Office of the Historian

320/12–1551: Telegram

The secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin)

secret
priority
Washington, December 15, 1951—2:15 p.m.

Gadel 473. Re Italian Membership—SC. In discussions this question, you shld continue make clear to all concerned basic assumptions and considerations USG policy:

1.
USG will not agree to any “deal” involving admission satellites, in return for admission of Italy.
2.
USG will seek to discourage any effort obtain Ital admission by non-Charter means, i.e., by GA without SC recommendation.

Dept convinced that taking into acct above basic principles, likelihood favorable SC recommendation Ital membership greater if Ital question considered apart from gen membership question. We are unable therefore to see advantage postponing vote until after GA considers membership item. If it is felt there is advantage in postponing SC consideration Ital membership question for other reasons, Dept has no objection such postponement, although Del will appreciate that since responses Ital note scheduled Dec 21,1 postponement vote beyond that date will make it still more likely Sovs will veto.

Del shld make every effort to assure that if Ital question considered in SC and vote postponed, consideration gen membership question which Quevedo scheduled after Ital membership question is also postponed.

Considering all factors, Dept believes best hope admission Italy to membership consists early vote in SC. If Sovs shld veto solely on non-Charter grounds, Dept prepared to support ref to ICJ to determine effect Sov negative vote. If Sovs shld veto referring question ICJ, Dept believes effects original Sov veto on Italy’s admission shld be left undetermined, i.e., Chairman shld make no ruling and call for no vote on this question. This will make it easier for GA later to ask ICJ opinion what effect Sov veto in SC is. This procedure at least offers some hope and will keep issue alive for time being.

Acheson
  1. Reference is to an Italian Government note of December 8 regarding revision of the Italian peace treaty. For documentation, see volume iv.↩