Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The United Nations; The Western Hemisphere, Volume II

320/9–650: Telegram

The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State

secret

New York, September 6, 1950—9 p. m.

465. On Lie’s invitation, Gross and Ross had dinner with Lie and Cordier Tuesday night¹ for preliminary exchange views forthcoming GA.

[Here follows discussion of the Korean situation.]

Chinese Representation:

Cordier said Entezam² in brief conversation seemed to favor having this matter dealt with in plenary at outset of session without reference to Credentials Committee. Lie expressed agreement with this view saying that if matter were to be referred to any committee it should be First Committee and not Credentials Committee. We indicated importance we attached to proper composition Credentials Committee which might have to deal with question. Said we felt ratio of 7 members which had not recognized Communists to 2 which had, would be proper but that we might possibly agree to 6–3 ratio. Said our present inclination was that US should be member.

In order make certain Lie fully understood our position we indicated our strong opposition to unseating Nationalist representative or seating Communist representative while Korean crises continued, that is, before compliance with SC resolutions. We said we held this position very strongly and intended to work for it.

Lie seemed quite distressed, saying in effect that if we insisted on this position result would probably be to break up unity of 53 nations supporting UN action against Korean aggression. He thought Communists probably would not be seated but that our insistance would give Russians phony excuse to support another walk-out. He said he felt we should seek some parliamentary method which would avoid necessity of deciding matter definitely. He said he thought some method should be worked out which would continue Tsiang, postponing until possible second part of Assembly next spring decision on seating Communists.³

[Here follows discussion of other items.]

1. September 5.
2. Nasrollah Entezam, Permanent Representative of Iran at the United Nations, and one of two leading candidates for election to the presidency of the General Assembly.
3. Representatives of the United States were actively engaged at this time in diplomatic discussions on the issue of Chinese representation with officials of other governments, either in New York or in foreign capitals concerned. On this same day in New York tripartite conversations were being held between U.S., British, and French officials (at the Hickerson–Jebb–Chauvel level) on General Assembly matters in general. Also in New York at this time Assistant Secretary Hickerson called on Brigadier General Romulo to convey the U.S. view on the Chinese matter, and Mr. Ross conferred with Mr. Nasrollah Entezam. U.S. officials met also with representatives of Norway, Belgium, and India, either in New York or at the appropriate foreign office. Documentation on these conversations is found in Department of State central indexed files, file 320.