Extract from a memorandum from Paul Keating to Seán Murphy (Dublin)
(Confidential) (Copy)

I have the honour to report that at the invitation of Mr. T.W. Keeble,¹ First Secretary of the British UN Mission, I had lunch with him to discuss UN matters of mutual interest. Also at the lunch was Mr. P. B. Ramsbotham² another First Secretary of the Mission.

2. The reason for the invitation was to offer the Irish Delegation any assistance or information which it was felt their Mission could provide, and to make contact. I explained that my position with regard to UN representation was necessarily temporary but that I was sure that their co-operation would be greatly appreciated when our Mission arrived.
3. They informed me that they were most anxious to learn whether the Taoiseach or Mr. Cosgrave would be members of our Delegation to the General Assembly, as apparently this is of interest to Mr. Nutting³ who is due to arrive in New York on November 10th. They said that Mr. Bandaranaike,⁴ the Prime Minister of Ceylon will lead his country’s Delegation and that they believe that the Prime Ministers of some of the other newly admitted countries may also be present.
4. In the course of conversation they mentioned that the European Powers were concerned at the present time with the election of a successor to Belgium on the Security Council. Belgium is due to retire at the end of this year. They feel that before nominations are made the European countries as a whole, should decide on the candidate to go forward and obtain a gentleman’s agreement in order to forestall a deadlock in the General Assembly. To date both Sweden and Italy have intimated that they would like to stand, and in addition Spain has been lobbying with the South American and Arab States. Mr. Ramsbotham anticipates that a meeting of the European States will be called in about a month’s time to discuss this question. Their feeling is that the European member represents the other countries as a whole, and on that account it is their contention that countries offering themselves for a seat should accept the views of the majority of European countries, and work out such compromises as are desirable and possible in a caucus meeting rather than in the General Assembly. They endeavoured to sound me on Ireland’s possible attitude as between Italy and Sweden. They felt I gathered, that Spain would not press its candidature very hard this year. I perforce had to reply that I could give nothing but a speculative and personal view, that I had no knowledge of the Department’s attitude on the matter, but that even on this basis I should find it difficult to choose between the two countries as the argument for both seemed to me to be almost equal in weight.
5. This discussion led to some talk about the possibility of Western Europe having two seats on the Security Council as a result of the enlargement of this body with the corollary that they would be divided between Northern and Southern Europe. Here I should say that the general impression is that the number of seats in the Security Council will be increased by two. One of these will go to Western Europe, the other to the Warsaw Pact countries. It is felt that the seat at present held by Yugoslavia and due to go to the Philippines at the end of this year will then be regarded as going to the Asians. Presumably the Northern European bloc will consist of the Benelux countries, Scandinavia and Finland with the addition of Germany if it becomes a member; the Southern bloc of Portugal, Spain, Italy, Yugoslavia, Greece and Turkey. Here again, in answer to their queries I had to give them general and indecisive replies. I pointed out that Ireland’s position on the periphery of Europe did not necessarily tie her in with either of the proposed blocs and that we had much in common with both. For while we share a common religion and have a tradition of friendship with most of the Southern European countries, we also had strong commercial and other ties with the Northern countries. I gathered that this problem will not come up for discussion in New York other than on a completely speculative and unofficial basis for some time.

[matter omitted]

9. Finally, they stated that the Commonwealth nations meet together once or twice a month to inform each other of developments though not necessarily to commit themselves to any joint course of action. They would be very happy to keep us advised of the discussions of these meetings.
10. During the conversation my role was necessarily a noncommittal one. I informed them however, that I would report on the question of the elections to the Security Council and on the conversation generally. I should be glad therefore, if the Department would instruct me as to the proper course of action which I should follow in regard to these. As I stated the caucus meeting will probably be held in about a month’s time. Should I attend this and if so what action should I take?