840.70/12–1344: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 13—5:10 p.m.]
11041. From EITO Delegation. Question raised by Department in last paragraph of 10348, December 1127 was dismissed at fourth meeting with Continental Delegations (see despatch No. 1980227) on December 9 and referred to drafting committee. Discussion in former group made clear that Continentals were opposed to Department’s alternative (a), insisting that the permanent number be maintained at seven, with a minimum of six so long as the Soviets had not signed the agreement. Netherlands Delegation even wished all seven places to be filled at the beginning even if Soviets did not sign the agreement, eighth place to be added when they did join the organization. This was flatly refused by the British. The group agreed on a compromise between Department’s (b) and (c), the exact text of which as determined by the drafting committee is being forwarded in our immediately following telegram. [EITO Delegation.]