Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Western Europe, Volume III

840.50 Recovery/3–1248: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State

secret

London, March 12, 1948—11 a. m.

1012. Gore-Booth, head ERP Section, Foreign Office made following comments March 11 re British thinking continuing CEEC organization (Embassy’s representative conveyed views outlined Depcirtel March 10):¹

1. British Government feels that most functions organization should be performed by an Executive Committee composed of representatives of sixteen participants which would be in almost continuous session and which would be supplemented by commodity committees as required. Question CEEC organization has been discussed with all ministries concerned has been approved by Cabinet and it is expected that Bevin will make strong statement on subject at opening of CEEC meeting March 15. National representatives on the Executive Committee would be high-level officials of a standing equivalent to Hall-Patch, Under Secretary Foreign Office. British experience with combined boards and wartime allied organizations leads them to conclusion that this structure better designed for effective results.

2. Since national representatives will be high-level and in close touch at all times with their governments, “recommendations” of the organization will be readily transplanted into decisions of each participating government. While Gore-Booth agreed organizations powers would be limited to recommendations, he expressed view that its powers would be broader de facto as result organizational structure outlined above.

3. British believe, partly as result experience with Myrdal and ECE, that Secretariat should not be policy initiating or policy-making body. Even in statistical field, for example, British consider more can be accomplished through meetings and pooling of information by national representatives in subcommittees than by an international secretariat. This view reinforced by British combined board experience. Gore-Booth thought French now had better understanding British position on above points and that differences between British and French had narrowed.

4. British believe relations with US special representative should be conducted primarily by chairman of Executive Committee and not by Secretary General of organization.

5. British in agreement Department’s thinking re voting and assume that on most issues formal votes will be unnecessary.

6. Gore-Booth considers it unwise to make Secretariat responsible for “evaluating and reporting on efficiency of use by participant countries of their resources including US aid”. He felt this function could be better performed by Executive Committee.

7. With respect to location of organization, British have no strong feelings. No disposition to press for London and would accept Brussels although would also agree to Paris if French insistent.

8. Re commencement operation, Gore-Booth thought organization should be prepared make recommendations program beginning July 1 but thought US would have to proceed more or less independently with respect to program for April–June quarter.

9. British believe fullest possible use should be made ECE committees so long as obstructionist tactics are not used by some members.

10. British sending exceptionally strong delegation to Paris.

11. Gore-Booth expressed hope Department’s representative CEEC meeting would “lean over backwards” to be available only for consultation since he thought decisions this meeting primarily for Europeans. Embassy representative assured him Department fully appreciated this consideration.

Sent Department 1012; repeated Rome 54, Paris 104, The Hague 31, Stockholm 30, Brussels 43.

Gallman

1. Not printed.