740.00119 Council/11–547: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Political Adviser for Germany ( Murphy ) at Berlin
urgent
2232. For Murphy.
- (1)
-
Dept of opinion that only questions
specifically referred by Moscow CFM
to Deputies for Germany are:
- (a)
- Provisional political organization for Germany;
- (b)
- Procedure for preparation German peace treaty.
- Record indicates that while Deputies at Moscow recommended reference to Deputies of US proposal on compensation for United Nations property removed as war booty or reparations, CFM did not consider or act on this recommendation. Dept is adverse to discussion this latter topic by Deputies since it involves complicated reparations issues.
- (2)
- Strang informs Dept that Bevin will propose that Deputies address themselves to drawing up agenda for CFM. Strang informed this course agreeable US Govt. Austria might well be given first place [Page 699] on agenda by virtue ATC report to CFM. If Bevin’s suggestion adopted, it is US view that order other questions should be economic problems, provisional governmental organization, draft demilitarization and disarmament treaty and “other business.” French apparently have in mind list of questions rather than fixed agenda presumably in interest more flexibility. Dept has no objection such list although it believes it desirable topics should follow suggested general classifications and that it should be understood that Ministers be free to pass from one question to another without completion discussion on each. Keep Dept informed concerning agenda discussion. Instructions will be sent you whenever necessary.38
- (3)
- Deputies will presumably prepare reports to CFM on questions mentioned par. (1). Dept would like have substantive discussion avoided if possible on provisional Govt or other issues since it is believed adoption fixed positions in Deputies might render work CFM more difficult. If such discussion can not be deferred US delegation may put forth in general terms proposition outlined in Dept’s preliminary position paper that subject to satisfactory agreement on economic unification of Germany immediate steps be envisaged for setting up provisional governmental body instead proceeding by way of administrative agencies and advisory committee agreed at Moscow. Re peace treaty procedure, there would seem to be no objection to an exchange views in which US would maintain its previous stand in matter consultation with non-CFM United Nations.
- (4)
- Dept agreeable you may informally and unobtrusively consult Brit and French deputies re list agenda items and CFM procedural matters but desires you refrain from preparation with them of joint positions on basic CFM questions and particularly steps that may have to be taken on tripartite basis in event conference failure.
Repeated to London as No. 4721.
-
Telegram 4746, November 7, to London, informed and instructed Murphy additionally as follows:
↩“Brit Emb note Nov 6 conveys Bevin’s proposal, communicated likewise Soviet and French Govts, that Deputies settle items and order CFM agenda, suggesting it be agreed that CFM continue discussion each agenda item for so long as progress being made and that event no agreement on particular item CFM pass to discussion next item. You authorized negotiate preparation CFM agenda this sense.” (740.00119 Council/11–747)