501.BC/10–647
The Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Henderson) to the Counselor of the Department of State (Bohlen)
Dear Chip: As Sam Kopper has no doubt told you, I tried to get in touch with you by telephone on October 3 to discuss some aspects of the support that we are giving to India’s candidacy for the Security Council. Mr. Kopper has summarized my conversation with him in his memorandum of October 3, US/A/557.
It seems to me upon reflection that although we have quite properly emphasized the unsuitability of the Ukraine as a candidate for the Security Council and have thrown our support to India’s candidacy as a desirable alternative, we may not have given sufficient consideration to the positive grounds that exist for American support to India’s membership on the Security Council. I have in mind the following considerations:
- 1.
- Present membership SC does not include representative South Asian region which is of growing importance to world picture.
- 2.
- Country of India’s size and potential political and economic structure should be represented on at least one of main UN bodies.
- 3.
- India has shown tendency this session GA to follow fairly independent and moderate course.
- 4.
- India at present time is at foreign policy crossroads. Stimulated by foreign powers interested in creating chaotic conditions in colonial world of Asia and Africa, India could conceivably become dangerous disruptive force. Alternatively, India’s genuine interest in dependent peoples could, given friendly collaboration between India and countries sincerely interested in political and economic advancement [of these] peoples, play a stabilizing role in South Asia. India’s election to SC with support of U.S. would tend to orient India in latter direction.
It is hoped that you will be able to make use of the foregoing consideration in supporting the Indian candidacy.
Sincerely yours,