Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, United Nations and General International Matters, Volume XI

52. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State¹

New York, December 14, 1956—9 p.m.

Delga 350. Enlargement Security Council.

I. UK, France and U.S. delegations agreed today ad referendum on amendment to LA resolution on SC enlargement for joint proposal to USSR. As enlargement SC item continues on GA agenda Monday and inasmuch as clarification final USSR attitude is crucial to smooth handling in GA, UK and France feel strongly we should present this to USSR tomorrow (Saturday). Department’s instructions therefore requested tomorrow morning.

Intention in 4-power meeting would be to make further attempt to have Kuznetsov (USSR) produce his own formula and to give him this only if, as we expect, he does not do so. In return for our agreement on EE allocation, three delegations intend to seek USSR commit itself to enlargement by two and no more. Humphrey has already made clear to Kuznetsov that U.S. would not be prepared to reach agreement with USSR on SC question if it maintains adamant attitude on Chinese issue. Introduction this amendment would therefore have to await such clarification. We informed UK and French that we had been authorized to co-sponsor another version of EE allocation with USSR and presume this authorization would apply to a new version if Department approved.

II. Agreed text reads as follows:

“Recommends in accordance with Article 23 of the Charter, that if these amendments become operative, member states should in future elections allocate one non-permanent seat to the countries of Eastern Europe, one additional non-permanent seat to the countries of Western and Southern Europe and one additional non-permanent seat to the countries of Africa and Asia, while preserving in respect to the other five non-permanent seats the pattern of allocation that has prevailed hitherto.”

Senator Humphrey and staff strongly recommend Department approve this text without changes. We recognize some parts of text may be subsequently altered by amendments but believe this text would put us in best possible negotiating position.

Text designed to meet following purposes:

1. It relies on Charter provisions as reason for its adoption rather than on fact of increase.

2. It makes recommendation to member states on voting pattern rather than attempting to allocate directly.

3. It specifically mentions Eastern Europe, and U.S. willingness to co-sponsor and speak for should give USSR adequate assurance we are prepared to act in accordance with it.

4. Phraseology “one additional non-permanent seat” is designed to create favorable attitude toward recommendation, particularly with Afro-Asians. This phraseology requires putting Far Eastern and Middle Eastern countries into one grouping, but we feel this phraseology provides negotiating advantage.

5. Foregoing does not list current allocation or future allocation of other non-permanent seats while at same time confirming it. UK is most anxious not to list allocation in straightforward manner as it feels it might lose commonwealth seat if major GA debate rose over such listing.

6. Combination of allocation of seat to EE and preservation of allocation for other five non-permanent seats in pattern which has “prevailed hitherto” protects ambiguity definition Eastern Europe and makes clear that EE seat, if Council expanded, would be Philippines 1957 seat. Word “hitherto” includes election of Philippines. Pattern allocation of other non-permanent seats has never varied. USSR claims EE allocation was broken in 1951 while we have been saying here there was always EE space until Philippines elected.

By this formula we can admit EE allocation has not prevailed without admitting when change was made.²

Lodge

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 330/12–1456. Confidential; Priority.
2. The Department replied in two telegrams. Gadel 69, December 15, authorized the U.S. Delegation to proceed with consulations on the basis proposed in the amendment reported in Delga 350, provided the amendment was revised to read “One non-permanent seat to the countries of the Far East.” The draft amendment “as it now stands does not allocate seat Far East which one of basic considerations our thinking this matter.” (Ibid.) Gadel 75, December 17, stated: “Dept considers highly desirable that any allocation formula agreed upon be acceptable Far Eastern members. Subject this condition, Dept would accept formulation contained Delga 350 but prefers formulation ‘one non-permanent seat to countries of Asia.’” (Ibid.)