501.BC/5–246: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Stettinius)14
us urgent
42. For Stettinius. With respect to the date upon which SC will resume consideration of the Iranian case in accordance with the resolution April 4 we feel that if it were likely that the reports from the Iranian and Soviet Governments would be received prior to May 6 the proceedings should be resumed on that date, preferably in afternoon.
We feel, however, that it is unlikely that the reports will be so received and since the Soviet and Iranian Governments have until [Page 444] midnight of May 6 to make their reports on the status of the Soviet troop withdrawal, May 7 would be the most practicable date for the Council to resume proceedings.
We believe that a meeting held on May 6 prior to the receipt of the reports might have an undesirable effect. The attention of the world press and opinion might needlessly be focused on the absence of these replies when they might actually be received up to midnight on that date. Should you determine, however, that the sentiment of the other members of Council strongly favors a meeting on May 6 regardless of the midnight deadline you should not oppose it.
We do not believe that the Council should meet on a date later than May 7 in view of clear terminology of the April 4 resolution and of the unfavorable world opinion which might be aroused by such a postponement.
- This telegram was repeated as No. 2075 to Paris for the Secretary of State.↩