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96 Attlee to Curtin

Circular cablegram D14 LONDON, 8 January 1943, 9.35 p.m.

MOST SECRET IMPORTANT

My immediately preceding telegram. [1] Following is revised text.

Begins-
The immediate object of the United Nations is to defeat the
present aggression and to render future aggression impossible.

This requires for its successful achievement the establishment of
conditions under which security, prosperity and equal opportunity
can be assured to all peoples.

2. This then is the aim of those Nations which have, owing to past
events, become armed with responsibilities for the future of
Colonial peoples. But it is evident that while some peoples are
far advanced along this road, the development and resources of
others are not yet such as to enable them to achieve security and
prosperity by themselves. It is therefore the duty of 'Parent or
Trustee' States to guide and develop the social, economic and
political institutions of the Colonial peoples until they are
able, without danger to themselves and others, to discharge the
responsibilities of Government.

3. Freedom from fear and want should be the assured possession not
of some but of all peoples. It is the clear responsibility of the
'Parent or Trustee' States to enter into general defence schemes
designed to secure the safety of all peoples. The duty of guidance
must be discharged in the general interest of all Nations as well
as in the particular interest of the peoples of the territories
concerned. In pursuance of this policy the natural resources of
Colonial territories should be organised and marketed not for the
promotion merely of commercial ends, but rather for the service of
the people concerned and of the world as a whole.

4. The 'Parent or Trustee' States will remain responsible for the
administration of their territories. But the policy embodied in
this declaration cannot successfully be pursued without a large
measure of co-operation between Nations. We accordingly propose
the [establishment] [2] for certain regions, as soon as
circumstances permit, of Commissions comprising both the 'Parent
or Trustee' States concerned in the region and other States which
have a major strategic or economic interest there. The machinery
of each Commission should be designed to give the people of the
territories an opportunity to be associated with its work. These
Commissions will provide effective machinery for consultation and
collaboration so that the States concerned may work together to
promote the advancement of the Colonial peoples and the general
welfare of mankind.

1 Document 95.

2 Corrected from the London copy in PRO:DO 114/119.


[AA:A989, 43/735/1021]
Last Updated: 11 September 2013
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