501.BB/11–2346
Memorandum by G. Hayden Raynor of the United States Delegation Staff of Advisers to Senator Austin
secret
[New
York,] November 23, 1946.
Subject: ECOSOC Slate–The Netherlands
- 1.
- In addition to the reasons advanced in Department’s 293 of
November 22 for preferring Netherlands to Byelorussia with which I
fully agree, I submit the local situation must also be taken into
account. It is as follows:
- a.
- We have just as much of a commitment to the Netherlands as we have to Turkey or Byelorussia (I do not believe at this stage of balloting that we really have a commitment beyond the next ballot to anyone).
- b.
- The Netherlands “hat would not be in the ring” except for the fact that her name appeared on our slate.
- c.
- We have told other delegations from the beginning that the Netherlands was a candidate in whom we were especially interested.
- d.
- As late as during the luncheon recess on the day of the election we campaigned actively for the Netherlands.
- e.
- In addition to supporting our policy strongly over the past year in the Security Council and elsewhere, Netherlands has been one of our few supporters here in the General Assembly on such matters as Relief and Contributions to the Budget. It could have been counted on to go down the line with us on Spain (perhaps the only European state to do so).
- 2.
- I am not urging in view of decision already taken that we vote for the Netherlands rather than Turkey, but that if Byelorussia is not elected on the next ballot that on the following ballot we vote for the Netherlands rather than Byelorussia.