Changes to the US Government Proposal about the Far East Commission

Attachment Nº 2

CHANGES TO THE US GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL ABOUT THE FAR EAST COMMISSION.

The Soviet Government considers it necessary to submit the following changes to the US government proposals:

1. In section 1 list the countries taking part in the Far East Commission, namely: the USSR, the US, the British Commonwealth of Nations, China, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Netherlands, and Canada.

2. In section 2A, point 1: present in the following wording:

“The formulation of policy, principles, and norms in accordance with which Japan’s observance of its obligations can be determined in accordance with the surrender document”.

This point was presented in this wording in the 22 August US proposals. The wording of this point is more precise than the wording of the 30 October draft and, in addition, does not contain the unclear phrase “and between the participating governments”.

3. Present section 2C in the following wording:

“In its activity the Commission will proceed from the fact of the formation of the Allied Control Council (Allied Control Commission) for Japan and will take into consideration the existing control mechanism in Japan, including the entire power structure from the government of the United States to the Supreme Commander, and also [take into consideration] the implementation by the Supreme Commander of the occupation armed forces”.

Delete the remaining part of the text of this point.

The proposed change is explained by the need to point out the newly-organized Control Council for Japan in the Provision about the Far East Commission.

As regards the last part of this point this part ought to be considered irrelevant in connection with the fact that the American government had abandoned this wording, proposing to replace it with the new wording reported in Mr. Harriman’s 3 November letter. The new change of the American side is superfluous since it concerns the responsibilities of the Supreme Commander and does not relate to the functions of the Far East Commission.

4. In point 1 of section 3 instead of the words “based on the political decisions of the Commission” say: “in accordance with the decisions of the Commission”.

Delete the last phrase of this point since there is no need to speak about the responsibilities of the Supreme Commander in the Provision about the Far East Commission.

5. Delete point 2 of section 3.

The deletion of this point is explained by the fact that this question is provided for in the proposals about the control mechanism for Japan (point 3).

6. In point 2 of section 5 instead of the words: “including the representatives of the three following powers… say: “including the representatives of the four following powers: the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China”.

This change is caused by the need to ensure the unity of action of the four allies, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China.

7. In section 6 the first and second paragraphs of this section are to be deleted and replaced with the following words:

“The permanent location of the Far East Commission will be Washington”.

8. In section 7 instead of the words: “including the representatives of three of following powers”, say: “including the representatives of the four following powers: the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China”.

Moscow, 5 November 1945

Authenticated by: Potrubach.

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