Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXV, Organization of Foreign Policy; Information Policy; United Nations; Scientific Matters

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

New York, February 8, 1961, 8 p.m.

2131. Resumed 15th GA. Yesterday Korean observer Liem urgently queried USUN concerning rumor heard from Afghan and Japan Dels to effect resumed session would only consider those items which were absolutely necessary, as result of which items such as Korean one would not be taken up. We assured Koreans so far USUN concerned we not aware any intention not to take up various important items such as disarmament, Congo, Korea, and others at resumed session.

Today we learned from other quarters this rumor gaining some credence. At lunch today Schurmann (Netherlands) spoke favorably of it to Yost. Matsch (Austria) sought sound us out as to whether US support proposal of this kind. Plaja (Italy) called on us to inquire as to possibilities in this regard. Jha (India) said he liked idea avoiding discussion disarmament now.

Subject also came up in US–UK discussion Congo this afternoon. UKDel had done study on items remaining for consideration at resumed session which were musts from British point of view. Copy this list being sent separately. Basically it refers to Comite 4 and 5 items, Congo, TC composition and ECOSOC items in plenary and raises problem of disarmament.

In discussion with UK it was agreed everything hinges upon whether agreement with Soviets possible and desirable, whereby disarmament could be shelved until 16th regular session. Would seem be highly undesirable to shorten resumed session only to pave way for special session on disarmament as Khrushchev has demanded.

This afternoon we asked GA Pres Boland (Ireland) whether he aware current status pressure on this subject. He unaware this precise rumor, but recalled at time Soviet release RB–47 fliers,² question of Soviets dropping U–2 item and obtaining deletion Hungary and Tibet bruited. Unofficial suggestions to this effect from Eastern European countries were then made to him but no formal approach made.

Stevenson

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, 320/2–861. Confidential.
2. Documentation on the release of the crew of the U.S. Air Force RB–47 aircraft shot down by the Soviet Air Force on July 1, 1960, is in Foreign Relations, 1958–1960, vol. X, Part 1, pp. 540 ff.