501.BC/5–2146: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Stettinius) to the Secretary of State
urgent
212. Security Council. Following the telephone conversation with the Department at noon Tuesday, May 21, on the Iranian question, various members of USdel conferred with some of the delegations in regard to the tentative U.S. proposal to draw the Council’s attention to the situation in Iran and to send an investigating commission to Iran to ascertain the facts.
The position of some of the other delegations, as reported in separate telegrams Tuesday afternoon,40 is that France, Netherlands and Egypt indicated opposition to the proposal; while the Australian, British and Chinese delegates, lacking any definite instructions from their Governments, indicated that they personally favored the proposal.
M. Parodi (France) commented that he did not see how one could maintain that a dispute exists when the interested States do not make such a claim. Dr. Afifi (Egypt) was very firm in his view that [Page 473] for the Council to attempt to send out a commission of investigation would be a serious mistake and was doubtful whether this could be done over the Soviets’ objection. He also felt it to be out of the question that such a commission would be allowed into Azerbaijan to make their investigation.
Dr. Van Kleffens (Netherlands) appeared favorably impressed with the U.S. proposal for bringing a new case, but was doubtful if it could be considered a dispute under article 27 (3), thus preventing a Soviet veto. He also was firm in his view that it would be a mistake to send an investigating commission since he felt the commission would never be allowed to enter Azerbaijan, a situation which would make the Council look impotent.
Before completing a check of the remaining delegations, USdel was informed by telephone of a possible change in instructions, which set forth that more time be taken to consider the problem and to discuss the matter more fully with other delegations.
Upon receipt of new instructions from the Department41 Tuesday evening, USdel planned to contact some of the delegates previously reached in order to advise them of the change in plans.
[Here follows discussion of matters other than the Iranian question.]