124. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations1
629. Re: Cameroon Membership. Mission authorized agree early SC meeting on Cameroon membership application as desired by French (urtel 6122) without raising other pending applications at this time. However, barring unforeseen developments Dept does feel obliged by reason US position given by Secretary and Parsons to Koreans last year3 to request SC again consider Korean, and Viet-Nam’s, application before next General Assembly.
If Koreans raise with Mission question our failure request SC reconsider their application at time Cameroon application considered, Mission should indicate:
1) We plan make this request before next GA but desire make it in most favorable circumstances.
2) In our view this not case when USSR President SC and thus in position cause more than usual difficulties over north Korea.
3) Do not wish postpone consideration Cameroon application because of Cameroon internal situation.
4) We anticipate SC action on at least four other new membership applications before or during next GA.
[Page 220]5) In our view would not be feasible or in Korean interest raise Korean application each time SC considers new application, particularly as with present composition SCROK can only anticipate receiving 8 favorable votes, which less than heretofore.
6) Another Soviet veto Korean application will in our opinion have greater impact GA discussion this application if veto takes place closer to GA session.
7) Furthermore, indicated GA action re ROK application shortly after another Soviet veto not likely be of type that would stimulate introduction further resolution requesting SC reconsider all pending applications. As will be recalled resolution this character, which contrary both ROK and US interest, defeated by very narrow margin in 1957.4
Re Tunisian co-sponsorship resolution recommending admission Cameroon, Dept agrees this good idea but for reasons given Deptel 6185 Mission should not take initiative to encourage it.
We plan inform Koreans and Vietnamese above sense.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 303/1–1860. Confidential. Drafted by Hartley on January 19; initialed by Cargo and Sisco; cleared by Bacon, AF, EUR, Bane, and Steeves; and approved by Wallner who signed for Herter.↩
- Telegram 612, January 18, reported that France wished to convene a Security Council meeting to consider admitting Cameroon to the United Nations, and discussed whether Vietnam’s and Korea’s applications should be raised at the same time. (Ibid.)↩
- No record of Herter’s statement has been found. Regarding Yang’s August 11 discussion with Parsons, see Document 85.↩
- Regarding this draft resolution, see footnote 3, Document 27.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 121.↩