Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, United Nations and General International Matters, Volume XI

107. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State¹

New York, May 10, 1955—7 p.m.

766. Re membership. Belaunde (Peru),² in his capacity as chairman of the Good Offices Committee on membership, called at his request this afternoon with his colleagues from Netherlands and Egypt. He pointed out that under the terms of the last GA resolution, the SC is seized with the question and that in his dual capacity as chairman of the GOC and representative of Peru in SC he feels he is required to raise the matter in the SC before the meeting of the 10th GA. He said he would do so in a friendly manner and in accordance with our views as to timing and method.

He suggests a procedure of taking up each nation in the chronological order in which it has applied for membership, which he considered “less artificial” than taking them up in alphabetical order. Should it appear probable a veto was forthcoming, the question of admission for that particular country could be dropped and the admission of the next country taken up. This would require a certain amount of negotiation prior to discussion on each country.

It seems to me that this whole question must be considered in the light of the admission of Austria, which is no. 8 on the chronological list. No. 7 is Italy and in this connection Belaunde feels it would be very difficult in present circumstances for the USSR to veto Italy. If they did, President of Italy would have good reason repudiate Communist support which helped elect him.

It may be possible to make an announcement at the San Francisco meetings³ concerning a subsequent meeting of the SC on the membership question, which would give the San Francisco meetings a much-needed shot in the arm.

Believe the above would be of interest to Secretary Dulles in the light of his activities in Vienna.⁴

Lodge

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/5–1055. Confidential; Priority.
2. Victor Belaunde, Permanent Representative at the United Nations from Peru.
3. Reference is to the San Francisco U.N. Commemorative Meetings, June 20–26; see Document 5.

4. Secretary Dulles traveled to Vienna to sign the Austrian State Treaty.

   Telegram 800 from New York, May 19, reported that the Italian observer to the United Nations called on Lodge and stated the opinion that a very bad impression would be created in Italy if Austria were admitted to U.N. membership and Italy were not. Lodge added: “I feel that in any future action concerning Austrian membership, we should bear in mind its effect on others. There would be a setback to communism in Italy if the Soviets vetoed Italian admission after approving that of Austria. But it must not look as though things were ‘rigged’ to bring this about.” (Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/5–1955)