270. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
New York, January 18, 1972,
2216Z.
185. Subj: Narasimhan’s Future.
- 1.
- During long conversation with me Jan 14 on Waldheim’s initiative, he admitted he had a real problem with Narasimhan who is pushing hard to retain Chef de Cabinet position. Waldheim said the PRC, Soviets and French had all expressed lack of confidence in Narasimhan and he already aware of our own reservations. SYG said he knew Narasimhan would have to be moved but he had not been able to work out an appropriate alternative assignment.
- 2.
- I asked Waldheim if he had explored further the possibility of making Narasimhan SYG of UNCTAD or appointing him Executive Director of UNIDO. Re UNCTAD, SYG had learned Perez-Guerrero’s term had been extended to March 31, 1973. Re UNIDO, Abdel Rahman’s contract expires December 31, 1972. Of these two posts, Narasimhan would probably be more interested in UNCTAD position. On the chance that Perez-Guerrero might consider resigning before the end of his term (perhaps after UNCTAD III in April–May 1972) Waldheim said he intended to discuss question with Amb Aguilar of Venezuela prior to latter’s departure to take up his new job as Amb to US. (Perez-Guerrero has retained his status in Venezuela’s diplomatic service.)
- 3.
- Until he can resolve the Narasimhan problem, SYG intends to rely increasingly on his personal assistant, Anton Prohaska, whom he has moved into his immediate office from the Austrian Mission.
- 4.
- Waldheim has concluded that the post of Chef de Cabinet should not continue at the Under SYG level. Once he has found a new assignment for Narasimhan, he intends to downgrade the post to the level of Assistant SYG. This would release an additional Under Secretary position, which could be made available for the Chinese.
Phillips
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 303, Agency Files, USUN, Vol. X. Secret; Exdis.↩