330.1/7–3150: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin)
85. Gross from Hickerson. Confirming Telcon July 30, I saw Jebb and Franks yesterday afternoon and impressed upon them fact that [Page 314] negots re roving commission must continue to be carried on in NY. Jebb left for NY at 4:30 p. m.
British stated they had received tel written by Bevin,1 with Prime Minister’s approval, taking position that UK cld not support such a res at this time; that it wld involve straining the Charter, and that this cld not be done the day before the USSR Rep was to return to the SC.
I told British we thought res was good idea but did not think it wld be catastrophic if res did not go thru. I said we wld wish to have a substantial majority including UK if we pressed it, and that we wld not seek a vote July 31 if no such majority appeared to be forthcoming. If on the contrary we did seem to have such a majority in prospect, we wld ask UKDel to telephone FonOff and request them to reconsider their position.
I also referred to the possibility that we might table the res July 31 without pressing for an immediate vote. Again, I said we wld do this only if we cld count upon a substantial majority in favor of such a course, who wld later support the res. If we decide upon this procedure, I said we wld ask UKDel to seek new instructions from FonOff.
- Ernest Bevin, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.↩