Reference Dominions Office telegrams D.2065, D.284 and D.366. [1]
International Health Organisation.
1. We feel United Kingdom proposals for formation proposed health
organisation raise similar uncertainties as to its status as in
case of their approach to U.N.E.S.C.O., namely whether a
specialized agency is intended or a subsidiary organ either of
Assembly or Economic and Social Council. Procedure for
establishing new specialized agencies is defined in Article 59 [2]
and we do not see how they can be established by direct resolution
of Assembly.
2. If in view of technical character and volume of activities a
specialised agency is preferable we think United States proposal
for conference convened by Economic and Social Council at which
constitution would be agreed on subject to governmental
ratification is acceptable. Provision would need to be made for
closest possible administrative and budgetary tie-up with United
Nations.
3. On the other hand we strongly favour the United Kingdom purpose
of securing maximum integration with United Nations Organisation
and it is possible that subsidiary organ of Assembly or Commission
of Economic and Social Council is most appropriate, though United
States is apparently determined on specialised agency. Has
attention been given to role and character of subsidiary organs
under Article 22? [3]
4. Would appreciate views of those concerned with this problem on
Preparatory Commission. As you know question is to be raised
during Assembly meeting. We have not yet commented on Dominions
Office telegrams. [4]
1 Dispatched 5 and 23 November and 21 December 1945 respectively.
They reported U.K.-U.S. exchanges concerning procedures for
establishing an international health organisation. The U.K. Govt
proposed that the U.N. General Assembly should call a conference
of experts, whose plans should be submitted first to the Economic
and Social Council, then ratified by the General Assembly. The
U.S. Govt had argued that, as under Article 57 of the U.N. Charter
a specialised agency was to be established by intergovernmental
agreement, meetings of experts might precede the Assembly
summoning a conference, and that proposals drafted by the
conference should be submitted directly to the Assembly. Cablegram
D366 reported a later U.S. suggestion that the General Assembly
prescribe rules by which the Economic and Social Council might
call conferences on matters within its competence; the Council
would then summon a health conference.
2 Article 59 of the U.N. Charter states simply that the
organization should 'where appropriate, initiate negotiations
among the states concerned for the creation of any new specialised
agencies.'
3 Article 22 of the U.N. Charter provides for establishment by the
General Assembly of 'subsidiary organs it deems necessary for the
performance of its functions.
4 In cablegram 601 of 26 January, the delegation commented: 'All
major fields are tending to be taken beyond (the United Nations
Organization's] reach in the sense that separate organisations have
been set up or contemplated and only roundabout processes of
recommendations are available to the Economic and Social Council
if it wants to make its influence felt'. It argued that the
Assembly and Council had a clear responsibility for health, that
it would be consistent with the U.N. Charter for the Economic and
Social Council to take the initiative, and suggested Australia
urge the United Kingdom to sponsor a resolution before the Council
to initiate planning for establishment of an organ of the Assembly
under Article 22 of the U.N. Charter.
