Office of the Historian

160. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1

New York, February 2, 1961, 2 p.m.

2078. Subject: 16th GA Presidency. Plimsoll (Australia) asked us whether we would like to see Slim (Tunisia) as next GA Pres. He said Slim just returned from Tunis with indication he be FonMin and with Govt Tunisia approval his candidacy.

Plimsoll reported several conversations with U Thant (Burma) who said to be Slim supporter. Thant wrote Ali Sastroamidjojo (Indonesia) (who is planning become serious ASAF candidate) seeking to discourage him from running. Thant claimed according to Plimsoll, he was urging others to write Ali in same sense. Thant said he had found surprising number Asians whom he would have expected be Ali supporters to feel Indonesia not right country to provide next GA Pres, that it should be African. In fact only UAR and Morocco seemed opposed to Slim, and are hoping urge Sudan FonMin to run.

Plimsoll said Thant leaving for Burma early next week and suggested if USG favored Slim it be important get word to Thant before he leaves. Opportunity act on Deptel 13462 not yet presented itself. Hope be able do so during SC mtg Thurs morning.

Stevenson
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, 320/2–261. Confidential.↩
  2. In telegram 1346 to USUN, January 26, the Department of State authorized USUN to discuss informally with Mongi Slim a report that Tunisia would put forward his candidacy for President of the 16th General Assembly. (Ibid., 320/12–1560)↩