310/11–2251
Memorandum by Mr. James N. Hyde, Adviser, United States Delegation to the General Assembly, to the Secretary of State
Subject: Present Status of Italy’s Application for Membership in the United Nations
As a result of some uncertainty about what the Government of Italy really wanted from the United States, United Kingdom and France in connection with our offer again to take Italy’s membership application to the Security Council, representatives of the four governments met at the Quai d’Orsay on November 17. The United States was represented by Representative Vorys and Ambassador Gross.
From this meeting there evolved an agreed minute1 accepted by the Italian Ambassador to France, Quaroni, and the Ambassador who is a United Nations observer, Guidotti. This minute states that we are willing as a matter of urgency to take Italy’s case once more to the Security Council and that we think a Soviet veto there is most likely. However, this course will provide an occasion for statements in support of Italy.
The Italian representatives stated that in the view of their government this course being the only one which is open under the circumstances will be helpful if undertaken in the interest of Italy, and Guidotti agreed to make known to the Latin American delegations his government’s support for this course of action which Italy recommends to the United States, United Kingdom and France.
The minute also indicated that a Soviet veto would not commit us to the position that a foundation had been laid for other United Nations action which we might consider in violation of the Charter.
The Italians have confirmed this agreement to us in writing and Guidotti tells us he is carrying out the pledge to represent to the Latin Americans the advisability of giving full support to this course. The French have also confirmed through their Embassy in Rome that our minute expresses the view of the Italian Government.
We shall, therefore, proceed on the basis of the French resolution recommending that Italy’s application go to the Security Council as [Page 400] soon as the Italians tell us they have finished their diplomatic preparation. We expect to open debate in the Fourth Committee on November 26.2
- See Paris telegram Delga 239, November 17, p. 397.↩
- Fourth Committee discussion occurred on November 27 and 28. U.S. Representative Vorys made a statement on November 27. The French draft resolution (Doc. A/C.4/L.142) was adopted on November 28, after a Polish draft resolution, arguing against Fourth Committee competence to handle the matter, was defeated. The resolution adopted was substantially the same as the draft of November 14, p. 385, but amplified and refined somewhat that text. For the proceedings in the Fourth Committee, see United Nations, Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixth Session, Fourth committee, pp. 71 ff.↩