41. The Secretary of State for External Affairs reported on the forthcoming reconvening of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which would probably sit from three to six weeks.

It did not appear to him that the Canadian delegation need be as large as had been the case during the first part of the session the previous November and December. All questions remaining for discussion would probably be referred to a single committee and, in the circumstances, he thought the Canadian delegation might be restricted to one delegate plus whatever alternates and officials were required. It was understood that Mr. Vishinsky would be attending part of the corning sessions, and this had led to the belief that the Russians might be planning to put forward some fresh proposals relating to the Korean situation. In this connection, the United States had given assurance informally that it would not advocate or support any radical departures from the present far eastern policies of western democracies. On the other hand, there was always the possibility, indeed the probability, that certain irresponsible or at least ill-advised proposals might be put forward in the US Congress. The Canadian delegation might usefully be instructed not to support any radical departure from current far eastern policy without first referring the matter back to Cabinet for consideration and direction.

He was somewhat concerned about the manner in which the security screening of US nationals who were members of the UN Secretariat was being conducted in New York. There was some indication that similar screening would be conducted in respect of US nationals who were members of the ICAO secretariat located in Montreal. There was no doubt that the United States had every right to screen US citizens who were members of international organizations if it so wished. However, the manner in which such screening was conducted had given rise to much criticism and certain acrimonious debates in the General Assembly. He felt that the Canadian delegation should do everything it could to stop such debates as they could do no good and simply gave the USSR opportunities to spread Russian propaganda.

The question of Mr. Trygve Lie's resignation as Secretary General of the United Nations would be raised again during the coming sittings and the likelihood was that the resignation would be accepted although there was no sign yet of agreement being reached on the choice of a successor.

42. The Cabinet, after discussion, noted with approval the report by the Secretary of State for External Affairs on the forthcoming reconvening of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.

J.W. PICKERSGILL