Office of the Historian

501.BC/10–1149: Telegram

Ambassador in Czechoslovakia (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State

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priority
Praha, October 11, 1949—4 p. m.

1495. In handing me this morning note telegraphed mytel 1494 October 11, Hajdu went to great pains emphasize that support by US of Yugoslavia for non-permanent seat on Security Council as representative of Eastern European states contrary to choice (Czechoslovakia) of all Eastern European states except Yugoslavia, was placing great strain upon friendly relations between USA and Czechoslovakia. His second point was that, since it was accepted practice in UN permit regional areas to agree among themselves upon who should occupy non-permanent seats on Security Council, USA support of Yugoslavia tended make it more difficult carry on work UN. He concluded by expressing earnest hope that US would not continue back Yugoslavia contrary to wishes of all other Eastern European states.

Informed Hajdu that I would telegraph note to Washington.1

Have been advised by my British and French colleagues that they also received similar notes this morning.

Jacobs

  1. In telegram 1050, October 19, 3 p. m. (501.BC/10–1149), the Department cabled back to Ambassador Jacobs as follows:

    “Reurtel 1494 and 1495 pls inform this Govt regrets that his Govt views US intention to vote for Yugo for seat on SC as placing strain on friendly relation between US and Czechs. Charter provides that in selection of non-permanent members of SC due consideration will be given to equitable geographic distribution. This Govt in considering Yugoslavian candidacy points out that Yugo is Eastern European state, and happens also to be communist state and Slav state and its election to Council wld be in conformity with criteria outlined in Art 23. We do not believe that either agreement, practice or custom justifies the position of Czech Govt, a position having no basis in Art 23, that a Member of UN must cast its vote solely for the candidate put forward as that of a regional area.”

    The substance of this message was “conveyed to Hajdu orally October 21. He made no comment except routine reiteration of position that UN members are obligated to vote for candidate put forward by majority of states in a geographic area.” (Praha telegram 1586, October 24, 501.BB/10–2449)

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