330/7–2453: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Aldrich) to the Department of State
confidential
London, July 24,
1953—1 p.m.
376. Embtel 205, July 13, repeated New Delhi 4.
- 1.
- Commonwealth Relations Office (CRO) and Foreign Office have now
agreed and, subject concurrence UKUN, Foreign Office will
[Page 479]
shortly deliver to Indian HC here reply to
recent Indian note to tollowing effect:
- (a)
- UK firmly committed to support candidacy of New Zealand for Commonwealth seat in SC.
- (b)
- UK unable support Mrs. Pandit as candidate for presidency of GA. It has already indicated support for Prince Wan for that position.
- (c)
- UK will gladly support Indian application for membership Trusteeship Council.
- 2.
- CRO has commented to Embassy Officer along following lines:
- (a)
- India had in fact suggested that, if Latin America over represented in UN and if UK unable support India for Commonwealth seat, then UK should be willing support India for Latin American seat, UK reasoning was Commonwealth might then lose out in both cases. UK has decided against mention of any possible revision UN charter provide for greater Asian representation lest Indians interpret this as commitment.
- (b)
- Prince Wan’s candidacy already well-advanced and besides he capable officer and Asian. These facts being pointed out to GOI.
- (c)
- Colonial Office had “spasms” about thought of India on Trusteeship Council, but CRO and Foreign Office successfully argued that India stood good chance of election whether or not supported by UK, and that responsibility would probably tend moderate Indian views toward “colonialism”.
Aldrich