320/8–553: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Allen) to the Department of State
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257. Department telegram 126, August 3. Pillai expressed very considerable and apparently genuine astonishment when I told him we had [Page 486] decided support Mrs. Pandit for General Assembly presidency. While definitive statement whether she is candidate may be delayed few days, I think we may assume she will be.
New Zealand Prime Minister Holland was still somewhat uncertain about New Zealand candidacy for Security Council when he reached Karachi few days ago, but strong support assured by all Commonwealth countries and indication that Pakistan would be most unhappy if New Zealand stood down in favor of India convinced him New Zealand must stand. He had left New Delhi when I received Department telegram 126, but GOI is well aware of situation and when I told Pillai yesterday that we had decided support New Zealand, he said our decision would cause no surprise.
Indians will now probably concentrate on attempting obtain permanent seat when United Nations Charter comes up for revision in 1956.
Middleton, who learned from Pillai that we have agreed to support Mrs. Pandit, asked me today if I had any indication whether London had been informed. I said I had no idea. He is informing London on basis of information he received from Pillai.