IO Files: US(P)/A/M(Chr)/9
Minutes of the Ninth Meeting of the United States Delegation, Paris, Hotel d’Iéna, September 30, 1948
[Here follows list of persons (32) present.]
1. Review of Security Council Slate
Mr. Blaisdell explained that it had been thought desirable to discuss briefly with the Delegation the latest developments on candidates for the Security Council. He would ask the chief political officers to discuss the situation in their respective areas.
Dr. Corrigan informed the Delegation that Ambassador Belt (Cuba) had told him he had commitments for enough votes so that Cuba’s election was certain. Belt had indicated that, although Argentina had suggested the possibility of making a deal with the U.S.S.R. in exchange for the support of the Soviet bloc, he had refused. Dr. Corrigan thought, with these developments, perhaps the United State should support Cuba. The Secretary asked whether there was any reason [Page 149] why Belt should not be told that the United States would vote for Cuba. Mr. Jessup observed that, in terms of the effective functioning of the Security Council, it would be better to have Brazil or Mexico. On the other hand, there was a question whether the United States should attempt to drum up support for either of these states. Mr. Ross noted that the British oppose Cuba on the ground that it is not qualified for Security Council membership under Article 23 of the Charter.
The Secretary pointed out that a lot of time had passed during which there had been no new developments on other candidates. He thought it was possible under these circumstances that the United States might end up without getting what it wanted and at the same time ill will would be created. Mr. Dulles believed the United States should support Cuba, pointing out that if it endeavors to interfere in the choice of the Latin American states, it will be running counter to its usual policy of following the Latin American caucus. Mr. Rusk thought it would be difficult for the United States to campaign for Brazil and Mexico, as, in fact, such a step would commit us to a policy of rotating the Latin American seat among a small number of states. Under these circumstances, he favored Cuba.
Both Mr. Ross and Mr. Dulles, commenting on the Secretary’s remark that inaction in this situation might create ill will, noted that Ambassador Belt had told them that the United States was reported as having asked Peru to run. Dr. Corrigan indicated that there was another meeting of the Latin American caucus tomorrow, at which time the final decision might be expected.
The Secretary suggested it might be appropriate to tell Belt the United States would follow the majority decision of the caucus. Mr. Gross observed that such a step indirectly supported the bloc arrangements which the Delegation had criticized previously. In this connection, Mr. Thorp thought it was important for the United States to reserve the right not to follow automatically in every case the selection of the caucus. The Secretary said he was most concerned about probable ill will from all sides directed against our action. Mr. Cohen, after commenting that the United States previously followed the choice of the Latin American states in the Council elections, thought it was probably desirable to avoid any definite commitment to Cuba in the event that the Latin American bloc had not made its final decision. The Secretary observed that if the United States followed such a line, it would be essential to make sure that the United States kept completely out of the pre-election maneuvering.
Mrs. Roosevelt asked whether there was no way in which, in preliminary conversations, the United States might help the situation [Page 150] by guiding the course of developments in the caucus. The Secretary replied that we had already indicated our preference for Brazil and Mexico and probably had gone too far. Mr. Jessup thought it would be important to point out to Belt, if it was decided to postpone making the definite commitment, that the United States was not supporting any other Latin American candidate.
The Secretary concluded that it was the sense of the Delegation that Ambassador Belt should be informed as informally as possible that as matters now stand, the United States is disposed to support Cuba, on the understanding that it is simply going along with the majority of the Latin American states.
Mr. Villard summarized the situation respecting candidates to replace Syria. He was still hopeful that Turkey and Egypt might reach agreement as to which should run, and noted that Turkey had even offered to toss a coin, but Egypt had refused. He believed Egypt had greater support and observed that the Turks were not putting on an active campaign. He cautioned that if the United States does not support Egypt, it may encounter difficulties on the Italian colonies and Palestine. In answer to a question from the Secretary, Mr. Villard indicated he did not think it was possible at this time to take a final decision on this seat.
Mr. Raynor reported that it seemed likely that the Netherlands would withdraw its candidacy. He thought the United States should go ahead in its campaign for Norway. This was agreed. Mr. Popper indicated that the Latin American states have expressed interest in Norway’s candidacy although they have not committed themselves. It was noted that Norway is not making an active campaign. The Secretary suggested that it would be appropriate to consult with the British on this situation and see exactly what they were doing in connection with Norway’s campaign.
[Here follows discussion of other agenda items.]