310.5/10–1350: Telegram
Extract From Daily Secret Summary No. 75 From the United States Mission at the United Nations, New York, October 13, 1950, 4:00 a. m.1
678. Security Council [October 12] …
Jebb (UK) observed that some seemed to favor continuing Lie for a period, but all were not agreed on the “exact modalities” for achieving this. He wanted to know if a majority favored the principle of continuing Lie; if so, the particular term could be worked out. On the latter point, Jebb did not think it strictly necessary for the SC to make a positive recommendation as the matter could be left to the GA. He added his support for Lie as one who deserved well of the UN” and who was a popular figure; besides, it was not likely that agreement could be obtained on anyone else.
Lie’s candidacy was not acceptable, Malik2 asserted. He nominated Modzielewski,3 an “outstanding statesman” who had participated in several GA’s for the Polish Delegation. Sunde (Norway) warmly supported Lie, whose appointment had been an honor to Norway. Universal confidence in Lie had proved fully justified; UN had grown much in the past five years but was still in the midst of momentous development which should continue under Lie’s firm guidance, Sunde asserted.
US Support for Lie
Austin similarly backed Lie, who had performed with “unusual skill” the varied problems confronting him. Lie had good judgment, an understanding mind and a kind heart, Austin continued, and the UN could not afford a hiatus in the leadership of the Secretariat. He believed technical objections to “prolongation” could be dropped provided it was clear that Lie’s reelection was acceptable.
[Page 137]If the SC disagreed on a specific term, Austin continued, the SC should do only its part of making the recommendation and could let the GA set the period, although there was merit in guiding the GA in that regard. He favored a five-year term for Lie, but was willing to meet others’ views. Citing a letter from the AAUN Board of Directors urging Lie’s reappointment, Austin said this was his own stand. On Modzielewski, Austin said he would oppose it because he so strongly favored Lie.
French Views on Problem
Chauvel (France) agreed the SC’s essential task was to recommend a name; questions of prolongation, renewal or length of term were side issues. He endorsed Austin’s attitude on Lie and supported the SYG as competent and qualified, but wondered if the SC was in a position to get a solution of the matter since the USSR opposed Lie and the US rejected Modzielewski. Austin promptly explained that he had no intention of vetoing the Soviet nomination, but would abstain.
In a “difficult position,” Rau (India)4 said he had just learned of the Soviet nomination and needed time to get instructions. If this proposal were put to the vote now, we would have to abstain. Malik disagreed with the support for Lie because the SYG had not evinced objectivity and had unswervingly sought to change the UN from an impartial organization into an implement of the policy of the group headed by the US. He commented that he had even told Lie what one delegate had remarked: “When in Europe, Lie is UN SYG; when in the US, he is an Assistant Secretary of State of the US.”
Soviet Reasons for Opposition
Malik complained of Austin’s reading of a private communication and said this was a pressure move; he could find many private letters giving a different appraisal of Lie. In defense of his nomination, Malik read a biography of Modzielewski, who had been Chairman of the Polish Delegation to the 1947 GA. He scorned Austin’s magnanimity in not vetoing the Soviet nomination, and observed that he would be equally magnanimous if he were as sure that the opposition candidate would fail without need for a veto.
Recalling he had first suggested the reelection of Lie, who had been maligned by Malik, Bebler (Yugoslavia) outlined his past nine months’ experience with Lie since his assumption of Yugoslavia’s SC seat. Lie, he said, had sought to get great power cooperation during the recent crisis, had gone to Moscow in the hope of arranging a periodic SC meeting and strongly favored New China’s admission to [Page 138] the UN”. As for Modzielewski, Bebler concluded, Yugoslavia’s opposing vote was justified for the reason that the candidate was Foreign Minister of a country participating in an aggressive campaign against Yugoslavia.
Doubt as to Pole’s Impartiality
Chauvel added that the post called for human qualities more than technical qualifications, and he doubted if a Polish Foreign Minister would show as much impartiality as Malik indicated was necessary. Because he lacked instructions on this proposal, he would abstain, Chauvel explained.
At this point, Austin announced he was putting the Soviet proposal to the vote but Malik objected, suggesting postponement to allow delegations to obtain instructions. Austin said he would continue with the vote and ruled Malik out of order, but the latter insisted on his point and formally proposed deferment. This was rejected 3 (Egypt, India, USSR)–2 (US, Norway)–6.
Vote on two proposals
The Soviet proposal recommending Modzielewski was defeated, 1 (USSR)–4 (Cuba, China, Ecuador, Yugoslavia)–6. Bebler, noting the term of office question had been raised, formally proposed that the SC decide to recommend to the GA that Lie be “reappointed” as SYG. This move received the vote of 9–1 (USSR)–l (China), and Austin announced it was rejected because the negative vote had been cast by a permanent member.
Citing the precedent of Makin’s (Australia) letter as SC President to the 1946 GA, Austin said he would write GA President Entezam on what had transpired. Malik thought there might be a meeting on this letter, or alternatively, Austin could draft a letter which would stand if no one objected. Jebb preferred a text stating simply that the SC had discussed the question and found itself unable to make any recommendation.
- Many subjects were summarized in the Mission’s daily summary series. Only items which deal with the question of the Secretary-General are printed here and in subsequent summary telegrams. In some instances these accounts are shortened.↩
- Yakov A. Malik, Permanent Representative of the Soviet Union at the United Nations.↩
- Zygmunt Modzelewski, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs.↩
- Sir Benegal Narsing Rau, Permanent Indian Representative at the United Nations.↩