103.9169/12–1444: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:06 p.m.]
11088. For Department, Crowley and Fleming, FEA from Stone. ReEmbs 11032 December 12 and 11049 December 13.32
1. Second formal meeting was held with Swedes this afternoon, December 14. Boheman’s reaction to draft agreement continued to be favorable. He offered following minor preliminary amendment to draft memorandum:
United States and United Kingdom undertaking: In point (d) after “on a reasonable basis” insert “and to enable her to make her contribution to post war reconstruction”; and add after “to proceed” the word “forthwith”.
Swedish Government undertaking: Point (c) eliminate “and communications”. In commenting on this alteration Boheman stated he believed that his Government would object in principle to including in this written agreement a prohibition on all private communications postal and other, with Japan. Foot suggested that it might be possible for the Swedish Government to inform us that it was not its intention to reopen facilities for private communication with Japan. This appeared to Boheman to be feasible and was likewise acceptable to Foot and Stone as achieving our aim.
Swedish Government undertaking: Point (e) in view of regulations recently put into effect (reported by Stockholm in its telegram 4466 November 233) Boheman suggested an amendment to this clause. After some discussion following redraft was accepted by Swedish, American and British delegates: “to continue in force such measures as are necessary to implement Bretton Woods resolution No. VI and favorably consider such further measures as are necessary for this purpose”.
[Page 674]2. During this meeting Swedes presented figures showing the extent and general categories of trade they desire to carry on with Norway and Denmark.
[Here follow the aforementioned figures.]
In commenting on this proposed trade with Norway and Denmark Boheman drew the attention of the American and British representatives to the fact that the memorandum presented to the Swedes called for embargo of all exports to Germany subsequent to the arrival of the Saturnus. The Swedish interpretation of Germany includes all Axis Europe except Norway and Denmark.
With regard to the exports to Norway he reiterated his previous remarks about the steps taken to prevent the goods being of benefit to the Germans and promised a memorandum on controls used. He stated that no exports were used for the reconstruction and repair of premises damaged by Allied raids and stated that if any diversion of goods for this purpose occurred the Swedish Government learned of it immediately. When his attention was drawn to the fact that timber occurred as an export and import from Norway he stated that this was the normal border traffic.
The Swedes stated that the pharmaceuticals exported to Norway and Denmark were in the first place sulfa drugs and that in Norway there was close control similar to that of relief items to ensure that these goods w-ere used in Norwegian hospitals for the benefit of Norwegians.
The timber exports to Denmark were supervised by Danish trade unions in order to make certain that the goods were not diverted to the benefit of the Germans. This supervision would continue in the future.
3. As a result of today’s meeting Boheman is recommending that his Government accept the agreement. However, Boheman made it clear that final acceptance by his Government would depend upon some assurance from the United States and United Kingdom Governments with respect to trade with Norway and Denmark.
British also consider agreement acceptable but do not believe that it is to our advantage to conclude it immediately because negotiations with Swedes on shipping pool have not yet been concluded and because there may also be certain additional matters which we may desire to include. In event that Department and FEA also find agreement generally acceptable in present form Foot suggested that it might be best to inform the Swedish Government prior to Boheman’s return to Sweden that we should appreciate his return to London in early part of January to complete negotiations. In the meantime all three Governments would agree to act as if the agreement were in force. This is similar to the arrangement made in June, 1943. [Page 675] To make this suggestion workable it would probably be necessary to give discretion to the American and British representatives on the Stockholm JSC to approve exports to be made during January to Norway and Denmark. These instructions could allow total exports in January proportionate to the amounts reported in section 2 of this telegram which were not objectionable because of the nature of the goods themselves.
4. Embassy would greatly appreciate reactions of Department and FEA to memorandum and Swedish comment at earliest possible date. All additional information received from Swedes will be telegraphed or airmailed. Please note that Embassy’s 11034, December 13,34 reported list of commodities Swedes desire urgently and need in addition to existing basic rations. Swedes promised certain additional information regarding iron and steel products and machinery which they would like to export to Norway and Denmark. This will be reported in detail as soon as received.
Sent to Department as Embassy’s 11088; repeated to Stockholm as 837. [Stone.]