Office of the Historian

135. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Denmark1

Washington, April 8, 1960—8:15 p.m.

781. Formal Iceland Government announcement Thors candidacy received Department April 6 (urtel 6712) reinforcing earlier personal approach by Thors. Latest information indicates Iceland will maintain candidacy unless Thors fails receive support other Scandinavians. Department position as set forth CG–157 and 5773 remains unchanged. FYI From Department’s standpoint, would be highly desirable if Helsinki Nordic Foreign Ministers meeting could persuade Iceland withdraw Thors candidacy, but US wishes avoid any action which might be interpreted as exerting pressure on Scandinavians in this direction or as directed against Thors. End FYI. In further discussion Danish Foreign Office Embassy should pursue line already undertaken emphasizing: (a) fact that Boland candidacy being actively pursued and appears already to have gained substantial support, and (b) our concern that maintenance of rival West European candidacies will serve only to create situation susceptible Soviet exploitation to serious disadvantage Western interests, including possible deadlock. In any such discussions, however, Embassy should stress high US regard for both Thors and Icelandic Government, making reference to long and effective cooperation with Thors at UN.

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320/4–560. Confidential. Drafted by Hartley and Nunley, initialed by Cargo, and approved by Wilcox who signed for Herter. Repeated to USUN.↩
  2. Thors delivered a biographic sheet and a letter from the Icelandic Government regarding his candidacy to Wilcox on April 6. A memorandum of their conversation is ibid., 320/4–660; the biographic sheet and letter are attached to it. Telegram 671 from Copenhagen, April 5, reported on a conversation with the Director General of the Danish Foreign Office regarding the 15th General Assembly presidency. (Ibid., 320/4–560)↩
  3. Dated February 16, circular airgram CG–517 provided background information on Boland’s candidacy. (Ibid., 320/2–1660) Circular airgram CG–577, March 10, informed posts of Thors’ candidacy and the Department’s position regarding it. (Ibid., 320/3–1060)↩