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

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

Washington, April 17, 1959—5:22 p.m.

822. Re: 14th GA President. USUN should inform UK Delegation Dept sees two serious difficulties in possible Boland candidacy for President 14th GA: (1) uncertainty re region from which next candidate will be selected, and (2) Irish refusal support moratorium formula on Chinese representation.² (Normally, LA holds presidency every four years; however, LA has held presidency since Western Europe. Moreover, US has no clear indication at present re LA and Western European sentiments this matter.)

Belaunde’s candidacy is long standing. When Malik deferred his candidacy from 12th to 13th GA to allow uncontested election Munro, Belaunde in turn postponed his candidacy from 13th to 14th GA. If European candidacy develops and is maintained against LA-supported candidacy, result might be painful split in freé-world vote. If LA’s decide not press Belaunde or other candidacy at next session, we assume West European would be logical choice, but US could not possibly support Boland without modification Irish position on Chinese representation. If developments should indicate likelihood of candidacy from European region and Boland candidate, US will probably wish discuss directly with Irish Government problem of Irish policy on Chinese representation. Moreover, unless some agreement possible with him on handling ChiRep issue, Dept would be reluctant see Boland Chairman Committee One because of implication this chairmanship for future GA presidency.

Dept would appreciate receiving such background information as USUN has or can obtain on reported LA split over Belaunde’s candidacy and USUN’s estimate seriousness this split.³

Murphy

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320/4–1759. Confidential. Drafted by Hartley on April 14; cleared by Bacon, Ludlow, AF, Monsma, and Nunley; and approved by Walmsley who signed for Murphy.
2. Reference is to a policy the United States pursued in the General Assembly and other international meetings which declared that the meeting would not consider any proposals to seat delegates of the People’s Republic of China or to exclude representatives of the Republic of China.
3. Lodge reported in telegram 1033 from USUN, May 20, that Correa and others had informed the mission that the Latin American nations planned to support Belaunde, although some were still unhappy about the idea. (Department of State, Central Files, 320/6–2059) Barco reported in telegram 1112 from USUN, June 8, that the Latin American caucus had agreed unanimously to support Belaunde. Barco recommended that the United States inform Peru it would vote for him, stating that Lodge agreed with this recommendation.(ibid., 320/6–859)