Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, United Nations Affairs, Volume III

310.2/10–2554: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Mission at the United Nations¹

confidential

Washington, October 27, 1954—6: 52 p.m.

Gadel 69. Re: Membership.

1. Department considers draft resolution Delga 139 acceptable. We are not certain US sponsorship necessarily desirable or useful unless other major powers, except USSR, intend co-sponsor in which case we would naturally wish join sponsors. We are unaware any positive advantages US co-sponsorship and believe possibly preferable to limit sponsors to smaller powers not so directly involved in membership problem as are five major powers with SC veto.

2. Department has considered Australian inquiry whether desirable seek GA endorsement all 14 qualified applicants rather than only Laos and Cambodia. While singling out these two involves obvious difficulties we see very little point in having current GA endorse all fourteen qualified applicants as in past. Furthermore uncertain whether all fourteen actually desire new GA action endorsing them. Since Laos and Cambodia believe they have chance of admission, they could contend it was frustrated by inclusion states on which negative Soviet position completely clear.

GADel will of course make clear in speech US continues support admission all qualified applicants, and specifically that in our view Vietnam is no less qualified for admission than Laos and Cambodia.

As position paper indicated, US perfectly willing support proposals, covering any other qualified applicant which wishes name resubmitted or to take initiative any such case if appropriate.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Brown (UNP), cleared with the geographic bureaus (except ARA), signed by the Director of the Office of UN Political and Security Affairs (Popper).