740.00119 Council/4–1346
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Aide-Mémoire
The Secretary of State has the following observations to make in reply to the Aide-Mémoire of the British Embassy93 setting forth the views of Mr. Bevin regarding the meeting of the Foreign Ministers in Paris on April 25.
- 1.
- Secretary Byrnes concurs in observations in paragraph 1.
- 2.
- Secretary Byrnes hopes that the question Mr. Bevin raises in paragraph 2 will not arise. While France undoubtedly will participate in all discussions of arrangements for Peace Conference, Secretary Byrnes will not wish to reopen discussion of Moscow formula. Of course Mr. Byrnes would be pleased if Russians agree to French attendance at all sessions, but he will not be able to insist upon it.
- 3.
- Secretary Byrnes concurs in observations in paragraph 3.
- 4–6.
- Secretary Byrnes concurs generally in the observations in paragraph 4–6. He thinks Mr. Bevin’s list of the principal outstanding questions might be used as a tentative agenda although if it develops that progress is possible, other questions which would facilitate agreement on treaties might have to be added. After further checking upon the work of the Deputies, Secretary Byrnes may have some further suggestions. He feels that Mr. Bevin himself should transmit his list to the French, Russians and ourselves to avoid any feeling that the British and Americans have any advance agreements.
- 7.
- If the log-jam is really broken at the Paris meeting of Ministers, Secretary Byrnes would wish the Peace Conference to be called at the earliest possible date, and in those circumstances Secretary Byrnes contemplates that the Ministers would not disperse but would remain in Paris. Secretary Byrnes doubts however whether Peace Conference could possibly be held before latter part of May. He agrees date must be discussed by Ministers.
- 8.
- Secretary Byrnes has already informed the French that he would agree to the German questions being added to the agenda with the [Page 69] understanding that they would not be taken up until peace treaty matters are settled.
- 9.
- Secretary Byrnes generally agrees with the observations in paragraph 9 but he has some doubts as to the wisdom of anticipating the problem by a statement at a press conference. If he should decide to do so, he would state that he assumes that Ministers meetings would as in the past not be public, but the Peace Conference meetings would be public. While formal press conferences should be avoided during the meeting of Foreign Ministers, this should not preclude giving background guidance. If this is not understood, most of the participating governments will be doing this but each will think the others are violating their pledge.
Washington
, April 18,
1946.