800.24/1394a
The Department of State to the British Embassy 13
Aide-Mémoire
The Government of the United States is fully in accord with the view of the British Government, expressed in the Embassy’s aide-mémoire of October 30, 1943, that a mutual understanding of their aims and interests in the Middle East is highly desirable and considers also that informal discussions in regard thereto may be instrumental in achieving this purpose.
It is believed, however, that it would prove extremely helpful in establishing a basis for the full mutual understanding desired by both Governments if the questions to be discussed were defined prior to an exchange of views concerning them. The American Government, therefore, would appreciate being informed of the specific questions the British Government proposes to discuss and of its viewpoint with respect to these questions, in so far as it may be possible to formulate its attitude at this time. Thus the American officials concerned would be able to give adequate consideration to these questions before meeting with officials of the British Government. If this Government should [Page 12] desire to discuss subjects additional to those proposed by the British Government, due notice would of course be given.
It is the view of this Government that the proposed discussions should embrace the entire Middle Eastern area, and include Turkey, Egypt and Ethiopia.
The American Government agrees that the work of the Middle East Supply Center is a good example of the value of Anglo-American cooperation in economic matters, and that the future of this organization could usefully be considered at the proposed meeting. The suggestions of the British Government as to the manner in which the Middle East Supply Center’s work might be developed would be carefully considered in consultation with this Government’s representatives, in Washington and the Middle East, who are concerned with the work of the Center.
In as much as a discussion of general Middle Eastern problems would involve questions of varied technical character, it is believed that both governments will wish to utilize the services of officials qualified to discuss technical matters. This Government does not maintain a staff of such experts in London. Sending them to London, of course, would present difficult problems of transportation in wartime. It is understood, however, that the British Government has stationed in Washington a number of technical and financial experts whose services might be utilized in connection with discussions relating to Middle Eastern matters. It is suggested, therefore, that, to meet the exigencies of wartime conditions, it would be more practicable to hold the proposed discussions in Washington than in London.
This Government would be glad to receive an expression of the British Government’s views in regard to the foregoing suggestions.
- Handed to the British Ambassador on November 30.↩