CAB129-45 — Page 442

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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