Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, General; the United Nations, Volume I

560AL/5–1646

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

secret

Washington, May 17, 1946—7 p.m.

4119. For Hawkins from Wilcox and Brown. Urtel 5202, May 16. Our reactions to British counter-proposals follow:

1. We accept idea July may be too soon for Preparatory Committee meeting, and suggest Oct 15 but in no case later.

2. We feel strongly that announcement of Oct date should be made in near future, to maintain momentum and public interest and to answer many inquiries developing following Lie’s statement (unauthorized) few days ago that Preparatory Committee would meet soon after ECOSOC session.⁷⁰ Also, announcement preferable before or early in forthcoming meeting of ECOSOC to help forestall any ECOSOC action such as feared by Liesching. Announcement should not await loan outcome in Congress.

3. We concur in duration and scope of Preparatory Committee agenda suggested and will defer until later question of drafting committee and its functions.

4. We agree to European site for Preparatory Committee meeting but would prefer London to Geneva.

5. Please convey foregoing to British and attempt to obtain their approval promptly, with a view to having British Emb join with us in asking ECOSOC secretariat to convene and announce Oct meeting if there is general agreement.⁷¹ We will consult with Canadians, French and possibly others. [Wilcox and Brown.]

Acheson

70. The second session of ECOSOC was to convene at New York on May 21. On May 14, speaking before the International Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Trygve Lie, Secretary-General of the United Nations, had announced that the Council, as one of its first actions at this session, would summon the projected international conference on trade and employment.
71. In telegram 5268, May 20, 6 p.m., from London, Mr. Hawkins cabled: “Plan outlined urtel 4119, May 17, approved by British who will immediately instruct Embassy in Washington to cooperate.” (560.AL/5–2046) On May 28 announcement was made at the United Nations that the general conference on trade and employment was postponed until 1947 because of the scope and complexity of necessary preparatory work, and that the Preparatory Committee meeting would be held at London on October 15.