740.00119 EW/2–649: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
475. For Douglas from Saltzman. Reurtel 474, Feb 8,1 recognize desirability from Brit and Fr viewpoint deal with dismantling and [Page 552] prohibited industries together and announce outcome simultaneously. Dept considers interrelationship largely eliminated by clauses in notes re prohibited and restricted industries and steel. See no possibility arrive prompt agreement on prohibited industries and little possibility obtaining agreement within Govt separate this issue from list to be dealt with contemplated omnibus procedure.
For your info representatives Brit and Fr Embassies called today with identical instructions to inquire what location for negotiations dismantling and prohibited and restricted industries.2 They also pressed same point raised by Bevin regarding desirability link two negotiations. They were informed along lines of selected portions of Deptel 432 Feb 6,3 relating particularly to relative importance of the two issues, the major difference as to the time during which restrictions in prohibited restricted industries would be effective, difference of approach as to type of prohibitions and restrictions and the careful consideration and extended period Dept considers to be required for acceptable negotiation of prohibited industry issue.
- Not printed; in it Douglas transmitted the text of a letter from Bevin of February 7, in which the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs stated his view that reparations and prohibited and restricted industries should be discussed concurrently. (740.00119 EW/2–849)↩
- A copy of the memorandum of Saltzman’s conversation with Penson and de Margerie is in file 740.00119 EW/2–949.↩
- Supra.↩