Confirming Minister's conversation tonight with Watt:

1. Minister does not agree your position as President Security
Council [1] obliges you to take neutral attitude [2]; but on
contrary will give opportunities to take lead on questions now to
be discussed.

2. Main outstanding question at present meetings from Australian
point of view is site of centre. We should not assume
recommendation of preparatory commission will be accepted and
whole Delegation must work hard for San Francisco. Tactic should
be yes or no decision on U.S.A. then not coast versus coast debate
but separate vote on each recommended site.

3. Decision on site should not be postponed. It is most important
that next meeting of Assembly should not be in London but at
chosen site or as near as is physically possible from
accommodation point of view. Security Council should be
transferred to site as soon as current meetings complete and
before proposed April meeting of Assembly.

4. You are aware Minister's views on atomic energy. [3] While
Security Council must be closely associated with proposals for
control the Assembly must play full part and be in position to
discuss and recommend at all stages and have reports constantly
referred to it.

5. Election Secretary General presents problem as no candidate so
far named is outstanding. Minister definitely opposed to Van
Kleffens. He is equally opposed in principle to national of great
powers and persons named from United Kingdom and China [4] are
also not acceptable on personal grounds. Simic must be regarded as
Russian representative and is objectionable on grounds of above
principle. Pearson has not necessary strength and in any case
Canada is too closely associated with major powers. Both these
objections to Pearson became obvious at San Francisco. On balance
Lie is strongly favoured and Minister desires you and Hodgson to
meet him, indicate we wish to support Norway and find out whether
he is a candidate, what is his general attitude to Assembly and
role of small powers. Minister desires full report. Lie should
know we desire support Norway and also that we voted for him as
President. [5]