320/7–753
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Lodge) to the Secretary of State
Dear Foster: Some weeks ago we discussed the possibility of making use of Madame Pandit’s interest in developing better relations between the United States and India, in particular the possibility of the United States supporting Madame Pandit for President of the 8th Regular Session of the General Assembly this fall.
The present situation seems to be that the Thai Government has solicited our support for Prince Wan’s candidacy, and that we are considering him sympathetically; that Charles Malik of Lebanon has expressed an interest; and that there has been some talk among the Western Europeans of giving the post to a Western European this year. The Latin Americans may also be interested, although they have had the Presidency many times.
Yet it seems clear to me now that the advantage on our side would lie in supporting Madame Pandit.
We should take some initiative. The Indians are believed to be already actively campaigning for her and we should not allow ourselves to get into the position later on either of opposing her or of climbing on the bandwagon. We should gradually let it be known that the United States was inquiring among other delegations as to whether they would feel free to support Madame Pandit.
There are rumors that the Indians would like to be elected to the Security Council this fall. I do not think we can support them for this post, primarily because of their attitude towards representation of Communist China in the United Nations. Largely for this reason we should not only support but take the initiative towards supporting Madame Pandit for the Presidency of the General Assembly. If we are going to do so there is no time to be lost.
Sincerely,