320/5–2250
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Hickerson)
| Participants: | Mr. John D. Hickerson, UNA |
| Mr. G. A. Aram, Iranian Chargé d’Affaires | |
| Mr. Halla, GTI | |
| Mr. Popper, UNP |
The Iranian Chargé, calling at his request, briefly reviewed the current situation as regards the candidacy of Mr. Entezam for the General Assembly presidency. He pointed out that his Government was eager to have the honor of the presidency and greatly desired United States support.
Mr. Hickerson expressed his great admiration for the ability shown by Mr. Entezam in the ad hoc political committee of the Fourth General Assembly, where Mr. Hickerson had represented the United States in the discussions on atomic energy and conventional armaments. He knew, too, that the United States Delegation as a whole had had the highest regard for Mr. Entezam’s qualifications. But the news of Sir Zafrullah Khan’s candidacy had placed us in a difficult position. Both he and Mr. Entezam were personae gratissimae as far as we were concerned, and we should be delighted to see either of them elected. We felt that the presidency of the Assembly should go this year to a candidate from the Middle Eastern area since it is the only great regional group from which no candidate had been elected. We did not believe that we should be forced to make a choice between the two candidates. Moreover, it was essential that Iran and Pakistan reach agreement between themselves, for if they did not do so and if both candidates should run, a Latin American would probably get the job.
Mr. Aram repeated his hope for United States support for Mr. Entezam, making two particular points. First, he recalled that Mr. [Page 96] Entezam had yielded his own candidacy in favor of General Romulo at the last Assembly and thus had a certain priority in regard to support from other members. Second, Mr. Aram feared that the United Kingdom would naturally be impelled to support the candidacy of a member of the Commonwealth and might perhaps swing the Commonwealth bloc behind Zafrullah. Unfortunately, Iran had no such bloc to which to turn, so that United States support was most important.
Mr. Hickerson commented that, before the last Assembly, the Canadians had indicated they were thinking of supporting Zafrullah so that his name had been mentioned last year. He again expressed our view that Iran and Pakistan must settle this matter between themselves. Mr. Aram stated that he would cable his Government and that it would take the matter up with Pakistan.