330/10–2350: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1
2129. Re Deptel 2024 Oct 18 [and] Embtel 2144 Oct 20, US GADel has just reported conversation with Chauvel Subject SC recommendation UN SYG. Chauvel informed US GADel his position as follows:
- 1.
- He voted for Lie on previous vote and would do so again.
- 2.
- He would vote for any candidate having support five permanent members SC.
- 3.
- He would vote for any candidate having seven affirmative votes SC.
In reply US GADel inquiry whether he would be willing cast seventh affirmative vote for candidate other than Lie, Chauvel said he had not decided and was seeking instructions FonOff.
Please approach FonOff urgently with view persuading French Govt instruct Chauvel vote for Lie on basis reasoning outlined Deptel 2024 or, if this not possible, as minimum not take action SC which wld insure requisite majority affirmative votes in support other candidate. This wld of course mean abstention on any other candidate but Lie and wld not be in any sense soliciting French veto. In view apparent adverse reaction Chauvel to previous direct approach Fr Govt this question, suggest Emb base this approach on info recd, from Dept on developing situation SC and importance of rapid decision.2
- Repeated to the U.S. Mission at New York as telegram Gadel 65. The message had been cleared with Ambassador Gross at USUN, however, before being sent to Paris.↩
- In telegram 2200, October 24, 1 p. m., from Paris, the Embassy cabled: “… We have reiterated [to the French Foreign Ministry] position taken Secretary’s message to Schuman and have stressed points made in reference telegram. We will advise as soon as decision reached, probably later today [October 24].” (330/10–2450)↩