800.6363/2–1844
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Petroleum Adviser (Rayner)
| Participants: | The Acting Secretary |
| Lord Halifax | |
| Mr. Michael Wright, First Secretary | |
| Mr. James Dunn, SPA1 | |
| Mr. Wallace Murray, OEA2 | |
| Mr. Charles Rayner, ECA3 |
The Acting Secretary advised Lord Halifax that he had discussed with the President
- (1)
- the matter of a press release covering the conversations with the British,
- (2)
- the British objection to discussing concession rights, and
- (3)
- the Cabinet level of the American group.
He informed Lord Halifax on the first point that the President had been subject to a great deal of pressure from the press, with some intimation that a failure to issue a press release had given rise to rumors that difficulties had arisen between the British and us regarding [Page 100] these conversations and that he felt it extremely desirable that a press release should be issued immediately.
On the second point, the President was strong in his opinion that there should be no restrictions on the conversations; that the approach should be one of a frank and open discussion of all matters of mutual interest conducted between equal partners in a spirit of cooperation and mutual confidence. He therefore did not approve’ of the British request to eliminate a discussion of concession rights.
With reference to the third point, the President felt that the whole matter of mutual agreement on petroleum problems was of such extreme importance to both the British Government and to this Government and to the problems of international security that high ranking representatives of both Governments should constitute the groups that were to carry on the discussions.
A proposed press release to be issued at noon tomorrow was discussed. Mr. Wright felt very definitely that such a release would have an unfavorable reaction in London and might even result in a decision on their part to postpone conversations indefinitely. Several changes were made and final agreement was eventually reached on changes Lord Halifax felt would assist him in clearing the matter with London. It was also felt that a cable to Ambassador Winant requesting him to get in touch with Mr. Eden4 to elaborate on the point of view of this Government would be of assistance. The Acting Secretary instructed Messrs. Dunn, Murray and Rayner to prepare such a cable.5
- James Clement Dunn, Director, Office of European Affairs; also Acting Director, Office of Special Political Affairs (SPA), January 15–May 7, 1944.↩
- Wallace Murray, Director, Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs.↩
- Mr. Rayner, the Petroleum Adviser, was at this time attached to the Office of Economic Affairs (ECA).↩
- Anthony Eden, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.↩
- Cable drafted but not sent.↩