840.50 Recovery/9–947: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in London
3950. For Ambassador Douglas. Reurtel 4888, 9 Sept, it appears that Bevin may have some misconceptions as to the intent of Depcirtel Sept 7, 1 a. m. Read in conjunction with Depcirtel Sept 7, 2 a. m., it will be noted that, in effect, Dept welcomes meeting in Paris of high level representatives of participating countries on or about Sept 15, provided they do not meet for the sole purpose of rubber-stamping initial CEEC report and accepting it as final document. Hope is that [Page 424] final conferring in this phase of CEEC work will permit improvement of report by acceptance in greater measure of major principles involved in “essentials” already given participating governments. If some days’ delay in submission of report for this purpose necessary, Dept endorses delay (see paras 3 and 4, Depcirtel Sept 7, 2 a. m.). Most useful course of action by CEEC would, to our mind, be as follows:
- a.
- CEEC composed of Ministers or other top reps meets Sept 15 and revises, so far as is possible or necessary, general report to accept the “essentials”.
- b.
- Phraseology of report is changed to make it clear that report is preliminary, intended as basis for further discussion, and will be subject to further amendment, particularly regarding the technical committee reports.
- c.
- If possible, although admitted unlikely, technical reports might be further improved along lines of principles accepted in revised general report.
- d.
- The revised report is published (we suppose about 21 Sept, but earlier if possible) and submitted to participating governments and to US simultaneously.
- e.
- Main CEEC then adjourns but leaves technical working groups, with US technical reps offering friendly aid, in session to take such further action as possible to apply to technical reports the principles agreed in revised general report. This involves screening. In this connection, we hope to have US governmental screening of initial report under way at same time and can soon furnish constructive guidance to US technical reps giving friendly aid. Possible also that we can be using Harriman Committee to check European requirements against US availabilities and make more realistic the guidance offered US reps in Paris. Main CEEC will reconvene at some later date, say Oct 10, to approve and forward final report.
The reaction to Depcirtel Sept 7, 1 a.m., from other governments has in general been very satisfactory and indications are that most reps at CEEC will support US suggestions. Therefore, we are hopeful that if higher level representatives of participating governments meet in Paris on 15 Sept there will be considerable support to the concept expressed above. As for Bevin’s remark reference impairing national sovereignties by urging continuing action, replies from other Missions do not seem to have substantiated Bevin’s fears.
As for Bevin’s remarks that Soviets have threatened some countries with withholding coal, would appreciate any specific information British have in this regard. Department has no knowledge of any specific threats of this nature.
Magowan, British Embassy, queried Dept yesterday at FonOff direction, as to intent behind US activity both as to cirtels and Bizonia offer. He was given full background as to our fears of receiving a final report at this time and, re Bizonia, our belief that by offering Bizonia for limited screening we would induce other nations to submit also. He [Page 425] said he appreciated and understood motives in both cases and his only fears were, on direct approach to govts, that US was embarking on course lessening importance of multilateral Paris meetings. On this point he was reassured and it was explained that we merely wanted govts to reconsider instructions to Paris delegates. His fears on Bizonia were that we were inviting difficult time with French and might be jeopardizing November CFM.1 These arguments seemed unconvincing in view London discussions on Level of Industry, French interest therein (see Paris Embtel 3650, Sept 9;2 Paris, please repeat to Douglas if he has not seen), answer given Soviets when they complained London talks and fact that revised Level Industry has been published.
Suggest you approach FonOff again soonest to explain further the broad intent of the cirtel approaches and ask for further sympathetic consideration. As for Bizonia, you should urge agreement on general lines of our offer. If Bevin still is unable to agree inform Dept urgent, since in that event basic reconsideration of bilateral offer must be undertaken.
Repeat to Paris for Clayton and Caffery.
- The Fifth Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers met in London from November 25 to December 15; for documentation, see vol. ii, pp. 676 ff.↩
- Post, p. 736.↩