Office of the Historian

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

New York, November 15, 1955–8 p.m.

Delga 293. Re membership.

1.

As result of meeting with Dixon this morning, I submitted, after obtaining Department’s concurrence, letter to SC president [Page 360] Entezam (Iran) asking for early SC meeting on membership question. Request based on great interest shown in GA on this subject and on request for SC report made by GA last year in para 5 of Res 817 (IX). Dixon did not feel he could join in request because of Canadian involvement in matter.

This action is designed (a) to smoke out Soviet position; (b) to head off introduction by Martin (Canada) of his Res in favor “universality” and 18; and (c) to assist in defeat possible Canadian-Indian motion in ad hoc committee to take up membership item immediately.

Dixon reported earlier that Martin had informed him this morning that he intended submit his Res late this afternoon. Dixon said he had argued strongly against this but Martin was determined to go ahead. Dixon noted that negotiations on Palestine refugee resolution had not been completed and that debate on this item likely be bogged down. He feared if this happened there was strong probability that Martin and Menon would move that membership item be taken up immediately… .

2.

Dixon said he had agreed discuss membership question with Soviets this afternoon. He said he intended tell Soviets that Outer Mongolia was impossible for US and that Soviets would take on heavy responsibility if they wrecked chances of getting new members in by insistence on Outer Mongolia. He also said he would tell Malik that US was not only one against Outer Mongolia. Others were opposed not only to Outer Mongolia, but also to the four Eastern European satellites. He would say to Soviets that if they drop their insistence on Outer Mongolia, he, and perhaps US, might be in position to help with getting four EE’s elected. Unless this were done, the four might well not get in. Re Outer Mongolia, Dixon explained he was somewhat handicapped in talking with Soviets by fact UK was already publicly committed to support 18 as result unauthorized publication … of Eden’s letter to Sir John Kotelawala.

Dixon and I agreed to meet following my conversation with Soviets tomorrow noon to consider when SC meeting should be held. I said we could obviously not wait until the five signed on the dotted line because I did not think the USSR, France or China would really tip their hand prior to the Council meeting and Dixon agreed with this estimate. I also said I felt on other hand that meeting should not be scheduled until Dixon and I are reasonably sure that there is fair prospect of agreement since it would not be in our interest permit Western candidates to become political footballs. Dixon agreed.

3.

…

. . . . . . .

Belaunde said that in Good Offices Committee meeting today, on motion of Egypt, this three-man group decided offer its good offices to SC.

. . . . . . .

Lodge
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/11–1555. Confidential; Priority.↩