800.6176/8–2344: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)43
6712. For Bliss44 from Haley. Exploratory rubber talks with British and Dutch in London indicated the desirability of study and discussion of rubber problems on a continuing basis. During the talks the suggestion was made that informal international Rubber Study Group be formed having terms of reference and procedure as follows:
“(1) To meet from time to time to discuss common problems arising from the production, manufacture and use of rubber (crude, synthetic and reclaimed); (2) To initiate studies which bear on these common problems; (3) To examine these and other relevant studies; and (4) To consider and suggest possible solutions.
The procedure of the Rubber Study Group will be by discussion and by the keeping of approved records of these discussions. The agreed minutes will be transmitted to the respective Governments by their representatives, with such comments as they wish to make. The Group’s procedure will not include voting with regard to the subject matter of the discussions, nor the transmission from the Group as a whole of formal recommendations to the Governments. Subject to the foregoing provision the Group shall settle its own procedure.
Arrangements will be made for other interested Governments to be kept informed of the studies made and of the results of the discussions so far as practicable.
The Rubber Study Group will continue to function during such period, as, in the opinion of each of the three Governments, it continues to serve the purposes above set out.”
Please inform Governments of the Netherlands and United Kingdom that the Department is prepared to participate in such a Rubber Study Group. Possibly a simple memorandum containing the substance of the terms of reference and procedure as quoted above handed by you to the British, O. S. Franks, Ministry of Supply and Dutch, P. H. Westermann, Ministry of Colonies would be the most satisfactory way of indicating to them our acceptance of the proposal. It is the Department’s view that the arrangements should be as informal as possible, but if the British and Dutch have alternative suggestions on this point the Department would be pleased to consider them.
Department suggests simultaneous issuance of a press release patterned after the following:
“As an outgrowth of the exploratory rubber talks recently concluded in London the Department of State announced United States [Page 978] participation in an informal Rubber Study Group. This Group composed of representatives of the Governments of the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States will meet from time to time to discuss common problems arising from the production, manufacture and use of rubber.
Studies will be initiated and possible solutions to rubber problems will be considered. However, the Group as such will not formulate and transmit recommendations to the participating Governments although the latter will be kept fully informed of the proceedings of the Group through their representatives.
Arrangements will be made for other interested Governments to be kept informed of the studies made and of the results of the discussions so far as practicable.
The Rubber Study Group will continue to function during such period as, in the opinion of each of the three Governments, it continues to serve the purposes for which it is designed.
A tentative program of studies is under way on both sides of the Atlantic as a basis for future discussions.”
It is realized that this Government as well as the Governments of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom may be under considerable pressure from other governments seeking representation in the proposed Rubber Study Group. It is felt that for the present the membership of the proposed Study Group should be limited to the three countries. However, the United States Government believes that, in addition to assuring other countries that they will be kept fully informed of the work of the Study Group, any interested country should be assured that this Government will be willing to engage in discussions on a bilateral basis with regard to rubber problems of mutual concern. This Government would be agreeable, of course, to the British and Dutch following a similar procedure. Furthermore, if there are several countries that express a strong interest in participating in joint discussions of rubber problems through the medium of the proposed Rubber Study Group, it is suggested that any one or all of the three governments participating in the Study Group might indicate a willingness to participate at a later time in multilateral discussions open to all countries interested in the production or consumption of rubber. However, it might be pointed out, such multilateral discussions are likely to be more fruitful if the groundwork is first prepared by means of preliminary studies and discussions conducted under the auspices of the proposed Rubber Study Group of limited membership. [Haley.]