330/1–2050: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Deputy United States Representative at the United Nations (Gross)1
46. 1. Dept in general agreement views urtel 60, Jan. 20 and believes consideration membership applications at present moment unwise. GA has specifically requested SC reconsider old applications and while [Page 216] SC can do so at any time, under normal procedures this wld obviously not take place so far in advance next GA. Accordingly SC consideration now wld appear as transparent maneuver avoid Sov veto because of Sov absence and wld likely be ineffective and probably merely bring Sov back to SC to cast veto. Further, it wld raise question of consultation with Sov in light Oct. 28 agreement on consultation before important decisions of SC.2 If other permanent member did not call for consultations pursuant to that agreement, US might feel it shld inform Sov that matter was coming up and ask if they desired consultation.
Dept concurs entirely your view that it is of great importance to development UN to maintain principle that operations of SC or any other organ shld be carried on in normal fashion and are not paralyzed by Sov boycott tactics. In light all considerations, Sov absence from SC should not now be factor either for or against consideration any application. Holding of spring session GA (which, however, we do not now anticipate) might of course affect time at which consideration of membership applications wld in normal course take place and in such event Dept wld wish consider strategy in light circumstances at time.
If and when your views on general subject of membership requested by other Dels you shld in your discretion convey above position to them.
2. In respect to question of possible Indo application, you shld inform Indos as fols if they seek our views:
- (a)
- US will of course support and vote for Indo membership in
UN. However, in making their
decision as to timing, Indos may wish consider fol factors:
- (1)
- Actual admission to membership cld not take place in any case until next GA session. Moreover, Dept does not know whether Sov recognition Indo removes every possibility of Sov return to SC to veto application.
- (2)
- In case Indo application shld be submitted and approved in Sov absence, there is possibility future attempts Sov group to throw cloud on Indo membership. In line our stated attitude we shld, however, strongly uphold validity Indo membership and we assume necessary majority in both SC and GA wld take same view.
- (3)
- In light of above and of uncertainty of attitudes other SC members toward current submission Indo application, Indo shld in any case carefully canvass views other SC dels.
- (b)
- In event of early submission Indo application US shld advocate normal and unhurried consideration in Comite and SC.
- Repeated to Jakarta as telegram 102.↩
- For documentation on this matter, See Foreign Relations, 1949, vol. ii, pp. 328 ff.↩