500.CC(PC)/12–1945: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Acting United States Representative on the Preparatory Commission (Stevenson)
Washington, December 19,
1945—8 p.m.
10926. Preco 424. Reference Copre 590 December 17.
- 1.
- If you feel a useful purpose would be served we suggest you inform Gromyko that although grateful for the vote and support of the Soviet Union we do not feel that we are under obligation to any country by reason of the fact that it may have endeavored to place the site of UNO in the US since we did not seek the site.
- 2.
- As you know our preference is for Spaak or Van Royen for SyG. We suggest you may wish to inform Gromyko that our preference is based upon our judgment of their competence and the probable reaction of other countries to their candidacies, and not upon the fact that they are from a particular geographical area. Our preference for Spaak or Van Royen, however, should not be construed to mean that we would oppose other competent candidates who might be proposed.
- 3.
- Although we have stated that we do not feel we could push any candidate from the Americas in view of the fact that the site is in the United States (Preco 28957), we would not oppose a candidate from the Americas merely because he was from this geographical area. We should endeavor to judge such a candidate upon his merits. We feel it would be unfortunate if the position of SyG should devolve upon some individual because he was from a particular geographical area rather than because of his competence.
- 4.
- We feel that the time has come to discuss candidates for SyG upon a five power basis rather than upon the basis of negotiations between only two powers and approve your arrangement for a five power meeting Thursday.58
. . . . . . .
Acheson