Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The United Nations; The Western Hemisphere, Volume II

501.BC/8–2949

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and African Affairs (McGhee)

[Washington,] August 29, 1949.

Participants:	Pakistan Embassy—Mr. Baig, Counsellor
	NEA—Mr. McGhee, Mr. Kopper
	SOA—Mr. Mathews, Mr. Fox

(a) Problem: Pakistan’s concern over US support of India for the Security Council.

(b) Action Required: An Aide-Mémoire to the Embassy of Pakistan.

(c) Action Assigned to: SOA.

Mr. Baig called at his request. He said that the UK High Commissioner at Karachi had informed his Government that the UK had decided to support India’s candidacy for the SC, and that the US had already promised to support India. He said that support of India by the US at this time would be a clear indication that the US condones, if not supports, India’s intransigent policy re Kashmir, Junagadh, Hyderabad, and the Punjab water dispute. The Government and people of Pakistan would not be slow to appreciate the implications of the US support of India. India’s election to the SC with US assistance, in the circumstances, would not enhance good understanding between the US and Pakistan.

I thanked Mr. Baig for the frank expression of his Government’s views, and said that it was the case that the Department had recently informed the GOI that, subject to review by the President and the US Delegation to the UNGA, the current intention of the Department was to support India’s candidacy for the SC. I said that this decision was based on India’s position in Asia, the fact that India is the only Commonwealth candidate and is supported by several other Commonwealth countries, and on the fact that to date India has played a prominent role in the UN. I said that our decision in no way supported India’s position in any dispute with Pakistan, or in any issue involving India before the SC. Our view is that a country’s involvement in a dispute before the UN is not necessarily a bar to its candidature for a UN Council. We would have the same attitude if Pakistan were the candidate. I then informed Mr. Baig that, again subject to review by the President and the US Delegation to the UNGA, that the Department currently planned to support Pakistan’s candidacy for membership on ECOSOC. I pointed out, however, that it was not customary for the US to commit itself so far in advance of the GA to candidates for UN councils.

Mr. Baig left an Aide-Mémoire on the subject, and stated that he would convey our views to his Government.¹

1. The aide-mémoire is not printed; it set forth in more detail the general remarks made by Mr. Baig. A Department of State aide-mémoire in reply on September 22 essentially amplified the points made by the Assistant Secretary. (Both documents are under file 501.BC/8–2949.)