740.00119 Council/8–2046: Telegram
The Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Clayton) to Mr. James C. Dunn, Member of the United States Delegation
4245. Secdel 714. For Dunn from Clayton for his information. Re Molotov’s speech regarding terms Italian Treaty warning Italians against linking to American capital as in civil aviation.28
Contrast activities of US and Soviet Union in international civil aviation.
US has sought to join with other Govts in development of means whereby benefits of civil aviation might be made available on most economical and impartial basis to all peoples. It convened international civil aviation conference Chicago 194429 to which Soviet Govt, together with fifty other states, was invited. Invitation was accepted by Soviet Govt but shortly before the first meeting it was announced on radio in Moscow that Soviet Govt would not participate in conference; reason advanced was that it did not care participate in meeting to be attended by certain other states. Soviet Govt’s original acceptance had been made in full knowledge of fact that Govts to which it objected had been invited. Soviet record since Chicago Conference clearly indicates determination in no way to participate in international efforts to solve problems confronting international civil aviation. It has declined to attend the initial meeting, regional conferences, [Page 840] and meeting of the first Assembly of PICAO,30 and despite special invitation declined accept seat on Interim Council directive body of PICAO.
US position respect civil aviation in ex-enemy states exceedingly clear. It has stood firmly on policy which demands that no one state or group of states acquire monopolistic or exclusive aviation rights in ex-enemy states. The contractual arrangement between Italian Govt and a private American carrier is neither exclusive nor monopolistic. Italian Govt able to make similar contracts with any other company or govt. Policy adopted by US as one best calculated to further rehabilitation and hasten development of transportation facilities essential for economic health.
In contrast is policy Soviet Govt in Balkans. It has exercised extremely heavy pressure upon Govts of Rumania, Hungary, and other states to force them turn over development of their air transport systems to company, nominally jointly owned by those Govts with Soviet Govt but actually fully controlled by Soviet interests. While these agreements have not specifically conferred exclusive privileges, no doubt but that is practical effect. Furthermore Soviet Govt has exercised pressure both directly and indirectly to prevent these Govts from permitting US civil aviation enterprises to operate into or through their territories even despite desire of Govt concerned acquire benefits such services for its people.
- The reference is presumably to Molotov’s address at the 14th Plenary Meeting, August 13, in which he asserted that in the name of “equality of opportunity” in civil aviation, Italy was being presented claims incompatible with her sovereignty and national interests. See the United States Delegation Journal summary of that meeting, vol. iii, p. 189.↩
- For documentation on the International Civil Aviation Conference, see Foreign Relations, 1944, vol. ii, pp. 355 ff.↩
- Provisional International Civil Aviation Organization.↩