501.BC/9–2449: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Cannon) to the Secretary of State
985. Our reaction to Yugoslav candidacy for SC seat is that Yugoslavs showed some temerity in raising issue, but we are inclined (Usun 1 September 21) to favor Yugoslav membership. We suppose US hesitancy to support it concerns our general UN policy specifically whether we should depart from formula whereby SC nonpermanent [Page 248] Soviet bloc membership has hitherto been determined. Yugoslav membership would be strongly opposed by Soviet Union and our support would perhaps affect working relationship with USSR, but we think it might be advantageous from standpoint healthy development UN as truly representative body.
We would still be adhering to principle that membership should be on basis geographical-cum-political area representation. Despite quarrel with Kremlin, Yugoslavia is nonetheless still a Communist Eastern European Slavic nation. If we try exclude it from SC membership therefore, our policy would seem rest on political expediency would be looked upon as smacking suspiciously of power politics and would contribute to maintenance rigidity two political blocs.
Yugoslav as SC member can hardly be expected follow Western lead put of spite to Kremlin, but except for Soviet bloc, no one should regard it as violation geographical-political representation principle. We feel that independent and middle-of-road policy which there are indications Yugoslavs may follow in UN would be salutary influence and certainly [omission] to Soviet marionette
Sent Department 985, pouched Warsaw, Prague, Budapest, Bucharest, Sofia.
Department pass Moscow 131.