410. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (Walmsley) to the Secretary of State1
SUBJECT
- Syrian Complaint
Discussion:
We have now reached the point where the United States must be prepared to submit a resolution to the General Assembly if we are to forestall an undesirable initiative by Syria or the USSR. Ambassador Lodge also strongly recommends this course. (Tab C)2
However, until it becomes clear whether the initiative by King Saud is stillborn, we must withhold submission of any proposal. On the other hand, if his efforts fail, we believe we can take advantage of the atmosphere favoring mediation created by his proposal to submit a resolution calling for the extension of good offices through the UN. This approach would buy further time, at least until the Turkish elections are over; would put Syria on the spot if it refused to participate in such discussions; and would move us toward a possible means of disposing of the Syrian item without the necessity of dealing now with proposals for an investigatory committee but without foreclosing such other possibilities in the future. A draft telegram, under which the Delegation would consult on a contingent basis with key delegations, is attached for your approval. (Tab A)3
In the event it should develop that efforts to pursue matters along the lines of mediation or good offices should be fruitless, we believe our interests would best be served by initiating a resolution designed to dispose of the Syrian complaint by focusing attention on [Page 726] the pertinent provisions of the “Essentials of Peace” resolution, calling upon all Members to observe the provisions of this resolution faithfully and to refrain from any provocative actions or statements, and expressing the confidence of the General Assembly that the Security Council will exercise its responsibilities under the Charter when the situation in Syria requires. A draft resolution for your approval is attached. (Tab B)4 We reason that even if good offices should prove successful, it might be desirable to wind up GA consideration of the Syrian complaint with a general resolution focusing on the “Essentials of Peace” resolution, which has the advantage of highlighting the problem of indirect aggression, i.e., Soviet penetration in the area. However, we believe the decision on this should be deferred for the present.
Recommendations:5
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 682.83/10–2157. Secret. Drafted by Brown and concurred in by Rountree, Murphy, Becker, and Elbrick.↩
- Not attached to the source text. Reference is presumably to Delga 217 from USUN, October 21. (Ibid.)↩
- Not attached to the source text.↩
- Attached, but not printed.↩
- Dulles initialed his approval of the recommendations.↩
-
A marginal notation on the source text indicates that the telegram was sent to the communications division at 8:30 p.m. on October 21 and transmitted at 9:01 p.m. in Gadel 57 to USUN.
Gadel 57 contained the text of a draft resolution and directed the U.S. Delegation to consult with key delegations about it on a contingency basis, in the event that Saud’s mediation efforts broke down. The operative paragraph of the draft resolution requested the President of the General Assembly to constitute a group of three persons, including himself (or to appoint the Secretary-General), to undertake informal discussions with the representatives of Syria and Turkey, and with such other representatives as might be useful, and to report to the General Assembly as soon as possible. (Department of State, Central Files, 682.83/10–2057)
↩ - At this point Dulles inserted the word “tentatively”.↩
- In Gadel 59 to USUN, October 22, the Department of State transmitted to the Mission the text of the draft resolution and noted that it had received Dulles’ tentative approval. (Department of State, Central Files, 682.83/10–2257)↩