772.00/4–1052: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations1

secret priority

379. Re: Tunisia—urtel 691 Apr 10.2 Re para 1 (a) and in confirmation RossWainhouse telecon Apr 4,3 word “oppose” means abstain. If question raised in informal discussions you shld inform other dels our position with reasons as indicated in Deptel 370.4

Re para 1 (b), Dept feels that desires of Asian–Arab group in this connection wld be met if they submitted written statements to be circulated to SC members. Dept recognizes personal nature of desire to reply Fr charges, and hopes that this can be accomplished through individual [Page 728] letters and that it will not be necessary to resort to indiv replies from countries in SC. If, however, this suggestion does not find favor you might further suggest that one or two be selected from group to make answers for all in SC.

If proposal is made to seat more than one or two reps to answer the charges, you shld abstain.

Re para 2(a)—if queried in informal discussions by other dels as to our position on question of immed vote on agenda issue, Dept believes you shld state that while we are prepared to vote on this question any time we have no strong views on timing and will go along with consensus of SC.

Re para 2(b)—in event Fr make statement urging vote in SC mtg suggest you not speak but if you consider it desirable you may make statement expressing views set forth in preceding para. If Pres asks for sense of Council position in preceding sentence also applies. If Fr rep formally moves that SC vote on agenda question today, you shld abstain explaining reason for abstention as above. In event that motion for adjournment is made you shld also abstain and give reasons as above.

Acheson
  1. This telegram was drafted by Stein and Wainhouse (UNP) and cleared with the offices of EUR, Cyr (NEA), and Hickerson (UNA). Signed by Assistant Secretary of State Hickerson.
  2. Supra.
  3. No memorandum of the telephone conversation of Apr. 4 has been found in Department of State files.
  4. Dated Apr. 4, p. 719.