840.70/12–944: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:50 p.m.]
10913. At a meeting on Thursday, December 7, to discuss EITO matters, between Noel-Baker, Ronald, General Obydin (chief of the Soviet EITO Delegation) and Hooker, Noel-Baker again took the occasion to emphasize to General Obydin that on account of the pressure for immediate action by the Anglo-American High Command, it was necessary to proceed without delay to set up the European Inland Transport Organization. He and Hooker both emphasized the desire of both the United Kingdom and the United States Delegations to arrive at a form of agreement that, so far as technical arrangements are concerned, will be acceptable to the Soviets and may therefore be participated in by them when they wish to do so. They informed the General that they hoped in the meantime the Soviet Government would maintain an observer with EITO in order to keep fully informed of all its operations and also to assist in working out measures of practical cooperation that might be needed from time to time between EITO and the Soviet Government, pending the latter’s joining EITO.
Ronald then stated to General Obydin that this sort of situation would probably arise again with respect to other measures of cooperation that were under consideration. He referred particularly to the proposed coal arrangements,20 of which the USSR was informed, and stated that other similar less important arrangements affecting other commodities might also come up for consideration; all under circumstances where the United States and United Kingdom Governments would be under pressure from their High Commands to put prompt measures into effect. He stated that he hoped the [Page 903] Soviet Government would understand that in all such cases their full participation was desired, although it was not the wish in any case to press them to participate before they were quite ready to do so. He said that his Government particularly hoped that the Soviets would understand the necessities that prompted the United Kingdom and United States Governments to take prompt action and that the taking of such action by the two Governments, in conjunction with other interested Continental Government[s], would not detract one jot from their earnest wish that the Soviets might participate fully as soon as they saw fit. He pointed out that in every such case it would be the desire to keep the Soviets fully informed, and that they have observers to follow all proceedings pending what was hoped would be their early and full participation.
General Obydin thanked Ronald and said he would inform his Government. Hooker did not participate in this exchange.