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

167. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts¹

Washington, April 14, 1961, 10:30 p.m.

1583. I. Following is US position re admission Mauritania and Outer Mongolia to UN:

1. We should urge the Africans to insist that the “package” be split, pointing out that in our opinion Mauritania will get such an overwhelming vote in the General Assembly that it will be most difficult for the USSR to veto its application in the Security Council if the Africans maintain pressure on them. The Africans must realize that it is with the USSR not the US that the ultimate decision on the admission of Mauritania lies. It is the Soviet Union that has vetoed Mauritania.

2. We support the admission of Mauritania now as we have in the past and hope splitting the package will lead to its admission.

3. We will be prepared to support and even co-sponsor the admission of Outer Mongolia when we have had an opportunity to determine whether it in fact has the attributes of an independent state. The new administration has been reviewing this question with a view to initiating conversations at an early date.

4. If asked as to the meaning of this statement you should indicate that:

(a) we are beginning discussions with our friends immediately; and

(b) our review will include the question of the willingness and ability of Outer Mongolia to send and receive diplomatic missions and carry on normal diplomatic, consular, commercial and cultural relations with other countries.

5. The Chinese, UK and French Delegations should also be informed of our position immediately.

II. In light above Dept believes USGADel should, if tactical situation GA remains unchanged:

1. vote against Soviet amendments;

2. vote for 11-power draft if not amended;

3. if Soviet amendments adopted, arrange for para-by-para vote on amended resolution and vote against first Soviet preambular paragraph and first Soviet operative paragraph; vote for paragraphs remaining as they originally appeared in 11-power draft; and abstain on third operative paragraph as amended and on resolution as whole.

4. make explanatory statement along lines I (points 1–4) above.

Should also be pointed out Soviet efforts make admission one applicant contingent on admission another contrary UN Charter under 1948 advisory opinion ICJ. However, since US does not wish appear oppose admission Mauritania or disposed thwart will majority UN members on membership issue, it will abstain on 11-power draft resolution if Soviet amendments carried. For same reasons, US will endeavor prevent linking of admission Mauritania and Outer Mongolia in SC, will continue support admission Mauritania but cannot at this time support admission of Outer Mongolia.

III. USGADel should immediately consult with Chinese Del pointing out question admission Mauritania and Outer Mongolia could be raised SC before resumed session adjourns on basis GA action and in any event likely be raised when Sierra Leone application considered shortly after its independence on April 27. Our view best way prevent favorable SC action on Outer Mongolian application at this time is to organize sufficient number abstentions so that recommendation its admission fails to receive necessary seven votes, and we intend proceed accordingly. We would therefore urge Chinese Del obtain authorization Taipei join us in abstaining on “package” proposal in GA and SC since negative vote by GRC would only serve alienate such support as GRC now enjoys among new African members, particularly Brazzaville Group.

IV. USGADel should also urgently seek agreement other SC members likely be responsive our approach this matter (particularly UK, Turkey, Chile and Ecuador) to abstain in both GA and SC vote on “package” proposal.

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, 303/4–1461. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Virginia F. Hartley; cleared in AF and EUR, and by George N. Monsma (ARA), James M. Ludlow (NEA), and William F. Sullivan (FE); and approved by Assistant Secretary Cleveland. Sent to USUN and repeated to Paris, London, Taipei, Abidjan, Dakar, Yaounde, Rabat, Tokyo, Moscow, Ankara, Quito, Santiago, Lome, and Tananarive.