560.A.L./6–2446: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Harriman)
us urgent
4935. For Hawkins from Wilcox. Field reports indicate danger letdown preparations trade meeting as result postponement. We therefore plan send all nuclear missions message summarizing major developments to date and setting forth plan future action to be urged on nuclear govts. Message would emphasize that procedure memo Feb 6 still holds except for fact that first meeting of Preparatory Committee will be held some months in advance of nuclear negotiations and that [Page 1326] of greatest importance is transmittal between all countries, and not merely with US, preliminary list request items and preliminary list request concessions, deadlines to be next few months for former and end of year for latter. We convinced this essential if meeting to go forward Mar 1947. Delay beyond Mar clearly undesirable because Trade Agreements Act other developments 1948. Message will also refer early transmittal and possible publication US draft of Charter and our plan bilateral discussions between US and each other nuclear country (urtel 6130 June 2072) during July, Aug and Sep on Charter and details procedure memo Feb 6.
Pls discuss main points foregoing with Brit and give us their and your views, particularly as to essentiality exchange well in advance of Mar meeting of preliminary lists actual concession requests. We should like Brit, and will in light your reply also seek Canadian and French support in stimulating through their missions nuclear countries action by other Govts re exchange lists. However Canadians have thus far opposed idea transmittal lists concession request on grounds possible embarrassment, argument which we will try overcome.
Dept will afford you opportunity consult Brit prior publication or general transmittal US draft Charter. [Wilcox.]
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