740.00112 European War 1939/9228: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
London, September
3, 1943—4 p.m.
[Received September 3—2:45 p.m.]
[Received September 3—2:45 p.m.]
5834. From Riefler for Department and OEW. Reference Embassy’s 5833 of September 3.
- 1.
- Foot and I saw the Swiss Minister this afternoon to discuss informally with him the Swiss reply in reference cable. We expressed our continued dissatisfaction with the fact that Swiss exports of arms, munitions and high priority machinery had risen so sharply in June and July. We asked the Minister to ascertain from his Government more details on paragraph 5 of his letter quoted in reference telegram.
- 2.
- Foot stated that despite our disappointment, we were prepared to go forward with our part of the agreement and that navicerts for one-half quotas would be available, at least for the time being. We both stressed, however, that our two Governments would be seriously concerned if we were deprived of the benefits of the agreement or if these benefits were offset by increased aid given to the German war effort in other directions not specifically covered by the text of the agreement.
- 3.
- We informed the Swiss Minister that we hoped to have an agenda for the forthcoming negotiations ready for discussion with him sometime next week. [Riefler.]
Winant