Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, United Nations and General International Matters, Volume II

44. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom¹

Washington, November 20, 1958—8:36 p.m.

4974. For Whitney. For London: You should seek early appointment with Selwyn Lloyd and earnestly request UK support for rejection credentials of Hungarian representatives at 13th General Assembly. At outset you should say that US is strongly of the opinion that rejection of credentials should be sought, that this decision was reached on the highest level in the Government, and that the President has indicated his interest in this course of action. Department believes that, if UK willing to join US and France in strong approaches certain capitals (France has already indicated willingness to seek rejection), necessary two-thirds majority for a condemnatory resolution which will also provide for rejection could be mustered. As UK aware, joint voting estimates made in New York indicated only 40 votes could be counted upon for rejection. Department firmly convinced that strong joint position by US, UK, and France in favor of rejection and appropriate representations in key capitals would substantially increase number of votes for rejection.

While the US feels strongly that the USSR and the present Hungarian regime must not be allowed to escape penalty for their defiance of the General Assembly’s resolutions, Special Committee, and Special Representative, as well as credentials not purely a cold war exercise. Rejection of Hungarian credentials is most effective and practical sanction available to UN under present circumstances and may serve conduce amelioration current repression. Rejection of credentials would not be “for all time” and, should conditions in Hungary improve, way would be open for return of Hungarian delegation to future sessions of the Assembly.

You should stress that our Legation in Budapest strongly supports rejection of credentials. FYI Department has reason to believe UK Minister in Budapest also favors rejection of credentials but working level FonOff cool to idea End FYI. The Hungarian people and those in other captive European nations would welcome proof they not written off. Blow to puppet regime’s prestige would hearten man in the street. In light of recent executions, UN must take effective action in support of purposes and principles of the Charter.

Voting to reject Hungarian credentials in UN is not, in our view, inconsistent with maintenance bilateral diplomatic relations. We plan raise issue initially in plenary and secure adoption condemnatory resolution which, inter alia, would contain following operative paragraph “Decides to reject the credentials submitted on behalf of the representatives of the present regime in Hungary.” Context in which this paragraph would appear would make clear reasons for rejection. Should large number cosponsors for resolution be forthcoming and should vote substantially exceed required two-thirds majority, we believe collective nature UN action would minimize likelihood Hungarians would initiate break in diplomatic relations. While discounting such an eventuality, we would, nevertheless, be prepared to accept it.

Lloyd may refer to hints which we have received from the Soviets and which they may have also made to the UK that rejection of Hungarian credentials might lead USSR (and satellites) to withdraw from UN with implication this would break up Organization. Department has carefully studied this aspect and has concluded we must discount heavily such threats which primarily intended as tactic to discourage prospective supporters of rejection.

General Assembly since 1956 Hungarian national uprising has neither accepted nor rejected Hungarian credentials via the medium of taking “no decision” on credentials submitted by representatives of the Hungarian regime. This action has served to cast doubt on Hungarian credentials. The execution of Nagy, Maleter, and other patriots is conclusive evidence that present regime incapable at this time of representing Hungary in the United Nations.

Rejection of credentials only effective sanction available to UN since action under Articles 5 and 6 of Charter to suspend rights or expel Hungary subject to approval Security Council.² While we could go through motions of suspension or expulsion procedure, certainty of Soviet veto would render such action futile propaganda maneuver.

Department hopes favorable reply will be forthcoming soonest.³

For Paris: You should make approach FonOff along lines of above.

For USUN: You should inform UK, French, and Australian dels of above approaches.

Herter

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320/11–2058. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Newlin; cleared by Becker, Wilcox, Kohler, and Bacon; and approved by Murphy who signed for Herter. Also sent to Paris and USUN, and repeated to Moscow and Budapest.
2. For texts of Articles 5 and 6 of the U.N. Charter, see footnote 5, Document 16.
3. Whitney met with Lloyd on November 24 and reported in telegram 2869 from London that Lloyd felt a resolution to reject the Hungarian Delegation’s credentials would not gain a two-thirds majority, had raised some legal questions regarding such an effort and how it would affect East–West relations, and had tentatively decided against it. (Department of State, Central Files, 320/11–2458)