740.00112A European War 1939/36136: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
6923. The form of the statement to be made by the United States and British Governments with respect to post-war listing in the event such a statement becomes necessary has been discussed further by the [Page 343] Department with the other interested agencies in view of your telegram 6798 of October 7. The following form has been agreed upon:
“It is not possible at the present time to predict precisely when it may prove to be possible and expedient to withdraw the published lists. The United States and the United Kingdom do not consider the Proclaimed and Statutory Lists as appropriate parts of the type of normal peace-time trade policies which they hope eventually will be established. It is recognized, however, that there will inevitably be a transition period from war to peace-time conditions. In view of the total character of the present conflict and its vast impact upon commerce, it will necessarily take time to effect adjustments of economic warfare controls following the cessation of hostilities. Such adjustments will be carried out with due regard to specific circumstances. The problem of eliminating economic warfare controls and in particular the Proclaimed and Statutory Lists is believed in general to be capable of prompt solution in regions far removed from the scene of conflict. The elimination of such controls may be expected to be slower with respect to areas adjacent to the scene of conflict and particularly with respect to nationals of or residents in neutral countries, who have engaged actively in equipping or servicing the military machine of the enemy—which the Allied governments are determined to destroy—or who have continued to render other important aid to the economy of the enemy.”
The reasons for the changes will undoubtedly be apparent. If MEW has any question concerning any part of this proposed form of statement we shall, of course, be glad to consider further changes.
Department’s 6016 referred to Bern, Stockholm, Madrid and Lisbon as those were the missions referred to in your 5845 of September 3 as the ones agreed upon by you and MEW. Department sees no objection to extending the program to Ankara, and also to Tangier, Baghdad and Tehran if there are firms in the latter three countries that could profitably be approached.