501.BC/1–2846: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Stettinius) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:25 p.m.]
1022. Personal for the Secretary. We had several interesting conversations on the Iranian, Greek and Indonesian situations prior to the Security Council meeting at 3:00 today which I am reporting fully for your information.
1. Wellington Koo59 called upon me Sunday evening at 7:00 shortly after he had talked with the Soviets. He was very anxious to have the three complaints now before the Security Council handled in a manner which would not cause ruffled feelings. He stated that the Russians had advised him that they were willing to negotiate with the Iranians and that the Iranians were likewise willing to negotiate. He therefore [Page 317] proposed that the Security Council merely state that they were delighted that the two Governments were willing to negotiate and then the chairman could follow with a statement that the Security Council would be kept informed of the progress. Ambassador Koo thought this would be a satisfactory way of handling the matter. He then added that the Soviet Union was firmly opposed to the Council’s passing any resolution of any kind on the Iranian situation
I stated that I did not like the suggestion that we agree not to pass any kind of resolution because it was of paramount importance at this moment to keep world confidence and world respect for the Security Council and I could not make any commitment that I would not insist upon some formal action by the Security Council even though the two countries stated they were willing to negotiate. The only basis on which I thought it would be possible to drop the whole matter was if the Iranians asked that it be dropped and that they be given a chance to negotiate with the Soviet Union.
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- V. K. Wellington Koo, Chinese Representative at the United Nations.↩