IO Files: US/A/564
Memorandum of Conversation, by Ambassador William Dawson of the United States Delegation Staff of Advisers
| Participants: | Padilla Nervo, Mexican Delegation |
| Costa du Rels, Bolivian Delegation1 | |
| William Dawson, United States Delegation |
Padilla Nervo (Mexico) approached me this morning in the lounge and started at once to discuss Ukraine–India deadlock.
Although I understand that his views have already been made known to our Delegation through Ambassador Austin and Mr. Stevenson, repeat the substance of his remarks for the record; (I understand also that our position has been explained to Padilla Nervo.)
He said that the deadlock is weakening the authority and prestige of the General Assembly and may weaken the case for the Interim Committee since people may be inclined to question the usefulness of such a Committee if the General Assembly itself cannot avoid such [Page 156] situations. He feels that some way out of the impasse must be found as soon as possible.
While he did not suggest a solution, he said that failure to elect a Slav state would weaken the position of advocates of liberalization of the veto, since Russia would be left alone on the Security Council.
Padilla Nervo remarked also that the Latin American group thinks it a mistake to “aggravate the United States–U.S.S.R. conflict by action on any issue not vital.” He said that he could not see how the election of the Ukraine could really hurt our interests. He added that he did not of course pretend to know the whole picture but that, if the United States has some vital interest in the matter, he would appreciate being so informed. While he did not say so explicitly, the implication was that, if we were “vitally interested”, he would be prepared to reconsider his position.
In a somewhat later conversation, Costa du Rels (Bolivia) expressed concern over the effect of the deadlock on the prestige of the United Nations. He said that he understood that the Latin American group would probably hold a meeting early next week (Monday or Tuesday) at which the matter would be considered.
- Dr. Aldolfo Costa du Rels, Chairman of the Bolivian Delegation to the General Assembly.↩