Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume V, United Nations, 1969–1972

116. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State ¹

New York, April 14, 1971, 0030Z.

926. Subj: Periodic Meetings of the SC.

1. At briefing of non-perms by SC Pres April 13 (septel),² Farah (Somalia) asked President to undertake consultations on date of next periodic meeting. Noting that not all FonMin’s had been able to stay for entire meeting last October, Farah suggested it be held either in August or September but in any case before GA opens Sept 21.

2. Kulaga (Poland) noted it might be difficult to set date without knowing what would be on the agenda. It unrealistic to expect Fon-Mins to come to N.Y. just to listen to fourteen other speeches on general international situation. Japanese rep noted that Japan would be President of SC in September and if meeting to be held then it would be desirable to know ASAP.

3. Comment: Recommend we respond that we are willing, if other members so inclined, to consider a second periodic meeting but only in late September or early October when FonMin’s normally in N.Y. for general debate. Moreover, we must agree on agenda and communiqué in advance as was case of last year. It is premature to take definite decision either on a meeting or a date at this time.³

4. We informed Weir (UK) of above and he recommending similar line to London.

Bush

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 3 SC. Confidential. Repeated to London, Paris, and Moscow.
2. No other record of this briefing was found.
3. The Department concurred that it was too early to decide whether there would be enough possible agenda items to make a periodic Security Council meeting worth holding at that time. (Telegram 65875 to USUN, April 19; National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 3 SC)