500.C1112/82: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 6—7:30 a.m.]
495. Consulate’s 480, November 24, 5 p.m. The Economic Section of the Secretariat have advanced their consideration of the proposed committee on raw materials, and of preparing the following tentative list of participating states: from members of the Economic Committee—United States, Great Britain, France, Russia, Japan, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands; from the Financial Committee—Italy, South Africa; from “other qualified persons”, Germany, Poland, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Portugal.
It should be noted that the foregoing is on the assumption that the United States, Brazil, Japan, Italy and Germany will participate. It is felt that reliance can be placed on the collaboration of Japan and probably also of Brazil. There is great uncertainty concerning Italy and Germany (note Consulate’s 487, December 2, 4 p.m.); it has further been contemplated that failing to obtain a suitable person from Canada, Australia would be invited.
The Economic Section requests that this be kept confidential inasmuch as the choice of states is necessarily a delicate matter.
The committee would technically not be composed of government representatives. Thus, theoretically, members of the Economic and Financial Committee or individual experts could participate without the sanction of their governments.