611.5531/722
Memorandum by Mr. Jacques J. Reinstein of the Division of Trade Agreements
| Conversation: | Mr. Walravens, Second Secretary of the Belgian Embassy; |
| Mr. Culbertson; | |
| Mr. Hawkins;6 | |
| Mr. Reinstein. |
Mr. Walravens called to inquire for information regarding our position on the draft of general provisions sent to the Belgian Embassy on July 9. He said that the Ambassador had received a personal letter from someone in the Belgian Foreign Office stating that the Belgians were very much disappointed over the attitude which we had apparently taken with regard to the negotiation of the general provisions; that they felt we had not approached the matter in the friendly spirit in which the agreement was concluded and that we had not made any effort to meet their views with regard to certain points in the draft which they considered of importance; and that it was therefore difficult for them to see how they could accede to our wishes on points in regard to which we were particularly interested.
Mr. Walravens inquired whether it would be possible for us to give him a further statement on our position indicating the points which we consider to be of importance. He felt that such information would facilitate the examination of our draft by the Belgian authorities.
Mr. Hawkins stated that we would be glad to do this, and it was arranged that Mr. Walravens and Mr. Reinstein should go over our draft together at an early date.
- Harry C. Hawkins, Chief of the Division of Trade Agreements.↩