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

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

Washington, November 30, 1959—9:03 p.m.

Gadel 154. Re Outer Space (Delga 560²).

1. As stated Gadel 146³ we are unwilling go beyond 12–6–6 formulation in order achieve agreement with Soviets on UN Outer Space Committee. We believe this is reasonable proposal which is wholly defensible in public forum and should receive substantial support in resolution. You should therefore once again reiterate firmly to Kuznetsov that we will not go beyond this proposal even if it means break in negotiations. 12–7–5, 12–8–4 and 12–9–3 are unacceptable.

2. You should focus discussion on size of Soviet bloc representation and Soviet insistence on more than six as inequitable and totally unacceptable. While not changing our position on Hungary you should subordinate this issue basic question of total size of Soviet contingent.

FYI If break with Soviets necessary, Department wishes issue be Soviet insistence on gross over-representation and not inclusion of Hungary. If Soviets were to accept 12–6–6, but insist on Hungary, we would wish examine this question further with our Allies. End FYI.

3. As to Soviet unwillingness to agree to Tunisia and Malaya, you authorized accept substitution of Finland for Tunisia but you should continue insist on inclusion Malaya.

4. Re cosponsorship believe you should insist on small representative group on ground that there are number of other states who have interest in this matter other than US and USSR. Department continues believe that you should press for maintaining all three elements (reference to work of Ad Hoc Committee, establishment Outer Space Committee and Conference) in one resolution. We believe Delga 558⁴ does this satisfactorily. If it appears agreement will be achieved, we could agree on separating out element relating to past work of Ad Hoc Committee. We believe continued insistence on inclusion Conference and UN outer space proposals in one resolution tactically desirable.

5. Department attaches considerable importance to Conference participation being limited to UN members or members of specialized agencies. Soviets should not be given any reason to believe otherwise.

6. Department will send you specific comments on resolution in Delga 558 as soon as we have completed our study.⁵

Herter

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320.5701/11–2859. Confidential. Drafted by Sisco and cleared with Kohler, Wilcox, and Farley. Approved by Wilcox who signed for Herter.
2. Delga 560, November 28, reported on a meeting that day between Lodge and Kuznetsov at which Kuznetsov argued for 12–9–3 or 12–8–4 composition while Lodge made clear that his instructions did not permit him to go beyond 12–6–6. (Ibid.)
3. See footnote 3, Document 467.
4. Delga 558, November 28, transmitted the text of a draft resolution which Lodge had given to Kuznetsov on November 28. (Ibid.)
5. Apparently this had already been done, since Gadel 153, sent at 7:28 p.m. on November 30, transmitted specific comments on the draft resolution. (Ibid.)