Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXV, Organization of Foreign Policy; Information Policy; United Nations; Scientific Matters

230. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (Cleveland) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (McGhee)¹

Washington, October 31, 1962.

SUBJECT

• Analysis of the General Assembly Vote on Chinese Representation

On October 30, 1962, the General Assembly defeated the Soviet draft resolution which would have replaced the Republic of China in the UN by the Chinese Communist regime. The vote was 42 in favor, 56 against, with 12 abstentions. (A detailed voting list is attached.)² The vote on a similar draft last year was 37 to 48 with 19 abstentions.

The big gain for our position this year consisted of winning the affirmative votes of the seven UAM states which abstained in 1961 (Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), Dahomey, Ivory Coast, Niger, and Upper Volta). The defection of Laos was to be expected; on the other hand the defections of Malaya and Tunisia are disappointing. (Malaya moved from a negative vote on the Soviet draft to abstention, while Tunisia shifted from abstention to an affirmative vote.)

Of the six new members who voted, Jamaica and Rwanda voted in our favor; Algeria, Burundi and Uganda supported the Soviets; and Trinidad abstained.

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, 303/10–3162. Official Use Only. Drafted by William B. Buffum on October 30 and cleared by Sisco.
2. Not printed. The draft resolution is UN doc. A/L.395, October 18.