Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, General: Political and Economic Matters, Volume II

840.70/2–1145: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)¹⁸

Washington, February 3, 1945—1 p.m.

830. For EITO Delegation. ReEmbs 1130 of February 1.

I. As indicated by Department’s no. 427 of Feb. 3, 1945 to Paris, repeated to London as no. 831 of Feb. 3, 1945, Department would be prepared to participate in proposed arrangement as set forth in British Aide-Mémoire, provided French favor it. If, however, French have not changed their views as stated by Mathé on January 17, Department would wish to consider the situation thus presented before determining its position.

II. Department is not prepared to commit itself to British proposal as modified by inclusion of SACMED¹⁹ area (reEmbs 1151 of February 2²⁰) even if favored by French, until it is informed precisely as to what countries British include in SACMED area, and how British think that such countries could be integrated into an interim organization. Please advise. Department assumes recommendations in Embassy’s 1130 are not modified by change in British proposal.

III. Every effort should, of course, be made to get EITO document in final form as soon as possible, by means of informal meetings with Continental Allies.

IV. Department will appreciate any information obtainable on Franco-Dutch discussion of waterways annex.

V. Please repeat Embassy’s 1151 of February 2 to Paris and Moscow.

Grew

18. Repeated to Paris as 426, and to Moscow as 217.
19. Supreme Allied Command, Mediterranean Theater.
20. Not printed; it stated that British Foreign Office favored the SACMED and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force areas being included in proposed interim European organization (840.70/2–245).