840.00/1–2449: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Secretary of State
294. In conversation today with Bevin on many subjects he told me he would try to work out compromise solution on political organization of Western Union (Embtel 230, January 19)1 at meeting of Brussels Pact Consultative Council London January 27 (date has been changed from 26 as Bevin will be engaged in Palestine debate that day).
[Page 45]As to method of selection of members of conference or assembly he said agreement might be reached on basis of allowing each participating govt to determine method to be used. In case of voting procedure he also did not despair of possibility of reconciliation of differences though here he was less specific. He said his plan providing for unit vote had been influenced by procedure in Pan American Union.
He indicated that if agreement not reached among five Foreign Ministers he was in favor of consulting other possible charter members of organization and added he believed Scandinavian countries would agree with his approach. He also repeated usual British arguments against elected assembly.
Jebb who was present at our conversation afterward added that form of organization was not as important as speedy establishment of organization which could be modified later.
Sent Dept 294; repeated Paris 57.
- Not printed.↩