353/9–3054: Circular telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Missions1
priority
172. General Assembly and Security Council in independent elections probably next week will choose judge for Eau vacancy on International Court of Justice. Zafrulla Khan of Pakistan and Pal of India are chief contenders. As reported CA–1368 US supports Zafrulla. Zafrulla September 29 asked us assist his candidacy by approaching members whose position doubtful. Understand he is interested only Eau seat and not regular vacancies also to be filled this year.
[Page 597]US wishes do all it reasonably can bring about Zafrulla’s election. Delegation intends make appropriate approaches New York. Department requests you also take up matter soonest with government you accredited in effort obtain support Zafrulla’s election. Suggest you make following points:
- 1.
- Zafrulla unusually well qualified serve on Court. Moreover he is staunch supporter free world and has outstanding record in UN.
- 2.
- His legal training and experience have been in same system of law as Rau. He was judge Supreme Court of India six years prior partition and in 1946 was supported by India for election to International Court.
- 3.
- Present info indicates majority Arab-Asians supporting Zafrulla.
Code Room: Add following to messages to Buenos Aires, Caracas, Guatemala, Lima, Montevideo, San Jose and Tegucigalpa:
Embassies may inform Foreign Offices US will support for regular vacancies Guerrero (El Salvador) Quintana (Argentina) and Sepena Pastor (Paraguay) who we understand are choices LA group.
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Drafted by Paul W. Jones of the Office of UN Political and Security Affairs, cleared with the geographic bureaus and L/UNA, signed by the Assistant Secretary of State for UN Affairs (Key). Sent to 13 posts for action and to USUN for information.
The same text was cabled on a priority basis to the Embassies in Greece, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and El Salvador, mutatis mutandis, except the special code room instruction was not sent to Athens.
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