315.3/6–153

Memorandum for the Files, by Harris H. Huston, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Administration

  • Subject:
  • Implementation of the Headquarters Agreement and Section 6 Revision

On May 29, 1953 a meeting was held in the Office of the Attorney General which was attended by the following:

Representing the Department of Justice:

  • Herbert Brownell
  • J. Lee Rankin
  • Charles Metzner
  • Thomas Donegan
  • Robert Minor
  • William E. Foley

[Page 289]

Representing the United States Delegation to the United Nations:

  • Henry Cabot Lodge
  • James J. Wadsworth
  • William Hall

Representing the Department of State:

  • Donold B. Lourie
  • Herman Phleger
  • Leonard C. Meeker
  • Scott McLeod
  • Ray Ylitalo
  • Robert Alexander
  • Harris Huston

The group reviewed a memorandum prepared for [by?] Mr. Lourie for the benefit of Ambassador Lodge which discussed the procedures to be followed in dealing with the access provisions of the Headquarters Agreement, where a security problem exists.1 This group was in complete agreement that the memorandum was a satisfactorily expressed practical solution. The Attorney General indicated he was entirely in agreement with the provision that the Department of Justice furnish Ambassador Lodge the essential information.

It was decided that an area of restriction placed upon a visiting alien would be referred to as a “restricted area” rather than as a “Headquarters area”. It was explained that in general terms, this would be an area bounded on the west by 9th Avenue; on the north by 98th Street; on the east by the west side of Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive (except the United Nations Building), and on the south by 24th Street. It was understood that the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations would simply state what the boundaries were to be in each individual case rather than negotiate as to what they should be. It was agreed that individual cases would directly affect the definition of the restricted area and that it could be modified with changing conditions.

It was further agreed that Ambassador Lodge should receive prompt notice in case a visa is to be withheld. This prompt notice would serve as a red light that the visa was being held up. It was further agreed that the Attorney General should be promptly notified. Mr. Alexander explained that an Operations Circular would be issued concerning this.

Mr. McLeod pointed out that this was a practical solution to the problem and that the arrangement was to be in effect only so long as Ambassador Lodge and Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold occupied their respective positions, and in the event other individuals replaced them, new arrangements should be made. All present accepted this interpretation.

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It was agreed that the discussions by Ambassador Lodge with the Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold would be handled orally by Ambassador Lodge.

It was agreed that in connection with these matters, Ambassador Lodge should deal with Tom Donegan, in so far as the Department of Justice is concerned, and with Mr. Lourie or Mr. McLeod, in so far as the Department of State is concerned.

Harris H. Huston
  1. Supra.