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

216. Memorandum of Telephone Conversations Between the Brazilian Ambassador (Muniz) and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Lyon), Washington, December 12, 1955¹

Washington, December 12, 1955.

SUBJECT

• United Nations Caucus on Package Deal

I telephoned the Brazilian Ambassador today and told him that we had just heard that the Canadians and the Indians were calling a caucus for this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. on the question of the package deal, that all the 52 nations which had supported the Canadian proposal were being invited, but those countries which had not supported it were not being included in the invitation. Among those were Cuba, which had opposed the motion, and ourselves who had abstained. I explained to the Ambassador that we were concerned at this since we felt that we were all interested in solving this important question and that we did not feel a meeting should be called excluding countries which were also seeking a solution to this difficult problem. I said the Secretary feared that if this became public knowledge it might have an adverse effect on public opinion of the United Nations in this country. That being the case, we hoped some of the Latin American countries would point out this fact; and perhaps, if the situation could not be clarified, refrain from attending.

The Ambassador said he understood entirely; that never in his knowledge had the Latin American countries agreed to attend a meeting from which we were excluded. He would, therefore, get in touch immediately with their Ambassador at the United Nations in New York and see what could be done.

The Ambassador called me back a little later and said that he had talked with Freitas-Valle, their representative at the United Nations, who said that he would attend the meeting; he would try to have the United States included; and if they were not able to effect that, they would leave the meeting.

The Ambassador called a second time at about 5:00 p.m. and said that Freitas-Valle had reported to him that he had gone to the caucus, and said that he didn’t see why a meeting of this character should be held, that the United States should be included or there should not be any such meeting; after which, according to the Ambassador, the caucus was called off.

I expressed the appreciation of the Secretary to the Ambassador for the fine help which Brazil had given us in this matter.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/12–1255. Confidential. Drafted by Lyon.