501.AD/5–1346: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Stettinius) to President Truman
urgent
[Received May 13—4:48 p.m.]
171. In light of the intimate and private conversations you and I have had on the question of the site of the United Nations, I am bringing directly to your attention the critical situation that has now arisen. I am sending a copy of this telegram to Acheson in order that you may have the benefit of his views.
The uncertainty of some top delegates and high officials of the United Nations as to whether the United Nations will remain at its present temporary location in New York beyond September has created a very serious problem. The decision to come to New York for a 3- to 5-year interim period was reached, you will recall, at the General Assembly in London. Dissatisfaction with temporary arrangements in New York during the past weeks has given rise to increasing speculation by delegates and United Nations Officials that the decision will be reviewed in the September Assembly. There is talk of moving away from New York and even of returning to Geneva. Any move to leave this country would, in my judgment, have serious repercussions upon the United Nations and would seriously damage the prestige and influence of the United States.
New York authorities are prepared to spend more than 3 million dollars to help set up interim facilities for the United Nations. They [Page 82] are ready to go all out to help solve housing, transportation, and other problems and to make the United Nations stay in New York a success during a 3- to 5-year interim period. For obvious reasons, they are reluctant to spend such a large sum or make long-term arrangements if the General Assembly decides in September to shift the temporary headquarters to another location. If New York withholds or curtails its support, plans for the September meeting will be imperiled. This result would greatly strengthen the present inclinations of some people to move the interim headquarters elsewhere.
I am firmly convinced that the time has now arrived when the Federal Government must give strong support and assistance to working out plans for remaining in New York throughout the 3- to 5-year interim period. When the decision to come to New York was reached in London, the United States offered to assist in every way possible. May I have authorization to inform Secretary General Lie and other delegations represented on the Security Council that the United States Government firmly supports Lie in arrangements for temporary headquarters in New York for the interim period 3 years. Support from the United States will strengthen Lie’s hand in dealing with other delegations and with New York authorities. May I also be authorized to confirm to Lie and to other delegations that the Federal Government will give fullest possible assistance to the United Nations and to the City of New York in obtaining temporary housing facilities, transportation, and other essentials. New York authorities assure me that federal funds will not be needed, but it is clear that White House backing will be required to persuade federal agencies to make needed federal facilities available.
On the question of the permanent site of the United Nations, I believe we should continue to maintain the neutral position we have held thus far. The need for our full support and assistance on the interim location is so critical, however, that I am convinced we must act immediately in order to avoid a damaging situation in which several million dollars may be spent on interim facilities that would be used only for one meeting of the General Assembly.