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

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

Washington, August 29, 1959—12:15 p.m.

156. Re SC slate. Since there no immediate prospect enlargement SC, Dept sees merit in “floating” seat status for SC seat currently occupied Japan (urtel 89²). Dept also sees serious risk that with Ceylon Commonwealth choice succeed Canada, effort to elect second Asian to succeed Japan would produce another contest with all its divisive effects and could result in election Soviet bloc candidate, which Dept firmly opposes so long as USSR continues to block enlargement. Furthermore election Soviet bloc candidate would leave us with only minimum number of required votes (7) in SC on Chi Rep issue. With Cyprus no longer before GA, Greece, supported by US and UK, should prove strong vote-getter. Moreover, election Greece SC should serve substantially reduce Greek disappointment over its recent failures obtain certain other posts desired. Dept therefore prepared concur with UK in favoring Greece to succeed Japan 1) when it certain Ceylon and not Ghana Commonwealth choice to succeed Canada, 2) if there general agreement that SC seat in question will be regarded as “floating” pending enlargement SC and not as having reverted to Eastern Europe through election of Greece, and 3) if definite assurances can be obtained Greece will support moratorium formula.

USUN authorized so inform UK Delegation, making clear that if there any chance Ghana will be Commonwealth choice, Dept would wish see Thailand succeed Japan provided Thailand likely obtain necessary support. When definite Commonwealth decision on Ceylon confirmed by UK Delegation and if UK decision support Greece remains unchanged, USUN should inform Palamas US would favor Greek candidacy provided it understood seat in question will be regarded as “floating” and not reverting Eastern Europe, and provided we can count on Greek support of moratorium formula. Mission should point out success Greek candidacy will depend on their obtaining broad support.³

Dillon

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 330/7–2559. Confidential. Drafted by Hartley; initialed by Sisco; cleared by Green, Monsma, Parsons, Nunley, and Ludlow; and approved by Murphy who signed for Dillon. Repeated to Athens and London.
2. Telegram 89, July 23, reported on a conversation with Palmas regarding a Greek candidacy for the Security Council. (ibid., 330/7–2359)

3. At this point in the source text the following paragraph was deleted before transmission: “In discussions with Latin Americans it would be desirable to avoid emphasizing ‘floating seat’ concept since this might only tend to make it more difficult for Latin Americans to continue attach importance to maintenance of so-called ‘gentlemen’s agreement’, to support our preferred candidate on an ad hoc basis each time this seat must be filled.”

   Telegram 284 from USUN, August 31, reported that the British still intended to support Greece and that Ceylon would be the Commonwealth candidate. (ibid., 330/8–3159) Telegram 642 to Athens, September 1, instructed the Embassy to approach the Greek Foreign Ministry regarding the U.S decision to support Greece, and to report the Foreign Ministry’s reaction. (Ibid.)