Repeat Paris, Washington, New Delhi, Canberra, Belgrade, Pretoria, Wellington. (Immediate).

Repeat New York (Information).

HUNGARIAN SITUATION AND THE U.N.

1. As State Department has unfortunately already announced, USA has consulted us and others about feasibility of taking Hungarian situation to United Nations. USA Minister asked us this morning for our reactions to two possible courses of action which might be taken collectively by as many of the signatories of the Hungarian peace treaty as wish to do so:

(a) A letter might be sent to Security Council to invite attention to situation created in Hungary by employment of Soviet forces against Hungarian people to repress demands to enjoy human rights and freedom affirmed in Charter and guaranteed by peace treaty; letter would urge Council members to keep situation under review to determine whether it is liable to endanger peace and security, and if so what constructive steps Council might take;

(b) Alternatively Security Council resolution could be submitted provided for establishment of committee to determine facts and report results of findings to the Council.

2. We are interested in this idea especially if India and Yugoslavia take an active part and would see some advantages in inviting USSR to join in sponsoring this or amended proposal although they would probably reject it. If they did by any chance accept, it might provide only foreseeable context in which Hungarian leaders could talk officially to the West.

3. In any case we would hope U.N. action might facilitate an end to the fighting on terms which would be better than mere repression of anti-Soviet rioters. Rebels are reported this morning to have appealed to U.K. (and perhaps others) to take Security Council action. In circumstances a letter to Security Council is probably all Western group of peace treaty signatories can do. However, if USSR would participate fact finding committee might have more than propaganda value.

4. Grateful for your comments and (except for Washington) those of your Foreign Office on USA suggestion.

5. (Belgrade only) Your USA colleague has authority to approach Yugoslav government at his discretion but may have decided not repeat not to do so.

[L.B.] PEARSON