390. Telegram From the Delegation to the U.N. General Assembly to the Department of State0

Delga 26. Re: Tibet. In conversation with Secretary late yesterday Aiken (Ireland) outlined efforts made by his delegation to secure support on Tibetan resolution. He said he was afraid the resolution would not get a good vote and that such a result would be interpreted as a defeat for the free world point of view. He plans to speak Monday1 in general debate and will suggest that his delegation feels strongly that it is appropriate for the GA to have a resolution on this problem. It is his intention that the speech would be so worded as to make it difficult for the Africans and Asians not to go along with a resolution. After that the Irish Delegation would see what impact his speech had made and proceed to [Page 788] secure additional support for inscription of the item. Aiken expressed again the undesirability of the United States taking any part in the venture at this time.

The Secretary expressed the great interest of the US in this matter and agreed that the tactics outlined by Mr. Aiken seemed very sensible. Subsequently we received copy of the Irish resolution which was forwarded to Department last night as Delga 23.2

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 793B.00/9–1959. Confidential. Received at 2:14 p.m.
  2. September 21.
  3. The draft resolution reaffirmed “the right of dependent peoples to respect for their culture, just treatment and protection against abuses” and condemned “the violation of the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people and the destruction of their civil and religious liberties.” (Department of State, Central Files, 793B.00/9–1859)