73. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State1
1065. From Lodge. Reappointment of SYGUN—Deptel 935, mytel 1055.2
This morning I informed Hammarskjold of our hope he would be willing accept reappointment, and that I intended consult with British, French and Chinese. Before doing so, however, I had wanted inform him.
Hammarskjold said he was no more a candidate for reelection now than he was candidate for election in 1953. He was willing, as he put it, to be “ordered” to continue or not as members desired. He would be happy either way. He went on to say there should be no ambiguity about position of SYG if he was to be effective, nor could anyone who “sought” post be effective in his opinion. The SYG had to have the strongest backing and therefore it could not be matter of personal ambition. Hammarskjold said he greatly appreciated confidence we had shown in him.
He was quite agreeable to my consulting with the others which I am arranging to do early next week.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 315/6–1257. Limited Official Use.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 71.↩