840.50/8–1944: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
London, August 19,
1944.
[Received August 19—5:45 p.m.]
[Received August 19—5:45 p.m.]
6733. For Berle, Hooker and Radius.14 The proposed text of the joint communication to Moscow concerning EITO follows:
- (1)
- The Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States are impressed with the increasing urgency of the need for establishing a European Inland Transport Organization. In view of the progress of military operations in Europe, the military authorities are concerned that there should be set up at an early date a central organization capable of coordinating control of transport in all the liberated areas. Moreover, the other Allied Governments concerned are expressing anxiety at the absence of indications of progress in this field. As the success of the plans under consideration depends on effective cooperation by the European Allies, the United Kingdom and United States Governments feel that early consultation with them can no longer be delayed.
- (2)
- The two Governments, therefore, feel it essential to set a date for the convocation of a conference to consider the draft agreement and consider this date should be not later than September 25th. It seems desirable that the European Allies should have an opportunity of considering the draft agreement well in advance of this date and it is therefore proposed to communicate it to them on September 1st. They would at the same time be invited to attend the proposed conference in London on September 25th. The United States and United Kingdom Governments earnestly hope that the Soviet Government will be by then in a position to join in the invitation. If not, however, the United States and United Kingdom Governments consider that the preparatory work for the conference on September 25th could, nevertheless, be put in hand and they would propose to communicate, the draft agreement to the Allies on September 1st indicating that it is the intention to hold a conference toward the end of September. The United States and United Kingdom Governments propose also to indicate to the Allies that the draft agreement has their general approval and that the Soviet Government has stated that it attaches [Page 776] great importance to the early creation of a special organization of the United Nations for the restoration and coordination of European inland transport in the period following the end of hostilities on the European Continent and that the Soviet Government has been kept fully informed of the discussions leading to the draft agreement on which, however, it is not yet in a position to indicate its attitude. At the time of the communication of the draft agreement to the Allied Governments, it would be indicated to them that the draft is based to a large extent on the work done by their experts on the Technical Advisory Committee on Inland Transport. The Allied Governments would also be informed that their comment on the draft agreement would be welcomed and that any inquiries they might wish to make on the subject would be discussed with them informally.
- (3)
- In view of the increasing tempo of military operations, the United Kingdom and United States Governments feel that the establishment of the proposed Interim Commission should not be further delayed. The United Kingdom and United States Governments hope that the Soviet Government will be ready to participate in this Commission by early September. In the event of its preparations not being complete, the Soviet Government might consider appointing an observer to the Interim Commission until such time as they are ready to designate a full commissioner.
- (4)
- In the first communication made to them, the Allied Governments would be informed of the imminent establishment of the Interim Commission and invited to designate a member to serve on an Advisory Committee to the Commission.
Winant
- Radius had departed from London on August 16.↩