711.4027/11–1348: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1
4347. Reur 4802 Nov 9,2 Paris’ 5831 Nov 11,3 and Bern’s 1521 Nov 13.4 Dept understands purpose memo quoted Embtel 4687 Oct 305 is to afford record exchange of views, to indicate areas of agreement and to state respective positions respect to issues on which no agreement yet reached.
In order to reflect accurately US position Dept concurs Embs recommendation for revision para two. Dept also believes words “course of action” should be substituted for words “general policy” in para seven. This, in Depts opinion, will effectively remove any suggestion of compromise with NSC 15. If such changes made Dept would not object to transmission of memo together with accompanying instruction, drafts of which Dept awaits with interest.6 Meanwhile Depts views are:
- (A)
- That implementation equipment aspect policy (and, of course, maintenance and overhaul phase) should be handled, to extent necessary, outside ECA. Specifically, Dept concurs with para B ur 4802 Nov 9.
- (B)
- That despite confusion re use words “common front”, approach re air transport operations in Greece and Turkey, etc. should be on basis outlined (B) 2 Deptel 4214 Nov 57 in which approach US would expect and welcome UK concurrent and similar action. (Dept had in mind reference “common front approach called for in NSC 15/1” an approach in which Countries A and B would attempt persuade Country C adopt course of action or “front” which would be common to A, B, and C.)
- This telegram was repeated to Paris as 4454 and to Bern as 1552.↩
- Ante, p. 476.↩
- Supra.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed, but see footnote 1, p. 473.↩
- Drafting the memorandum and the accompanying instruction was completed in London by American and British officials on December 6 and 7, 1948. For the final, approved texts of the two documents, see enclosures A and B to the circular Instruction of January 5, 1949, infra.↩
- Ante, p. 475.↩