560.AL/4–2048: Circular telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Missions 1
secret us urgent
Washington, April 20,
1948—1 a. m.
- 1.
- Adverse attitude most other GATT contracting parties and fuller study legal position as well as result soundings Congressional opinion seem compel change in US position suggested Deptel Mar 26. Present prevailing view Dept is to proclaim rates for Czecho and apply GATT to that country. Recommendation to this effect has been made to Secretary Marshall at Bogotá and his reply is awaited. If he approves, will still be necessary obtain White House approval before US can proceed to put GATT into effect for Czecho. US will therefore not be able to apply agreement to Czecho by April 20 deadline but if Marshall and White House approve, US will apply GATT to Czecho soon as possible, probably about middle May.
- 2.
- In view foregoing US does not now intend call meeting contracting parties GATT as suggested para 5, Deptel Mar 26.
- 3.
- Foregoing for your info only. Should govts to which you are accredited inquire whether US will apply GATT to Czecho, you should reply that matter is still under consideration and that decision is expected shortly.2
Lovett
- Sent to Brussels, Canberra, Habana, Luxembourg, London, Ottawa, Paris, Praha, and The Hague.↩
- On April 22, President Truman issued a proclamation placing GATT into effect with respect to Czechoslovakia on April 21. U.S. missions were informed that April 21 was chosen because it corresponded to the 30 day expiration date after the Czech signature on the Protocol of Provisional Application to GATT. The missions were instructed to convey this information to the governments to which they were accredited. In the case of the Canadian Government, the Embassy in Ottawa was instructed in telegram 56, not printed, to “indicate that this govt greatly appreciates its support but felt that in view adverse reaction most other contracting parties GATT, proper course was to apply GATT to Czecho.” (560.AL/4–2248)↩