501.AA/7–1146: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Representative in Albania (Jacobs)
125. For your information this reviews recent developments our thinking problem Albanian application membership UN.
We continue to feel we should reluctantly vote favorably if by so doing we could accomplish objective of membership for group of states we consider eminently eligible. If necessary even to obtain membership for one or two eminently qualified states to vote favorably most reluctantly after making statement on our difficulties and stating voting favorably in the interest of unanimity in the UN. British have not yet definitely instructed Cadogan but have indicated they may have to resist until they receive assurances requested result cruiser incident.
We have not finally determined what our position should be in the event no eminently qualified states such as Sweden or Iceland apply. Very reluctant, however, to establish precedent of vetoing applications [Page 411] and it may be necessary to vote favorably to obtain admission of Afghanistan. Our position subject review in light Cadogan’s final instructions.
In informal personal discussion with Gromyko on membership Herschel Johnson explained to him would like to vote for Albania but difficult to do so in view of lack of requested assurances. Suggested to Gromyko that if we had assurances our difficulty would be removed. This was done with the thought in mind that it might possibly prompt the Soviets to discuss the question with Albania. Gromyko attempted ascertain if assurances prerequisite to favorable vote our part on which Johnson noncommittal.