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

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

Washington, September 1, 1960—7:29 p.m.

299. Re: Dominican Credentials, ur 501.²

1. In view alarming report urtelLA group will meet later this week to decide whether to seek rejection DR credentials at 15th GA, Dept has considered possible action (1) prior to meeting, and (2) subsequent action in event LAs decide seek rejection. Following factors taken into account.

2. Mission aware Dept’s traditional position that, in general, acceptance or rejection credentials purely legal and procedural matter under Rules 27 and 28 Rules of Procedure.³ As a rule, we do not believe challenges to credentials should be made on political grounds since this would convert Credentials Committee into major political body. Even more serious, rejection, if actually achieved, would be drastic step of dubious legal validity which would set dangerous precedent capable of being used against friendly countries including other present LA governments. Added disadvantage in this particular case is that rejection attempt would introduce inter-American dispute into GA where Soviets and other non-American Members, for their own ends, could exploit issue.

3. Mission also aware exception to our general policy made in Hungarian case when results 1956 revolution in doubt GA adopted no decision procedure. Even after GA later adopted by overwhelming majority resolution finding present Hungarian regime imposed by armed intervention USSR, UN limited action to continuation no decision procedure. In 1958 after extreme provocation Nagy–Maleter executions we seriously considered rejection credentials but finally decided political risks involved in such course outweighed gains.⁴

4. Considering current emotional anti-Trujillo sentiment prevalent in LA, as well as MFM decision to apply Rio Treaty measures for which US voted, Dept does not consider it desirable for USUN to undertake actively dissuade LAs from voting to seek rejection since such action could be misinterpreted US soft on Trujillo. However, if Mission’s opinion sought, you should while making clear our distaste for Trujillo, and bearing in mind LA opinion on Trujillo, discreetly indicate disadvantages rejection along lines those para 2 above. Mission should continue take soundings among LAs and keep Dept informed on prospects for majority LA group voting to reject. We are hopeful doubts expressed by Brazil and Uruguay will be shared by others.

5. In event LA group does vote seek rejection, Dept will consider means avoiding GA vote this issue including your suggestion intercession non-LA power.

Herter

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320/8–2560. Confidential. Drafted by Newlin on August 31; initialed by Sisco and Buffum; cleared by Kerley and Monsma; and approved by Wilcox who signed for Herter.
2. Telegram 501, August 25, reported that the Latin American group intended to meet to consolidate plans for rejecting the credentials of the Dominican Republic’s Delegation to the United Nations. (Ibid.)
3. Rule 27 of the General Assembly rules of procedure pertains to submission of credentials; rule 28 governs the composition and function of the Credentials Committee. For text, see U.N. doc. A520/Rev. 15.
4. Regarding U.S. deliberations on rejecting the credentials of the Hungarian Delegation to the 13th U.N. General Assembly, see Documents 16 ff.