FE files, lot 55 D 480, “United Nations”
Memorandum by the United Nations Adviser, Bureau of Far Eastern Affairs (Bacon), to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Drumright)
- Subject:
- UN Membership Question
New York’s 612, April 12, reports that Belaunde of Peru, the Chairman of the Good Offices Committee on Membership which was created at the last GA, has given his views on the membership question to Ambassador Lodge. Belaunde is thinking tentatively in terms of a package of 12 which would not include any Far Eastern candidate. Ambassador Lodge, who had not yet received the Department’s letter giving the results of recent consideration of the membership question here, told Belaunde that he ought not to get his hopes up about such a package being approved by the U.S. Belaunde, however, indicated a desire to come to Washington to talk about the membership question with the Department.
The letter giving the Department’s views on the membership question is being sent to Ambassador Lodge today. It informs him that the Department has reviewed the membership question, that it continues to oppose a package deal and continues to favor separate consideration of each application. The letter authorizes Ambassador Lodge to give this position to Belaunde and to inform him that Mr. Key would be glad to discuss the membership question with Belaunde if the latter still wishes to come to Washington after being informed of the Department’s position.
Note: Dispatch of the letter to Ambassador Lodge has been delayed in order to permit Mr. Key to discuss the membership question with the Secretary. As originally drafted the letter, after stating the Department’s opposition to a package deal, added that the Secretary concurred in this position. It is understood that the Secretary deleted [Page 996] this sentence and substituted a statement to the general effect that on balance the question whether or not to agree to a package proposal was a close one and that he opposes a package deal at present.