IO Files: US/A/1791
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. John D. Hickerson of the United States Delegation
I called on Mr. Lie1 at Lake Success at 12:00 Noon today and told him that the United States Delegation had decided that of the two countries in the Eastern European area seeking election to the Security Council, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, we would vote for Yugoslavia. I recalled to him that the Yugoslav candidacy was a complete surprise since we had assumed, prior to the opening of the General Assembly, that Yugoslavia would not wish to be considered for the Security Council. I added that since being informed otherwise by Yugoslavia a week ago today we had carefully considered the whole matter and taking everything into account, including Kardelj’s speech yesterday, we had decided to vote for Yugoslavia. I stated that we would not campaign for Yugoslavia but would confine our efforts to [Page 254] stating our position to those countries who have inquired of us what our attitude is.
Mr. Lie stated that as Secretary General of the United Nations he could only say that our decision would make the work of the General Assembly “somewhat more difficult”. To my surprise he added that, speaking solely in his capacity as Trygve Lie, he understood fully our decision and that his sympathies were with Yugoslavia.
- Trygve Lie, Secretary-General of the United Nations.↩