252. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rusk to President Kennedy1

SUBJECT

  • Presidency of the Eighteenth General Assembly

In response to your inquiry concerning the presidency of the next General Assembly, it is correct that, in accordance with the tradition of regional rotation, it is generally accepted that this year’s president will be a Latin American.

The Venezuelan United Nations Delegation has announced the candidacy of Sosa Rodriguez, head of the Venezuelan Delegation, for president of the Eighteenth General Assembly. Sosa claims the support of nine other Latin American Delegations and appears to have the inside track. Guatemala has put forward the candidacy of Flores Avendano, and Benites of Ecuador apparently has a latent interest. The Brazilians have recently made informal approaches to certain Latin American Delegations in New York to explore the chances of launching ex-President Kubitschek as a candidate. There are unconfirmed rumors that the USSR may be behind this move.

It is not surprising that Kubitschek may be interested in the presidency of the General Assembly. Kubitschek wants to become President of Brazil again and running for the General Assembly’s top office would be helpful to his campaign. However, never in the history of the United Nations has the Assembly elected an individual as president who has not had considerable previous U.N. experience and who is not widely known to other Delegates.

It is normal practice, in the selection of Latin American candidates for U.N. posts, for the Latin Americans, jealous of their prerogatives, to agree among themselves to endorse a single candidate who is then normally accepted by the United States and the rest of the members.

In this case, because of the possible emergence of Kubitschek and because Sosa seems over-confident and is not yet actively campaigning, we are seeking discreetly to stimulate Sosa to greater activity and to encourage the Latin American countries to reach early agreement. We [Page 559] feel it would be counter-productive, however, for the United States to undertake an active campaign for him at this time. Ambassador Stevenson, with whom we have discussed this matter, agrees with this approach.

DR
  1. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Subjects Series, United Nations (General), 1/63–4/63, Box 311. Confidential. An attached memorandum from the President to Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs Edwin M. Martin, April 9, reads: “It is my understanding that a Latin American may be considered for President of the General Assembly in the next session and the Soviets may support a Brazilian. What is our strategy on that?”