840.50 Recovery/11–1249: Telegram
The United States High Commissioner for Germany (McCloy) to the Secretary of State
3923. In conversation with Secretary Friday morning in Paris,1 Bevin also raised question of Spaak’s heading OEEC. Bevin indicated he had discussed matter with Spaak recently and that Spaak worried about possibility of leaving Belgium although anxious to be of help if US and UK wanted him as head of OEEC. Bevin stated that internal political situation in both UK and Belgium made it difficult for him put pressure on Spaak. Bevin said he personally fears civil strife in Belgium this year and considers it important have Spaak remain in country.
Secretary said US had received different information from Spaak, who told Harriman few days ago he was not anxious be in Belgium during present internal political difficulties and would like to head OEEC.2 Bevin replied strongly he would not coerce Spaak. Secretary said question was not individual but rather over-all strengthening of OEEC. He mentioned McNeil and Franks and others who had been considered and would be outstanding for job, but said main point was to find someone who would strengthen organization at ministerial level. Bevin said he had already instructed Franks to suggest to Hoffman [Page 448] that US government address letter to all OEEC countries setting forth just exactly what was wanted in matter of strengthening OEEC.
What he desired was outline of duties of head of organization and not discussion of personality involved, and he felt this should come from US to all OEEC countries. Secretary indicated he would take this up on return to Washington.
Bevin then said he was confused on what we meant by integration and wanted to know if we meant economic or political and just what we wanted Europe to do. Secretary said we were talking primarily of three issues: (1) free movement of goods, (2) free movement of labor and people, (3) fund and exchange problems.
Recognizing difficulties involved, he urged that quantitative restrictions on movement of goods be removed and said US would do everything possible to assist. Secretary said US embarking on broad program aimed at removal import restrictions, and mentioned his recent New York speech3 and consideration being given to closing dollar gap. He said he felt we could make real progress in this field and through our continuing economic talks.
Sent Department 3923, repeated Paris 295, London 254, Brussels 57.
- Secretary of State Acheson conferred with Foreign Minister Schuman and Foreign Secretary Bevin at Paris on November 9 and 10 on German questions; for documentation, see volume iii . On Friday, November 11, he went to Germany, and on November 15 he returned to Washington.↩
- Harriman reported from Paris in his telegram RepSec 44, November 16, that on November 9 Spaak had told him that he “would be willing to take senior job with OEEC in effort to strengthen organization if British agreement could be obtained” (840.50 Recovery/11–1649).↩
- Address delivered before the Convention of the National Foreign Trade Council on November 2. For text, see Department of State Bulletin, November 14, 1949, pp. 747–752.↩