840.50 Recovery/6–248: Circular telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices in Europe 1
us urgent
Re bilateral ECA agreements Depcirtel April 30. In view short time available negotiation ECA agreements Dept is becoming increasingly concerned by 1) general tendency participating govts delay begin serious negotiations, 2) confusion which may have been created by reports concerning possible discussion of agreements at informal OEEC meeting at Paris on June 3, and 3) possibility that fact of concurrent discussions in Washington and foreign capital concerned, in case of several agreements, may have led misunderstanding re locus of negotiations. For your info in connection with (1), Brit Govt has suggested delay in signature of US–UK agreement until August in order allow time further consideration.
In light foregoing, please immediately make following points clear to govt to which you are accredited:
- 1.
- If agreement not concluded by July 3, EC Administrator has no choice but to suspend assistance until such time as agreement is concluded.
- 2.
- US Govt would consider it desirable and helpful if participating countries discussed agreement among themselves in informal OEEC meeting at Paris beginning June 3. However, such discussions should be concluded soonest in order permit early initiation or resumption bilateral negotiations with US. US not prepared negotiate agreements at Paris.
- 3.
- Negotiations all agreements except those with Greece and Turkey must be conducted Washington although formal signature in foreign capital contemplated.
- Sent to diplomatic offices in all CEEC capitals.↩