Office of the Historian

80. Telegram 158798 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Mexico1

Washington, July 4, 1975, 0541Z.

158798. Subject: Echeverria and the UN Secretary Generalship. Ref: Mexico 5820.

1. Indications of Echeverria’s desire to be Secretary General of UN after completing his term as President are coming more into the open now. In addition to approach reported reftel, Ambassador de Olloqui, in separate informal meetings with Dept Asst Sec Luers and officers of ARA/MEX has engaged in rather oblique but unmistakeable fishing expeditions on this subject through asking whether we thought the Russians in the Security Council would veto an Echeverria candidacy. We have refrained from making any comment on what he obviously really was after (although unofficially)—what the U.S. thought of such [Page 271] a candidacy. However, as you have done we vaguely mentioned our high regard for Echeverria as an able and prestigious leader.

2. At this point Waldheim’s own future intentions are not clear. Therefore, in discussing this question in response to queries from Mexicans or others, we do not wish to give the appearance of endorsing or rejecting a possible Echeverria—or any other—candidacy. As Embassy knows, appointment is by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council, where the veto is applicable.

3. Line that should be taken in discussions this subject should be that at this point it is much too early to take an official position on the question of a candidate to succeed Waldheim. His term is not over until the end of 1976 and therefore we will have no clear picture of the overall situation until sometime next year.

Sisco

  1. Summary: As it became increasingly clear that Echeverría was interested in becoming Secretary General of the United Nations, the Department instructed the Embassy to deflect any Mexican inquiries about the U.S. position on a possible successor to Kurt Waldheim.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750232–0765. Confidential; Exdis. Drafted by Dreyfuss and cleared by Rogers and Buffum (IO). In telegram 6867 from Mexico City, August 1, the Embassy provided a lengthy analysis of Echeverría’s background, views, and personality, in the context of his interest in the United Nations Secretary General position. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files on Latin America, Box 5, Mexico—State Department Telegrams—To Secstate—Exdis) At his staff meeting on March 27, Kissinger stated that “we could not possibly support Echeverría,” as he “would be a maniacal menace.” (National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Kissinger Staff Meetings, Entry 5177, Lot 78D443, Secretary’s Staff Meeting, March 27, 1975)

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