Office of the Historian

UNP files, lot 59 D 237, “Slates”

Memorandum by the Acting Director of the Office of united Nations Political and Security Affairs (Popper) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Wainhouse)

confidential
[Washington,] March 31, 1954.
  • Subject:
  • Security Council and ECOSOC Slates

The following is the present situation regarding the Security Council and ECOSOC slates:

Security Council

Denmark, Colombia, and Lebanon go off the Council at the end of this year.

(1)
Western European seat—Belgium and Sweden are both interested in Denmark’s seat. We are trying quietly to stimulate Belgium’s candidacy because of Sweden’s position on Chinese representation.
(2)
Latin American seat—Cuba and Peru have asked our support for election to Colombia’s seat. We assume we would support the choice of the Latin American caucus.
(3)
Middle Eastern seat—Iran and Iraq have asked our support for election to succeed Lebanon. However, we have heard that Iraq might withdraw because of a 1952 commitment to support Iran in 1954 if the latter would stand down in favor of Lebanon. From the standpoint of [Page 524] our relations with Iran in particular and the Middle East in general it would be difficult for us to oppose Iran if it is the Middle East candidate. However, there are other countries which would be preferable to us as Members of the Council, such as Ethiopia or the Philippines. We should consider very soon whether to support Iran if it is the Middle Eastern candidate or to support and, if necessary, urge some other country to run.

ECOSOC

The terms of China, France, Argentina, Cuba, Belgium and Egypt expire the end of this year.

(1)
Two Great Power Seats—We will support the reelection of China and France.
(2)
Two Latin American Seats—We should support two Latin American countries to succeed Argentina and Cuba (Argentina, Colombia, Chile and the Dominican Republic are candidates).
(3)
Belgian Seat—The election to fill Belgium’s seat will be a problem. Poland has just announced its candidacy for ECOSOC, probably with this seat in mind. Since Belgium may run for the Security Council and has had two consecutive terms in ECOSOC, since the Netherlands is running Van Kleffens for General Assembly President, and since the Scandinavians are now represented on ECOSOC by Norway, it may be that the only country in Western Europe that might be a candidate is Luxembourg. However, the latter has not been interested in election to the Councils. Therefore, we should give serious consideration to possible candidates from some other area. Thailand or the Philippines are possibilities.
(4)
Egyptian Seat—The election to fill Egypt’s seat also presents a problem. Afghanistan has been trying to get the green light from us. Mr. Byroadehas expressed a very strong interest in our supporting Afghanistan and feels it might even be a good thing, if it could be done, if we could give it some kind of assurance to clarify our position even at this early date. However, we have not wanted to encourage Afghanistan because candidates would probably appear which would be preferable to us from the standpoint of the Chinese representation and other issues. (Iraq is now considering whether to run.)

Suggested Action

That we have a UNA meeting to consider these slates questions, especially Lebanon’s Security Council seat and Belgium’s and Egypt’s ECOSOC seat.