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

190. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State¹

New York, October 12, 1972, 2021Z.

3638. Subj: Reduction in US Assessment.

Based on reporting on contacts in capitals, Wash and NY, Mission has prepared initial status report on member states’ position on this item.² While in some instances our assessment is based on hard info, in others it is only indicative since more precise info is not available at this time. Our assessment is as follows:

1. American Republics (24 countries): 5 yes, 3 no, 16 unknown

2. Europe and Canada (17 countries): 7 yes, 3 no, 7 unknown

3. Near and Middle East (25 countries): 5 yes, 5 no, 15 unknown

4. Far East (14 countries): 4 yes, 1 no, 9 unknown

5. Eastern Europe (10 countries): 0 yes, 10 no, 0 unknown

6. Africa (41 countries): 1 yes, 4 no, 36 unknown

Totals excluding US are: 23 yes, 26 no, and 83 unknown. Of the 23 yes we have 8 firm commitments (Dom Rep, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Iran, and Israel).

Our most serious problem relates to Africa, with 36 out of 41 total countries in unknown category. Since African vote will be critical in determining outcome on this issue and fact that many reports from African capitals indicate that individual country positions will be taken only after caucusing in NY, we are focusing our attention in particular on African reps. Our contacts to date also indicate that African members grossly misunderstand our position and will require full scale education effort.

We understand that Secretary Rogers will be hosting lunch for African dels at noon Oct 4. Given above situation, we wld hope that Secretary wld make special effort during course of this luncheon to seek understanding from and support of African members.

We also suggest Dept consider further démarches in African capitals. Of 41 total African countries, South Africa is alone in yes category; Algeria, Libya, Nigeria and Sudan in no category.

Bush

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 10–4. Confidential; Immediate.
2. A second status report, dated October 9, gave an overall estimate of 36 in favor, 27 against, and 69 undecided. The breakdown for African countries was 3 in favor, 5 against, and 33 undecided. (Telegram 3762 from USUN, October 9; ibid.)