237. Editorial Note
On February 7, Wailes wrote to Loy Henderson “that it would be a mistake for me to present my credentials unless a miracle happens in the form of improved government.” Since he was likely to be pestered again to do so by Hungarian authorities, he wondered whether he should “leave before I may be thrown out—to which I would recommend the answer ‘NO’, although I must say I am not too happy with such a day-to-day existence and especially with the fact that I hesitate to leave Hungary for even a short ‘breather’ as the chances of my returning are not too good.” (Department of State, Central Files, (123–Wailes, Edward T.) On February 13, the Credentials Committee of the United Nations reported that by an 8 to 1 vote taken the previous day it had adopted a United States motion “that the Committee take no decision regarding the credentials submitted on behalf of the representatives of Hungary”. (A/3536) This enabled the Hungarians to participate provisionally in United Nations affairs. The United States decided neither to defer action on nor to seek rejection of the Hungarians’ credentials because of the “potentially serious implications” for the Chinese representation problem. (Gadel 118 to USUN, January 25; ibid., 320.57641/1–2557)
By a vote of 60 to 0, with 1 abstention, the General Assembly affirmed the decision of the Credentials Committee at its 658th meeting on February 21. (A/PV.658, pages 1186–1189) On February 22, the Hungarian Foreign Office presented a note to Barnes which accused Wailes of “deliberately postponing” presentation of his letters of credence while still carrying on official activities to which only accredited heads of mission are entitled. The Hungarian Government, therefore, requested that Wailes be removed from Hungarian territory or present his letters of credence. (For complete text, see Department of State Bulletin, March 18, 1957, pages 441–442) Following Wailes’ departure from Hungary on February 27, the United States rejected the assertions contained in the Hungarian note. For text of the United States explanatory press release of February 27, see Ibid.