Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, United Nations and General International Matters, Volume II

128. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations¹

Washington, January 27, 1960—8:14 p.m.

652. Re: Deptels 644 and 645 (latter rptd Paris 3126, Rome 2308, London 5630).²

Secretary called in Italian Ambassador this afternoon to disuss UNGA presidency problem.³ Secretary recalled in detail need for getting ahead with Western European candidacy because of Nosek’s head start. In this connection he mentioned that Boland had indicated his availability as early as December while question of Italian candidate not raised until later. In light possible Italian candidacy, we had stalled in New York and had not given Boland definite commitment. Nevertheless in light of long period which had passed without other possibility presenting itself, Secretary said Boland definitely felt he had right expect our support. Throughout Secretary stressed our principal objective was to avoid seeing Communist candidate elected to UNGA presidency. Therefore it was essential to block Nosek and also to avoid splitting West. Although we were not given to giving advice, Secretary did feel it was necessary to know where we stood re Italian candidacy soonest and he indicated we hoped Italy would see fit not present candidate. He concluded noting that if Pella did present himself we believed Boland would maintain himself in field anyway. Therefore we could not commit ourselves to supporting Pella if he did seek presidency but would have to take matter under advisement. He thought finally that if Pella wished clear field for himself it would be up to Italians to discuss this directly with Irish. Throughout Secretary laid emphasis on fact our advice in this particular delicate question was devoted to this matter only and had no implications whatever with regard to our close general relationship with and friendship for Italy.

In his reply Brosio stressed difficulty presenting urgency of this matter to his government in light previous US policy not making advance commitments on GA slates. Secretary said our experience in Turkish-Polish SC problem proved need for revising this policy in light new Soviet tactics. Brosio added problem was also complicated by French encouragement of Italian candidacy and fact Italy had not realized we on verge making commitment to Boland. He noted matter involved in internal Italian politics because Italy “had already presented one candidate” (presumably reference to reported but unconfirmed Piccioni candidacy) and it was hard disavow him and present Pella. However, matter still under consideration in Rome. Brosio asked if US was requesting that Italy not present candidate, to which query Secretary reviewed US position as indicated above and said Boland certainly had every right expect our support.

In conclusion Brosio asked if matter could wait a few days more for Rome to take definitive position. Secretary said we would wait until Monday of next week but did not feel we could wait longer. Brosio promised present US position in most objective possible light and let us know results promptly.⁴

Herter

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320/1–2160. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by McBride; cleared by Calhoun and in draft with Herter; and approved by Wallner who signed for Herter. Repeated priority to Rome, Paris, and London.
2. Telegram 644 is supra. Telegram 645, January 26, reported that Couve de Murville had discussed with Pella the 15th General Assembly presidency, and that Pella had told him he would have an answer from the Italian Government within 48 hours. (Department of State, Central Files, 320/1–2660)
3. A memorandum of Herter’s conversation with Brosio is ibid., 320/1–2760.
4. On January 29, the Minister of the Italian Embassy informed the Department of State that Pella had decided to withdraw from the race for 15th General Assembly President. (Memorandum of conversation; ibid., 320/1–2960) Herter telephoned this information to Lodge at 12:05 p.m. (Memorandum of telephone conversation; ibid., Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199) Lodge immediately informed Boland and sent him a letter addressed to Aiken announcing U.S. support for his candidacy. (Telegram 682, January 29; ibid., Central Files, 320/1–2960) Circular telegram 967, January 29, instructed posts to inform their respective host governments that the United States had decided to support Boland. (Ibid.)