310.2/9–953: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom and to the Mission at the United Nations
priority (London)
1316 (London) and 109 (New York). General Committee makes recommendation to GA re establishment closing date. At both sixth and seventh sessions re urtel 1027 General Committee report acted on by GA several days before report Credentials Committee considered. Moreover, at both sixth and seventh sessions General Committee acted on question establishment target date for adjournment (old rule 2) before it took up question of inclusion items in agenda. We see no reason expect different procedures will be followed this year, and we could informally make arrangements with view ensuring this. On this basis, postponement formula will not be acted on until after action taken on fixing closing date, if Chinese representation issue raised (a) as at sixth GA in form inclusion new agenda item or (b) as at seventh GA in form challenge in Credentials Committee of validity credentials representatives Govt Republic of China. Issue might also be raised on point of order at outset first plenary meeting. In this event postponement procedure would have to be applied before establishment closing date.
Although likelihood is that closing date will have been fixed first, we do not as practical matter see why this is so important if we have firm understanding with UK that closing date will be set and if both Dels obtain necessary support in advance to ensure this. UK, in its statement in support our formula, could indicate it understands “for duration eighth session” to mean until closing date fixed by GA, i.e., approximately mid-December.