126. Editorial Note
Between September 27 and October 1, members of the United States and Soviet Delegations at the United Nations held a number of conversations on the issue of membership. The first of these took place following a discussion of other matters when the Vice Chairman of the Soviet Delegation to the United Nations, Vasili Kuznetsov, suddenly remarked to Lodge that Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov had made a proposal on membership and that the Soviets wished to talk to the United States about it. Lodge replied that he understood that Molotov had proposed admitting 16 new members but had not said which ones and, in view of the fact there were 22 prospective candidates for membership, asked Kuznetsov which 6 the Soviet proposal did not include. Kuznetsov replied that the 6 were Japan, North and South Korea, North and South Vietnam, and Spain.
[Page 306]Lodge reported this conversation in Delga 21, September 27, requested instructions, and suggested that the Department’s first consideration should be whether the list should be appraised in alphabetical order or chronologically, that a rule then be adopted by the Security Council “stipulating the applicants be called in the order we have selected, that there be no debate, that the five permanent members agree not to use the veto and that the issue be settled by a majority vote.” (Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/9–2755)
Lodge reported on September 29 in Delga 30, that pursuant to authorization by the Secretary he had spoken to Kuznetsov, telling him that the United States favored referring the Molotov proposal to the First Committee. Lodge then asked Kuznetsov if the Soviet Union would agree not to use the veto in the Security Council and when Kuznetsov asked in return if this meant the United States was ready to vote for the Soviet list, Lodge replied that he wished to get the veto issue out of the way first. Lodge gave the same response when Kuznetsov asked if the United States was planning to suggest admission of more than 16 countries. (Ibid., 310.2/9–2955)
In Delga 35, September 29, Lodge reported a subsequent conversation with Kuznetsov who had “asked to speak to me alone.” Kuznetsov wished to know if all five permanent members would agree not to use the veto in the Security Council against any proposed member. (Ibid.) Lodge promised to explore the issue with other concerned delegations and in Delga 41, October 1, reported that Anthony Nutting, Chairman of the British Delegation had given “categorical” assurance that “it was UK established policy not to use veto on new members and that I was authorized to inform Kuznetsov.” (Ibid., 310.2/10–155)