840.50/2–745: Telegram

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

1252. Department has discussed with Hawkins Department’s 859 of February 3 (repeated as 229 to Moscow and 438 to Paris) with regard to European Economic Committee and London’s 1333 of February 7 (which was repeated by London to Moscow as no. 37 and Paris as no. 62). In view of the absence of comments from Paris and Moscow and the shortness of time before March 1, Department proposes to proceed as suggested in London’s 1333, February 7.

Accordingly, memoranda will be delivered to British, Soviet and French Embassies here suggesting that preliminary talks originally scheduled for January 29 to be held in London about March 1 and stating that if preliminary discussions indicate agreement as to desirability of establishing EEC and a European Coal Organization, further discussions be held as soon as possible, preferably within two weeks after March 1, to include Belgians, Dutch, Luxembourgers and representatives of SHAEF. The purpose of these later discussions would be to set up the organizations and to start them functioning as soon as possible.

Moscow is requested to approach the Soviet Government referring to previous communications and to urge strongly that the Soviets participate in March 1 conversations or at least have an observer present. If no action is taken by the Soviets, March 1 conversations would proceed without them. Paris is requested to approach French Government and urge prompt reply.43

Sent to London, repeated to Paris and Moscow.44

Grew
  1. Identical memoranda were delivered to the British, Soviet, and French Embassies on February 19, 1945. The information in this paragraph was not communicated to the respective Embassies.
  2. As telegrams 657 and 359, respectively.