892.61317/1–2146
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Southeast Asian Affairs (Moffat)
On October 16, 1945 I handed a suggested draft of a proposed tripartite agreement between the United States, Great Britain and Siam informally to the British Embassy.5 This draft was intended to set forth in agreement form principles which had been agreed to in principle between the two Governments relating to Siamese rice and certain other commodities in short world supply.
Several exchanges of aide-mémoire failed, however, to produce agreement as to procedures under the suggested agreement. In December, I suggested to Everson6 of the British Embassy that we postpone further discussion of the agreement until our differences on the British-Siamese peace agreement were settled. Immediately following the signing of that agreement I suggested to Everson that we proceed to reach an understanding on the proposed tripartite agreement, the establishment of which we both recognized as urgent. I expressed the view that the only way to achieve such understanding was to stop writing aide-mémoire and have direct conversations between those with at least some authority to make decisions and to try to reach an agreed statement subject only to final government approval on each side. Everson admitted that even the Embassy did not understand just what his Government had in mind, but stated that fortunately Sanderson,7 top rice man of the Ministry of Food was coming shortly to Washington.
[Here follows an account of meetings concerning the proposed tripartite agreement on January 5, 8 and 16 by officers of the Departments of State and Agriculture (including the Commodity Credit Corporation) with British officials headed by Mr. Sanderson. Informal agreement was reached by the participants, subject to the approval of the American and British Governments.]
- Draft agreement relating to Siamese rice and certain other Siamese export commodities in short supply, not printed; but see Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. vi, 1360, footnote 4.↩
- Frederick C. Everson, First Secretary of the British Embassy.↩
- Harold L. Sanderson, Director of Rice Supplies, British Ministry of Food.↩