169. Editorial Note

In August 1960 the Soviet Government proposed that the 15th session of the U.N. General Assembly be the forum for a heads of government meeting on the problem of disarmament. Soviet Premier Khrushchev announced he would attend the General Assembly sessions on September 1, and a number of Communist and nonaligned heads of state followed Khrushchev’s lead, including President Tito. Tito arrived in New York on the S.S. Queen Elizabeth on September 19 and took up residence at the Yugoslav Mission to the United Nations. Anti-Yugoslav pickets convened opposite the mission and loudly demonstrated against Tito’s presence in the United States. On September 22 Tito met with President Eisenhower (see Document 170). On September 23 Tito addressed the General Assembly and on September 28 he met with Premier Khrushchev. Tito also took a leading role in the September 29 effort of nonaligned leaders to arrange a meeting between Khrushchev and Eisenhower. Documentation relating to the Tito visit to New York is in Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 559, CF 1766.