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

148. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Nepal¹

Washington, August 24, 1960—6:32 p.m.

108. Your 150 repeated USUN 1 New Delhi 63.² Chinese representation.

Department concurs position you took with Acting Prime Minister.

FYI. From 1956 through 1959 issue raised on Indian initiative by proposal inscribe item on ChiRep on agenda respective General Assembly regular session. Annually this proposal has been rejected by GA adoption US-sponsored “moratorium” resolution whereby GA decided “not to consider” question at particular session. Dept assumes that last year when GA considering moratorium resolution Indian delegation prevailed upon Nepalese delegation to make certain procedural moves in plenary which Indian delegation in previous years had made itself. These moves involved offering of amendments to US resolution which would have had effect of vitiating sense of resolution. Assume Ambassador Shaha’s request may reflect Indian influence New York. If Soviet bloc itself should be forced to raise issue this year, would be political and psychological gain free world. End FYI.

You are authorized discuss issue with Prime Minister on his return or take any other steps you believe would be helpful to ensure Nepal declines assume India’s role this issue. In addition to points which you mentioned and with which Department fully concurs, you might make use of following: Introduction ChiRep issue 15th GA would have no effect but create divisive political debate at time when attention UN urgently required to solve important issues pending before General Assembly. Believe energies GA should be concentrated on major tasks at hand. We hope Nepal will not accede to request play role which serves interests ChiComs to detriment larger interests with which GA concerned, role which United States and many other free world states would find most difficult understand. Decision decline raise issue would also reflect revulsion against Chinese Communist acts Tibet which should not be rewarded with endorsement for seating in United Nations by law-abiding members of Organization.

As appropriate you should emphasize our hope that Shaha would be instructed not only not to take any initiative with respect to inscription ChiRep item but also instructed to refrain from introducing amendments to US moratorium resolution which will be offered if ChiRep issue should be raised by some other country.³

Dillon

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 303/8–2260. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by Bacon and Bock; cleared by Hope and CA; and approved by Cargo who signed for Herter. Repeated to New Delhi and by pouch to USUN.
2. Telegram 150 from Kathmandu, August 22, reported that the Nepalese Representative at the United Nations had requested instructions to sponsor a resolution proposing U.N. membership for the People’s Republic of China and that the U.S. Ambassador had told the Nepalese Acting Prime Minister he hoped these instructions would not be sent. (Ibid.)
3. Telegram 182 from Kathmandu, August 26, reported on Ambassador Stebbins’ conversation with Nepalese Prime Minister Koirala, who stated that Nehru had told him he assumed Nepal would sponsor an item at the 15th General Assembly on Chinese representation in the United Nations. Koirala had made no commitments, but also made no comment when Stebbins’ presented the U.S. arguments against the item. (Ibid., 303/8–2660)