852.00/4–146
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Aide-Mémoire
The Department of State is in substantial agreement with the views of the British Government expressed in the British Embassy’s Aide-Mémoire of April 1, 1946, on the subject of proposals with respect to Spain made recently to both Governments by the French Government.
The Department of State proposes to reply to the French Government along the following lines:
“The Government of the United States acknowledges the receipt of the French Government’s note of March 25, 1946,59 with regard to Spain.
The proposals made in the French Government’s communication have received the most careful consideration of the United States Government. These suggestions raise important issues and should, in the opinion of the United States Government, be discussed in detail by the French, British and American Governments so that there may be the fullest measure of understanding as to the likelihood of these or other proposed measures leading to the desired result. To this end the United States Government believes that oral conversations between the French, British and American Governments, as the governments most directly concerned, would be the most satisfactory method for further discussion of this matter. The Government of the United States is prepared to begin such talks at a time and place agreeable-to the French and British Governments.”
If the French Government agree to the proposal for oral conversations, being made jointly by the Governments of the United States and Great Britain, the United States Government would be agreeable to their being held in London.