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

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

New York October 12, 1955—6 p.m.

Delga 83. Re Membership. In accordance with Gadel no. 33, October 10,² we raised with French representatives de Guiringaud and Ordonneau this a.m. question of five permanent members agreeing forego veto on new members. We reported that we had broached question with other permanent members and that the UK had stated it was their policy not to use veto, that China had indicated that they would go along with the other four, and that USSR had wished to know others’ views before replying.

Ordonneau said that he believed in present circumstances French reaction would be negative, and both he and de Guiringaud felt that in any case an immediate French reply was doubtful.

Crosthwaite, who was present, expressed UK Delegation’s great interest in having French Government’s reaction. De Guiringaud and Ordonneau agreed raise question with FonOff.

Crosthwaite, while making clear UK position on not using veto was well known, expressed UK Delegation’s interest in knowing what next steps would be if all members agreed on veto. He said UK had not as yet agreed “to forego the use of mass abstentions.”

Ordonneau felt that Soviets would not be satisfied with leaving issue to be decided by uninfluenced majority and anticipated Soviets would ask the other permanent members to obtain votes for their candidates.

We indicated that by asking permanent members forego veto, we were in a position to drop question at any point, and that we were not now prepared anticipate further developments.

Lodge

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/10–1255. Confidential.
2. Gadel 33 summarized Dulles’ October 3 conversation with French Ambassador Couve de Murville (see Document 128), noted from Delga 51 (Document 129) that affirmative reactions on the veto issue had come from the United Kingdom and Chinese Delegations, and suggested that the U.S. Delegation discuss the matter with the French, indicating interest in an early reply and inviting French opinion whether the matter ought also to be raised in Washington and/or Paris. The telegram closed with the admonition that until great-power agreement on the veto question had been secured, discussion of the matter should not be encouraged. (Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/10–1055)