223. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
743. Reelection SYG. SYG told me he loath be candidate for reelection and preferred not commit himself re his availability until it clearer that [Page 490] problem of Congo would be resolved satisfactorily. He foresaw possibility of period of real difficulty ahead in Congo leading to further strain being placed on already over-burdened UN financial condition and consequent forced disengagement of UN from Congo. At same time, however, he understood difficulties with which UN would be faced if he appeared be unwilling accept reelection.
In any event, he planned await Gromyko’s arrival and some disclosure of Sov attitude towards his reelection. He thought he might not be able obtain such indication before approximately Oct first. If Sovs prepared support him unconditionally, his reelection could proceed immediately. On other hand, if Sovs imposed unacceptable conditions, situation would become more difficult. In meantime, he has dissuaded AsAfs from publicly proposing his name. He hoped for early disposition this matter, agreeing with us that otherwise whole GA would be clouded and positive action on other matters be difficult to achieve.
SYG indicated US position supporting his reelection was well known. He thought it preferable if he not appear to be US candidate and therefore suggested we should remain inactive with respect his candidacy. He made no reference to length of his term of office.
Foregoing jibes with report Dean (UK) gave us confidentially yesterday. Dean said he had had long talk with U Thant regarding his reelection. SYG indicated he not anxious be reelected both for personal reasons and because he foresaw period of real difficulty ahead. He recognized, however, that there is no other candidate and in interests of UN he was prepared to stand for reelection. At same time, he indicated that full five year term was too long a commitment and was leaning towards three year term. He implied that possibly Russians would come forward with such suggestion, believing for their own reasons that five year commitment under present circumstances was too long. We agreed with Dean that it be mistake for either UK or US give any indication we prepared consider reduction in present five year term of SYG. Term fixed by GA and in any case could not be changed by SC. It would be mistake for it to be shortened at will of any candidate for office and even worse mistake for it to be shortened at insistence of Sovs. Dean suggested that as possible fall-back, if necessary, we might come to rest on pre-dating of SYG’s election so that five year term would start on date of Thant’s election as acting SYG of year ago. This would in effect give him three and half year term. It was agreed we would consider this as possibility but in interim should resist any such suggestion at this stage.
During conversation with Mission officer, Natarajan (former SYG of Indian UN Del, now employed in Secretariat) believed that while Sovs had no alternative to voting for reelection of U Thant due to latter’s ASAF support, they would attempt nevertheless to limit his term and his power. Natarajan said just prior to SYG’s trip to Moscow, he (Natarajan) had been [Page 491] approached by three different individuals (one a member of Sov Del, another a member of Rumanian Del and a third a Sov national in Secretariat) who asked him what Indian Govt reaction would be to proposal for reelecting U Thant for only a two to three year period rather than for five years and to continue his status of Acting SYG for that period. Natarajan said he told questioners that in his opinion India would support U Thant for full five year term as SYG. Natarajan said, however, that he had reason to believe Sovs would continue their efforts in this regard and would therefore attempt delay action on election in hope of achieving their objective.
Narasimhan (SYG’s Chef de Cabinet) also told us today Secretariat had received hints from Eastern Europeans that Sov bloc might support U Thant for three year term. Narasimhan strongly opposed to this, believing that five year term should be maintained. We of course strongly supported this position.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, 310/9–1262. Secret; Limit Distribution.↩