865.014/10–2949: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
top secret
New York, October
29, 1949—5:40 p. m.
Delga 159. For Rusk, McGhee and Perkins from Ross. General impression I had my conversation at lunch today with Clutton and Stafford (Delga 157,1 October 29) was
- (a)
- They are very defeatist in attitude, and
- (b)
- Their preferred position based largely on London attitude is to postpone decision not only with regard to Libya and Eritrea but also with regard to Somaliland. Inference I drew, more or less explicit in Clutton’s remarks, is they are fed up with UN handling whole [Page 605] Italian colonies affair and would prefer proceeding on unilateral basis. Discounting for sake of argument damage to UN, I spoke strongly, but personally, against such course on grounds damage to British as well as US prestige and position, and risk of playing into hands Soviet propaganda not only in regard Africa but also other areas, particularly South and Southeast Asia. [Ross.]
Austin
- Not printed.↩