Office of the Historian

164. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (Cleveland) to Secretary of State Rusk1

Washington, March 20, 1961.

SUBJECT

  • Presidency of the 16th General Assembly

Discussion:

The Tunisian Foreign Secretary has written you announcing the candidacy of Ambassador Mongi Slim for President of the 16th General Assembly and expressing the hope that his candidacy will have our support (Tab C).2

You will recall that Ambassador Stevenson, on your authorization (Tab D), spoke to Slim on February 2 to encourage him to put forward his candidacy (Tab E). According to the attached uncleared memorandum of conversation, the President on February 6 assured him of “U.S. backing” (Tab F).

The only other announced candidate is Dr. Ali Sastroamidjojo of Indonesia (Tab G). While there are no indications that his candidacy has so far received any widespread support, his election would be in the interest neither of the orderly conduct of the Assembly’s business nor the attainment of United States objectives at the session.

Against this background, a prompt commitment to support Slim’s candidacy appears desirable. The last five Assembly Presidents have been from the Far East, the Commonwealth, the Middle East, Latin America and Western Europe, respectively. Only Africa and Eastern Europe among the geographic regions have never held the Presidency. If the Slim candidacy gains widespread support early, this should serve to discourage the Soviet bloc from putting forward a candidate and might persuade Sastroamidjojo to withdraw. At the same time, it is recognized that any United States campaign on behalf of the Slim candidacy is likely to prove counterproductive.

Recommendation:

That you sign the attached letter to the Tunisian Foreign Secretary (Tab A) and approve the attached instruction to USUN (Tab B).

  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, 320/3–1761. Confidential. Drafted by Virginia F. Hartley (IO/UNP) on March 17; concurred in by Donald Dumont (AF), William H. Sullivan (FE), George N. Monsma (ARA), James M. Ludlow (NEA), and Larry C. Williamson (EUR).↩
  2. Tabs A–F are not printed.↩