2. The two most important offices in the United Nations, outside the Secretariat, are the presidency of the General Assembly and the presidency of the Economic and Social Council. The two positions have never been held simultaneously by one member state, nor is it likely that they could be. Canada has never held either post. By convention, the great powers are excluded from the two presidencies.

3. During December, our delegation to the Sixth Session of the General Assembly was asked by the French, United Kingdom and United States delegations whether a Canadian would be available for the presidency of the Economic and Social Council. This election will be held at the beginning of the Fourteenth Session of the Council in New York in May, 1952. The president then elected would hold office through 1952 and into 1953.

4. This enquiry made it necessary, rather earlier than had been expected, to examine our position concerning the presidency of the General Assembly, since the election of a Canadian to the presidency of the Economic and Social Council would militate seriously against the election of a Canadian to the more important post.

5. On December 26, 1951, the delegation in Paris was requested to inform the French, United Kingdom and United States delegations that Mr. Pearson was a serious candidate for the presidency of the General Assembly, and therefore a Canadian would not be available for the presidency of the Economic and Social Council. This information was given confidentially to the three delegations and this confidence was respected. On February 4, the day prior to the conclusion of the Sixth Regular Session, the delegation in Paris was told that it should inform other friendly delegations that Mr. Pearson was a serious candidate and that it should let the French, United Kingdom and United States representatives know that this was being done. The matter is therefore no longer confidential and has indeed already come to the notice of the press. It should be clearly understood, however, that no campaign is being initiated now to gain support for Mr. Pearson's candidacy. It is not desired that you should take any action on this information, though if enquiries are received you may state that Mr. Pearson has indicated that he is willing to serve.

6. If an armistice is concluded in Korea, there will be a special session of the Assembly to deal with Korean matters. The Minister is not a candidate for the presidency of a special session of this kind, but is a candidate for the Seventh Regular Session.

7. The Department should be informed of any reactions to Mr. Pearson's candidacy, as well as any local reports of other candidates and of candidates for the presidency of the Economic and Social Council.

8. Indeed, it may be taken as a general principle that the Department is interested in information about individual candidates for offices in the United Nations, and about candidacies of countries for seats in those United Nations bodies in which vacancies periodically occur.

A.D.P. HEENEY