Office of the Historian

353/6–2154

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Byroade)

secret
[Washington,] June 21, 1954.
  • Subject:
  • US support of Sir Zafrulla Khan for his election to International Court of Justice.
  • Participants:
  • Sir Zafrulla Khan, Foreign Minister of Pakistan
  • Mr. Henry A. Byroade, Assistant Secretary, NEA

In a conversation with Sir Zafrulla I informed him, with the approval of the Secretary, that he could count upon the US vote for appointment to the World Court vacancy which had been created by the death of Sir Bengal Eau. I told him the matter must be held in utmost confidence for the time being because of certain factors affecting the appointment of a US judge to another international post. Sir Zafrulla expressed his deep appreciation and requested that we discuss the question of tactics as to how the matter should be handled. I told him I was not prepared at the present time to hold such a discussion but that I would arrange such a meeting when someone more intimately connected with the problem could also be available.