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

233. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State¹

New York, October 26, 1960—6 p.m.

1132. For the Secretary from USGADel. United States: A colonial power?

Current Fourth Committee positions (or past practice where new positions lacking) will in delegation opinion further reinforce already inaccurate and damaging image of US in eyes of Afro-Asians. If followed, US would vote against any:

1. Resolution inviting states “voluntarily” to submit political information on NSGTS;

2. Resolution inviting states to work out target dates for independence or self-government of their non-self-governing territories; and

3. Resolution calling upon Spain and Portugal to submit information pursuant to Chapter XI² on conditions in their overseas “provinces”. (As member of Committee of Six whose task was to draft principles which should guide member states in determining whether or not an obligation exists to transmit information, US participated in drafting of, and is associated with establishment of these principles. US would appear even worse if, in effort to apply them, we appeared now to renege on only cases to which principles could relate.)

USGADel, based on assessment by USDel in Fourth Committee of sentiment that committee, believes current instructions re foregoing:

1. Are inconsistent with President Eisenhower’s pledge of support for self-determination at current GA³ (if not inconsistent in literal sense, they would be interpreted as being at variance with moral and ethical posture of statement) and with US traditions and ideals which so well understood by Afro-Asians;

2. Will cause US to be falsely labeled as colonial power. Fact is, type vote cast more important than all anti-colonial speeches or professions. Negative vote would put US in small minority in company Union of South Africa, Portugal, Spain, Belgium and few others;

3. Permit Soviets continue retain advantages their efforts pose as great champion of dependent peoples.

USGADel obviously not in possession of all facts bearing on problem, but wishes Department know any considerations standing in way of reversal US positions must be of utmost importance to be maintained because price we will pay by casting negative vote will be extremely costly to US prestige and US will pay bill in forthcoming assemblies.

USGADel respectfully requests urgent reexamination of positions re (a) voluntary transmission of political information, (b) establishment of final target dates, and (c) position re application of Committee of Six principles to any area where they apply, i.e., Angola, Mozambique, Rio de Oro, etc., with view to enabling delegation sponsor or at minimum support these resolutions. By so doing we would eliminate foregoing faults and reap benefits of reaffirmation basic belief by a—as in fundamental values of US.

USGADel appreciates extent of possible trouble with NATO Allies but believes that, after initial shock, our position would come to be understood even as was our position in Suez and Congo crisis and any damage done to NATO would be, so far as we able determine, only temporary and far outweigh advantages in other fields.

Delegation faces vote possibly today or tomorrow on resolution concerning transmission of political information; therefore, request immediate reply this subject.

Wadsworth

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 321.4/10–2660. Confidential; Niact.
2. Chapter XI of the U.N. Charter defines responsibilities toward non-self-governing territories.
3. Made in Eisenhower’s September 22 address before the U.N. General Assembly; see Document 180.