560.AL/8–249: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Missions 1
Request you approach Govt to which accredited along following lines:
“In view prospects___________country becoming contracting party to GATT as result tariff negots Annecy, attention drawn to agreement open for signature to GATT contracting parties at Geneva in Sep 1948 for according MFN treatment to Western Ger. Agreement deposited with UN at Lake Success and may be signed there at any time by acceding countries. US hopes______country will sign agreement and also attached memo of understanding relating to accord MFN Western Sectors Berlin agreed to by signatory countries at meeting at Annecy Jul 25 at which reps all acceding countries invited to attend.
US endeavoring obtain widest possible application MFN treatment Ger in order promote its econ recovery and enable it resume sound econ relations with world. US believes these ends most important for [Page 705] development peaceful and democratic Ger and accordingly for econ and polit stability in Eur. MFN in accord principles GATT for reducing trade barriers and placing trade on non-discriminatory basis implementation of which essential to conduct world trade on fair and expanding basis. US particularly interested this matter in view large sums it expending for support of Ger econ in interests of above objectives.”
If objection raised that signature MFN agreement Ger wld create precedent similar agreement Japan you may reply that although US believes same treatment shld apply Japan signature Ger agreement wld be without prejudice position regarding signature any similar agreement for Japan. For your info agreement similar to one already existing for Ger proposed for Japan at Geneva and Annecy sessions of GATT but due strong opposition matter dropped from agenda. US still desires obtain such agreement.
Matter signature Ger agreement discussed with reps all acceding countries at Annecy and USDel Annecy believes most or all will recommend signature to their Govt.
- Sent for action to: Athens, Bogotà, Copenhagen, Ciudad Trujillo, Helsinki, Managua, Monrovia, Montevideo, Port-au-Prince, Rome, and Stockholm. Sent for information to Annecy, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Tokyo.↩