Office of the Historian

309. Memorandum of Conversation1

Washington, March 14, 1961.

SUBJECT

  • Rumored Appointment of New Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees

PARTICIPANTS

  • M. Claude Lebel, Minister Counselor, French Embassy
  • M. Pierre Pelen, Counselor, French Embassy
  • Mr. Wallner, Deputy Assist. Secretary—IO
  • Mr. Otis Mulliken, Deputy Director OES
  • Mr. Buffum—UNP
  • Mr. MacDonald—WE

Mr. Lebel wondered if we had heard of a plan to appoint an Afro-Asian as Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees. He thought this would be a very poor idea. Article 1 of the Convention on Refugees limited the Commission’s jurisdiction to pre-1951 refugees, and in addition, he pointed out, Europe and the United States were responsible for some three-fourths of the Commission’s expenditures. He thought that the appointment of an Afro-Asian could mean a much more vigorous policy on Algerian refugees in Tunisia and Morocco, which would be the worst sort of development now from France’s point of view.

Mr. Mulliken said that we first heard of this plan from Mr. Schnyder, the High Commissioner. Upon hearing reports that he was thinking of appointing a deputy, we had approached him to say that we might be interested in suggesting some Americans for the post, especially since an American had held it previously. Mr. Schnyder then said [Page 674] he was thinking of an Afro-Asian. Since that time, we have even heard unconfirmed reports that Schneider was thinking of offering the post to the Aga Khan.

This was a totally new idea to Mr. Lebel, for whom the Aga Khan was “a special kind of Afro-Asian”. However, he wondered if the Aga Khan would accept. Mr. Lebel asked if Mr. Schnyder could appoint a deputy on his own. Mr. Mulliken replied that he could, but added he would be most surprised if Mr. Schnyder would do so without prior consultation.

Mr. Lebel asked if we could name the Americans we were thinking of suggesting to Schnyder—and especially if we had decided on a candidate. He said that the French would certainly be prepared to support our candidate, if we had one. Mr. Mulliken said that we had not yet decided on a candidate, but would inform the French if and when we do.

  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, 324.8411/3–1461. Confidential. Drafted by John W. MacDonald, Jr.↩