396.1–GE/4–1554: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1
5451. Acting Secretary discussed with Makins, Scott2 and Daridan today seating arrangements and chairmanship Geneva conference. They were informed that under no condition would US sit at table with Communist Chinese and North Koreans unless seating arrangement provided for two sides, that is Communist countries on one side and allied countries on the other. Also that we could not agree to rotation of chairmanship among 19 countries whereby North Korea and Communist China would preside as chairman.
Acting Secretary further stated that in our opinion Geneva conference, was direct outgrowth Korean war and Panmunjom negotiation and therefore US should have some freedom of choice in matter [Page 103] of organization of conference and that unless we can agree on seating arrangement acceptable to US probable we would not attend conference except as observers.
Since UK and France objected two sided seating arrangement and Communist agreement thereto not likely US willing to agree seating plan whereby three rows of tables or ranks of chairs with desks would be arranged in semi-circular fashion. Each row would allow seating 8 delegates with one adviser each. There would be sufficient room between first row and second row and between second row and third row for from 2 to 4 advisers sitting behind each delegate. Third row to provide room for only 3 delegates. US proposing plan on basis UK and France would join in proposing to Soviets Communists take one block of seats arranging selves in any order they desired and allies taking remaining block and also arranging order between selves so that ROK and US adjacent. If Communists refused agree such seating order US willing agree delegations sit according to English alphabet left to right facing rows of chairs or tables so arranged US delegate immediately behind ROK. Rostrum from which delegates would speak would face delegates and be immediately in front of chairman.
Daridan stated he was in favor of this arrangement and believed his government would be inclined to agree. Makins stated that he would report to Foreign Office with observation that although he understood US making seating arrangements matter of principle he did not believe that UK should do so. Acting Secretary requested that respective Foreign Offices instruct their representatives in Geneva directly if they could agree to this plan.
With respect to chairmanship Makins agreed that rotation among 19 countries would be “fantastic”. Acting Secretary stated that Spender, Australian Ambassador had suggested that a permanent chairman be Hammarskjold.3 US thought this good idea. Makins and Daridan agreed proposal has merit and should be given serious consideration.