198. Editorial Note

British Prime Minister Macmillan spoke before the U.N. General Assembly the morning of September 29. The New York Times reported that twice during his address, Macmillan’s remarks spurred Soviet Council of Ministers Chairman Khrushchev to shout rebuttals from the floor of the General Assembly Hall. Macmillan continued speaking during Khrushchev’s first outburst, but the second interrupted him. He resumed speaking after General Assembly President Boland brought the meeting back to order. (September 30, 1960, page A1) For text of Macmillan’s statement, see U.N. doc. A/PV.877. For Macmillan’s account of his address, see Pointing the Way, 1959–1961, pages 275–279.

The next morning, participants at the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting discussed Khrushchev’s behavior. Bohlen speculated that his “violent actions yesterday were probably motivated in large part by pique over the action of the General Committee concerning the agenda.” The General Committee had voted to reword two items the Soviet Union had proposed for inclusion on the General Assembly agenda and had voted against a Soviet request to include an item on Chinese representation. For a record of the General Committee’s proceedings, see U.N. doc. A4520.

Bohlen surmised further that “Khrushchev is mainly concerned with the Chinese. He is also hoping to pick up support from the new African states, but this is not his primary motivation. Likewise, he is not primarily aiming at success in the General Assembly.”

Secretary Herter arrived late to the meeting, and was not present during this discussion. A record of the meeting is in Department of State, Secretary’s Staff Meetings: Lot 63 D 75.