772.00/4–252: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Department of State
secret
priority
New
York, April 2, 1952—7:56
p.m.
668. Re Tunisian case. Following conversations were held by Cory this afternoon during disarm com mtg:
- 1.
- Kyrou (Greece) said that he has had further discussions separately with Lacoste (Fr) and Azad (Pak) re his suggestion of postponement SC mtg following adoption of Tunisian item on agenda (see USUN 665, Apr 2).1 According to Kyrou, Azad said that Bokhari reacted negatively to idea but wished to think about it further and Azad will speak to Kyrou again on subject. Kyrou said that Lacoste, however, found Hoppenot favorably inclined to idea.
- 2.
- Cory later asked Lacoste directly what latter thought of Kyrou suggestion. Lacoste replied that he still hopes US and Gr (which he firmly believes will follow US lead) will abstain on inscription and thus avoid all discussion. If however, Lacoste continued, US decides to vote for inscription then he personally believes Kyrou’s suggestion would be very desirable provided always that appropriate arrangements are made with other dels for them immediately to support proposal for postponement which Kyrou would make, and that timing of [Page 712] Kyrou proposal be such as to forestall Bokhari inviting members of Asian-African group to sit at table. When Lacoste expressed some concern lest Cory’s inquiry may foreshadow Dept’s decision to vote for inscription, Cory explained that USUN has received no further instructions since Saturday, that USUN has no foreknowledge of future instructions, that inquiry was motivated only by desire of USUN to examine possible alternative programs of action, and that it was solely in this connection that confirmation of Lacoste’s statements to Kyrou were desired. Lacoste said he is seeking instructions from Paris re Kyrou suggestion.
- 3.
- Azad expressed doubt that seven members of SC will vote for inscription but said his govt feels so strongly about matter that it would call SC meeting on Tunisian case even if it stood alone. He expressed himself feelingly on importance of SC giving full hearing to item, pointing out that UN is designed precisely for that purpose and adding that he thinks negotiations between Fr and present Tunisian leaders would serve true interests of Tunisia no more than negotiations between USSR and Marshal Rokossovsky would serve interests of Poland. Azad said Pak del has instructions to call meeting this week, that Saturday would be unsatisfactory to certain members and that Monday would be unsuitable for Neth del which is expecting arrival of Queen Julianna. Therefore Friday afternoon was chosen. Kyrou suggestion was not discussed with Azad.
- 4.
- Dayal (India) expressed hope that US will act in accordance with its traditions and support SC airing of Tunisian case. He pointed out that issues are now being heatedly debated in India press and elsewhere in Asian-African countries. He inferred that within Asian-African group some Arab dels are extremely emotional about matter, but said that he himself looks at the subject more cooly realizing that SC itself is not an emotional organ, and that he believes SC could usefully contribute to lessening of tensions in Tunisia and speeding up of genuine negotiations there. He added that within Asian-African group his del, for instance, was taking strong position against any radical or emotional program such as condemnation of Fr which, he implied, is favored by some of more hot-headed Arabs.
Austin