330/8–2553: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Lodge) to the Department of State1
128. Reference SC elections. Wadsworth yesterday discussed current status of Turkey’s candidacy for SC seat with Sarper who expressed following views: [Page 495]
- 1.
- For reasons of both domestic politics and national prestige, Turkey is reluctant to become candidate until and unless it obtains reasonable assurances of success.
- 2.
- He is not convinced Turkish candidacy will be successful. Much will depend on Arab-Asian votes, and preliminary soundings by Turkish delegation give little reason to believe many of them will support Turkey.
- 3.
- He has hesitated himself to sound out NATO and Latin American delegates, whose support he believes essential, because he thinks such approaches would be premature and might easily be more harmful than helpful. In this connection, he pointed out that some of these delegates are deeply interested in setting up political conference on Korea and also possible conference of Foreign Ministers and that their initial reaction at this time might be adverse to Turkey’s candidacy against Soviet bloc candidate.
- 4.
- In light of above, Sarper urged that US should take initiative in sounding out NATO and Latin American countries on degree of their support should Turkey’s candidacy be announced.
-
In telegram 82, Aug. 27, 7 p.m., to New York, the Department responded:
↩“Department believes important we ascertain Turkey’s chances immediately and requests you sound out NATO and Latin American countries soonest. At same time we believe you should urge Sarper assist in these soundings.” (330 8–2553)