501.AA/6–2446: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Acting United States Representative at the United Nations (Johnson)
confidential
108. Amdel. We think there are many advantages to concentrating the talks on membership with the British between you and Cadogan in New York rather than talking to the Embassy here or talking in London. Will you be good enough to see Cadogan again and attempt to obtain his concurrence without consulting London again in view of shortness of time to our making informal approaches immediately to Sweden and Iceland. You should tell Cadogan that we, of course, have no objection to the British making their own approaches. Will you also tell Cadogan that as the British do not desire to take the initiative we are considering making an immediate informal approach in Dublin. Also tell him that we hope the British will make approaches to Portugal and Switzerland. You may tell Cadogan we do not plan to approach either of these countries at the preliminary stage. We think it would be better for them to do so in the case of Portugal and our information on Switzerland is that it is quite unlikely that the Swiss will apply this summer. We hope the British will talk to them however. We agree with the British position on Switzerland.
Also please tell Cadogan that we think the talks in New York with the other permanent members should not be deferred until the results of the informal approaches are known and we would be receptive to a Foreign Office suggestion if made for the New York talks to commence almost at once.
In that connection we are reviewing our position on Italy, Austria, and the satellites and may wish to discuss these further with Cadogan.
On other countries discussed in your last meeting with Cadogan we have the following comments for you to transmit to Cadogan:
[Page 397]Siam: Our position on Siam, which you are authorized to impart in your discretion in whole or in part to Cadogan, is fully covered in our 105 of June 22.90
Afghanistan: Agree on support. From our point of view feel approach unnecessary as we understand application will be made. No objection to a British approach.
Albania: We are reviewing our position and will advise you further.
Eire: Will vote in favor and as indicated above will probably make an informal approach now.
Muscat, Nepal, Tibet: Please express to Cadogan the hope that applications will not be made at this time.
Transjordan: We think on balance an application now would be premature. There are many complicating factors from our point of view and we would prefer that the matter not come up.
Yemen: Would think better if doesn’t come up. If did come up could probably support.
Soviet Republics: In agreement.
Outer Mongolia: Don’t wish to encourage or discourage. If should be pressed might be able to support.
We hope Cadogan will agree that it is all right for us to initiate informal approaches immediately without awaiting further London clearance in the cases of Sweden, Iceland, and Eire. On our part we hope they will do the same without coming back to us on Portugal and Switzerland. We would appreciate a telephonic report following your discussion with Cadogan.
- See vol. viii, p. 1026. The U.S. attitude was to favor Siam’s application for membership in the United Nations in accordance with the general position of this government toward membership applications, contingent upon Siamese action with respect to settling the question of the disputed areas involving French Indo-China; for documentation on this subject, see ibid., pp. 978 ff.↩