Editorial Note

Discussions regarding the forthcoming General Assembly session were held at the United States Mission at the United Nations, New York, August 30 and 31, and again on September 15, 1949, between members of the United States, Canadian, and British Governments. Ranking officials respectively were Mr. John D. Hickerson, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, General A.G.L. McNaughton, Permanent Representative of Canada at the United Nations, and Sir Terence Shone, British Minister Plenipotentiary. A wide range of subjects was covered, including an exhaustive treatment of elections for all organs and General Assembly committees [Page 245] and to a lesser degree a survey of all major political items on the proposed agenda of the General Assembly. For the very detailed “summary of discussions” see IO Files, document US/A/1601, September 8, 1949 (for the August talks) and document US/A/1698, September 23, 1949 (for September).

In telegram 1028, September 1, to the Department, the United States Mission described the “informal detailed joint exchange [of] views [as being] most helpful to all concerned and warmly welcomed by Canadians and UK. Each had a number of items on which no government position yet. Canadians quite thoroughly prepared and well documented on all questions discussed. UK preparation appeared spotty. Not clear to us whether London knew in advance of these talks.…” (501.BB/9–149) The minutes indicate that on the United States side Assistant Secretary Hickerson frequently qualified his remarks as being a personal view.

The fourth regular session of the General Assembly convened at Flushing Meadow, New York, on September 20, 1949.