OUTGBIN Distr A-B-C-E U '7 UNITED STATES MISSION Ga TO THE UNITED NATIONS 63% Cg gv CLAISIFICATION DATE CONFID ENTIAL Octob er 23 SENT TO SECSTATE WASHINGTON DELGA 250 6 49 PM RE Irish Proposals 1 Our selective canvass of opinion on Irish proposals reported in classified summaries DEIGAs 2h5 and 252 shows that Ireland has little positive support Both preposals apparently can be beaten by negative votes of NATO and other allies many DELS from Africa Asia and Latin America and even some of our allies will abstain however because they do not want to vote against something designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapors a principle with which they agree 2 I have not found any argument that I can use publicly to explain vote against Irish proposals that would sound reasonable and persuasive and not make us appear before world opinion to favor spread of nuclear weapons This applies especially to Irish RES to appoint committee to study matter It is essential for me to have such an argument that I can make if necessary at proper time 3 I hope DEPT will also continue to consider as an alternative way or handling this new language on the subject matter of Irish RES we might add to 17-power RES It is always easier to vote against bad but embarrassing text if there is something else to take its place We ought to be able to tind some acceptable way of stating principle involved since it is inherent in our own long-range disarmament position Gomez E LODGE rung wo' 1W t5 ho U m 3 CLASSIFICATION CONFID AL DECLASSIFIEI Authority pp 13111 5 This document is from the holdings of The National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994-7000 Fax 202 994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu