501.BB/11–2246: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to Senator Austin
293. For Gadel. Our reasons for preferring Netherlands to Byelorussia as candidate for ECOSOC are set out below for your consideration when subject is next discussed by Secretary and USDel: (1) Among remaining candidates for three-year membership on ECOSOC, Netherlands is only state willing and able to collaborate wholeheartedly in creation and implementation of ITO, in our view, most important tasks to be undertaken by ECOSOC. (2) Netherlands has demonstrated unswerving fidelity to western democratic principles in all organs UN and Van Kleffens has made particularly notable contribution to work of SC. In view this record, failure of US to support Netherlands might have adverse reaction not only upon Netherlands but upon other small western European states as well.