501.AA/7–546: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Portugal (Baruch)
u.s. urgent
644. You should inform FonMin as soon as possible of situation on UN membership as described below and report reactions to Dept.
[Page 410]UN Security Council passed resolution on May 23 stating that applications for membership received before July 15 would be considered by Council in August. See membership provisions in Chapter Two of Charter. Applications should be addressed to Secretary General and should contain a statement that the State is willing to assume the obligations of the Charter.
In interest of broadening membership in UN we hope that qualified states who desire membership will be admitted this year and that several of the neutrals will be applying at this time.
US Rep on Security Council has had informal and personal exchange of views with USSR Rep Gromyko. Latter said that definitive views of his Govt on application of any particular state would not be made known before time for action on the application in Security Council. However when Portugal was mentioned by US Rep he showed no hostility whatever.
We realize possible Portuguese hesitancy to apply unless they are sure that there will be no rebuff but above is all we can tell them together with assurance that their application would be warmly supported by US Govt on grounds of traditional friendship and important Portuguese contribution to Allied war effort.
We understand that your Brit colleague is giving Port Govt assurances of support of his Govt.