Office of the Historian

UNP files, lot 59 D 237, “Slates”

Memorandum by the Acting Director of the Office of United Nations Political and Security Affairs (Popper) to the Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Key)

secret
[Washington,] May 19, 1954.
  • Subject:
  • Attached Cable on UN Elections

Pursuant to a conversation with Mr. Wainhouse, we have drafted the attached interim reply1 to the two cables from New York on the GA Presidency and the SC election. The reply expresses the belief we should keep our position flexible for the moment particularly in view of Indochina and Geneva.

EUR has cleared the cable. Mr. Drumright,2 however, does not concur on the grounds that our reply should take cognizance of the arguments advanced in the two cables from New York3 and that the Department should reach a decision without further delay on the elections in question.

We suggest that you discuss the problem with Mr. Drumright and, if necessary, with Mr. Murphy, to try to obtain Departmental agreement on the cable.

  1. See Department’s telegram 567, May 19, to New York, infra,↩
  2. Everett F. Drumright, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs.↩
  3. Presumably USUN’s telegram 678, Apr. 30, 6 p.m., and telegram 732, May 17, 6 p.m., p. 535 and supra, respectively.↩