501.AA/7–346: Telegram
The Acting United States Representative at the United Nations (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
u.s. urgent
[Received 7:06 p.m.]
393. Reference Dept’s 120, July 1, 6 p.m., 115, June 28, 7 p.m., other related messages and telephone conversation this afternoon with Hayden Raynor.
I checked this morning again with Cadogan to inquire if he had received any new instructions regarding membership. He replied in the negative. I then asked him if he had serious objection to my having an informal discussion on the matter with Gromyko. I said I would not bring him or his govt into the discussion nor would I indicate to Gromyko that I had instructions. Cadogan said he had no objection whatever and would appreciate it if his name and the British position were not brought into the discussion.
I had a private talk with Gromyko this morning, no interpreters or assistants of his being present. He was friendly and apparently frank. I told him that the time when applications for membership in the [Page 405] United Nations would have to be considered by the Membership Committee was drawing very close and that I would be greatly interested to hear any personal views of his which he might be willing to express. I told him that I felt personally and I knew that my govt felt that Sweden, Iceland, Afghanistan, Switzerland, Portugal, Eire, Italy and Austria were in fact eligible and qualified for admission at this time; that we had no idea whether any or all of these states will apply in time but felt certain there would be a few applications at least and recalled to him that there has already been a press report of action taken by the Swedish Parliament to authorize the govt to apply for admission. He volunteered the comment that Portugal is not in the same position as Franco Spain. With regard to the former European neutrals and Iceland, Gromyko’s attitude, if I correctly interpreted it, was open-minded and not unfriendly. He said that his govt would not be able to indicate its final opinion on any countries prior to the time when the applications are actually up for consideration; and that in his view, all applications should be considered on their individual merits. He said he felt it was important for some countries to be admitted at this session and referred to Albania. I told him what our position on Albania is and suggested that his own govt or its representatives might be able to give Albania some good advice as to giving necessary assurances on her treaty obligations. Gromyko smiled at this and made a remark about Albania being a sovereign nation. I told him I readily admitted that, but that some great powers frequently advised their smaller friends upon action that might be usefully followed.
In discussing Italy and Austria I agreed without reservation that if these countries are admitted at this time, it would not be in accordance with the Potsdam decisions and that to take such action we would all have to agree on a revision of Potsdam. Gromyko then asked our attitude toward the Balkan states which, he said, were likewise covered by Potsdam. I concurred and said that I had not yet had precise instructions regarding these countries. He then said that whether the parties to the Potsdam Agreement agree to a revision of that agreement or not that in the Russian view admission of Austria and Italy is on all fours with that of Rumania, Bulgaria and Hungary. I admitted to him that under the Potsdam Agreement they were under similar handicaps for action. I expressed the hope, which I said was purely a personal one, that Austria, Italy and the Balkan countries might all be admitted to the United Nations as soon as possible. Gromyko apparently had no information about Afghanistan. He showed some interest, however, and gave no indication that the Russian attitude would be unfavorable. Our attitude in [Page 406] regard to Siam seemed to interest him. He gave no indication of hostility to admission of Siam.
The only country he specifically inquired about was Outer Mongolia. I told him that I had received no information or instructions regarding Outer Mongolia, but said that I felt sure when the application is up we will give it objective consideration. I expressed the personal opinion to him, however, that the admission of Outer Mongolia was not a matter of urgent necessity or desirability and that as it was an entirely new country without established international relations, its application could hardly be considered in the same breath with the application, for instance, of an old established democracy like Sweden, which is ready to make immediate and positive contributions to the work of the United Nations. Gromyko did not dissent from this, and impressed me as being in agreement in his own mind.
When I left Gromyko said he would report the conversation to his government and thanked me for coming. He said he thought the informal discussion had been useful.