I have just had a long telephone conversation with Eggleston [1]
regarding Moscow meeting and make the following points.

1. In relation to the Far East and Pacific affairs we must
maintain consistent policy that there should be no decisions or
even international discussion on such matters unless Australia
fully participates in such discussions and decisions on the
footing of a principal Pacific power. We are entitled to that
status and after our constant and persistent struggle that status
is admitted by
(a) Australian leadership of the British Commonwealth Force of
occupation.

(b) United Kingdom's proposal that Australia shares trusteeship of
the Government of Korea.

(c) Suggestion by the United Kingdom that on the Control Council
for Japan the United Kingdom and Australia should act jointly
through one representative.

2. All the above indicates that our continued efforts have already
met with very substantial success. At the same time the position
cannot be driven home too often that Australia is a principal
Pacific power and that we can accept no procedure which will deny
such status.

3. Therefore, in answer to the United Kingdom telegram [2]
regarding Moscow I would strongly maintain the above position
requesting that all arrangements come to at Moscow in relation to
Far East and the Pacific must be considered as provisional until
Australia, exercising her right position in relation to the Far
East and Pacific, accepts such proposals.

4. With regard to the general points being discussed at Moscow I
would suggest restatement of our position in accordance with
preceding paragraph and short additional note as follows:

(a) Trusteeship for Korea: If joint trusteeship established
Australia should act as one of the Joint Trustees and cannot admit
any position in the Far East and Pacific which would exclude her
from position of similar character.

(b) Far Eastern Commission: Australia is irrevocably opposed to
the application of the veto procedure which is quite alien to a
body which has to carry out and implement an armistice already
agreed upon. My experience at Washington, veto system could easily
paralyse the valuable work already performed by Far Eastern
Commission. My previous cable [3] deals fully with the veto
procedure which might put Australia on a status subordinate to
that of a principal Pacific power.

(c) Control Council: Australia requests Council of five [with]
Australia as originally proposed by the United Kingdom. East
Indies last resort. However, I would accept the United Kingdom
suggestion of the combined United Kingdom Australian membership on
such Council. Former position would be much more satisfactory
because contribution of both the United Kingdom and Australia in
the campaign against Japan far exceeds that of Russia, and the
United Kingdom should be [4] to press hard for its original
proposal.

Copy sent to Eggleston.