840.70/10–1244: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
8468. ReEmbs 8631, October 12, 4 p.m. The Department would like to retain the centralized coordinating functions of EITO with respect to waterway traffic, although this may already be adequately covered by Article VII, paragraphs 6 and 7.
Question of EITO jurisdiction over waterway administrations in paragraph 12 involves broader questions. While Department prefers to see provision made for coordination of such administrations, this government would not press the issue, provided suitable arrangements were made for dealing with such administrations on the same matters and on the same basis as EITO deals with national governments.
French proposal not entirely clear because of basic difference between “railway arrangements” and “waterway administrations.” Would following amendments meet French point: In paragraph 12, first sentence after “initiate” delete “the establishment of suitable administrations” and insert “and coordinate common action to secure the inauguration of new international arrangements, or the maintenance or resumption with modifications if desirable of existing international arrangements”, and in second sentence delete “administrations” and insert “arrangements.”
If this amendment does not meet Soviet objection, could something be worked out along lines of second paragraph of this telegram.
The British proposal for a provisional administration for the Danube is under consideration by the Department and should not confuse the issues arising in the EITO conference.