Office of the Historian

437. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations1

Washington, November 20, 1965, 4:16 p.m.

1255. Ref: USUN’s 2114.2 Portuguese Amb. Garin on instructions called on Asst. Secy Sisco November 19 to request US support in opposing res circulated by Ivory Coast, Malaysia and Jordan on Port. Territories (text contained reftel). Garin pointed out Preamb 4, operative paras. 1 and 8 particularly objectionable in Portuguese view, noted that res makes no mention Portuguese proposal for SC Commission of inquiry as to whether situation in territories constitutes threat to peace. Stated that no mention yet made in debate of arms from Warsaw Pact countries, specifically Czech, Russian and some Polish arms, being furnished nationalists.

Sisco agreed res in present form not one US could support and suggested Portuguese Permrep New York approach LA SC members whose views not yet known. Reinforcing Goldberg’s talks with FonMin Nogueira in New York Sisco stated that in his view situation required Portugal open discussions with Africans on basis 1514 and 1541, including all three options. He suggested present So. Rhodesian crisis might present Portugal with fateful choice—concerted support of white settler minority would have grave implications whereas another policy might help Portuguese.

Ball
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 10 PORT/UN. Confidential. Drafted by John E. Reinertson of IO/UNP, cleared by Brown of IO/UNP, and approved by Sisco. Repeated to Lisbon, London, and Salisbury.↩
  2. Dated November 18. (Ibid.)↩