Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, United Nations Affairs, Volume III

330/8–153

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State¹

confidential

[Washington,] August 1, 1953.

• Subject:
• New Zealand’s Candidacy for the Security Council

• Participants:
• The Secretary
• Mr. Ward P. Allen, BNA
• Ambassador Munro of New Zealand
• Mr. H. Wade

Ambassador Munro calling on instructions, reviewed the status of New Zealand’s candidacy for the Commonwealth seat on the Security Council and asked whether the US had reached a decision on the matter. If favorable, Prime Minister Holland (who is arriving this weekend for a 3 or 4 day stay in Delhi) hopes strongly the US can advise the Indian Government while he is there.

The Secretary, making clear there was no question of bargain or deal, referred to the problem of Chinese representation and inquired as to New Zealand’s position. Ambassador Munro replied that in his Government’s view, while the Mao government is the government of China, it must first “work its way back” into the international community before it can represent China in the UN. They should not be seated either at the resumed Seventh or at the Eighth GA session. Referring to the general similarity in our attitudes, the Secretary stated that neither he nor the President is committed to the position that the Chinese Communists should never be seated in the UN but, in our view, before that should happen, three conditions would have to be met: (1) it must show it is the real government and not a puppet of, or subservient to, the Soviet Communist party; (2) there must be adequate indication of its acceptance by the people it governs; and (3) it must show by conduct in Korea, in relation to the political conference, and in Indo China that it is willing to abide by decent international standards of conduct and the principles of the UN. We are, therefore, opposed to granting it China’s seat now and opposed to agreeing to seating it as any part of a “deal” in connection with the Korean question.

The Ambassador said that he thought that our two governments’ views were close together. In response to the Ambassador’s question, the Secretary stated that we are disposed to support New Zealand for the Security Council, but it is difficult to give an irrevocable commitment at the moment, since problems of UN elections are somewhat inter-related, mentioning in this connection Madame Pandit’s candidacy for the GA Presidency. Asked for his opinion on this, Ambassador Munro replied that, although he had no instructions, in his view Prince Wan would make a better president.

The Secretary agreed that we might be able to advise India of our support for New Zealand during Mr. Holland’s stay in Delhi. We would give this serious consideration.

On instructions, I subsequently advised Ambassador Munro by phone that our support for New Zealand is definite, and that we will instruct our Ambassador in Delhi to advise the Government of India promptly. I suggested, however, that before Mr. Holland discusses the matter with Mr. Nehru, he check with our Embassy to be sure we have notified the Indians first. Ambassador Munro agreed.

1. Drafted jointly by the Secretary of State; Roderic L. O’Connor, Special Assistant to the Secretary of State; and Ward P. Allen, Special Assistant on UN Affairs, Bureau of European Affairs.