260. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State1
1775. Colonial item. Reaction to US abstention on 43-power res on granting independence to colonial peoples2 was immediate, strong, sometimes emotional, and invariably negative.
US abstention was greeted by audible gasp of surprise followed by diminishing murmur of whispered comments.
Immediately after vote, Quaison-Sackey (Ghana) commented “How could you vote this way? You have no problem with colonies.”
Ifeagwu (Nigeria) said he “couldn’t believe it, US abstention was incomprehensible.” He then asked, “Are you trying to commit political suicide?”
Omar (Somalia) said he could understand our vote, but thought it unfortunate because most other Afro-Asians could not. He added “US now seems to stand publicly for ideals which seem contrary to basic American beliefs.”
Johnson (Liberia) expressed disappointment and suggested vote betrayed US heritage. He added US “handed propaganda victory to USSR without reason.”
Rahnema (Iran) said all Afro-Asians previously confident US would support, that US support was wanted by sponsors and that vote could prove only disadvantageous to US in UN and elsewhere.
Malley (Radio Tunis): “Felicitations on your vote. Understand Khrushchev is sending medal.”
Harvey (Quincy Mass., Patriot-Ledger) found no reason for US to “beat itself.”
Goedhart (Netherlands) in jest suggested US in future follow Netherlands’ example and divorce self from Portugal and Union of South Africa.
Shanahan (New Zealand) expressed disappointment US had to abstain, adding his instructions were to abstain, but he called Wellington to get permission for positive vote “because I just could not afford to have New Zealand painted to be what it is not.”
Kerina (petitioner SWA) said he was sorry US abstained. He knew, he added, US was anti-colonial, but it would be hard for people of SWA to understand this vote which put US and Union of South Africa in same category.
[Page 461]Chelli (Tunisia) said US took very bad position. US might not understand but for “us, who are your friends, it is sickening to see you in same camp as Portugal.” US claims to be champion of liberty but truth is in vote. US has given ammunition to USSR across board including in Congo discussion. “Who will believe Mr. Wadsworth after this.”
Menemencioglu (Turkey) found US vote “unbelievable and incomprehensible.”
Other comments heard were in accord general theme specified above.
US explanation of vote greeted by absolute silence. We heard several comments to effect that no explanation could salvage position left by vote.
Berg-Nielsen (Norway) commented on “evident lack of unity” in US Delegation regarding vote on colonialism resolutions, as shown by behavior of US Delegate after vote taken.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 321.4/12–1560. Confidential.↩
- The U.N. General Assembly considered this item November 28–December 7 and December 13–14; voting on the draft resolution occurred on December 14. Regarding these proceedings, see U.N. docs. A/PV.925–939 and A/PV.944–947. The record of the vote on the resolution and text of Wadsworth’s explanation of the U.S. vote is in U.N. doc. A/PV.947. For text of the resolution, 1514 (XV), see U.N. doc. A/4684.↩
- The New York Times reported that a member of the U.S. Delegation, Zelma Watson George, stood and applauded the resolution’s adoption. George was quoted as later stating, “There was no one in the delegation who supported the abstention. I’m not sure that even Mr. Wadsworth did so.” (December 15, 1960, p. A1)↩