320/9–1850: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
Delga 3. In view of Secretary’s inability to see Rau again today on latter’s request Hickerson and Ross called on Rau this morning. Referring to his discussion with Secretary yesterday on Chinese representation, Rau said that shortly after returning to his apartment from Waldorf he had received instructions from his government directing him to file immediately resolution proposing seating of Chinese Communists (text contained in USUN’s Delga 1).
In course of discussion Rau outlined again well-known Indian views re seating Chinese Communists, quoting in this regard from letter he had received from Nehru and report from Pannikar enclosed therein. Hickerson gave main lines US position and reasons therefor.
We inquired whether Rau’s instructions were binding or whether there might be room for modification based on his consultations with US and other delegations. Rau said that both from viewpoint of time and attitude his government he must consider instruction to file resolution binding.
[Page 296]Hickerson emphasized that idea Rau expressed to Secretary yesterday concerning possible commission to study all factors bearing on issue of Chinese representation was rather appealing and not too far distant from our own position.
Rau said he could not sponsor commission proposal and he made clear commission idea was his own personally and that he did not want it attributed to him. At same time we had impression that he liked his own idea rather better than his instructions.
Rau said his government is anxious get early vote on their resolution. They feel that issue should be decided by Assembly on its merits and not on a “point of order” raised by Vyshinsky.
Procedure Rau has in mind is that when Vyshinsky raises point of order Romulo would refuse to make ruling (in this connection Rau mentioned as precedents Malik’s refusal to rule on similar points in SC), but would say (a) Vyshinsky could raise in credentials committee any objection he had to Nationalists’ credentials, and (b) Romulo would remind Assembly that Indian resolution was already on table. Matter would thereupon be referred to credentials committee. After receipt of report of credentials committee by Assembly he would expect Indian resolution to be called up in plenary for debate.
Rau inquired as to our attitude towards Indian resolution. Hickerson told him categorically that we would not support it and would have to vote against it.
Rau asked whether we would work against his resolution. Hickerson replied categorically that it would be necessary for us to use our influence with delegations with which we had influence to induce them, if possible, to vote against his resolution.
Conversation ended on note of exchange of amenities for courtesy of frank discussion and exchange of information.