133. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State1
Delga 149. Paris for Secretary.2 Re: UN membership. I met with Ordonneau (France) and Nutting (UK) at latter’s request to discuss membership.
Nutting opened meeting by saying that when Macmillan was here he had discussed UN membership with number of delegations and had been button-holed by number of others. Macmillan had found considerable pressure from observers, from non-member countries, and would-be promoters of solution of membership problem, Nutting said. He referred to rising tide at that time in favor solution, a tide which since then “has not ebbed and in fact continues to rise in part due to fact Soviets have been fishing around and dropping hints” of their willingness to support a group of 18, including Japan and possibly Spain. Nutting informed us that Foreign Office is convinced we cannot stand in way of rising tide and UK is therefore now prepared to support a proposal, if made, along the lines of Canadian proposal. Nutting described this as a behind-the-scenes prior agreement between West and Soviet Union to “promote, support or acquiesce in admission of membership of group of 18”. (This would include Japan, Spain and Outer Mongolia, and exclude divided states.) UK wants to inform Canadians of this position …. Nutting suggested a four-power get-together here, including Canadians, after US has communicated its views to UK. I informed Nutting I would communicate his government’s views to Department.
Ordonneau, while speaking personally and without instructions, understood French view to be that they would not renounce veto, since it was only reason for staying in SC. However, this was not to [Page 315] say, added Ordonneau, that France would actually use veto on question of admission of new members. He further expressed personal view that Paris would not welcome prospect of “more additions to zoo”. Ordonneau also indicated his personal view that France might adopt principle of abstention with few limited exceptions such as Italy, which France would wish to support.
Nutting agreed that in light of fact French have no instructions, a four-power meeting here may be premature. Nevertheless, Nutting is anxious to tell Canadians confidentially of UK position ….
In brief discussion procedure which could be used in Security Council, Nutting said it would be necessary to work out a plan in order to insure that applicants would receive required seven votes. There was also some discussion regarding fact that certain members would not wish to vote affirmatively on certain satellite states. In this connection, Nutting said …. Crosthwaite (UK) recalled that in conversation with Macmillan here in New York Secretary appeared to put … category.
Nutting said Macmillan might have a word on membership problem with the Secretary this week.
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