179. Telegram From the Department of State to the Delegation at the United Nations1
Tosec 7. Ambassador Beale requested private meeting with Acting Secretary September 20 at which he raised possibility of Menzies visit to UN.2Beale said he had impression US position was changing and [Page 344] that he was aware Menzies had received message from Macmillan urging him to come to New York. He requested guidance from Acting Secretary.
Acting Secretary told him that position had indeed changed due to prospective arrival in New York of many Heads of Government from neutralist or uncommitted countries such as Nehru, Tito, Nasser, Sukarno, etc. He said that US felt it would be helpful to have a number of strong voices to speak out in general debate in favor of Western position. Prime Minister Macmillan was coming for this purpose. US could think of no abler exponent of Western position than Menzies. If he could come to UN at this time US would consider it very helpful.
Beale then pointed out the domestic complications involved in Menzies absenting himself from Australia at this time but said that he himself felt this was an important occasion and that Menzies just might find it possible to come. He said it would be helpful if Menzies could say publicly that President Eisenhower had asked him to come. The Acting Secretary told him this would not be possible as the President could not ask one Head of Government to come and not others. Beale than wondered if it would be all right for Menzies to say there had been interest in various quarters in his coming and the Acting Secretary said he thought would be perfectly satisfactory if it would be helpful to Menzies. Beale thanked the Acting Secretary and expressed the personal hope that it would be possible for Menzies to come to New York for a short visit.