolution
I do not think that in the present circumstances a solution on
these lines is possible. The position of both the Chinese People's
Republic and of the Nationalist Authorities is that they are the
sole legitimate Government of China, and should rightfully occupy
the China seat in the United Nations. Two delegations cannot
represent the same country. Moreover, any suggestion that
Taiwan is not an integral part of China is anathema to both the
Chinese People's Republic and the Nationalists.
Would the Entry of the Chinese People's Republic Disrupt the Work of the
United Nations?
16.
It is likely that the entry of the Chinese People's Republic
would add to existing difficulties in the operation of the
Organisation and the Specialised Agencies.
But we believe that
the United Nations should be a universal organisation, and that
the exclusion of the Chinese People's Republic is harmful both to
the United Nations and China.
Sovereignty over Taiwan (Formosa)
7. Our representatives at the United Nations have made it
abundantly clear on many occasions that, in the opinion of Her
Majesty's Government, sovereignty over Taiwan remains
undetermined.
Gir S. Tomlinson
Parliamentary office
CONFIDENTIAL
Flag F
Chinese Representation in the United Nations
Mr. Rankin's Parliamentary Question
Mr. Rankin has put down a question for oral answer on
27 October about our position on Chinese representation in
the United Nations.
On past form, Mr. Rankin is likely to
take the line that we are not doing enough to secure the
entry of Peking and that our voting pattern is contradictory.
I submit a draft reply and notes for supplementaries
2.
There has been a good deal of speculation recently in
the press about the changes of voting this year on the Chine
seat in the United Nations; Canada's recent recognition of
China has strengthened this interest. I have therefore
prepared a short background note to cover this point.
3. U.N. (Political) Department concur.
ん
R.B. Lurso
(R. B. Crowson)
20 October, 1970.
Copied to:-
Mr. Wilford
Mr. Lambert (U.N. (Political) Department) Mr. Laird (Hong Kong
Department)
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
BACKGROUND NOTE
Chinese Representation in the United Nations
Our Position
1. Since 1961 we have consistently voted for the Soviet (now
Albanian) resolution calling for the seating of Peking and the
exclusion of the Nationalists. We also vote each year for the
American-sponsored resolution (automatically taken first) which defines
Chinese representation as an "important" question under
Article 18 (2) of the Charter, so that any resolution proposing
a change requires a two-thirds majority.
We argue that this
stems from the inherent importance of the question, and the
deep division of opinion in the United Nations on this matter.
Canadian Recognition of China
2.
On 13 October this year the Canadian and Chinese Governments
reached agreement on mutual recognition, and published a communiqué
in this sense. It now seems likely that Canada will support the
Albanian resolution this time, but it is not clear how they will
vote on the Important Question resolution (presumably they will
either abstain or vote against). Other countries, notably Italy,
could follow Canada's example in recognising China, but it is
doubtful whether they will do so in time for this year's vote.
Voting Changes
3. There has been a good deal of speculation in New York that
a number of countries will change their votes this year.
These
CONFIDENTIAL
/include
CONFIDENTIAL
include Kalaysia and Canada (who have already declared their
intention of so doing) and also certain Francophone African
countries and possibly some Latin American countries. Our
Mission in New York estimates on present showing that voting
on the Albanian resolution will be close this year and could
end in a simple majority for the first time. But the
Important Question resolution is expected to be passed again
quite comfortably, so that the odds are still strongly against
Peking's entry this year.
Far Eastern Department,
20 October, 1970
CONFIDENTIAL
2
CONFIDENTIΑΣ,
Registry Circulated 19/10
88
LC.
Mr. Purcell (East African Department) Mr. Barbury (West African
Department)
Kr. Woodfield (West African Department)
Mr. Poator (Feat African Department) Mr. de Lång (American Department)
Mr. Austin (American Department) Kr. Hendrie (American Department) Hr.
Dobla (Arabian Department)
外
сто
F
2/4
Mr. Sullivan (South West Pacific Department) Mr. Nason (uw (Pol)
Department) For information
Mr. Brever (Research Department) (For information? Mr. Grosson (Far
Eastern Department) [For information
CHINA AND THE UNITED NATIONS
There has been considerable speculation resently, sainly in Paking and
New York, that some countries will change their votes this year on the
two resolutions on Chinese representation in the United Fations. You
will recall that the two resolutions are: firstly, the
American-sponsored. Important question Resolution, laying down that any
risolution calling for a change in Chinese representation mat have a
two-thirds majority; and, secondly, the Albanian Resolution, which onlls
for the immediate seating of Peking and the exclusion of the
Nationalists.
2, I have put down below a list of countries about which there is some
speculation of one kind or another, together with their voting pattern
for 1969.
Country
Important. Question
Albanian insolution
Resolution
Togo
For
Against
Sierra Leone
For
Against
Camerona
For
Against
Senegal
For
Against
Mauritius
For
For
Indonesia
Absent
Absent
Kuwait
Absent
Abstained
Colombia
For
Against
Bolivia