841.6359/12–1347: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
6463. For Lovett’s eyes only from the Ambassador. 1. In view of Bevin’s physical condition which compelled him to remain quietly at home for several days, excepting for attendance at the CFM meetings from which he had to absent himself on one occasion, and his extreme preoccupation with the business of the CFM and his other duties, it was impossible for me to have any satisfactory conversation in regard to Deptels 5102 and 5103 December 4, and Telmar 46, December 6.
2. I did, however, see Roger Makins before his departure for Washington. I explained to him the extreme importance of keeping the [Page 897] matter out of the area of congressional debate and generally, the purposes of the discussion, including the basic approach to the problem as outlined by you, though I, of course, did not show him your communication to me.
3. Makins general comment was, in regard to the movement to Canada and the US of source and fissionable material not required for operating needs in the UK, that his Government would find it very difficult to agree to any proposal which implied that the UK was not, for security reasons, an appropriate place for stocks.
4. I saw Bevin this morning, and briefly discussed, the matter explaining our concern that the subject be not involved in ERP debates, and the general purpose of the discussion in Washington, including the movement in our favor of fissionable or source material. The conversation, because of its shortness, was not satisfactory, but Bevin indicated that Makins and his group had gone to Washington prepared to discuss the matter fully, and that he doubtless would hear from Makins during the course of the next day or so.
5. Regret that the matter was not covered as adequately as you would have wanted before Makins departure. If you have any advice as to what I should say, if anything, to Bevin as a result of such talks as may have already taken place in Washington with Makins and the Canadians, I would appreciate it.