Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The British Commonwealth, Western and Central Europe, Volume V

840.811/2–1446: Telegram

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

restricted

London, February 14, 1946—5 p.m.
[Received 11:28 p.m.]

1874. For Moats¹⁵ from Radius. After discussions with Rainey¹⁶ and McClure,¹⁷ as well as Blaisdell and Russell, following approach to Rhine problems appears best way to achieve substance desired under another form than IRNA proposals:

1. Uniform instructions would be sent to three zonal military authorities explaining policy of interzonal cooperation on Rhine, to be implemented through tripartite traffic and engineering committees at Duisburg and Eltville. Three waterways chiefs would establish policies, to be carried out by full-time deputies on each committee fully authorized to arrange operations of craft, equipment and services on Rhine and connecting waterways in their respective zones in accordance with committee decisions. Committee members would be expected to present unified position when dealing with other riparian states on IRWC in matters of international concern.

2. Other riparian states would be requested to send representatives to IRWC fully authorized to make similar arrangements for Rhine and connecting waterways under their jurisdiction. This would overcome present problem of having such representatives on IRWC inadequately authorized to carry out decisions regarding necessary international coordination, and would avoid difficulties involved in establishing new organization. ECITO and CRC representation could continue but be formalized as proposed in ECITO council resolution. (Embassy’s telegram 1198, January 31 to Dept; repeated to Paris as 77, to Berlin as 118.¹⁸)

3. Ronald¹⁹ indicated British have also been working out similar approach which would involve minimum necessary formalization of IRWC. They are also trying to work into plan some way to encompass any necessary work on priorities for which French wanted separate committee. Ronald thought Charqueraud²⁰ would be favorable to idea. At Foreign Office meeting scheduled for today to discuss these questions, he will indicate our views and later report developments to us.

Sent Department as 1874; repeated to Paris as 122 and to Berlin as 184. [Radius.]

Winant

15. Helen M. Moats. Special Assistant, American Embassy, London.
16. Froelich G. Rainey, Senior Economic Analyst, detailed to International Rhine Commission.
17. Wallace McClure, Senior Economic Analyst, detailed to International Rhine Commission.
18. Not printed.
19. Sir Nigel Bruce Ronald, Acting Assistant Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
20. Paul H. Charquéraud.