840.70/12–244: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 3—2:45 p.m.]
10692. From EITO Delegation. In the light of the developments reported in Embassy’s 10574 of November 29 (which crossed Department’s 10041 of November 30) and particularly in view of the high degree of agreement reached with the Continental Allies on the revised EITO draft reported in Embassy’s 10690 of December 2, we now hope there will be no need for a stop-gap arrangement. As suggested in 10574 of November 29, it is more likely that some informal steps [Page 897] might be taken toward setting up the EITO organization slightly in advance of the actual signature of the agreement. Noel-Baker, prior to the November 30 meeting, indicated that he now wants to drop the “stop-gap” idea and press for the immediate establishment of EITO. We hope this will continue to be the British view. Since, however, it is still possible that a hitch may occur in the establishment of EITO, necessitating a “stop-gap” arrangement, we should appreciate the Department’s reaction to the recommendations in Embassy’s 10464 of November 27 in case the subject should come up again in the form discussed in that cable. [EITO Delegation.]