UNP files, lot 59 D 237, “Slates”
Minutes of Meeting in the Bureau of United Nations Affairs1
- Present: Mr. Sandifer—UNA
- Mr. Sanders—UNA
- Mr. Wainhouse—UNP
- Mr. Green—UNE
- Mr. Gerig—UNO
- Mr. Cory—USUN
- Mr. Jones—UNP
A meeting was held in Mr. Sandifer’s office on June 26, 1953 to consider major slates questions which will arise at the Eighth Assembly. The following tentative conclusions were reached subject to further consultations with Ambassador Lodge and the geographic bureaus.
With respect to the Security Council, it was agreed that we should leave the choice as between Peru and Brazil, the two candidates to succeed Chile, to the Latin American countries, and that we should support New Zealand to succeed Pakistan if it is the choice of all the Commonwealth members.
It was also agreed that we should oppose a Soviet satellite for Greece’s seat and that we would have to wage an active campaign for a non-Soviet candidate which does not recognize the Chinese Communist regime. Mr. Cory reported that Ambassador Lodge believed we should make a real fight on this election and should start early. He said that Ambassador Lodge also thought we should dispose of the expected Soviet charges regarding the so-called 1945 “gentleman’s agreement” before the USSR even has a chance to raise this issue and should stress positive arguments for a particular non-Soviet candidate rather than arguments against a Soviet candidate. Mr. Cory also stated that we should be even more strongly opposed to Czechoslovakia than to one of the constituent republics, since the election of the former might be erroneously interpreted as legitimizing the Czech Government simply because it has made a few conciliatory moves.
The Philippines, Thailand, Turkey and Ethiopia were discussed as possible non-Soviet candidates. Most of those present believed that of all these possibilities it would be most difficult to elect the Philippines, and that Turkey would probably have the greatest chance of success. It was therefore tentatively decided that our preferred candidate should be Turkey, but we might also consider Thailand and Ethiopia.
[Page 458]With respect to the ECOSOC slate, it was tentatively decided that we should vote for the reelection of the UK and USSR; for Norway to replace Sweden; and for the candidate (Ecuador, Uruguay, or Bolivia) chosen by the Latin American countries for Uruguay’s seat. It was also tentatively decided that since Soviet bloc representation on ECOSOC was reduced last year, and in view of the need to concentrate our efforts on the defeat of a Soviet candidate for the Security Council, we should not campaign against a satellite to succeed Poland on ECOSOC. Mr. Green reported that as between Afghanistan, Pakistan, Thailand and Indonesia, UNE preferred Thailand for the Philippine seat, but it was agreed that a decision on this would have to await a position regarding a successor to Greece on the security Council.
For the Trusteeship Council, it was tentatively decided that we should support Haiti to succeed the Dominican Republic if it is the choice of the Latin American republics and that we should probably support Indonesia rather than India to succeed Thailand.
Lastly the group discussed the General Assembly Presidency. A tentative decision was reached that we should inform Prince Wan now that we are disposed to support him if he obtains sufficient support worn other members and that we should also inform Dr. Malik of this. The basis for this decision was principally the fact that Prince Wan has long been a candidate and is under the impression that we will support him, whereas Dr. Malik apparently has not made a final decision to run and has merely asked for our advice. Mr. Cory reported that Ambassador Lodge thought Madam Pandit might be considered for the Presidency, since her election might serve to temper the Indian delegation. Mr. Cory said that he would discuss the matter further with Ambassador Lodge and let us know his views.
It was agreed that we should meet with the geographic bureaus and would be in further consultations with USUN before any final decisions on the above matters were reached. Mr. Sandifer noted that recommendations on the Council slates and the Presidency would have to be approved by the Secretary.
- Source text attached to a memorandum by the Director of the Office of UN Political and Security Affairs (Wainhouse) to Thomas J. Cory of the staff of the Mission at the United Nations (USUN), June 29, not printed (UNP files, lot: 59 D 237, “Slates”). Minutes drafted by Paul W. Jones of the Office of UN Political and Security Affairs.↩