Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1944, General: Economic and Social Matters, Volume II

811.79600/8–344

The Secretary of State to the Delegate of the French Committee of National Liberation (Hoppenot)

The Secretary of State presents his compliments to the Honorable the French Delegate and has the honor to call attention to the fact that the United States Government has been holding exploratory conversations with certain Governments for the purpose of exchanging views on post-war civil aviation.

In the event that the French authorities also would be interested in entering into such discussions with the United States Government, a French delegation designated for this purpose would be welcome here. There is enclosed a proposed agenda⁶⁴ covering certain points which this Government feels would offer a suitable basis for these conversations. This Government will be pleased to learn whether or not the French authorities would find it convenient to participate in such bilateral conversations in the near future, and the approximate date on which these discussions might be started.

In connection with this general subject, the Secretary of State refers also to the Department’s note addressed to the Honorable the French Delegate under date of June 15, 1944,⁶⁵ transmitting a copy of a statement for the press released on June 14, 1944 by the Civil Aeronautics Board of this Government. This statement listed the proposed international air routes which the Civil Aeronautics Board believes may be desirable for post-war operation by United States air carriers.

As mentioned in the Department’s note of June 15, 1944, the establishment of these routes will be dependent upon the consent of the various Governments through whose territory they will be operated. This will involve considerations of reciprocity in a number of cases, and in this connection the United States Government believes that a world pattern of routes can best be worked out if some of the interested countries will inform each other of their plans in this respect.

The United States Government, having already announced its own projected international air routes, would appreciate receiving any information which the French Delegation can supply at this time concerning the tentative French plans on this subject. A similar inquiry is being addressed to certain Governments which are also expected to operate international airlines in the post-war period.⁶⁶

This Government hopes that such information can be made available promptly, and on a non-confidential basis with permission to transmit copies to the appropriate authorities of other countries concerned. In this way a picture of the probable post-war international aviation network may take shape at an early date, thus permitting an intelligent discussion of the needs and requirements of each country and the rights which it can expect to receive from others.

Washington , August 3, 1944.

64. Ante, p. 378.
65. See circular telegram of June 12 and footnote 32, p. 491.
66. Inquiries were sent on July 26 to the British Chargé; on July 28 to the Brazilian Ambassador and the Belgian and Norwegian Ministers; on July 29 to the Netherlands Ambassador, the Canadian Chargé, the Agent General of India, and the Ministers of Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa.