840.50 Recovery/3–548: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Sebald)
80. For Sebald for Kennan1 eyes only. Dept informed Douglas we agree to principle that bizonal area of Germany should participate in forthcoming CEEC discussions. We consider it undesirable, however, that bizonal admin be represented at Fonmin level in CEEC and feel it preferable that bizonal reps participate at subordinate level i.e. in discussions of working party. Douglas authorized to indicate to French that we are unprepared to undertake any commitment as to shipments to French zone under ERP unless and until we obtain clear idea as to French position on German policy, in particular coordination their zone with bizonal area. Douglas also informed that we will agree to association of Benelux reps in future meetings of kind now taking place in London.2 Douglas plans to return to Washington this Sat and London discussions on Germany on ambassadorial level will accordingly be recessed then. In meantime working parties will continue in Berlin to examine pending questions and before adjourning reps in London will probably set date for future meeting.
- George F. Kennan, Director of the Policy Planning Staff was in Japan, preparing a report for the Department. The report of March 25, 1948 is printed in vol. vi, pp. 691 ff.↩
- Reference here is to the London Conference on Germany, first part, Feb. 21–March 5. Documentation is presented in volume ii .↩